Corvette C4 1984-1996: How to Build & Modify

The 1984–1996 C4 Corvette had a phenomenal run, as more than 337,000 units were produced. Legendary packages, such as the ZR1 and Grand Sport, returned to production. In addition, the Callaway Sledgehammer Corvette reached 254.76 mph on the 7.5-mile oval track at the Transportation Research Center proving grounds. As impressive as these cars were when they were new, more than 30 years of technological advancements have left them dated and ill-equipped for today’s performance-oriented enthusiast.

Chris Petris’s career path of performing Corvette repair and performance upgrades includes writing technical content for multiple magazines, including Corvette Fever, Corvette Enthusiast, and more. In Corvette C4 1984–1996: How to Build and Modify, Petris focuses on all of the car’s major systems and components. Included is building the original engine with the most powerful add-on parts, engine management, crate engines, cooling systems, and suspension and brake upgrades. The most powerful upgrade of all, an LS engine swap, is featured, and supercharging and turbocharging options are covered as well.

With C4 Corvettes being plentiful in the marketplace and more affordable than any other model with the Corvette nameplate, now is a great time to build. Using knowledge from this book, you will achieve modern performance at a fraction of the cost of a new Corvette. Whether you are ready to get started immediately or want to use this book to determine if you want to tackle a C4 project, this book is essential for making informed decisions along the way.

In 1969, Chris Petris was 18 years old, and his automotive journey began by assembling a B/SM 1967 Camaro for the drag strip. Within a short time, Petris became an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)–certified master car and truck technician while performing service manager duties at the Eckler’s Corvette service center. This led to technical writing opportunities with major Corvette magazines and Corvette parts suppliers. Later, Petris created his own business that focused on Corvette engine, drivetrain, and suspension modifications. Petris previously authored How to Restore Your Corvette: 1963–1967 and Corvette C3 1968–1982: How to Build and Modify for CarTech.