I'm narrowing my list of cars of interest as far as making my first purchase. They're all C3's. Oldest is a 1975 and newest is a 1982.

Looking for some input on the '82 crossfire injection. Good or bad?
Found a '82 with low mileage and I think with not a lot of changes and cost could get it to where I would enjoy it as a driver. Just wondering about the injection and any negative issues it may present.

My vehicles and bike certainly all have EFI but it was a new thing for the car in that time frame and I was just curious. Thanks for the help and I look forward to picking up info here.

 

My OPINION is that the crossfire is not a very good platform. If you want a c3 get an 80-81. Last year of the old style, so not much left to go wrong with it. I wantted something with better mileage but liked the c3 style so I am putting an 86 L98 TPI engine in the car. A lot of work to be sure but it will give me the style I want with some more power and way better mpg. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the feedback kanvasman. My concern is spending the money and then having problems right out the gate.

 

I actually drove the 82 when it was first out. Loved the car. Not a lot of power but an excellent driver. First time with an overdrive transmission. I worked on an 82 years later and rebuilt it for someone and got to drive it for a bunch of miles. Again for a cruiser it was excellent. If the cross fire is setup and running correctly it works well. Not a lot of power but it starts and runs great when setup right. Probably one of the best cruising C3 cars I have driven.

 

The crossfire system was a good idea that was poorly executed. I own an orginal 82 CFI with just over 100k on the clock, with minimal worries. The biggest issues with these cars is maintaining the balance with the twin throttle bodies. As with any car don't cheap out or get lazy with maintenance. The throttle body linkage loves to be kept lubed up with used motor oil (as per the GM service manual) If you go with one make sure that the car wasn't messed with by bubba. I got my car from my mother who got it from GM as one of the pilot cars, so it was well broken in by the time my mother got it.

 

IMO, the '82 is a better DD than the previous few years due to the 700R4. In city driving, the extra-short 1st gear more than makes up for the difference in horsepower. The combination of 700R4 and 2.87 rear is the same as a TH350 with a 3.55. Also, I initially had a few issues with the CFI due to neglect by the previous owner, but it's proving to be very reliable.

 

If you get the 1982 Crossfire Corvette budget for the shop manual and the AIM manual. Both references are invaluable. One of the biggest weaknesses is the vacuum system, if you get a vacuum leak it will run like crapola. I found mine to be more than dependable.

 

I currently have an 82CE and previously owned another 82. Love the crossfire 700R4 transmission combination. Great cruiser and decent low end "grunt" in first gear. I prefer 82's over other late C3's and would not hesitate on a low mileage 82.

 

Guys I really appreciate the input. I'm an older retired boy and not too concerned with speed. I was looking for something that wasn't all ragged out and wired together. Found several in my price range but have concerns with some that have been repainted, looking pretty good and owner stated lower mileage with no way of knowing if mileage is correct.

I don't know how folks can advertise they have spent so much on a car to get it looking pretty sharp then sell it for thousands less than what they say they have in it.

Looking for something within what I consider driving distance and that is how I ran across the '82 (it's on it's third owner in the same town with 37K) and a '75 ( owned by an older couple, a repaint and a little over 50K). Have spoke with contacts on each via phone and thought I would check those two out with a few others along the way.

Again, thanks for all the info and advice. Keep it coming. Glad to have all the help I can get.

 

pltmgr has a good point about these cars. The transmission combination is a pretty good one. Granted these cars came with only an automatic but the gearing along with the rear gearing give these cars lots of grunt in the first two gears. These cars seem to be their best as cruisers and not full blown racers like the earlier c3's. The computer system isn't that difficult on these cars. It's an extremely simple system, either sensor works or doesn't. Handling the prom can be a challenge but as long as you follow electrostatic handling procedures and follow the instructions they pretty much run fine. I've had to rebuild my computer a couple of years ago because it developed a cold solder joint on the main board to the daughter board and while I was at it I replaced a few capacitors and resistors too.

 

I did find an '80 with approx. 68k. Nice looking car in pics. About 8 hours away. I'd have to drive to see it and pay to have it shipped home.

 

Your decision is more than about the Crossfire which all of the prior posters are spot-on. You're going to cross some the upkeep bridges, but if you're inclined to read the manuals (even the original '82 sales brochures sort of has enough info to help understand the basic sensor operation), you will be fine. There is also an extremely helpful Crossfire "Sticky" on this Forum if/when something arises. But, do buy a shop manual.

The other thing to consider is that the '82 has, by far, the most technology, refinement, comforts and engineering advancements of the C3 generation. Most are not as obvious as the Crossfire when you open the hood. Each one of the 4 major C3 segments abound with awesomeness in their own right. Chevy's top engineers stayed close to the C3 Corvette, and, along with Cadillacs, it's where they focused their best features and technology every model year. You can't go wrong with any C3 year. Not one, although they all have a 'bubba'd breaking point'. But, don't be swayed away from an '82. They can more than get out of their own way when properly tuned up and with their trans gearing; to say they are a pleasure to drive from a design, comfort and reliability (including wife's enjoyment and peace of mind) standpoint is an understatement IMHO.

 

Thanks Lakeside. I live just outside a one stoplight town in SW Virginia. There's a garage nearby that does work for me that I'm not comfortable taking on. The owner is into older cars and I figure he could maybe keep me straight on any major hurdles. Will probably run it by him before any purchase.