crate engine?
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
crate engine?
Looking to replace my '84 crossfire motor with something different before spring. what should i get that's around four grand? i want to get rid of the crossfire all together. has an '86 4+3 trans.
I don't really care about performance. I want a solid engine that will keep me driving this thing daily. I love this car. I already replaced the engine once with a L83 (that i burnt up). Actually, I've pretty much replaced every single thing on this car since I got it about six years ago.
I just want to know what else will fit under the hood, and will be easy for a mechanic to swap. I don't know jack about engines/carbs etc. I'm just curious what my direct bolt-on options are.
So, my question is... If you were a mechanic and wanted to replace this engine the easiest way, while getting rid of the crossfire.. what would you do?
I don't really care about performance. I want a solid engine that will keep me driving this thing daily. I love this car. I already replaced the engine once with a L83 (that i burnt up). Actually, I've pretty much replaced every single thing on this car since I got it about six years ago.
I just want to know what else will fit under the hood, and will be easy for a mechanic to swap. I don't know jack about engines/carbs etc. I'm just curious what my direct bolt-on options are.
So, my question is... If you were a mechanic and wanted to replace this engine the easiest way, while getting rid of the crossfire.. what would you do?
Last edited by carrotcake; Jan 15, 2012 at 07:33 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
There's many ways to skin a cat, including some significant improvements in the L83 package you have. So, you'll need to "turn over a hole card" or two and show a bit more of where you want to end up. Do you have a plan, or a goal in mind?
There are some pretty sharp people and vast experience on tap, and you might get some pretty good advice if you state a goal. Then let the collective minds and experience "have at it"!
Just a thought.
P.
There are some pretty sharp people and vast experience on tap, and you might get some pretty good advice if you state a goal. Then let the collective minds and experience "have at it"!
Just a thought.
P.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
If you just want a daily driver, why not just have a machine shop rebuild what's in it? Beyond that, a standard Gen 1 Goodwrench crate motor will do the job. They start about $1500 and go up from there. Why do you want to dump the Crossfire? You'd be taking a giant jump backward with a carb. Other EFI's are available, but spendy.
Do you live in an area with emissions testing?
Do you live in an area with emissions testing?
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
i don't have emissions testing in my area. let me be more clear on why i need help. i'm not male :P i thought it would be easier for me to get rid of the crossfire and just get something else in there. i warped the heads with of my last engine after about two hundred miles, my dash was getting fixed and was out so i couldn't see it overheating_ voided the warranty. i'm losing compression in six of eight cylinders according to a mechanic i took it to. he said he could see if a machine shop could fix it, but it was expensive. plus i don't even know what caused it to overheat in the first place. all i know is, i want to drive this daily- i want no surprises, and i'm kinda tired of having the cfi giving me grief, it never seems to run perfect. so i thought u guys could straighten me out.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
you could go with the next year up which is the tpi (tuned port injection). which is what i have in my 85 vette(which is stock on 85 and up). runs and drives great and has some get up and go too. price range i have no idea. and also this would be the quickest getting it in cause there both the same motor. (350 small blocK) just one cfi and other tpi.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
you could go with the next year up which is the tpi (tuned port injection). which is what i have in my 85 vette(which is stock on 85 and up). runs and drives great and has some get up and go too. price range i have no idea. and also this would be the quickest getting it in cause there both the same motor. (350 small blocK) just one cfi and other tpi.
The cost of this is way to much for only a minimal gain..
Don't take this the wrong way but before you post an option... try an not mislead the OP with misinformation.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
i don't have emissions testing in my area. let me be more clear on why i need help. i'm not male :P i thought it would be easier for me to get rid of the crossfire and just get something else in there. i warped the heads with of my last engine after about two hundred miles, my dash was getting fixed and was out so i couldn't see it overheating_ voided the warranty. i'm losing compression in six of eight cylinders according to a mechanic i took it to. he said he could see if a machine shop could fix it, but it was expensive. plus i don't even know what caused it to overheat in the first place. all i know is, i want to drive this daily- i want no surprises, and i'm kinda tired of having the cfi giving me grief, it never seems to run perfect. so i thought u guys could straighten me out.
If all you want is a reliable daily driver, have a machine shop rebuild what's in it, or go with a basic Goodwrench replacement crate engine and put the Crossfire right back on top of it. Mission accomplished. These are your two most economical options.
LM1 Crate Engine
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Now, you don't mention location, so I'm guessing you live in San Bernadino County, right? There was a place called Croc's Machine Shop (CMS) just off I-15 back in the day. Guy was kinda hippie looking, but did good work.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
My suggestion, before you spend your money- Ask around in your area to find a well-recommended independent shop, you'd be looking for a place where the owner was also the head mechanic, and certainly not a dealer. You could track down a local Corvette club, or other enthusiast-minded group for leads. Talk to this guy- if he turns his nose up at your car, move on.
Pay this shop to look your whole car over, not just the engine, as Friz said, you need to investigate the overheating as well as any other issues (dash?) to get an idea what it will take to have a reliable daily driver. Assuming cost is an issue, the closer you stay to the stock configuration, the less it will cost, and the fewer problems you will have, now and later. Once you start to modify the original, in order to make it work, one thing leads to another, and another...
Pay this shop to look your whole car over, not just the engine, as Friz said, you need to investigate the overheating as well as any other issues (dash?) to get an idea what it will take to have a reliable daily driver. Assuming cost is an issue, the closer you stay to the stock configuration, the less it will cost, and the fewer problems you will have, now and later. Once you start to modify the original, in order to make it work, one thing leads to another, and another...
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
This won't work. CFI computer is a LOT different than a TPI computer. CFI is a MAP car... TPI is a MAF car. Plus the only differance in HP is about 30 hp which can easily be made up with doing a full porting job on the CFI intake. Its been documented time and time again that 84's can easily make that up once ported.
The cost of this is way to much for only a minimal gain..
Don't take this the wrong way but before you post an option... try an not mislead the OP with misinformation.
The cost of this is way to much for only a minimal gain..
Don't take this the wrong way but before you post an option... try an not mislead the OP with misinformation.
. but sorry if i was.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
the cfi isn't the culprit in hurting my last engine, but i've had this car for many many years and thought my life would be easier with a different injection. guess i'm wrong. i suppose i will go find a mechanic, i live in a new state and when they see a chick towing in a cherry 84, i can actually see dollar signs in their eyes and hear a faint "chuh ching" sound. i've been screwed by so many mechanics since i've had this thing... that sounded wrong.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
i was thinking that you could just drop an 85 motor in with the computer and get what she wanted which was to have a car without the CFI in it. not increase power. and also my thinking that the 85 and 84 are pretty close cars would mean it would be easy to just remove the old and drop in new. do tell me if im wrong on that x.x i dont believe i was posting incorrect information my friend . but sorry if i was.
. but sorry if i was.There are much cheaper ways allow the poster to go to a multiport type injection rather than go about it your way. My car was a CFI and now I run a 388 in it with a HSR sitting on top.
Banned Loser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 53,423
Likes: 250
From: They say you learn from your mistakes, I must be a genius
2017 Corvette of the Year
2016 C4 of Year Finalist
Creator of the "Original" whining and crying thread
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17
I knew what you were thinking. But there is a big differance in intakes and wire harness. The job would be a huge thing to do and cost the poster tons of money... just not worth it. The only thing that is the same would be the ability to bolt the small block in there. Have you done the swap ...cfi to tpi?? Do you know the differance between MAP and MAF? How about just how much is involved with swapping out the main wiring harness?
There are much cheaper ways allow the poster to go to a multiport type injection rather than go about it your way. My car was a CFI and now I run a 388 in it with a HSR sitting on top.
There are much cheaper ways allow the poster to go to a multiport type injection rather than go about it your way. My car was a CFI and now I run a 388 in it with a HSR sitting on top.
I've known Ed for a while now and followed his swap(Pete K.)build on another forum. He's done quite a bit to his '84 and knows what he is talking about.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
Banned Loser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 53,423
Likes: 250
From: They say you learn from your mistakes, I must be a genius
2017 Corvette of the Year
2016 C4 of Year Finalist
Creator of the "Original" whining and crying thread
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 6
From: Los Altos CA
I've been watching this thread hoping for a chance to peddle my old engine, but agree you're probably better off sticking with the CFI, for now, and having your immediate problems repaired.
You might search for, or start, a 'reccommend a mechanic' thread in the appropriate local section.
You might search for, or start, a 'reccommend a mechanic' thread in the appropriate local section.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
This needs nothing except heads/intake
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-p...ock-350-a.html
slap on a set of either patriot heads or dart iron eagle ss. Port the living s^^^ out of the intake an you'll have a good running car.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-p...ock-350-a.html
slap on a set of either patriot heads or dart iron eagle ss. Port the living s^^^ out of the intake an you'll have a good running car.