Purchase advice 84 vs 85, engine differences
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 972
Likes: 63
From: MI
Purchase advice 84 vs 85, engine differences
A friend is going to look at an 84 tomorrow, clean original owner car with 53k miles on it.
I told him beginning in 1985, the 230 hp L98 engine with tuned port fuel injection became the standard engine and that suspension improvements were also made in 1985.
Can you guys comment on how much difference there is between the L98 in 85's and the L83 engine with 200hp used in 84's. Is the engine difference enough of a reason to focus his search on 85's and pass on 84 models ?
Also how much truth is there that the Doug Nash designed "4+3" transmissions used from 84-88 were problematic ?
Thanks-
I told him beginning in 1985, the 230 hp L98 engine with tuned port fuel injection became the standard engine and that suspension improvements were also made in 1985.
Can you guys comment on how much difference there is between the L98 in 85's and the L83 engine with 200hp used in 84's. Is the engine difference enough of a reason to focus his search on 85's and pass on 84 models ?
Also how much truth is there that the Doug Nash designed "4+3" transmissions used from 84-88 were problematic ?
Thanks-
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Was made softer because then new buyers of America's " sports car" didn't really want a sports car suspension
for the drive to the golf club.
Early versions had well documented problems , most likely fixed this far down the track
Documented evident of correct O/d unit servicing ( every 12K ) is preferable
Other common "problems" are usually simple, easily fixed , age related problems with the wiring/ switch / relay control side.
The 4 spd part of the DNE 4+3 is the durable Super T10 trans
for the drive to the golf club.
Documented evident of correct O/d unit servicing ( every 12K ) is preferable
Other common "problems" are usually simple, easily fixed , age related problems with the wiring/ switch / relay control side.
The 4 spd part of the DNE 4+3 is the durable Super T10 trans
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Noticeable difference in hp. Not a lot of difference in reliability, that came later. Not a lot of difference in price. Present condition is everything on these. The most expensive things are a.) paint b.) interior c.) mechanical. If he can work on one fine, if not, he can't afford it. It isn't economically feasible to restore one, so you pretty much have to be able to live with some faults.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
Noticeable difference in hp. Not a lot of difference in reliability, that came later. Not a lot of difference in price. Present condition is everything on these. The most expensive things are a.) paint b.) interior c.) mechanical. If he can work on one fine, if not, he can't afford it. It isn't economically feasible to restore one, so you pretty much have to be able to live with some faults.
- i'd personally stay away from "project" cars, and would rather spend a little extra for "somebody's baby." if your friend isn't mechanically inclined with a decent tool set, steer him to a late model Honda - - C4's can be money pits, even with free labor. as for the 84 vs 85, i'd love a super clean, pampered 84, but then again i'd settle for the same in an 85. let's face it, 205 vs 230 horsepower doesn't matter much for a Saturday night cruiser. I would look for clean, low mileage, pampered, example of both, and take either. I did have an 85, and thought it was very reliable, but I did spend a few $$$ on maintenance and some cosmetics. as a result, my son is still driving the thing, and it's been in the family since 1996.
