crossfire vs TBI
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: milpitas ca
crossfire vs TBI
i noticed that the 84s had the crossfire injections and the 85 had that tbi, now im a noob at the C4 engines and specs but a friend of mine is bout to purchase one. just wanna know a lil more bout the engine which one is better, more reliable and less of a hassel to deal with. And also what kinda MPG you guys get on your c4 will really help that way i can advise my friend wisely.
thanks!
oh the year hes lookin at is a 84 and an 85 bout seem to be autos or this 4+3 speed transmission (no clue what that is)
thanks!
oh the year hes lookin at is a 84 and an 85 bout seem to be autos or this 4+3 speed transmission (no clue what that is)
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,763
Likes: 1
From: Connectivette
TBI Throttle Body Injection, I believe, is when the injector(s) sit inside the TB and there are usually one or two of them. The 85's had TPI Tuned port injection where the injectors spray directly into the combustion chamber and there are 8 injectors (in our case) one for each combustion chamber.
I believe the crossfires are considered TBI
I believe the crossfires are considered TBI
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: milpitas ca
TBI Throttle Body Injection, I believe, is when the injector(s) sit inside the TB and there are usually one or two of them. The 85's had TPI Tuned port injection where the injectors spray directly into the combustion chamber and there are 8 injectors (in our case) one for each combustion chamber.
I believe the crossfires are considered TBI
I believe the crossfires are considered TBI
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
Generally, the later the year the more improved.
Tell your friend to buy the Vette in the Best condition. Any year Vette in Poor condition will require a lot of maintenance to be reliable. A Crossfire engine is simpler to maintain (simpler design) than a TPI engine but, the TPI engine will have more stock hp/torque (245/345) and will get better gas mileage (16 city/26 highway but most TPI owners are getting 28 and even 30 highway!) due to a more efficient Port injection design.
The 4+3 transmission had some issues but, the 700R4 is a very dependable 4 speed automatic transmission. The 6 speed manual transmissions are awesome.
The "84" Vette was also, one of the best handling Vette's due to a very stiff suspension, not so, great if using as a daily driver.
Tell your friend to buy the Vette in the Best condition. Any year Vette in Poor condition will require a lot of maintenance to be reliable. A Crossfire engine is simpler to maintain (simpler design) than a TPI engine but, the TPI engine will have more stock hp/torque (245/345) and will get better gas mileage (16 city/26 highway but most TPI owners are getting 28 and even 30 highway!) due to a more efficient Port injection design.
The 4+3 transmission had some issues but, the 700R4 is a very dependable 4 speed automatic transmission. The 6 speed manual transmissions are awesome.
The "84" Vette was also, one of the best handling Vette's due to a very stiff suspension, not so, great if using as a daily driver.
Last edited by GKK; Oct 8, 2008 at 12:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: milpitas ca
Generally, the later the year the more improved.
Tell your friend to buy the Vette in the Best condition. Any year Vette in Poor condition will require a lot of maintenance to be reliable. A Crossfire engine is simpler to maintain (simpler design) than a TPI engine but, the TPI engine will have more stock hp/torque (245/345) and will get better gas mileage (16 city/26 highway but most TPI owners are getting 28 and even 30 highway!) due to a more efficient Port injection design.
The 4+3 transmission had some issues but, the 700R4 is a very dependable 4 speed automatic transmission. The 6 speed manual transmissions are awesome.
The "84" Vette was also, one of the best handling Vette's due to a very stiff suspension, not so, great if using as a daily driver.
Tell your friend to buy the Vette in the Best condition. Any year Vette in Poor condition will require a lot of maintenance to be reliable. A Crossfire engine is simpler to maintain (simpler design) than a TPI engine but, the TPI engine will have more stock hp/torque (245/345) and will get better gas mileage (16 city/26 highway but most TPI owners are getting 28 and even 30 highway!) due to a more efficient Port injection design.
The 4+3 transmission had some issues but, the 700R4 is a very dependable 4 speed automatic transmission. The 6 speed manual transmissions are awesome.
The "84" Vette was also, one of the best handling Vette's due to a very stiff suspension, not so, great if using as a daily driver.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
The 4 speed auto would be the best choice if you want an auto.
The 5 speed manual wasn't offered in the C4 Vette's but is a popular swap for those who like to drag race.
The 5 speed manual wasn't offered in the C4 Vette's but is a popular swap for those who like to drag race.
Last edited by GKK; Oct 8, 2008 at 01:25 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,698
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
TBI Throttle Body Injection, I believe, is when the injector(s) sit inside the TB and there are usually one or two of them. The 85's had TPI Tuned port injection where the injectors spray directly into the combustion chamber and there are 8 injectors (in our case) one for each combustion chamber.
I believe the crossfires are considered TBI
I believe the crossfires are considered TBI
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Crossfire was only made 1 year in the C4. Try to find a 1989 or up. Lots of improvements in the engine and manual transmissions came after 1987 and 1988.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 584
Likes: 1
From: Near Lockport NY Black 1986 Coupe
If the '84 is in good condition, I would get that just because it has the TBI. It's costs a little more to fix, but it's the only vette with it and the first year of the C4. Can't go wrong with rarity.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,698
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Because the 84 model year spanned almost two years, they made over 54,000 of the cars so they are not exceptionally rare. I bought mine new and have enjoyed it for years, first adding nitrous, carburation, 383and now a 406. I changed the front and rear caps and it's been a unique bracket racer running as quick as other "drag" cars in the Summit bracket series Pro division and still looking close to a street car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
The crossfire was used in two years, the 82 and 84 models. Its a very reliable engine. As reliable as any other gen 1 small block.
Syncing the TBI's is very easy to do, but do require you to build your own mamometer. Which only costs $12 or less to build.
Most have found that any repairs on the cfi are inexpensive. Its a great car to learn on.
Out of any corvette your looking at go for the better condition one regardless of year.
Syncing the TBI's is very easy to do, but do require you to build your own mamometer. Which only costs $12 or less to build.
Most have found that any repairs on the cfi are inexpensive. Its a great car to learn on.
Out of any corvette your looking at go for the better condition one regardless of year.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
From: middle of Illinois
It really comes down to what you like better. If you're looking for all out performance in a stock C4, then get an LT4 or an LT5. Otherwise figure out your price range, find a few in that range, and go drive them. See which one you like better. On here you'll find every year has people who love it and swear by it, and people who point out what was wrong with it. As far as the TBI/TPI debate, my personal feeling is that TPI can support more HP than TBI stock for stock. I'm sure someone disagrees.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,698
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
It really comes down to what you like better. If you're looking for all out performance in a stock C4, then get an LT4 or an LT5. Otherwise figure out your price range, find a few in that range, and go drive them. See which one you like better. On here you'll find every year has people who love it and swear by it, and people who point out what was wrong with it. As far as the TBI/TPI debate, my personal feeling is that TPI can support more HP than TBI stock for stock. I'm sure someone disagrees.
