Yea im more of a fuel injection guy. Never really understood how a carb works. I looked up the rampage intake and yea they are slow at making em lol. The price isn't bad for what you get. Might have to try the intake out one day, thanks for the suggestion.

 

 

301s sucked. I remember my best friend's 318 Dodge pickup beating a Turbo Formula...sad, sad, sad. I consider the 301 like the 307....good boat anchors. HOWEVER....GM made tons of both for years. Not the case with the CF. It was produced for 2 years. Why did they kill a brand new motor after two years? Motor development isn't cheap! Maybe they knew something that we didn't (yet).

And yes, $100 worth of Harbor Freight tools can turn a person into a grinding machine, but not everyone is a metal worker. If he pops through the wall, he is then looking in the junk yards for another intake (which may be plentiful). I would say most people would not sign up to do their own porting, but take a poll and find out. Sounds like he is game for it so talleyho....

I guess I was just a little shocked that after years on the fbody boards, no one EVER told someone that they didn't know what they were doing just because they shared a past decision they made. CF parts were not plentiful 15 years ago when I had the car, maybe there are now. At the time if you had one that ran OK (and mine did) people suggested that you not mess with it. You do know what you are doing, and you managed to upgrade a motor known for problems. Congrats.

I have my 88 now because I wanted something to just to drive on the weekends and take to shows. It's a slow 14 sec 'vert, unlike most of my other 12 and 13 sec GM cars: 01 SS, 04 GTO, 98 Z51, 00 SS, 96 SS, 93 Formula, 93 M6 Z28, 88 350 Formula, 84 Z51, 87 305 TBI Formula, 76 LE 400 T/A, (2) 86 T/As, 77 400 Formula, (2) 76 400 Formulas, 79 T/A, 78 T/A, 77 T/A, 68 Malibu, 74 Espirit, 65 326 Tempest.

I've said my peace and I'm done.

 

I have not seen many crossfire parts, sadly. Im looking hard into converting the car to a carb or just swapping for an LT or LS engine, price depending. I would like to know what you guys think of an item I found on Summit. Ill attach the link at the bottom.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sm...model/corvette

 

zodom,

The Xfire is just an SBC. So any of the standard parts will work. It just depends on whether u want to keep the Xfire induction. I modded mine and using a ported stock manifold, I ran 13.3s and trapped 104+ consistently on street tires. But it took work and much DIY. Maybe that's why I own ZR-1 now. The Z is even more DIY.
Anyway, if I had kept the 84, my next step would have been to convert over either to an LT1 manifold and PFI or consider an LSx transplant.
I had a ZF6 trans in the car and the LSx doesn't bolt directly to it.
What I found out after I started my first round of mods tho was the need to learn about tuning. So if your not there w that, start learning. What's different tho is that there is so much more information available today and so many more tools than 13 years ago.

 

I was thinking of getting an 84 because of how cheap they are and possibly installing a single plane manifold with the FAST EZ EFI system. What do you all think? And, do you think this system could work with a ported stock manifold and a dual EFI system?

 

I would suggest to anyone new to the c4 that an 84 is a cheap way to buy a vette.

I got mine under 3k.
I've spent over 3k on new paint carpet and seats. But now I have what I could not afford before, best of all I paid cash for everything.

Now the best part... You LEARN. Between this forum and a shop manual ( electric version $30) I have learned a lot.

I would also suggest doing a search for "cubestudio" "Simpson" and "crossfire". This guy documents a bunch of crossfire tuning extremely well. I used it as a step by step to port my intakes, manifold, and most importantly balance the crossfire.


As others have said, don't give up on this motor or intake just because its hard. It was not Chevys best. But if you get it air and fuel it will run.

 

Lot's wrong here. 301 was only produced for about 4 years. '81 was the last year. CFI was made for 3 years; '82-84. Replacing CFI didn't require "motor development" -it require fuel system development, and THAT was required b/c the CFI system couldn't meet the criteria that GM needed to meet; power/emissions/fuel economy. We don't have to meet the same emissions requirements that GM needs to meet, so we can easily extract the "missing" power with a grinder.



No. If you go through a wall, simply fill the hole with moldable epoxy. Works great and I've done it so I know.


Sorry if I offended, but think about this; you gave advice that would discourage the OP from taking action to improve his situation...because YOU couldn't improve your situation. But that doesn't mean that it can't be done easily and cheaply. I think "most poeple aren't metal workers" (lol -I don't think grinding requires you to be a "metal worker") b/c people like you post and discourage them. You know how many people told me that if I ported my stock intake, I'd loose all my low end torque? That prevented me from taking action, for WAY too long! That stuff isn't true, it isn't helpful! If ya don't know, then don't post! Cause someone else DOES know and can post helpful, factual info for the OP. Know what I mean?

FYI, I finally "took the plunge" and started porting my intake about 15 years ago. About the same time you say there were no parts available. Yes there were not parts packaged on shelves as "CFI perf. parts" -other than some overpriced junk from Turbo City, but there were certainly plenty of cheap upgrade options available for anyone who took the time to THINK about what was needed (more air flow and fuel), and how to get there;
*Porting/Extrude honing
*TB boring
*Offy intake
*SY-1 intake
*"454 TBI injectors"
*Later fuel pumps

In fact, I feel that the CFI is actually a BETTER platform than the TPI for one major reason; the CFI is a medium-length runner intake, like the HSR meaning it's not going to limit RPM from an acoustic wave standpoint, like TPI will no matter what diameter runners you spend $$$ for and bolt on to a TPI. The PROBLEM with CFI is that the runners are too small cross sectionally. You can fix that with a die grinder.

 

You need to state you goals (power/ET) and budget before the best advice can be given.

 

The '84 Corvette is a great car, however, its 210 hp engine needs a lot to be desired. I'd really like to see dyno sheets to back up the 40hp gain by grinding "Everything" out of the runners. Bone stock the '84 Vette is a low 15 sec ride....nothing spectacular. If you want to go fast (or quick) your best bet is to get some gear in it. 3.73 work great. Next is headers and some 1.6 rockers.
All this will get you in the low 14's/high 13's. Maybe better depending on track. A good set of drag radial will get you in the mid 13's or about as fast as a stock '92+ C4.
My route consisted of ditching the Crossfire and going carb. Through the years I changed many thing netting me a best time of 10.70 @ 126 mph without any power adders and driving it the 300 mile round trip with 1.50 60ft times.
And yes, I sacrificed the Star Wars digital display for real mechanical gauges. That sacrifice allowed me to create an awesome street car that could be driven anywhere.

 

Im looking for a street car that allows me to get more power than the 205hp that it came with stock. Im really just getting ideas together and what people on the forum think about the different options out there. I would like to stay under 3000 but if I can find the right engine for the right price I may consider that also. I did find an engine company that claims to have a 350 that puts out 300hp from the box for about 1200 so that may be a really good option for me. Just need to learn a little more about the crossfire engine first.

 

If you port the intake alot, you'll need to be able to adjust the fuel pressure. The rear tbi has a pressure regulator that can be modded to be adjustable.
You can also adjust the ign. timing, stock spec are conservitive.
The 84s respond to air cleaner mods too. There is no hole at the radiator shroud for the ram air ductind, add a hole, its a common mod. My car ran real lean when I tried out 2 open element air cleaners (I didn't know about the fuel pressure adjustment back then) on each tbi back in the 90s. So I figure there was power to be made there too.

 

The 301 came out as the base step up motor for the Firebird in 77. Last one sold turbo and non in 81. Thats 5 years. Your years for the CF were right, but no 83 Vette so yeah.....whatever.

I'm glad you love your CFI, and sorry if you think my comments were an attack on your ride. I've know 100s of rodders over the years and very few cared to port their own stuff. I'm not discouraging it or telling anybody not to do it! The OP is going to try it and good for him! The fact that you admit to banging a hole through your intake proves my point about knowing what you are signing up for.

There are plenty of Vettes out there that will do 13 sec quarters stock, or with a couple of bolt-ons. Many easier motors to mod and sounds like at least a few people here agree.

You can put a blower on a lawn mower, but that doesnt make everyone who doesn't try it an idiot. You just like arguing, because you top it all off by suggesting that the CF is a better design than the TPI.

 

mmm i want to try that.

 

Yep. A WELL ported intake, duel exhaust and a converter will get you there. Better, in fact. Here is a vid of a and '84 for that for engine mods has:
*Ported intake
^CAI "Mod"
*adjusted fuel pressure
*Advanced base timing

http://s176.beta.photobucket.com/use...c073d.mp4.html


^This CFI car (far lane) has run a best of 13.6. In this particular vid, car is in SLC; 4500' elevation on an ^7000' DA. For reference, that car next to it (close lane/racing stripes) is a '92 LT1 with LT headers, 1.6 rockers, and some other minor bolt ons.



No '83 'Vette. But the F-bodies were using CFI in '83, and I know, since I had one.



I don't have a CFI car. I have a '92 LT1 and a CTS-V. Those must have been some real serious "rodders" if they couldn't even port their own part. Yikes.



Which proves nothing other than that they haven't TRIED to get results on a CFI car...only that they've tried on some other car and had...results. See vid above.


Oh you struggle with reading comprehension. I don't like arguing, but I DO like to see the facts (FACTS) presented accurately, which you haven't and aren't doing. I didn't say CFI as deliverd stock is better than TPI as delivered. I SAID that
Key word here is "Platform". I.E. it has a more flexible runner length than TPI does...which in TPI's case is not "Fixable" w/o spending $$$ for basically an entirely new intake system (that is no longer "TPI"). Got that?

 

Now you are making some sense.

 

Red88,

Tom's point is that the issues w the Xfire have more to do w the compromises made by GM and less to do w the concept of the induction system. You realize what many of the compromises are when you start modding this system. Pull the manifold off and see that the port on the intake side is 2/3 the size of the head port. Staggered size injectors due to a single fuel line feeding TBIs in series. Lazy cam and lousy heads.
Some of us modded the Xfire to see what we could get out of it, not because any of us believed it was the finest induction on the planet.
And it makes a fun sleeper w pretty good low end torque. And if you don't poke holes in the manifold, you're not trying hard enough. I've had to have the plenum and injector housings on my LT5 "refurbed" a few times.
Here's my 84 heads up w a 94 Anniversary LT4.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x.../Byron2007.mp4

 

Nice Vid, Dom. In all the years I've "known" you, I don't believe that I've ever seen a vid of your '84.

Was your '84 a stick shift? Or was that the LT4 shifting? Which ever car was doing the manual shifting, it sounded nice in the vid. Nice numbers on that run.

 

This is what I've been thinking about while reading the thread. You hit the nail right on the head.

Depending on the OP's goals that will play a major role in what direction he will go in. Whether it be porting you intake or something else.

If you looking for around just the 300 hp mark.. then follow what Tom400CFI is advising. I've been down that road and he has helped me a great deal over the years.

If you want to more in the 400 hp range then your gonna have to do something a bit different.

You may want to consider something similiar to going from this


TO

 

I've waited 7 years to see that car in action!
thanks for posting that