1987 What You See: This was...
1987
What You See:
This was the first year for the B2K option, also known as the Callaway Corvette engine, shown in photo.
What You Don't See:
This was the first year for a roller camshaft and lifters inside the engine.
1985What You See:The big news of 1985 was the switch to Tuned Port Injection for the engine. Having individual injectors for each cylinder gave much more control over the fuel trim of the engine; the tuned-length runners helped boost torque to 40 lb-ft, and horsepower increased from 205 to 230. This shaved almost a second off the previous year's quarter-mile times at the track. Also, the air was regulated by a single throttle body (no more equalizing throttle bodies) and the amount of air fed into the engine was measured by a Mass Air Flow meter (MAF). This helped increase fuel mileage because a 14.7:1 air-fuel mixture was easier to maintain.
The Ins And Outs Of C4 OwnershipIn: ZR-1's specially coated windshield with opening for "Electronic Devices" such as a radar detectorOut: This "special film" delaminated badly, hindering the driver's vision.
In: The desire to put performance back into Corvette returns with the C4.Out: Until '92, Corvette still had to breathe through a single exhaust.
In: Return to convertibles in '86.Out: Needing braces to eliminate shake once the top was removed.
In: Corvette came into the computer age with faster processors and more capability during the fourth generation.Out: Hiding that computer under the dash on '89 and earlier cars.
In: LT5s, LT1s, and LT4s.Out: The exotic nature (cost to repair) of LT5s and hiding the Opti-spark distributors under the water pumps in LT1s and LT4s.
In: ABS and ASROut: People who feel they are "good enough drivers" to never need ABS or ASR.
In: Removable TopsOut: Needing to carry a ratchet and Torx bit to remove the roof.
 1988 What You See: Since...  1988
What You See:
Since there were no Corvettes produced on the 30th anniversary, GM decided to celebrate the 35th Anniversary Edition. "White" is the best way to describe one of these special edition coupes-white on the wheels, exterior, interior, steering wheel, beltline molding, and seats. Picture a white sheet of paper in an Alaskan snowstorm. Also, Chevrolet produced 56 street-legal Corvettes for the SCCA Corvette Challenge Series.
What You Don't See:
There were several changes to the chassis of the '88 Corvette. Larger brakes were added to the Z51 suspension-optioned cars, and all '88 Corvettes got new dual-piston calipers up front and upgraded rear calipers that used the brake pads for the emergency brake rather than an internal brake-shoe assembly. |  What You Don't See: The '90...  What You Don't See:
The '90 Corvettes had improved ABS and yaw control within their electronics system; and the heart of that system, the computer, was moved from under the dash to a more accessible position on the driver side, under the hood. |  1989 What You See: The new...  1989
What You See:
The new ZF six-speed manual transmission was first installed in '89 Corvettes in preparation for the upcoming ZR-1.
What You Don't See:
You could call the '89 production year a year of "lasts" rather than "firsts." This was the last year for the Corvette Challenge Series, and Bowling Green built 60 cars for competition. Also, the digital dash was phased out as was the MAF sensor, replaced with a MAP sensor that sensed manifold pressure instead of airflow. |