I have a lead on an 82 Vette Black/charcoal leather loaded all original 39K miles for 11k. I am on the fence about this car It is gorgeous inside, outside and underneath the only thing that doesn't work is the power antenna.

What scares me is the crossfire injection. I have read threads here that claim the people who hate the CFI are people who don't know anything about them. Then I also read a bunch of horror stories other places on the internet. I am very mechanically inclined but have never messed around with FI before be it CFI, TPI or TBI. I am just trying to make sure I do not buy something I will regret later and or loose money on it like I did with my 78. It wouldn't be a daily driver but more a nice weather weekend warrior. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Pics:

 

that is a beautiful car. I would not doubt it at all. If I were you that car would already be in my garage.
The Cross fire is really not that bad of a system. Properly tuned it is very nice.

 

Thanks yeah I am very tempted. I also wouldn't mind plopping a ZZ4 or a 385 fast burn in it for the HP performance aspect but doing that to an all original 39K mi 82 would probably be almost sacrilegious.

I was looking at a pewter 2000 Vert with 59K on it that needed a new windshield & a front bumper cover for $10k when I ran across this. I like the technology of the newer Vettes and the body lines/style are OK But I have always been a BIG fan and held a special place in my heart for the C3 body style.

 

If it runs well. Chances are it always will. Its not that complicated once you get to understand it.

Think of the crossfire as a an intake with two carbs that have injectors in place of jets two sensors to control the air flow and once sensor tht determines the throttle position. All done by a little computer in the battery compartment.

You can't twig it you can change the fuel flow. So long as you never try it will always run great. Touble starts when yo start trying to adjust the idle or timing. It can't really be done because the computer will always try to compensate.

So if it ever starts running rough just assume something is gone and needs to be replaced. Don't try to fix it with an adjustment.

So if that car starts and purrs like a kitten. Its a good one. If anything has been tampered with or changed to something other then what should be on there you will have issues.

Jim

 

In the 11 years I have owned my 82 I have had very few problems that wernt easily diagnosed witht he computer and no problems with the crossfire.. As stated properly tuned it works great and is always reliable. I have taken mine a few long trips and gotten very good fuel millage out of the crossfire. I say go for it.

 

My buddy had an 82 Z28 Pace Car Edition back in the mid 80's and it had the cross fire injection. That car ran great (not fast, though). I wouldn't worry too much about it not working right, if as others said, it works fine now. I also wouldn't worry about dropping in a crate engine, as long as everything you do is reversible, in case you or someone else wants to make it original again.

 

I own a 1984 CFI. It runs . . . OK ! But, if I had it to do all over again, I'd pass on a crossfire injected model. For years I've been hunting a rough idle and after fifteen years I'm giving up. Most likely will trade in in on something better, like a C5 ZO6 ! I love C4's but sometimes they will have you pulling your hair out. No matter if it's CFI or a TPI, SPI or a Opti-spark going out on you or a lot of things. C4's are a tough customer to keep running smooth. Just my $0.02 !

 

The CFI system on my 82 never gave me an issue really.

I did have a high idle one year. I replaced the Coolant Temp Sensor and it fixed that. EFI really is a great thing. Id jump on it.

There are a few companies that specialize in CFI maintenance and upgrades.

I did however probably wipe a cam lobe last fall, and replaced the whole shooting match with an LS1-4L60E combo this winter.

Brent.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies and I am still on the fense about buying. I know C3's can be a headache! My dream car is a 69 but cannot afford to chell out the $$$ for an excellent cond 69-72 so like many 80-82 would be my affordable choice and like the body style very much.

Looks like I would have to do my homework and become an expert on tuning the CFI. This car also has a high idle and hesitates slightly until it's warmed up and then tuns fine. So yes I am still undecided.

Brent
Your 82 is sweet! I read your list and wow impressive! I love those TTII's also. Think they are the best looking wheels on a C3 for sure!

 

Well...there ya go. I would check the car and have him fix it before buying it. The question is have the settings been tampered with? A lot of people unload the 82's becuase they can't figure them out.

Take off the cleaner and look at the TBI's (carbs). Each one should have a capped port (black rubber) on the rear. To the side of the capped port there should be a metal plug. They looks like a saucer, Are they there? There is a screw behind those plugs that adjust the angle of the throttle plates. If the saucer shape caps are off someone has played with it. If they are on look at the linkage on the front TBI. The linkage adjustment screw has a bead of weld on it from the factory. It needs to be grinded off to adjust the linkage. Is it in tact? Is so move to the next.

The fuel pressure between the two TBI's should be around 12 psi. The range is 9-13 psi. If its closer to 9 or drops below 9 the fuel pump is gone. If the fuel pressure is good move on.

The most likely cause is all else is fine is the gasket on the intake plate. The intake is two pieces. The upper plate that the TBI's sit on has a bunch of bolts holding it down. There is a large gasket under the plate around the parimeter. It is known to go and cause a vaccum leak. Its easy to replace and the gasket is not expensive ($40).

Try to figure it out before you buy it. Have him fix it at his expense. Or if you really want the car and intend on doing it your self knock of $2000. Its not going to cost that much but you have to factor in your time.

Jim

 

If the engine & CFI are working well, it should be fine. Everything can be rebuilt. I just saw an Eckler's catalog and they sell a replacement control unit for just over $100. Usually, those last a very long time. They also sell the TBI rebuild kits.

When you put the key in the ignition [to test out the car], make sure the Check Engine Light (CEL) comes on (not burned out). Then, when running, make sure you don't see the light coming on...which would indicate some fault with it.

If you are just going to enjoy the car as a 'driver' vehicle and not try to "bump up" the power, this should be a really nice car for you. If there is no/little rust and it all works [except for the power antenna...which you can replace or repair], you will get great mileage, a fuel injected engine, and an overdrive tranny with lockup (make sure that works, too). For $11K, that sounds like a good deal to me.

 

jdp6000 - you know the crossfire well, sir, I replaced the plenium gasket on mine a couple of years ago, at 25K miles. .

I've had an '82 in my garage since 1996. It is what it is, a smogged up 5.7 that will turn 18 MPG in town and 26+ Hwy. All in all a nice cruiser - she makes some noise at WOT but goes no where fast..if I want fast, I drive my Z06 .

What has not been mentioned is this was the first year of the 700R4 tranny. The Crossfire, mated to the 700R4, produced 285 ft lb of TQ. The car can launch pretty good...again, for what she is.

The one you are looking at seems to be a very nice, original car. Look it over well. Has she been molested in any way. Is that origianl paint? Looks very nice, too nice to be original as there is no fade on the front/rear bumpers for a 28 year old car where clear-coat was new. The price is right for the miles an apparent condition but just ask a lot of questions. BTW, she will idle high at first and then settle down, typical for a crossfire.

 

[QUOTE=2TONE82;1573376445]jdp6000 - you know the crossfire well, sir, I replaced the plenium gasket on mine a couple of years ago, at 25K miles. .

I've had an '82 in my garage since 1996. It is what it is, a smogged up 5.7 that will turn 18 MPG in town and 26+ Hwy. All in all a nice cruiser - she makes some noise at WOT but goes no where fast..if I want fast, I drive my Z06 .

What has not been mentioned is this was the first year of the 700R4 tranny. The Crossfire, mated to the 700R4, produced 285 ft lb of TQ. The car can launch pretty good...again, for what she is.

2Tone I know what you mean. If the 82 was as fast as it looked it would be a rocket. Unfortunately it is what its. Its fast enough though. No comparison to modern technology. Regardless its fun to drive.

Jim

 

STOP - DONT buy the car.
send me the sellers phone number

 

To keep things in perspective, the Vette was at the top of the heap performance-wise in 1982 . Chevy did a pretty good job in keeping the Vette a fun car that year considering how the Federal government was on all the car manufacturer's backs and pushing fuel economy.

Today you see V6's pushing out close to 300HP. IMO, my 200HP 27 year old Vette does just fine and is a heck of a lotta fun to drive the missus around in!...
Eek I meant 28 year old! My old gal had a birthday!!!

 

78CO_Vette, if you like C3's and that car is what you say it is I think you'll be making a big mistake if you don't jump on it.

I see a number of late model C3 owners claiming they get this kind of mileage yet my 79 only gets about 15 MPG on the highway and thats with the larger Canadian gallon. It runs well and has a professionally rebuilt motor, I know the 3.70 gears and lack of an overdrive trans make a lot of difference, but surely not that much?

 

Thank you everyone for your replies a lot of great information.
I am kind of torn between two cars right now. Yes the black 82 is beautiful and low mi all original but I just cannot seem to get past the crossfire and only 200hp. The other one I am looking at it a 1980 with 50K original miles. It has brand new paint blue/blue updated suspension componets full leather int, 4 speed with a 425hp 383 stroker with 5K. Yeah call me crazy but some about that hp is a big + to me not to mention 4 spped with no computer.

 

I hear you, that sounds like a lot of fun. nothing like big horsepower and a 4 speed. 4 speed was a must have for me too.

 

The CFI is a good FI unit.
You have only (2)injectors to worry about versus (8) on the TPI.
Had a friend who ran a 5.7L TPI and one of the injectors was faulty & shot a bunch of gas in the cylinder which broke the connecting rod as the piston was trying to compress liquid instead of gas.
CFI's are a wet system & any flooding would not shoot it directly into the cylinder but pool in the CFI manifold causing the engine not to start. Better that than a broken rod.

CFI's only have the CTS (Coolant Temperature Sensor), MAP (Manifold Absolute Sensor), (2)IAC (Idle Air Control Valves), TPS (Throttle Position Sensor), O2 (Oxygen Sensor), Engine Knock Sensor, VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) & the ECM (Engine Control Module)...less sensors than the TPI setup.

Synchronizing the dual TBI's only necessary if the factory setting was changed and can easily be adjusted with a water manometer or now they have digital manometers in addition to an inexpensive TBI plug to block the idle air pass to the IAC valve.

The Check Engine Light (CEL as some call it) gives the ECM trouble codes if any of the sensors are bad or you can just get an OBD1 ALDL diagnostic cable with a USB interface to plug into a laptop running Win98/2000/XP ( http://aldlcable.com/ ) using the WINALDL software ( http://winaldl.joby.se/ ) to actually see the sensor voltages and whether running in open or closed loop.

Once you get the hang of it, it's a snap.

Upgrade options are the faster GM ECM 1227747 which can be modified to accept the stock ECM harness with a HAM (Harness Adapter Module) and putting in a electronically erasable/flashable 27FS512 chip or the Moates Ostrich chip emulator to tune on the fly.
Bigger 52mm TBI bases are available and with the setup it will run a 383stroker.

If the car starts up and runs/drives without any problems, you've got a winner & I would buy the Corvette which is low mileage, nice original paint & interior.

C3's increase in value over time.
If you notice later models, the seats are below the rocker panel which is a real pain to get in & out.
The C1-C3's seats are mounted higher up as the floor is higher than the C4-C6 which makes for easier access.

What are you waiting for ?

 

I agree: What are you waiting for?!!

The pics up top look beautiful!!

I pulled my CFI manifold off a few times, even swapped the top cover over (with TBs still attached) to a ported CFI manifold without a hiccup in TB operational performance.

I wouldn't be afraid of the CFI system.