84 vette engine swap
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
84 vette engine swap
Hello everyone , my 84 vette had some issues recently with the engine harness
Well I've been thinking on swapping the l83 engine .. or maybe switching from CFI to carburetor... whatever it takes to put the corvette on the road again..
I do have the chance to buy a l31 vortech engine complete with harness and computer pretty cheap..seems a good option to me..
but my questions is..
Am i going to have to deal with some tranny issues after switching from cfi to FI / carb ? ( automatic transmission )
what do you guys think? this is my very first corvette , but certainly wont be the last ..
thanks for taking the time to read this post
Well I've been thinking on swapping the l83 engine .. or maybe switching from CFI to carburetor... whatever it takes to put the corvette on the road again..
I do have the chance to buy a l31 vortech engine complete with harness and computer pretty cheap..seems a good option to me..
but my questions is..
Am i going to have to deal with some tranny issues after switching from cfi to FI / carb ? ( automatic transmission )
what do you guys think? this is my very first corvette , but certainly wont be the last ..
thanks for taking the time to read this post
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Carb swap is the easiest quicky fix but you haven't outlined what problems you have with the CFI ?
L31 is a great replacement engine but you wouldn't use the Vortec injection.
Either a carb ( requires Vortec only intake ) or a swap to the later model TPI ( also requires Vortec TPI base )
You can't easily put the CFI on the Vortec because there is no intake available
L31 is a great replacement engine but you wouldn't use the Vortec injection.
Either a carb ( requires Vortec only intake ) or a swap to the later model TPI ( also requires Vortec TPI base )
You can't easily put the CFI on the Vortec because there is no intake available
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 993
Likes: 3
From: Iowa
The 700R4 trans utilizes a TV cable so you won't have any issues with using a carb set up if you so choose. Just get the proper bracket and you are golden.
As for the conversions you are getting into a little bit more work but it is totally doable. If you got to where you could use a standard TPI set up I have almost all of the parts off of my 88 conversion sitting on the shelf. PM me and we could work something out as I'm tired of looking at them. Just my .02
As for the conversions you are getting into a little bit more work but it is totally doable. If you got to where you could use a standard TPI set up I have almost all of the parts off of my 88 conversion sitting on the shelf. PM me and we could work something out as I'm tired of looking at them. Just my .02
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 31
From: Reno Nevada
The l31 will swap in, but will need the transmission programmed out. Your 700R4 is controlled by the TV (as mentioned) and vacuum. I think it would be a great swap, and very much a power upgrade.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Thanks to everyone for the fast response .
The problem with the engine harness is that it is all wasted , with electrical duct tape here and there . sometimes the left injector does not work until I move the harness a little... some of the conections are broken and attached to the sensor with zip ties .. well . what was i expecting. I bought vette very cheap.
So.. doing a carb swap wont be that difficult ? have anyone carbed their l83 ?
I was afraid of dealing with tranny issues ...
Or what do you guys think would be a good option ? i was thinking on repairing the harness but honesty i feel like the l83 is not giving the power the 350c.u. can give
thanks
The problem with the engine harness is that it is all wasted , with electrical duct tape here and there . sometimes the left injector does not work until I move the harness a little... some of the conections are broken and attached to the sensor with zip ties .. well . what was i expecting. I bought vette very cheap.
So.. doing a carb swap wont be that difficult ? have anyone carbed their l83 ?
I was afraid of dealing with tranny issues ...
Or what do you guys think would be a good option ? i was thinking on repairing the harness but honesty i feel like the l83 is not giving the power the 350c.u. can give
thanks
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 188
From: Wabasha Mn
You will need some way to control converter lock up (tcc) and there are various kits to do this. Also, you might want to look for a pre 81 q jet carb, intake and hei distributor set up for the carb conversion. Some of the later 70's and 80's intakes are aluminum and will save you a few pounds. You can use the throttle bracket from these same pre 81 cars that had a q jet and auto trans. I used the stock l83 throttle cable, others used an 81 or earlier C3 cable. You will need a return style fuel pressure regulator like a Mallory 4309 to lower the intank pump pressure from 15 psi down to 5-6 psi. Good luck.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Williams Lake BC
I just put a fast xfi fuel injection on my 84 with a 383 stroker and it works great. Expensive yes but it rocks with great gas mileage and 11.8 sec quarter mile times. The 700r4 lock up works on a switch on the gear shifter at present but I will be switching it to the fast system soon. I don't know your budget but if you need help and want to go fast this is the way to go.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
I just put vortec heads on my (replacement)engine in the garage.. bought the carb manifold from summit. If I want to keep my TPI, going to buy the manifold from Scroggins-Dickey.
https://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-...-center/sd3816
http://www.summitracing.com/search?S...ntake%20summit
https://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-...-center/sd3816
http://www.summitracing.com/search?S...ntake%20summit
Last edited by ghoastrider1; Nov 4, 2013 at 09:15 AM.