I'm new to the Corvette Ownership club. I recently picked up an '84, not the most desirable year IMO, but the deal was too good to pass up and own my first Corvette.

I'm curious as to what the best option is to replace the CFI setup? I'm in no rush to do so, but I always like to research and learn before I make a decision. I've seen the Rampage intake and think that if the hype is true it's worth a shot. I've also seen a lot of people go with a carburetor setup.

I'm just wondering which is the real bang for your buck? Intakes & carbs are cheap and easy to find/install, where as the rampage is a costly intake IMO.I tend to lean to carb as I think I'd get more HP, but I could be wrong.

Part two how to I convert to carb? Is there an easy to follow online instruction set?

 

Rampage? you mean Renegade? Renegade is a good choice to replace the stock manifold. If so I would suggest you go one step larger on the TB's to match the Ren flow. This is a slippery slope. Then you need to increase fuel pressure to give it the fuel it wants. Heads should be upgraded as well as they are weak on flow. Same on exhaust. Are you willing to spend the $$$ to do all this? Add in a swap of ECU and a corrected tune. On and on and on. Been there done all that.

Carb? I would not do that but many have and are satisfied.

 

I did mean Renegade, you are correct. I knew I was wrong each time I wrote it... Sorry.

So basically, I should just build another engine and do a full swap.

I was just thinking about getting another few ponies out of this motor without breaking the budget. I am throwing headers on and redoing the exhaust I'd just like the intake side to breath more. Thanks for the ideas.

 

Bought my 84 new. Ran nitrous, blew up the motor. New motor, cam, opened up the xfire intake, different heads, larger injectors. Carbed the thing. Bigger motor. Bigger motor. Went back to a tpi type SuperRam setup which I still run today with a 406. Car has been down the strip 1000s of times. Happy with the current setup.

 

You probably have a sound short block. The difference between another engine and the one you have now is that the new engine will probably be a full roller motor. The only real advantage is the zinc and the phosphorus in the oil. You probably wouldn't really go hog wild on the cam anyway.
If you stick with the one you have now.....You can change the cam, the intake, and add headers. Plan on spending $2000-$2500 right there. Heads will be another $1500.
There is no cheap solution. A different short block would add $1800 more if you started with a good core.
Your car was made right when the fuel injection revolution was beginning, so you are stuck with low tech stuff.
If you change to a different cam and heads, you might just explore the fuel injection system you have and maximize it.
You will probably spend a little more than you want, but the education you obtain from it will only enlighten you in regard to other projects and make a great informational foundation.

considering technical education costs these days, In other words,

it will be a cheap education.

Consider this:
your engine only has 4 injectors. The intake is easy to work on, and you have direct cold air induction. Work on smoothing out your intake ducting flow, cam selection, self porting your heads, and maybe a custom tune with headers and a high flow cat or dual cats.

 

I ported my CFI intake, installed a 91 fuel pump, added an inline fuel pressure gauge and dialed the fuel pressure to 15psig and changed to a D44 - 3.45:1 rear end...

I am not a racer and have never taken it to the track so I have no time slips from before or after but it has been fun surprising all those that automatically assume that a crossfire can't keep up with later C-4's.

 

Super tune what you have or plan to spend big $$$$ and lots of time & plenty of mistakes.

 

Stick with the Crossfire and learn how to tune it and adjust it. Increase the fuel pressure with and '85 pump and put a free flowing exhaust system on it. You could even go with 1.6 rocker arms, but I chose not to. It won't be a racer, but it will be plenty fast for the street and easier to live with. I believe as time goes, on the original '84 with a Crossfire system will gain in value. Keep it a Corvette. Take care of it and drive it fast. Good luck.

 

Congrats on a new toy! What do you want to use the car for? That will have a lot of influence on mod strategy. Auto or manual?

 

I hope you're right. They only made 51,000 of the things compared with 500 Z06s last year.

 

Welcome

 

couple of good links

http://www.crossfireinjection.net/

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...njection-mine/

 

With my early mods using the CFI set up the best I could get was a mid 13's car.
You have to decide what exactly it is that your looking for.. then stick to it. Once you start modding your not gonna want to stop.. ask me how I know this!..

You can do a lot with what you got and have fun with it and still not break the bank.

 

I think he should go HSR like we did.

 

Thanks for all the warm welcomes and idea sharing. I've always wanted a 'vette, and bought this because, well I pretty much stole it. I plan on driving it on weekends in the summer months only, just cruise down to the lake or through wine country, and maybe to work occasionally. My goal would be a mid 12's car, keeping it looking as stock as possible and surprise the late model C4's.

I'm pretty familiar with mods, etc. I built an '80 Z28 yeas ago. Bought it at 14 and did a complete rebuild, body, paint, interior, motor, etc. I eventually dropped an LT1 in it and had some fun. Sold it 16 years later because I had no where to store it and never drove it. Missing it I started looking for a Porsche 928/944 or a Vette... Low and behold I bought the '84.

I'm impressed with the car over the late '70's models I looked at and drove as well, which is what I wanted. There's something about the technology in an '84 though, the way the suspension is built, it just caught my attention.

I think I'll start with the headers, since I've go them. The exhaust today is cat only, no mufflers. I want to remove it all and have straight pipes into a pair of Borla's I think. Intake wise, I'll tune it this spring and replace the fuel pump (if it hasn't been already) and add 1.6 RR's. See where we're at then next winter go crazier... Unless, I get the urge sooner.

 

If your looking for a good set of Borla ZR1's let me know. I have a set but they aren't cheap.
I've also got several videos with those headers installaed so if you want to hear what they sound like let me know

 

I thought they had 2 throttle body injectors (TBI)!

 

How will you achieve this? Ecm change?

 

I'd drop in a new Renegade, upgrade the fuel pump and new headers ... you'll be a happy camper .... you can do cam and heads at a later time ... but you'll like the way it runs just with that basic upgrade ....

 

@QWS - If I had the cash right now I'd have bought everything from you! Unfortunately right after Christmas and buying the car, and my truck blowing both front hubs, and 3 new sets of tires... A little tight.

As for tuning does the ECM really work? Where do I get a decent ECM? I was thinking of the one from DCS along with their fuel pressure fuel pressure assembly.

Renegade will have to wait. But I agree headers, tuning for now and hopefully a set of 1.6 RR's for spring. Next winter a bit moe.