Hello all, it's early and thought I would post this to sway me in either direction.
I have been looking for a nice 80/81 corvette, I have been open to drivetrain options as im fine with 4 speed or auto... both with possible 5 speed or overdrive installs in the future but interior color is gonna be either black or red non negotiable... i can paint the car if needed.

having installed a 2004R in my prior 80 its almost a certainty i would do another overdrive in an automatice purchase... through my searches I see my money could go further with an 82 corvette, there are some exceptional original low mile 82s in the $20k range, I've spoken with two adult owned white over red low mile (30k) corvettes and both are zero issues and run/drive fantastic.

This is my second time considering an 82 purchase in the last few years but the stigma around the crossfire kept me from pulling the trigger. Ive owned many corvettes since the late 80s... an 82 and two 84s were in there back then which all were excellent cars but even back then the rumors round the CFI were out there.
I've spent years reading articles, threads, posts etc of CFI issues and I mean hundreds upon hundreds of readings over many years... I do know there are good 82s out there with 100k miles plus without issues but I also know issues exist... parts are getting hard to find and mechanics who can or will work on them are becoming non existent.

I looked at a few a couple years ago and they just didn't idle well at all... either high idle, fluctuating idle or drove like it had a skip.

I mean no disrespect but I've spent many hours reading many prior threads from the forum of issues and it's lots of "try this sensor" "you have a vacuum leak" "you need an ECM" "you don't have enough fuel pressure"... I'm sure all good guesses but not one post I've read and again probably 3-4 dozen did I read an actual solution fix from the OP in the end.

The reality of finding a mechanic who can or will work in one is about impossible... if you have one in your area thats great but im in Phoenix and cant find a mechanic who isnt plug and play and willing to work on anything older let alone a fuel system only produced a few short years over 40 years ago.

I read the common "get a service manual and fix it yourself" which sounds great but thats like me saying "get a body and paint how to book" and do all you own body work and paint... I have done allot of my own mechaincal work over the years and tackled a few new things in the past few years, I can body and paint a SEMA car, I'm fine with fabrication, suspension and "analog" mechanics but electronics is NOT my wheel house... I'm not afraid of getting a manual and learning but what happens when I get to a point I just can't diagnose or fix? (save the insults)
I am aware of Buccaneer here locally but messaged with him a few years ago when I was considering an 82 and he said he does not work on other people's cars any longer, when I asked if he knew anyone in the valley who does I didn't get a reply.

OK so perhaps that's a long way of asking this... I figure if I'm gonna spend upwards of 2k-3k to install my own overdrive transmission and that's with me doing all the work on an 80/81 purchase and a few days on my back... would it just be easier and more cost effective to replace a complete CFI set up with intake/carb or even a Sniper 2 set up, this is ONLY if I had issues I couldn't resolve with the CFI.... I wouldn't just arbitrarily change it all out but heading in to an 82 purchase it's sure nice to know there is a doable back up solution.

I wouldn't be concerned about value of the car, but other than the obvious changing carb, intake, dizzy, alternative trans lock up... what else should I be considering with this conversion, not going with a mechanical fuel pump is it just as simple as an in line fuel pressure regulator and making my own new fuel lines... what about power to the fuel pump and the return line, what about plugs and power to the HEI dizzy... are they the same?
perhaps some of this is silly questions for some of you but not for me.

again this is all "what if" discussion and not planning on it just planning for the worst while in this decision.

for those who know this stuff second nature please refrain from the condescending insult responses, it's not second nature to everyone and I feel that's what the forum is for.

 

I would go with a 1980 and make it your way. When I was looking I wanted a 1982 or a 1980 (I love the 80-82 body style but skipped over the 1981 with CCC carburetor) and I just wanted a cruiser to take the wife out for a cruise and wasn't worried about have a stick since I have a 4speed manual drag car for all my gear banging needs , if I got a 1982 it would be for the cross fire injection since I love the look and 700R4 OD transmission to go cruising and service it and not replace it but I also can fix them and my shop can too in the Dayton Ohio area, In my case there wasn't any decent 1982's local when I was looking and ended up with a 1980 L82 and swapped in a 700R4 and then eventually a close ratio gear set in my 700R4 and 2300 stall converter for the win

 

Thanks Eric... and thanks for reading my long post.
I'm still on the search for the right 1980, found one in Washington and waiting on a few vids... didnt expect it but definitely finding exceptional low mile low owner 82s checking all my boxes... I feel in the $20k-ish range I get more car with the 82.
I installed the 2004r in the 80 but I think I got lucky finding a rebuilt 2004r for $1500... getting harder to find without a $3500 off the shelf trans so looks like 700r4 will be the direction.
I've been reading on the CFI conversion to carb in some old threads and answering some of my questions but if I could find (or build) the perfect car it would be a red on red L82 1980 in excellent condition with an overdrive.
I'm in no rush and getting as much education on this as I can, thank you again.

 

I love the look of a 1982 Cross Fire engine so it would be hard for me to want to remove any of those items but I agree on a red/red 1980 L82 with a TKX5 speed or 200/700 OD auto would be the bomb . I actually sold my black 1980 L82 with the 700R4 so now I want/need to install a 700R4 in my white 80 L82 as the 3 speed auto just don't cut it

 

absolutely agree, red interior first choice and black second... outside red, white or black but not too concerned with outside color/paint purchase as I would just take it apart and paint it.

I feel the same about painting a car as someone like you would look at motor work or change.

I found an 81 with 5 speed in SoCal but the guy is an absolute flake.

I have a nephew 20 mins away from me who works for GM, has two built 1LE ZL1 camaros one 1500hp and a garage full of LS motors and always tries to talk me into an LS install so also thought an 82 with the 700R4 would be a good base if I were to have future CFI issues for the LS.

Hard to pass up on cars like this for the money

 

I had the similar concern when I had the opportunity to buy an 82 a while back. However, I was surprised that I was able to get up to speed with it very quickly. It is really just like any other GM FI setup. I really enjoyed learning about and getting it dialed in. The 82 is a very nice driver. Once you understand some of the basics of FI, it's easy. The shop manual has very detailed troubleshooting procedures that really simplify things (which why we keep harping on people to get the manual!).

There's just one "elephant in the room" with the CFI today. The computer. These computers are getting old and if it goes bad, that's an issue. Buccaneer had the perfect plug and play replacement but they are no longer available and who knows if they ever will be again.

If you do decide to go with the 82, give me a call. I still have all my CFI tools and have some spares. I think you have a solid plan. Just drive the CFI and when you get to the point something breaks you can't replace, just go to a new induction and/or ignition system. Can't speak for how hard that would be but it seems to me should be way easier than putting in a 200r4 in 80.

 

My wife’s 82, she loves the body style and the automatic trans.

 

For some reason a lot of people 'seem to be afraid' of Fuel Injection systems. Once you own one it all begins to make some sense. I was nervous buying a C4 with the famous EFI L98 engine. Now that I have had a few years with it, I am pretty good at troubleshooting issues with fuel injection system. They are not all that complicated once you get familiar with the sensors used and know how an engine operates. I have now become proficient in the mechanical fuel injection and the newer Electronic Fuel Injection versions which makes my life easier. No Fear, Here.

I have a Throttle-body EFI system and now I want a Multi-port EFI system. The engine controllers are readily available and even easier to use than just a few years ago. I plan on using a Holley Terminator for the engine controls and they are great devices with many features to speed up the programming. You don't have to be a Computer "nerd" to use one of these new controllers as they have awesome software and many self-learning features and are pre-programmed with tons of fuel tables to make the setup as easy as possible.

The Cross-Fire Intake system should work very well as it was designed. It just got pushed into production before it was ready (in my humble opinion) and that makes for problems. Had GM had a bit more time they might have made it work incredibly well. We have seen Corvette Forum members really focus on the CFI engine and make some amazing speed with them. If I had a Corvette that came with a CFI engine, I would keep it functional. The carburetor will do little but make your car loose value to other Corvette people.

I have a BB C3 and I have kept the parts from the engine so anyone could undo my modifications and go back to the stock configuration. Never let any parts go just for the "Core" charge. Save anything important that you can rebuild later, Alternators, PS Pumps, Master cylinders, brake calipers and any other part, even the electric motors and switches can be re-built by the right person. I use an old kitchen vacuum bagger for the smaller parts that I save. This keeps them in the best way I know of.

Best regards and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

 

thanks Bill, I hope you are doing well... I actually considered reaching out to you, I've talked with a few buddies and feel better about options if for some reason I can't fix the CFI that a conversion is a fairly straight forward project.
I would be thrilled if I never have issues just nice to know I'm not stuck.
I had a factory five cobra I purchased years ago with a coyote Gen 1 installed and I finished the build, with the tune I couldn't get the Coyote to drop idle and without the tune I couldn't prevent the deceleration stall and tried for almost a year to find someone to help with the tune and nobody was interested no matter what I would have paid.

Thanks again and will update when I get one. Merry Christmas to you and your family

 

Love my newly acquired 82, but probly cause it has a 350 Vortec with 700R4

 

that's a beauty

 

thanks so much, im much more comfortable with the idea of the 82 now, no real fear of FI at all, i have a 2011 GS and plenty prior FI cars just the inability to fix the crossfire but definitely feel more comfortable now, gonna order a service manual and reader for the computer... I remember when I was young using a paper clip to get the flashes for codes
I will exhaust all attempts with fixing issues but if I feel im DOA I know I will have doable options now.

thanks again and Merry Christmas

 

very nice... no more iconic color combination than white over red

 

I strongly agree with this statement.

If you can find an 80-82 C3 in great condition, in white on red, buy it. The engine should be the least of your concerns. And the transmission? Go for a test drive and make sure it's what you want.

It's clear in the photos, and more clear in person, the dark red interior of the 82 is significantly darker than the red of the 80-81 cars. But it's still the best interior color offered.

 

thanks Bikespace, I actually like the darker red, I thought that started in 81 with the two red interior options, I've got it dialed down to a few and gonna make an offer on the above white over red in the morning, I'm gonna run a carfax if he hasn't already, I have no reason to believe there is an issue and the 33k original miles is authentic other than when I blown up the interior pic the steering wheel has been replaced and the seat upholstry has been replaced, I have another im talking with as well that has 27k miles white over red... will update

 

In addition to the "medium red" in 80 and 81, there was an 80 Claret (very dark), and 81 Cinnabar (also dark). 82 was only "dark red". I only recall seeing the medium red, and dark red, in person.

https://corvettec3.ca/interior.htm

Top Flight calls them both "red".

https://www.topflightautomotive.com/...color_attr=Red

Good luck with the offer! Check the pedals for signs that the mileage has rolled over. My white on red 80 certainly has.

 

yep, I like both reds of 81 and the darker of 82... not a fan of the cinnabar though it would look good with black and I like the claret but got to be with a claret outside IMHO
I've really decided I want red interior with this one.

 

So you walked away from the 81 four speed then ?

 

I made an offer and wasn't accepted, they wanted $21,900 and I offered $19k, tires were very old and split and the underside was rough and wet, PS leak, oil pan leak, fuel pump leak at gasket and fitting... and sledged up suspension, didn't match the top side and interior, with over $2k for shipping it wasn't worth it.
The ad said new tires and suspension all gone through with just a few drops of seepage throughout the winter... then I saw the cardboard under it.

 

That's too bad. You were very reasonable @ $19K IMHO considering, but the vendor very obviously overstated the evident condition of the car. I'd be pissed and tell the guy to his face on my way out the door. Good luck on the next one !!!