'84s suck!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
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'84s suck!
Just curious; I see it alot... "don't get the 84, the engine is bad", "...the '84 cannot be modded". "... the '84 has too many problems".
Not that it matters much to me, I'm sold on my '84, and glad I didn't consult the CF before buying it. Remember, my '84 has outlasted all other models of C4s!
Answer me a couple of questions, please, I'm just curious why the '84 model has such a bad rap; I can't see why, other than a few less ponies. If that were a good reason, wouldn't we be saying all L98's and LT1's are junk, becasue they aren't as fast as the LT4's and 5's?
Thanks!
Not that it matters much to me, I'm sold on my '84, and glad I didn't consult the CF before buying it. Remember, my '84 has outlasted all other models of C4s!
Answer me a couple of questions, please, I'm just curious why the '84 model has such a bad rap; I can't see why, other than a few less ponies. If that were a good reason, wouldn't we be saying all L98's and LT1's are junk, becasue they aren't as fast as the LT4's and 5's?
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,622
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From: Vancouver BC
Re: '84s suck! (kd4pbs)
hmm wheres the option for, "I just wanted something newer" :D
and the CFI deal is this theres nothing wrong with 84's or their engines! its just that people are always too quick to judge you know? they see something bad and just keep attacking it over and over. the deal is this the CFI is a great engine aslong as you keep it maintained and it should never muck up on you. atleast thats what i've heard. so i'm assuming that some joe out there had an 84 and it crapped out on em and he found it was the engines problem so what did he do?? go out there and tell everyone the engine sucks and not to buy the car cuz of it...... lets see maybe in a few years they'll start flaming the L98 aswell. its human nature to keep damning what they see fit and never give it a second chance....... :rolleyes:
just my $0.02, again may i remind you..... no flames.... :seeya
and the CFI deal is this theres nothing wrong with 84's or their engines! its just that people are always too quick to judge you know? they see something bad and just keep attacking it over and over. the deal is this the CFI is a great engine aslong as you keep it maintained and it should never muck up on you. atleast thats what i've heard. so i'm assuming that some joe out there had an 84 and it crapped out on em and he found it was the engines problem so what did he do?? go out there and tell everyone the engine sucks and not to buy the car cuz of it...... lets see maybe in a few years they'll start flaming the L98 aswell. its human nature to keep damning what they see fit and never give it a second chance....... :rolleyes:
just my $0.02, again may i remind you..... no flames.... :seeya
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,677
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From: South Main St, GhettoLand USA
Re: '84s suck! (kd4pbs)
I love my 84. I've said already in another post it seems other people have as many reliability issues with various years besides the 84...somebody mentioned optispark recently(I'm not really familiar with this so I can't comment). In fact, not only has my car been 100% reliable in the time I have owned it, it is also kind of a curiosity since there were only 2 years with this setup. So even though there were a bunch of 82 and 84 models produced, there are still about a zillion TPI cars running around....not exactly rare!! :D
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,677
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From: South Main St, GhettoLand USA
Re: '84s suck! (Justin1984)
I forgot to mention what a tremendous bargain these cars are right now too. A beutiful 84 can be had for less than $10,000. A showroom example can probably be found for just around $10-$11,000. :eek:
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,524
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From: Pinellas Florida Misfit
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: '84s suck! (Justin1984)
I wouldn't look at an 84 for the simple fact that I tend to stay away from 1st model years of any car type... and since the 85/86/87's had the TPI motor for not much more cash... couldn't see getting CFI
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Maurice, LA
Re: '84s suck! (kd4pbs)
When i went out looking for a truck to take me to college, i found an ad that said, "84 corvette, $5500" I have been in love with Vettes since the 80's so i went look at it thinkin it was a POS for the price. Turns out, the car was in good shape and ran great. I didnt care about crossfire and stuff like that back then. I have to say, i am very satisfied with the way the car drives and the power. Its fine for my needs. I am going to hop it up sonner or later and i will go as far as the crossfire will take me. We have seen it go way past 300hp so far. I think thats awesome. Its reliable and it works well. I love my 84!!!! :yesnod: :yesnod:
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Marianna FL
Re: '84s suck! (Justin1984)
Personally, I'd feel ripped off if I paid $10k for an 84. Or an 85-89 for that matter. Simply because you can buy a good car for less than that--at least around here. That is unless you go the the local "Corvette Expert". :rolleyes:
Anyways...You should have put another option: "I wouldn't buy an 84 because I know their intake pretty much limits the amount of horsepower you're going to make and the RPM range you can make it with." As for reliablility, I don't think an 84 is any more reliable than any other Corvette out there. I've got 87k miles on my 96 and no reliability issues.
I would buy an 84 if it was really cheap. But if I were looking at an 84 and an 85 or later model for the same or similar price I'd go for the later model. And that is mainly because it is simpler to modify and you have more readily available options with intakes and FI systems. And that doesn't even begin to cover the upgrades the later cars got with transmissions, rear ends (I think all 84's got Dana 36's), brakes, computer, etc. Just my opinion. :)
Anyways...You should have put another option: "I wouldn't buy an 84 because I know their intake pretty much limits the amount of horsepower you're going to make and the RPM range you can make it with." As for reliablility, I don't think an 84 is any more reliable than any other Corvette out there. I've got 87k miles on my 96 and no reliability issues.
I would buy an 84 if it was really cheap. But if I were looking at an 84 and an 85 or later model for the same or similar price I'd go for the later model. And that is mainly because it is simpler to modify and you have more readily available options with intakes and FI systems. And that doesn't even begin to cover the upgrades the later cars got with transmissions, rear ends (I think all 84's got Dana 36's), brakes, computer, etc. Just my opinion. :)
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Germantown, TN
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Re: '84s suck!
My 2nd Vette was an 84 and I loved it. I bought it used with 18K, drove it for 3 years and about 30K miles before trading up. Except for the harsh ride, it was a great car,and if memory serves my, it was Motor Trends Car-Of-The-Year. :D :D It wasn't modded, and I didn't spend a dime on it except for regular maintenence.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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Re: '84s suck! (2K1 Ragtop)
Personally, I like the 84's..my 86 doesnt look much different then an 84 on the outside ther then I have the 3rd brake light on the hatch and fender moldings say TunedPort etc.
The 84's only got a bad rap mainly for the mod problems for them for a few years.There really wasnt any good aftermarket parts for it intake wise.When the TPI came out,seems most copmpanies were interested in improving that instead.
There was a 84 that made 400 HP in Vette magzaine a few years back with some mods.
Its still a Vette,and is the first year of this all new design.I believe they will get their collectors value someday for those in prime condition.
We can also thank the EPA and the like for low HP cars..if GM didnt have to follow strict rules and regulations, we KNOW they would have offered the best they had to offer for the vette line.
:)
The 84's only got a bad rap mainly for the mod problems for them for a few years.There really wasnt any good aftermarket parts for it intake wise.When the TPI came out,seems most copmpanies were interested in improving that instead.
There was a 84 that made 400 HP in Vette magzaine a few years back with some mods.
Its still a Vette,and is the first year of this all new design.I believe they will get their collectors value someday for those in prime condition.
We can also thank the EPA and the like for low HP cars..if GM didnt have to follow strict rules and regulations, we KNOW they would have offered the best they had to offer for the vette line.
:)
Pro
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 680
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From: Carbon Indiana
Re: '84s suck! (kd4pbs)
Another rap on the '84 was the fact that the Z51 option was blown up in the press and most people opted for it. For most people, it rode like a log wagon so the next year springs were softened and other adjustmens were made to give a smoother ride in both the standard and Z51 optioned cars. It's also true that the '84 Z51 cars held the road like a slot car.
Bottom line is, if you have an '84 and your happy with it, who cares what anyone else thinks. Shucks man, it's a Vette! :D
Bottom line is, if you have an '84 and your happy with it, who cares what anyone else thinks. Shucks man, it's a Vette! :D
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: I live in my own little world
NC Events Coordinator
Re: '84s suck! (Smash)
It's the CFI engine, really. It was just a segue to the L98. An 85 can be had for a few cents more and it's considerably faster.. soo...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
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Re: '84s suck! (kd4pbs)
Thanks, guys - I was just curious how the markup would be - so far it looks pretty much like I expected; people who have or have had '84s like them, people who haven't ever had an '84 pretty much think they're slow junk, because of what they've "heard" bad about them, without actual first hand experience.
-Matt
-Matt
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From: Marianna FL
Re: '84s suck! (kd4pbs)
I don't think they're junk. I don't think anyone who stated the limited capabilities of the Crossfire design said they are junk. I don't think any Corvette is junk.
I also don't think anyone who had or has an 84 that is not extensively modified thinks its fast. There are L98's running mid to low 13's with bolt on's. There are 12 second LT1's with bolt on's. There are 12 second LT4's running bone stock. To me 12's and low 13's are where fast begins for a car. How many bolt on 12 second L83's have you seen? Its not what I've "heard" bad about them. Its the facts of an extremely airflow limited intake and the lack of aftermarket support.
I also don't think anyone who had or has an 84 that is not extensively modified thinks its fast. There are L98's running mid to low 13's with bolt on's. There are 12 second LT1's with bolt on's. There are 12 second LT4's running bone stock. To me 12's and low 13's are where fast begins for a car. How many bolt on 12 second L83's have you seen? Its not what I've "heard" bad about them. Its the facts of an extremely airflow limited intake and the lack of aftermarket support.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Veracruz
Re: '84s suck! (AV8RSVT)
Any of you all remember the year 1984?
When introduced the car was deemed to be greater than sliced bread. And it was for the time. (205 HP and almost 1G on the skidpad) Especially compared to some of the later C3's. (flame suit on)
I had one. It was one of my favorite Vettes. :chevy
When introduced the car was deemed to be greater than sliced bread. And it was for the time. (205 HP and almost 1G on the skidpad) Especially compared to some of the later C3's. (flame suit on)
I had one. It was one of my favorite Vettes. :chevy
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Windermere FL
Re: '84s suck! (LT-IV)
The CFI motor was to tempermental. GM got it out as fast as possible with only 2 years of production. Also the suspension is to harsh. OK in southern roads that never get potholes but it'll bounce you off the road in the north. Considering all the upgrades that went into the C4, brakes, computer, LT1, wheels, etc. the later models have alot to offer. To upgrade to all these on a C4 would be cost prohibitive, even just doing the simple bolt ons and you might as well buy a later 80s with them on the car already for less. Don't get me wrong, its still a great car, just later model C4s give you more bang for the buck. :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,677
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From: South Main St, GhettoLand USA
Re: '84s suck! (Mr Dave)
Personally, I'd feel ripped off if I paid $10k for an 84. Or an 85-89 for that matter.