1987 with iron heads???
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 405
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From: 1984 crossfire, Alhaurin de la Torre Malaga, Spain
1987 with iron heads???
I bought a targa vette with the identification number H in the year digit, so it should be a 1987. But the car has crossfire injection and iron heads, so I learned in this fine forum that it is probably a 1987 chassis with a 1984 engine. Should feel pissed, but I am still happy with the car. Did cost me 4000 plus approx 2500 painting and burocratie trouble to get it on Spanish plates (that is where I live) The car runs fine though it was parked or quite a few years, so some valves were stuck a little. I poored slowly some fine oil (MOTUL MICRO, used for radio controlled airplane engines) in the inlets while the car was running. Already some improvement (guess the valve stems did lubricate a little, what I tried to accomplish) After running a few miles, they loosen up and it is quite noticeble that the compression improved a lot (hear it when I start, first the start motor load was very irregular due to difference in compression between cylinders, now it is ok)
Questions.
1 What are the real negative points about the engine I have?
2 Is it possible to mount aluminimum heads with TPI and is it worth the trouble (I do not race the car, just enjoy it)?
3
Questions.
1 What are the real negative points about the engine I have?
2 Is it possible to mount aluminimum heads with TPI and is it worth the trouble (I do not race the car, just enjoy it)?
3
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: South Brunswick New Jersey
The only negative points is that you don't have an original engine and that you can't make much more HP with the crossfire motor. But like you said, you don't race it, you just want to enjoy the car, so enjoy it!! Congrats on the purchase! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Nico, before you start making a lot of changes, here's something to consider…
A friend in Japan purchased a Corvette at a Japanese auto auction in 1996. He asked me to come take a look at the "1990" Corvette he had purchased. As soon as I saw it, I realized he had a 1984 - crossfire as well as other giveaways. It turns out that it was in fact a 1990… in Japan! At least it was titled as such when it was imported into Japan in 1990. Apparently they just used it's year of import. If this is the case in Spain, you may in fact have a 1984. If you do, changing to a TPI will be more involved that returning a 1987 to TPI.
I don't think there are any real problems with the crossfire injection if the engine has been well maintained. It is not as easy an engine to modify in some ways, but performs well in the Corvette and tends to be reliable and economical. Don't forget this car was capable of 150 MPH when it was introduced. I know I was impressed... enough to sell my 1977…
GUSTO
A friend in Japan purchased a Corvette at a Japanese auto auction in 1996. He asked me to come take a look at the "1990" Corvette he had purchased. As soon as I saw it, I realized he had a 1984 - crossfire as well as other giveaways. It turns out that it was in fact a 1990… in Japan! At least it was titled as such when it was imported into Japan in 1990. Apparently they just used it's year of import. If this is the case in Spain, you may in fact have a 1984. If you do, changing to a TPI will be more involved that returning a 1987 to TPI.
I don't think there are any real problems with the crossfire injection if the engine has been well maintained. It is not as easy an engine to modify in some ways, but performs well in the Corvette and tends to be reliable and economical. Don't forget this car was capable of 150 MPH when it was introduced. I know I was impressed... enough to sell my 1977…
GUSTO
Waka, Waka, Waka!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,435
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From: Richmond Virginia
CI 4-6-8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Originally Posted by GUSTO14
...
you may in fact have a 1984. If you do, changing to a TPI will be more involved that returning a 1987 to TPI.
...
you may in fact have a 1984. If you do, changing to a TPI will be more involved that returning a 1987 to TPI.
...
If you are that curious, you could post a pic of the dash cluster. The tach on an 84 looks (slightly) different than the other years. Of course, the dash could have been swapped with the motor if it is really an '87
Either way, since you are looking for a cruiser and not a racer; I would probably not bother. As mentioned, the crossfire is able to get the job done. And if you were going to go through all of the trouble to change a major system of your engine, why stop with 1985 technology?? If you are going to change it, go with a miniram/superram setup with newer aluminium heads and a cam to match the setup.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Does your windshield VIN match your door VIN match your rpo codesheet VIN? I think the RPO sheet is under your center console lid or under the storage compartment lid behind your seat. If you can't remove the tray in there, then you have ABS.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
And match the VIN stamped into the engine? In any case, it isn't worth the time and the money to convert it to a TPI. If you can't get what you want from the Crossfire, there are better, more worthwhile conversions. The Crossfire has more potential than many would care to believe.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 405
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From: 1984 crossfire, Alhaurin de la Torre Malaga, Spain
Thanks to ALL of you guys, I am convinced now that I have what I wanted, and I am much less worried that I bought what may turn out to be trouble. I carry on repairing and making the car nice. Just repaired the alternator that did quit charging when it became hot. Turned out to be hardened grease at the copper slip rings that spreaded when hot and made an insulating graese layer at higher speeds. Had it spray painted black, chairs covered with red leathere etc.
You all made my day!!!!
Gracias
Abrazo
You all made my day!!!!
Gracias
Abrazo
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Team Owner
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
AThe Crossfire has more potential than many would care to believe.
The factory intake manifold for the 84 is very restrictive. You may want to replace it with an Edelbrock or simular. Syncronizing the injector bodies is also very important to making power and smooth running.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: 1984 crossfire, Alhaurin de la Torre Malaga, Spain
Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
The factory intake manifold for the 84 is very restrictive. You may want to replace it with an Edelbrock or simular. Syncronizing the injector bodies is also very important to making power and smooth running.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
I increased the flow of my stock intake by porting it. Including the spare manifold I bought so I could drive the car while working on the manifold, I probably have about $100.00 invested in the project. That is for cutters, sanding rolls, and other tools. Without going inside of the engine, I have reduced my 1/4 mile times by more than 2 1/2 seconds.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
As far as porting goes...No! But I did remove a lot of metal. The 2.5+ seconds came from more than just the intake manifold, but still, nothing inside of the engine. The porting alone was worth close to 3/4 of a second.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: 1984 crossfire, Alhaurin de la Torre Malaga, Spain
I guess that is why Edelbrock made new manifolds. They are clearly aware of the restrictions. I am an electronics engineer and worked a lot at aircraft. So I saw how difficult it can be to really improve airflow avoiding all kind of restrictions that are not directly appearent such as curves, splits, wall effects and so on. If you change things with a positive result, you must be on the right track!
Congratulations
Congratulations