LT4 Badge Question

[froggy47]

Well I said "I think" they came that way from the factory, and maybe I was wrong.

There seems, however, to be some fudging going on about what constitutes a Grand Sport (at least on this forum). Is anybody/everybody saying EVERY LT4 engined 1996 IS a Grand Sport?

I have the MSX International "restoration package" on my desk right now for 1996 Corvette Specifications.

It says the Vette coupe had an LT4 "option".

It lists the Vert - no LT4 option

It lists z15 - Collector Edition - coupe or vert - LT4 option

It lists z16 - Grand Sport - coupe or vert- see following

ALL Grand Sports required LT4 engine, coupe or vert, Admiral Blue w/ center white stripe & red hash marks, chromed Grand Sport emblem on front fenders, rear wheel flares (coupe), black brake calipers w/ raised corvette lettering, 5 spoke rims, perforated leather sport seats w/ grand sport embroidery, black or red/black interior.

To me putting Grand Sport emblems on a car that just has the LT4 engine is .................... well you decide what to call it, as for my car it's got an LT4 engine but I don't call it a Grand Sport.

If you think above description is wrong - cite your source.

PS: All this chat is extended in a friendly, information sharing sense. Isn't it fun going back & forth about the car we are all so passionate about?

[CKA_Racing]

"Also on the vin after 1g1yy22 the next position if a "p" indicates lt1 engine if a "5" indicates lt4."

Just go by this info one of the guys replied with and you'll be fine more or less.

You can't tell whether the car is coming with an LT4 regardless of what kind of badging was added or if it has the Grand Sport plate on the throttle body. Even then, who's not to say the previous owner did not blow up the LT4 and replaced it with an LT1 short block at the least.


In case you have not figured it out yet, there was not one LT4 equipped vette that came with an "LT4" badge.

The VIN should also tell you what year it is. I can't find my book to verify this.

[froggy47]

Everyone who said no original equipment LT4 badge, I owe you a beer!

As to the year on the vin, it's the letter after the check digit .

1g1yy225(or p if an lt1)9(check digit)T(t should be 1996, I believe),5(Bowling Green plant)xxxxxx(your car plant sequential number)

[Vettelt193]

Originally posted by froggy47
I have the MSX International "restoration package" on my desk right now for 1996 Corvette Specifications.

It says the Vette coupe had an LT4 "option".

It lists the Vert - no LT4 option

If you think above description is wrong - cite your source.

LT4 came coupe or convertible

Source: General Motors... The basic facts are Any 1996 Corvette with a 6 speed also had the LT4, regardless of coupe, covertible, GS, CE, etc. Tranny is the easiest way to tell the engine in 1996.

[supernatural400]

the only thing that makes a "grand sport" is the RPO code associated with it ..period. All LT4's came with the GS plate on the throttle body, so please don't put GS badging on a non GS car, just because it says it on the motor. unless you have all the other options , such as paint scheme, brakes, fender flares you do not have a Grand Sport, but a 96 with and LT4 motor,

[supernatural400]

Originally posted by froggy47

I have the MSX International "restoration package" on my desk right now for 1996 Corvette Specifications.

It says the Vette coupe had an LT4 "option".

It lists the Vert - no LT4 option

whatever source you have is incorrect, I had a 96 LT4 ragtop

[supernatural400]

another one

[3TT3V]

.....and my LT-4 Emblem at Ecklers is on backorder....for 2 months now.....bummer!

[6 Shooter]

Originally posted by supernatural400
the only thing that makes a "grand sport" is the RPO code associated with it ..period. All LT4's came with the GS plate on the throttle body, so please don't put GS badging on a non GS car, just because it says it on the motor. unless you have all the other options , such as paint scheme, brakes, fender flares you do not have a Grand Sport, but a 96 with and LT4 motor,

Too each his own . . .

Since I've paid for my Vette with my own hard earned money, I'll put on it whatever trips my trigger!

6 Shooter

[supernatural400]

First off I could care less what you put on your car, but why would you put badging on a car when that's not what it is. Same thing a someone putting ZR-1 badges on a non ZR-1 car.

[6 Shooter]

Originally posted by supernatural400
First off I could care less what you put on your car, but why would you put badging on a car when that's not what it is. Same thing a someone putting ZR-1 badges on a non ZR-1 car.

Case in Point . . . ZR-1's have LT-5 Engines, Grand Sport's have LT4 Engines.

Since I've got the LT4 Engine, that Baby's a Grand Sport 2 me!

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

[froggy47]

Hi Super,

I guess I'm wrong twice on this thread. Your vert is not a CE or GS but it has LT4. Clean engine too, I'm planning on detailing mine in the next couple of weeks.

My source was the GM "restoration package" - carbon copies of original GM literature regarding the 96 Vette. Maybe they printed the stuff up early in 1995 & some changes came down the pipe.

Who knows?

I'm with you, as I expect most forum members are, regarding misrepresenting what your Vette is.

I'm ok with the right rear LT4 badge (even though it's not technically original - let's call it a cosmetic mod). That's the engine she's got.

More than that well, there's a guy at my gym that stripped all the Toyota markings off his mid 90's coupe. He stuck a Porsche emblem on the back & the center caps of his wheels.

He thinks it's cool but the car guys all laugh behind his back.

It takes all kinds.

[supernatural400]

I had and aftermarket LT4 badge on my car as that's what motor it had and the only thing it had in common with a GS. We too get good laughs at shows from people who try to make their car out to more than what it is.

[3TT3V]

Now don't hate me for what I am doing........I have an S10 Xtreme and I'm putting an LT-4 engine in it. The LT-4 engine came from a totaled 96 Corvette. ....and , yes, I'm gonna stick an LT 4 emblem on it to brag about what engine I have in it. At least part of that Corvette lives on.

[Vettelt193]

Originally posted by supernatural400
I had and aftermarket LT4 badge on my car as that's what motor it had and the only thing it had in common with a GS. We too get good laughs at shows from people who try to make their car out to more than what it is.

a 'regular' lt4 corvette, and a grand sport, have much more in common than the engine.