Cross Fire performance upgrade?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Cross Fire performance upgrade?
i may be purchasing a numbers matching 82 Collector Edition and I’d like to improve the anemic 185HP without changing the outward appearance.
any suggestions?
maybe: different cam
Different injectors
Reprogram ECU
Any ideas appreciated
thanks
will
any suggestions?
maybe: different cam
Different injectors
Reprogram ECU
Any ideas appreciated
thanks
will
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
IMO, I would hold off on the performance mods right now. You will need to replace the ECM depending on how much you get carried away with the mods to control everything. Dynamic EFI IS MIA at the moment and NO EBLs are available right now for CFI. For now, I would just ensure the FP is at 13psi and enjoy the ride. Anything less than 13 is 20% off for each pound low and degrades the performance considerably. GL 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Hi Will, looks like you've been in the Corvette community for awhile now. So perhaps your aware that Buccaneer, above, is THE crossfire expert on this forum.
Bottom line. The 82 collectors is a very nice car. But not the one you pick to hot rod. And with the increasing issues with certain replacement parts keeping it all factory and driving it regularly is becoming more of a problem.
Bottom line. The 82 collectors is a very nice car. But not the one you pick to hot rod. And with the increasing issues with certain replacement parts keeping it all factory and driving it regularly is becoming more of a problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
185?
Werent they advertised at like 200hp? I know my 84 was 205 which was about the same as the 74 I have now was when new. Honestly my 84 was pretty torquey. and I didnt mind the 25-27 mpg on the highway either id drive it if you havent already before forming any more opinions.
Werent they advertised at like 200hp? I know my 84 was 205 which was about the same as the 74 I have now was when new. Honestly my 84 was pretty torquey. and I didnt mind the 25-27 mpg on the highway either id drive it if you havent already before forming any more opinions.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Fuel pressure
thanks for your comments-especially on fuel pressure
should all the fuel hoses be changed for ethanol?
what octane level gas is the ECM tuned for? 87-89-93?
i’m in Texas which does not require emissions equipment or testing for cars this old. If I remove all the smog equipment and the catalytic converter would I experience better performance or would the ECM be confused resulting in worse performance?
inquiring mind wants to know…
thanks again for your comments
should all the fuel hoses be changed for ethanol?
what octane level gas is the ECM tuned for? 87-89-93?
i’m in Texas which does not require emissions equipment or testing for cars this old. If I remove all the smog equipment and the catalytic converter would I experience better performance or would the ECM be confused resulting in worse performance?
inquiring mind wants to know…
thanks again for your comments
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
You can replace the hoses, it won't hurt for sure considering they are 42 years old now and may be a bit brittle? On a stock 82/84 you can run 87, but you can run 88/89 also if you like with no issues if you feel better about it. The motor should run just fine with no emissions installed and the tune will work OK along with the EBL if I can get more. You should see bit better performance with the items removed if they are hindering the exhaust flow in any way, like the CAT. The beauty of the EBL ECM is, it is 100% laptop tunable if you like, I do not lock the tunes for the 82/84 auto or 84 4+3 trans. You can run NOS if you like also and it will handle and control it as well. FP should be 13psi and timing at 6* BTDC with EST wire pulled. GL and happy motoring.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Re tune?
thanks Buccaneer for all the tips.
i am completely unfamiliar with retuning with a laptop.
If i do buy the Collector Edition that I’m considering, I would like to strip the emissions stuff and retune for best performance
can you direct me to a website or YouTube where I can learn the basics?
I may end up hiring someone local to do it for me but I would like to know the basics so I can discuss it semi intelligently
thanks again for sharing your Cross Fire wisdom
i am completely unfamiliar with retuning with a laptop.
If i do buy the Collector Edition that I’m considering, I would like to strip the emissions stuff and retune for best performance
can you direct me to a website or YouTube where I can learn the basics?
I may end up hiring someone local to do it for me but I would like to know the basics so I can discuss it semi intelligently
thanks again for sharing your Cross Fire wisdom
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 384
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From: Pine Ridge FL
thanks Buccaneer for all the tips.
i am completely unfamiliar with retuning with a laptop.
If i do buy the Collector Edition that I’m considering, I would like to strip the emissions stuff and retune for best performance
can you direct me to a website or YouTube where I can learn the basics?
I may end up hiring someone local to do it for me but I would like to know the basics so I can discuss it semi intelligently
thanks again for sharing your Cross Fire wisdom
i am completely unfamiliar with retuning with a laptop.
If i do buy the Collector Edition that I’m considering, I would like to strip the emissions stuff and retune for best performance
can you direct me to a website or YouTube where I can learn the basics?
I may end up hiring someone local to do it for me but I would like to know the basics so I can discuss it semi intelligently
thanks again for sharing your Cross Fire wisdom
The crossfire is really like any other Chevy TBI and if you really want to understand it and how to modify it check out this book:
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
One thing to keep in mind IF you decide to purchase the 82. Buy a 82 corvette GM service manual. They can be found on eBay, try and find an original manual with the color diagrams if possible. It IS worth its weight in gold and MUST have.
