If you mention what part of the world you call home, maybe a CF member could recommend a mechanic in your area. No one likes to see a person taken advantage of.

 

Engine / computer / wiring wise ;
84 is closer to '80-'82 C3's with the CFI engine

 

w/ Frizzle.

Man that sucks to have cooked the motor. BTDT once myself, and so has my daughter and my son, at different times.

Well, you can buy a "long block" crate (includes new heads too) and reinstall the CFI.

Next item would be to be sure the heating problem is addressed, if it hasn't already been resolved, and get the instrument panel running again.

As for a guru on the L83s go, Dominic Sorresso will be a great source to tap. He's a great guy, has a daughter of his own, and you'll look hard to find someone more willing to help a fellow C4 nut out.

You can find him over on the ZR-1 site, or PM him. And, you might talk to him to get some specific recommendations with regard to what specifications (e.g., compression ratio, etc) you might need, along with cam recommendations, etc. In addition, he is a tuner's tuner; well versed on the L83 computer and you can ask him about the gauges as well.

Speaking of gauge clusters, I just recently had a "go 'round" of my own. In the course of running down some help on my cluster, I ran across a few shops that can refurbish your gauge cluster, if needed. PM me if you need a link.

Just a thought: With regard to being taken advantage of, you don't have to be female for some dill weeds to try to take advantage of a perceived ignorance on the part of a customer. And, ironically enough, I've experienced more attempts to run me up by dealerships than anywhere else.

I would (and do) have a well recommended, independent owner/operator mechanic shop do whatever I don't do myself. And, whether you turn a wrench or not, knowledge is power! You can bone up on the small block Chevy by purchasing one of those "How to Rebuild a Small Block Chevy" (or the like) books from most any auto parts store.

Good luck w/ your baby.

P.

 

Well, glad I didn't buy an engine yet. Just got laid off yesterday from my dreamjob. Funny thing, I went to the storage unit to tell my car that he wasn't gonna be running for a while last night. When I got out there he had an inch of dirt and a cracked window from corner to corner that made him look like he had a big frown. lol. anyway, almost broke my heart, so i sat out there on a bucket and had a cup of coffee before i left.
while i was sitting there i realized how dumb it was for a girl to be talking to a car after a crisis, but i know now that driving that car wasn't transportation for me- it was therapy and a metaphor for so many things. maybe next spring.

while i was in there i actually watched his front tire go flat

 

Carrotcake,

So sorry to hear about these developments. Not at all dumb to talk to your car (but post back if he replies) As you gather your thoughts, remember that you have already made some friends here. When your life settles down, and you're ready to apply some first aid to your car, that conversation will be easily resumed. Meanwhile, if the spirit moves you, check in at the Forum. Take care, don't be a stranger.

 

Muhdear...I KNOW THAT FEELING! And, no need to explain about how driving your "guy" is mental theropy. BTDT. My Vette has been an escape pod sooooo many times. Sometimes I just go out there, open the door, slip into the cockpit and close the door, and grip the steeringwheel with both hands, close my eyes, and breathe deep. Sometimes, after a ride, I am then more relaxed and can then cope with the crisis dejour. "She" is my dream car. And, there have been times - relitively recent too - where I thought "who needs this!". But, then that too passes, and resign to take care of the issues, one at a time and before I know it, we're back in bitness! You're in good company.

As for the job situaiton. You aren't alone there either. Good luck with that. Keep your chin up and this too shall pass!

P.

 

My tire goes flat when most women talk to me too.

 

-.-

 

If you lived near SE NY we could talk about a deal on my '88; the engine & A4 were rebuilt 2yrs ago by Corvettes of Westchester.

The driver side was side-swiped and insurance will only total it out. I would let it go for $2,500 and it's drivable now.

 

When it rains, it pours as they say. When you get back on your financial feet, you might want to check out Jasper rebuilt engines. It would be a direct drop in and it would come with a warranty. If you're looking to get rid of the CFI, it might be a good idea to find a wrecked C4 with the L98, etc. and take the powertrain and computer out of it.

I know from my own experience that GM does not make the crate L83 or L98 motor anymore. The closest I was told to those motors was the ZZ4 that they sell. The standard Goodwrench 350 crate motor is designed for a carb and you'd have to swap out the cam, etc. to get the CFI to work, at least that's what I was told.

Good luck in whatever you chose and we're always here to listen.

 

Where in SE NY are you located 65ZO1? I'm in Somers

 

Carrot - I am at work right now so not able to access my "goodies". I have a business card from a guy I met at Bloomington Gold a few years ago. He does carb work and rebuilds the Crossfire Injection setups. He lives in one of the Chicago burbs. The C2 and C3 folks in the area love him.
You could have your unit rebuilt and place it on the Jasper engine and the world would be fine again.
I will get the phone number to you when I get home tonight.
The reason I stopped at his booth was that he had a beauty of a Crossfire sitting on a display table. It looked like brand new.

 

Here is the info: Dan's Carbuerator Service. Dan Squires 630-408-2743 in Oswego, IL.
Good luck!