C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Engine Swap Suggestions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 8, 2010 | 10:35 AM
  #1  
Scuba Nut's Avatar
Scuba Nut
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Default Engine Swap Suggestions

I'm about fed up with the tired-*** performance of the 82 Crossfire engine. It's slow, unreliable, and no one wants to work on it.
Looking for suggestions for an engine swap that will match up with the transmission and not cost an arm and a leg (maybe just a leg). Too expensive and my wife will kill me in my sleep. Also, I don't need 400hp.
300 to 350 would be a nice rise from the sad 200 I get now. Appreciate any and all suggestions.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2010 | 11:06 AM
  #2  
redman76's Avatar
redman76
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
Default

Originally Posted by Scuba Nut
Too expensive and my wife will kill me
What is your budget? Maybe a GM crate motor? The YearOne crates are supposed to be a good value too.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2010 | 11:14 AM
  #3  
Paul Ruggeri's Avatar
0Paul Ruggeri
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 3
From: Carmichael ca
Default

Do you need to keep it smog legal?
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2010 | 11:15 AM
  #4  
Scuba Nut's Avatar
Scuba Nut
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Default

I'm looking at the $5,000 range.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2010 | 11:18 AM
  #5  
Scuba Nut's Avatar
Scuba Nut
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Default

I'm in San Antonio Texas. Smog's not really an issue
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2010 | 12:38 PM
  #6  
929nitro's Avatar
929nitro
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
Default

What's the condition of the existing motor. How about a new intake and carb. Is the 82 computer controlled at all?
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2010 | 02:31 PM
  #7  
Kevins77's Avatar
Kevins77
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
From: WNY
Default

Originally Posted by 929nitro
What's the condition of the existing motor. How about a new intake and carb. Is the 82 computer controlled at all?
Yeah, 82's are full computer controlled with the crossfire ignition system.

In your budget range there are a ton of possabilities. Anything from the old goodwrench style crate motors for 1500 bucks on up. Have you looked on jegs/summit at the crate motor cost? That will at least give you a good starting idea.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2010 | 02:50 PM
  #8  
cottoneg's Avatar
cottoneg
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 282
From: New York
Default

I used this:

http://www.golenengineservice.com/
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-8

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
Old Oct 8, 2010 | 07:22 PM
  #9  
Scuba Nut's Avatar
Scuba Nut
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks for the advice. Not much can be done with the current engine other than milking a few more horsepower out of it. Would like to get 100 to 150 more. Like it or not, the crossfire configuration is gutless. Would prefer to stay away from carburetor on new engine.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2010 | 09:59 PM
  #10  
Ben Lurkin's Avatar
Ben Lurkin
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
Default

Originally Posted by Scuba Nut
I'm about fed up with the tired-*** performance of the 82 Crossfire engine. It's slow, unreliable, and no one wants to work on it.
Looking for suggestions for an engine swap that will match up with the transmission and not cost an arm and a leg (maybe just a leg). Too expensive and my wife will kill me in my sleep. Also, I don't need 400hp.
300 to 350 would be a nice rise from the sad 200 I get now. Appreciate any and all suggestions.
Check 'yer pm's
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2010 | 09:12 PM
  #11  
Gale Banks 80''s Avatar
Gale Banks 80'
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 559
From: Seattle Washington
Default

Originally Posted by Scuba Nut
I'm looking at the $5,000 range.
I think Your on the right track. I'd stay with a modern FI system. The Engine is the easy part it will be the Computor (ECM) that will be the most work. I'd stay with a SBC so that You really arn't doing a Engine Swap just a Modernazation. That being said I'd use a complete Corvette Engine with ECM from a 85-96. Newer the Better but don't get to wound up about that. You will have to use an aftermarket Flex Plate on the Trans and a Custom Wireing Harness but no matter what its been done before by others...
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Engine Swap Suggestions





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:51 PM.

story-0
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-5
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE