This C4 is driving me NUTS!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 10,787
Likes: 0
From: My own state of mind
This C4 is driving me NUTS!
I wish I had my 80 back. This 87 keeps dying on me for no reason whatsoever. And it's not as simple as an ignition or fuel problem anymore. There's a million different little things that people have told me to check. Half the stuff I don't even know about. All the ECM computer crap is nuts. As it stands right now I'm very upset with the C4. Hopefully it'll get better.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,551
Likes: 0
From: No link, No dupe
Re: This C4 is driving me NUTS! (Golden80)
If the problem is the engine electronics, why not convert it back to be like the 80's model you had. My car is a 79', but the engine is from an 87' Corvette.
I love my engine; the roller cam gets reving quickly. If you have the aluminum heads, then the standard Edelbrock intake for a sb chevy will fit. Otherwise, Edelbrock offers a newer intake for these engines with the cast iron heads, 86 - up. Add that, add a Q-Jet, maybe another distributor with a melonized gear, and a fuel pump suitable for a carb. I'm not sure about all the other factors, such as the transmission and your gauges. The transmission probably could be operated with one of those kits from TCI, that allows for the use of lock-up in non-computerized cars.
If you really like your car, this retro swap may be worthwhile. I imagine the cost to be $750 for all the parts. You can always save the electronic parts you pull off, in case you sell the car.
I love my engine; the roller cam gets reving quickly. If you have the aluminum heads, then the standard Edelbrock intake for a sb chevy will fit. Otherwise, Edelbrock offers a newer intake for these engines with the cast iron heads, 86 - up. Add that, add a Q-Jet, maybe another distributor with a melonized gear, and a fuel pump suitable for a carb. I'm not sure about all the other factors, such as the transmission and your gauges. The transmission probably could be operated with one of those kits from TCI, that allows for the use of lock-up in non-computerized cars.
If you really like your car, this retro swap may be worthwhile. I imagine the cost to be $750 for all the parts. You can always save the electronic parts you pull off, in case you sell the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: This C4 is driving me NUTS! (shotgun_000)
000, the problem is that electronic dash wil not interface easily with any carb setup...and not too easy with any other computer either...loose too many functions of those switches...
I used to have an '87 and still have the facctory manuals....I know the cars backwards and forwards unfortunately....I dumped my '87, loving the DPFI and the overdrive, but hating the rest of the car....and bought my '72 hotrod here...modified with 700r4 and DPFI L98 style....and rack/pinion steering...
with later model wheels tires...
since you have the car now, might as well stay with it...what sort ot troubles you having??? we can go offline if you want istead of cluttering up the forum with this...
mrvette72@interstateweb.net
GENE
I used to have an '87 and still have the facctory manuals....I know the cars backwards and forwards unfortunately....I dumped my '87, loving the DPFI and the overdrive, but hating the rest of the car....and bought my '72 hotrod here...modified with 700r4 and DPFI L98 style....and rack/pinion steering...
with later model wheels tires...
since you have the car now, might as well stay with it...what sort ot troubles you having??? we can go offline if you want istead of cluttering up the forum with this...
mrvette72@interstateweb.net
GENE
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: This C4 is driving me NUTS! (Golden80)
I wish I had my 80 back. This 87 keeps dying on me for no reason whatsoever. And it's not as simple as an ignition or fuel problem anymore. There's a million different little things that people have told me to check. Half the stuff I don't even know about. All the ECM computer crap is nuts. As it stands right now I'm very upset with the C4. Hopefully it'll get better.
:cheers:
Olivier