Crossfire alternative?
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Crossfire alternative?
Hi guys, been a long time vette owner but only pre-C3. I currently do not have one but was looking to purchase again and came across a pretty good deal on an 82 with the Crossfire system. I have heard that this injection system is, or can be, very problematic and wanted your opinion on the validity of this, and if so, are there any tips/tricks or aftermarket solutions to help with reliability.
Thanks all,
Mike
Thanks all,
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
Hi guys, been a long time vette owner but only pre-C3. I currently do not have one but was looking to purchase again and came across a pretty good deal on an 82 with the Crossfire system. I have heard that this injection system is, or can be, very problematic and wanted your opinion on the validity of this, and if so, are there any tips/tricks or aftermarket solutions to help with reliability.
Thanks all,
Mike
Thanks all,
Mike
The CrossFire Injection is an extremely reliable system. Mine went 275,000 miles before any part of it failed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 530
Likes: 10
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I read a story where some guru on the cross fire said it was only good for a bit over 300 hp..."only 300" 
that is good for a nice street car,
the stock cross fire got all kinds of bad raps mostly from people who were closed minded and knew nothing about it...But leaving well enough alone It's a nice set up.
that is good for a nice street car,the stock cross fire got all kinds of bad raps mostly from people who were closed minded and knew nothing about it...But leaving well enough alone It's a nice set up.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 149
Likes: 3
From: Downingtown PA
As long as it was maintained, no issues. Picked mine up run hard and put away wet. Very little maintenance, if any, done by previous owners. Other than it runs slightly rich, never had an issue with it yet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
Agree with others here, solid, reliable system if you just want to cruise. You can mod a little and be ok but the bigger the mods the more challenges you'll have. I've had an 82 in my garage since 1996 and really enjoyed it....just cruise in the 82, if I want speed, I back the Z out. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
several options.keep stock and enjoy the car.or change over to carb.or you could change to any of the new fuel injection systems that are out there.i get 21 mpg with my car .several mods have been done ,all that can be found on this forum and others.get the car then decide what you want to do .
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 30
From: Los Angeles CA
several options.keep stock and enjoy the car.or change over to carb.or you could change to any of the new fuel injection systems that are out there.i get 21 mpg with my car .several mods have been done ,all that can be found on this forum and others.get the car then decide what you want to do .
found most vacuum leaks
new
pcv
air filters
gas filter
plugs
wires
cap
rotor
cleaned IAC
spray cleaned throttle body
stock crate long block 50k miles, very tight motor with great oil pressure
PO did hyperchip
breaks bfg 245/60/15 easily
what can i do to get to 21 mpg?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
check to see if tranny is going into overdrive .what rpm at idle.what rear end gear do you have .how do the injectors look when spraying .what timing are you at .what cam is installed with the crate motor and what compression are the pistons.And heres the big one ,how hard do you drive it ?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 30
From: Los Angeles CA
check to see if tranny is going into overdrive .what rpm at idle.what rear end gear do you have .how do the injectors look when spraying .what timing are you at .what cam is installed with the crate motor and what compression are the pistons.And heres the big one ,how hard do you drive it ?
600 rpm idle
stock rear end gears idk
cam could be stock but idk for sure
compression idk either
i babied it for a tankful
and i nailed it for another tankful
same 14mpg if you can believe that
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
Meh! I would find a carburetor example if it were me. Do an advanced search on Crossfire and find plenty of folks who have come close to hari-kari with those things. Never had one myself, but plenty of evident reason not too out there!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Check out this discussion about 84 Crossfires:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-question.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-question.html
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 30
From: Los Angeles CA
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Why buy an '82 if you don't want the C/F system? By far, it is the best "operational" drivetrain system in the C3 series. And, it has decent 'pep' for a 30+ year-old vehicle.
But, if you want to 'beef it up', the C/F engine is not what you want to start with. You would be better suited with a 1980 or prior year C3; those are relatively easy to modify and get more power. The '81 is just "different". With an '82, you would almost have to do a full rebuild of the engine to get significant increase in power.
However, if you are looking for something in the C3 group that has style, taste, reasonable comfort, and a smooth/efficient/economical drivetrain, the '82...with a working C/F system...would be a good choice, IMO. I owned an '84 (same drivetrain) and thought it was a good, solid drive system. With that engine/control system (in the C4 body), I could get 20 mpg at 100mph!
But, if you want to 'beef it up', the C/F engine is not what you want to start with. You would be better suited with a 1980 or prior year C3; those are relatively easy to modify and get more power. The '81 is just "different". With an '82, you would almost have to do a full rebuild of the engine to get significant increase in power.
However, if you are looking for something in the C3 group that has style, taste, reasonable comfort, and a smooth/efficient/economical drivetrain, the '82...with a working C/F system...would be a good choice, IMO. I owned an '84 (same drivetrain) and thought it was a good, solid drive system. With that engine/control system (in the C4 body), I could get 20 mpg at 100mph!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 30
From: Los Angeles CA
Why buy an '82 if you don't want the C/F system? By far, it is the best "operational" drivetrain system in the C3 series. And, it has decent 'pep' for a 30+ year-old vehicle.
But, if you want to 'beef it up', the C/F engine is not what you want to start with. You would be better suited with a 1980 or prior year C3; those are relatively easy to modify and get more power. The '81 is just "different". With an '82, you would almost have to do a full rebuild of the engine to get significant increase in power.
However, if you are looking for something in the C3 group that has style, taste, reasonable comfort, and a smooth/efficient/economical drivetrain, the '82...with a working C/F system...would be a good choice, IMO. I owned an '84 (same drivetrain) and thought it was a good, solid drive system. With that engine/control system (in the C4 body), I could get 20 mpg at 100mph!
But, if you want to 'beef it up', the C/F engine is not what you want to start with. You would be better suited with a 1980 or prior year C3; those are relatively easy to modify and get more power. The '81 is just "different". With an '82, you would almost have to do a full rebuild of the engine to get significant increase in power.
However, if you are looking for something in the C3 group that has style, taste, reasonable comfort, and a smooth/efficient/economical drivetrain, the '82...with a working C/F system...would be a good choice, IMO. I owned an '84 (same drivetrain) and thought it was a good, solid drive system. With that engine/control system (in the C4 body), I could get 20 mpg at 100mph!
define best operational drive-train please
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11,618
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From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
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St. Jude Donor '16
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 15
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From: Rehoboth MA
The crossfire injection system is really solid as long as you keep up with all the maintenance. The biggest thing I have found with these cars is the sensors can knock engine though a loop and keeping the throttle bodies clean and lubed.