82...81...80...79 Engines
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
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82...81...80...79 Engines
I've been reading extensively through the threads. I understand that the '82 has Crossfire Injection & some consider the '81 less problematic & simpler to diagnose/repair. The '81 has the Computer Command Control & some consider the '80 (non-CA) less problematic & simpler to diagnose/repair. Is there anything about the '80 (non-CA) that would make the '79 less problematic & simpler to diagnose/repair?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Last edited by pdx-vette; Jan 21, 2013 at 05:30 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
What are you wanting to know, PDX? A tuned Crossfire is not very problematic. A tuned L-81 is not very problematic. Ditto for the LG-4.
Any engine needing a tune up can be problematic.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jan 21, 2013 at 11:26 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
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I'm pursuing the possibility of purchasing a C3 Vette. My favorites are '80-'82, but I'm not a mechanic, so any maintenance & repairs would be done by a shop. Therefore, I'm researching which year(s) engines are less complicated & easier to diagnose/repair when issues arise.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 3
From: Buffalo New York
I bought a new 83 Z-28 with crossfire that I had for 18 years with no engine tune problems, just changed the plugs. It ran great, chirped tires in second gear with an auto! It was a 305, not a 350, but about the same engine. Carbs are simpler, but electronics are not evil.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
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From: Bridgewater nj
I've had my 82 crossfire for a decade and never had a fuel injection problem but I will say the CFI needs some simple upgrades.
1) scrape off silicon sealer on CFI plenum and install a felpro gasket. (This is the source of most vacuum leaks on a CFI engine)
2) Hypertec computer prom/chip replaces the stock OEM prom. (Takes 5 minutes and makes the CFI drive like a dream!)
3) on some CFI the fuel pump isn't putting out the proper pressure. (I've never had this problem but below 1/4 tank you can get a boog.)
81 computers only adjust timing and carb idle. IMHO most people beat their heads against the wall trying to get the 30 year old carb to work right. And it never delivers the mileage or power of the 82 with the CFI and 700R4 overdrive transmission .
1) scrape off silicon sealer on CFI plenum and install a felpro gasket. (This is the source of most vacuum leaks on a CFI engine)
2) Hypertec computer prom/chip replaces the stock OEM prom. (Takes 5 minutes and makes the CFI drive like a dream!)
3) on some CFI the fuel pump isn't putting out the proper pressure. (I've never had this problem but below 1/4 tank you can get a boog.)
81 computers only adjust timing and carb idle. IMHO most people beat their heads against the wall trying to get the 30 year old carb to work right. And it never delivers the mileage or power of the 82 with the CFI and 700R4 overdrive transmission .
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Team Owner
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...I'm pursuing the possibility of purchasing a C3 Vette. My favorites are '80-'82, but I'm not a mechanic, so any maintenance & repairs would be done by a shop. Therefore, I'm researching which year(s) engines are less complicated & easier to diagnose/repair when issues arise...
The youngest of the bunch will be 31 years old this fall.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
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I spent the weekend reading threads on this forum & watching football. I've pretty much narrowed my choices down to two years: 1980 or 1990 (non-ZR-1).
The '80 because it doesn't have CFI, CCC & it does have curves, curves, curves!
The '90 because it's the last year with a front/rear end styled sorta similar to late C3's & it has 245-hp vs 190-hp, TPI vs carb, 0-60 5.6 seconds vs 7.3 seconds, roof panel vs t-tops.
I'm torn between the looks of the '80 & the features of the '90. I value the opinions & experience of forum members. Which do you think would be more fun on highways & road trips?
Last edited by pdx-vette; Jan 21, 2013 at 03:55 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Wow, it's interesting that you said that because it's exactly what's possibly happened. I was just asking about it in another thread.
I spent the weekend reading threads on this forum & watching football. I've pretty much narrowed my choices down to two years: 1980 or 1990 (non-ZR-1).
The '80 because it doesn't have CFI, CCC & it does have curves, curves, curves!
The '90 because it's the last year with a front/rear end styled sorta similar to late C3's & it has 245-hp vs 190-hp, TPI vs carb, 0-60 5.6 seconds vs 7.3 seconds, roof panel vs t-tops.
I'm torn between the looks of the '80 & the features of the '90. I value the opinions & experience of forum members. Which do you think would be more fun on highways & road trips?
I spent the weekend reading threads on this forum & watching football. I've pretty much narrowed my choices down to two years: 1980 or 1990 (non-ZR-1).
The '80 because it doesn't have CFI, CCC & it does have curves, curves, curves!
The '90 because it's the last year with a front/rear end styled sorta similar to late C3's & it has 245-hp vs 190-hp, TPI vs carb, 0-60 5.6 seconds vs 7.3 seconds, roof panel vs t-tops.
I'm torn between the looks of the '80 & the features of the '90. I value the opinions & experience of forum members. Which do you think would be more fun on highways & road trips?
FWIW, I've got a C3 and a C4. The C4 handles like a dream (liked it so much I put a C4 suspension under the C3). Downside to the C4 is that it is invisible going down the road. Nobody notices a C4. You'll get a lot more compliments and questions when you're driving a C3.
Two different cars, two different reactions from people.
Let us know what you get.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 348
Likes: 44
Yours is the only opinion that matters.
FWIW, I've got a C3 and a C4. The C4 handles like a dream (liked it so much I put a C4 suspension under the C3). Downside to the C4 is that it is invisible going down the road. Nobody notices a C4. You'll get a lot more compliments and questions when you're driving a C3.
Two different cars, two different reactions from people.
Let us know what you get.
FWIW, I've got a C3 and a C4. The C4 handles like a dream (liked it so much I put a C4 suspension under the C3). Downside to the C4 is that it is invisible going down the road. Nobody notices a C4. You'll get a lot more compliments and questions when you're driving a C3.
Two different cars, two different reactions from people.
Let us know what you get.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
90 gets killer mileage in comarison is quicker handles better pretty much does it all better. Lookswise hard to beat a C3.
NOW...on the C4- youll wanna invest in a scanner at some point and possibly have to learn a little something about EFI meaning spending time in tech reading...if you have to pay someone to fix a C4 everytime the car will bankrupt you. Like any other vette they have thier "issues"
Sure the 80 is much simpler mechanically
Go drive a few of ea, youll know which one to pick.
NOW...on the C4- youll wanna invest in a scanner at some point and possibly have to learn a little something about EFI meaning spending time in tech reading...if you have to pay someone to fix a C4 everytime the car will bankrupt you. Like any other vette they have thier "issues"
Sure the 80 is much simpler mechanically
Go drive a few of ea, youll know which one to pick.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Island Lake IL
How much fun it is? well when i first got my 79 the steering reminded me driving a star660 military truck, and the acceleration was slow even with redone top end, 64cc's, 4.11 etc. Let me put it this way- the acceleration sounded faster than it was due to the exhaust so it was fun unless all the compacts were passing me. I did not dare to test its handling capabilities (max speed in a turn etc) so I don't know. But I can tell you since you asked about highways, I tried going 60mph once and I will never do it again due to the noise inside and people looking and wondering is my car broken and why is this corvette blocking the line going 60 and being loud as hell.
Also, not sure if the interior is bigger in a C4 but the C3 is Tiny and I have to arch my back and move my butt forward to lower my head at 6.2 250lbs leg room is fine but head room is not there. Also if you consider manual I hope you don't have size 14W or any wide size for that matter as it might be a problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 348
Likes: 44
NOW...on the C4- youll wanna invest in a scanner at some point and possibly have to learn a little something about EFI meaning spending time in tech reading...if you have to pay someone to fix a C4 everytime the car will bankrupt you. Like any other vette they have thier "issues"
Do you mean because it was that slow?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
The 90 was OBD 1 and quite simple actually as far as FI goes.
"best maintained" is the key...avoid fixers no matter how tempting and youll be Ok.
Its just understanding the typical bugs/symptoms they can have. No different than any car thats all.
"best maintained" is the key...avoid fixers no matter how tempting and youll be Ok.
Its just understanding the typical bugs/symptoms they can have. No different than any car thats all.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
If you want a C-3, & you like the 80-81-82 models, buy the best one you can find of any of those years. You can put a Distributor & a Carb. on both the 82 & 81 & disconnect the Computer, off the engine. The most important parts are how good the body fits, & how good the interior, running gear, & supension are. Unless your wanting a #'s car. But the rest of the forum members are right on, If you have the money, you can fix anything, Almost. Have a great time, life is shorter than you think, Gene
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
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From: San Jose CA
They're pretty simple, the MAFs tend to be on the expensive side compared to modern equipment but the ECMs are cheaper. They manage fueling and spark advance, that's about it. LSX computers are more expensive, have more sensors, etc. I believe an LS MAF is cheaper than a TPI MAF, but the LS motors use both MAF and MAP, have crank and cam position sensors, etc.
Do you mean because it was that slow?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
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From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
I had my choice of an '80 with issues and a 92 with issues. After driving both, I chose the '80 for a few simple reasons. Killer looks, easier to fix, parts are readily available and owner serviceable, simple electrical system, did I say killer looks?
The '92 was a great car. Good power, comfortable, cold air conditioning, digital dash that worked most of the time, electronic heater controls that didn't work, and it's a long climb over the threshold and into the seats.
Since I was going to build an old-school small block for it, the '80 fit the bill. And the body style of the 80-82 is just hard to beat. Did I mention the killer looks?
The '92 was a great car. Good power, comfortable, cold air conditioning, digital dash that worked most of the time, electronic heater controls that didn't work, and it's a long climb over the threshold and into the seats.
Since I was going to build an old-school small block for it, the '80 fit the bill. And the body style of the 80-82 is just hard to beat. Did I mention the killer looks?