fcable

Anybody know why the lower radiator hose on a 1987 C4 Z51 is 4 1/2" longer than a non Z51 C4?
(Z51 21 1/8" long, nonZ51 16 5/8")

ex-x-fire

Your new hose is longer? Just cut it, that's pretty much what you do with aftermarket hoses. Sometimes they'll even have a mark on where to cut it.

fcable

It's not that the hose is too long. When you go to buy a replacement hose, there's 2 different hoses available. One for the Z51, and one for the non Z51car.
The question is why is the Z51 hose longer?

IHBD

In 1987, Z51 added structural enhancements to the frame of Z51 Coupes that the "regular" cars did not receive. In 1988-onwards, these enhancements were included on all frames regardless of whether Z51/Z52/Z07 were specified or not.

One of these enhancements is the permanent cross member just in front of the crankshaft pulley. In the non-Z51 frame it is shorter and more compact than the enhanced "Z51" member which is a couple of inches taller. The lower radiator hose has to pass over this cross member. The later hose is formed differently to accommodate this requirement.

fcable

Thank you for answering my question. Now I know.

WVZR-1

All 'verts '86 & '87 would use that same lower hose.