C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 09:13 AM
  #1  
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Default C3 Collectors Edition

I bought a C3 Collectors Edition about 6 years ago and have had nothing but problems. The car does not run very well at all. I have been told the issue with the poor running is directly related to the electronic, computer, fuel injection system which was new to the 82's and a poor design. I have also been told that finding a computer is virtually impossible. I can verify that fact. I have been through a couple of computers and each one goes bad in a very short period of time. Does anybody make an aftermarket computer or anyone have any ideas?

Many Thanks

Bruce Harding
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 09:39 AM
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The '82 computers are not failure prone. I suspect you have something else going on. Most drivability problems with '82's are directly linked to poor tune-up maintenance, infrequent trips, and too many Bubba mechanics.
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by big_G
The '82 computers are not failure prone. I suspect you have something else going on. Most drivability problems with '82's are directly linked to poor tune-up maintenance, infrequent trips, and too many Bubba mechanics.

My advice would be to take the car to a reputable shop with experience in dealing with the Crossfire. Have them tune it and get it running.
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 10:21 AM
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you will have to tell us more about what the car is doing .the cross-fire is fine it just needs some work on it just like all the rest ,but since it was the first attempt at computer controled fuel injection ,not many know what to do .ask here or go to the cross-fire forum .
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 09:24 PM
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The 82 cross-fire is a very dependable vette and anyone telling you dif has very little understanding of this intake.I to, found few who could help, til I found www.crossfire.homeip.net/ .Like the great guys here who have a vast knowledge of vettes in general !(C1-C6) The Vault is cross-fire specific (82 & 84 vettes-82,83,84 firebirds & camaro).Between these two forums I can keep my Baby running fine. THANKS GUYS
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 10:34 PM
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check out turbocity.com.
I think they have crossfire upgrades.
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Old Jul 7, 2006 | 07:35 AM
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Originally Posted by big_G
The '82 computers are not failure prone. I suspect you have something else going on. Most drivability problems with '82's are directly linked to poor tune-up maintenance, infrequent trips, and too many Bubba mechanics.
Where in the country are you located?
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Old Jul 7, 2006 | 08:22 AM
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Originally Posted by 82 C.E.
The 82 cross-fire is a very dependable vette and anyone telling you dif has very little understanding of this intake.I to, found few who could help, til I found www.crossfire.homeip.net/ .Like the great guys here who have a vast knowledge of vettes in general !(C1-C6) The Vault is cross-fire specific (82 & 84 vettes-82,83,84 firebirds & camaro).Between these two forums I can keep my Baby running fine. THANKS GUYS



Also the computers are not hard to find. I have two spares for my car that I have aquired through members on this forum. Read this article in the link and take the article to your mechanic. The article tells you exactly how to correctly tune the crossfire system.

http://corvettefever.com/techarticles/4688/index.html

Good luck.
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Old Jul 7, 2006 | 08:48 AM
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When first running the car when it starts cold it seems to run decent. As soon as I stop and turn the engine off and come back a few minutes later the car barely runs and surges from 500 rpm to 2000 rpm. I have had a number of close calls, accidents, when suddenly the car surges both sitting at a stop and driving.

Thanks Bruce
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Old Jul 7, 2006 | 08:48 AM
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I live just outside Washington DC in Northern Virginia.

Thanks Bruce
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Old Jul 7, 2006 | 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by AVATR
When first running the car when it starts cold it seems to run decent. As soon as I stop and turn the engine off and come back a few minutes later the car barely runs and surges from 500 rpm to 2000 rpm. I have had a number of close calls, accidents, when suddenly the car surges both sitting at a stop and driving.

Thanks Bruce
You could have poor gasket seal or a vacuum leak that cause the engine to suck in air which creates the surges. Your Idle Air Speed controllers could be stuck or dirty. You could have a bad sensor or two making the car do this. Did the car sit for a while before being put back on the road? It is probably a culmination of a few things. Buy an 82 shop manual which can be found on ebay. I bought a used one that was in decent shape for $20. Also read the article in the link I posted above.
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Old Jul 7, 2006 | 09:55 AM
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Do you get any allert on the "check engine" light ?
Hebbe/Peter
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Old Jul 7, 2006 | 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by bluesilver82
You could have poor gasket seal or a vacuum leak that cause the engine to suck in air which creates the surges. Your Idle Air Speed controllers could be stuck or dirty. You could have a bad sensor or two making the car do this. Did the car sit for a while before being put back on the road? It is probably a culmination of a few things. Buy an 82 shop manual which can be found on ebay. I bought a used one that was in decent shape for $20. Also read the article in the link I posted above.
Most common issues with CFI
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Old Jul 7, 2006 | 12:37 PM
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I remember riding in my buddies 82 Indy Pace Car Z28 back in the late 80s with cross fire injection. That thing ran fine, and he never had any problems with the FI unit. Of course it was only around 10 years old then, so maybe more problems develop as they got older.
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Old Aug 4, 2006 | 02:42 PM
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Default 82collector

Originally Posted by Easy Mike

My advice would be to take the car to a reputable shop with experience in dealing with the Crossfire. Have them tune it and get it running.
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