Will it Drop In ??
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 15
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Will it Drop In ??
Hi all! Just sitting here thinking. I have an 84 Bette with the crossfire motor in it. She is still running strong but for how many years. Looking I see that aftermarket is not very kind to this motor. Should she decide to die on me what motor options so I have? I would love for a motor to be able to drop in with little work. Anybody know who rebuilds crossfire motors? Any swaps that fit in? Will the stock computer handle another mill?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
There is nothing unique to the Crossfire motor outside of the intake manifold. It is the same 350 CID, small block Chevy used from ~1970-~1985. So, any chevy 350 from ~1970 - 1985 will work. OR, put another way, any "two piece rear main seal, flat tappet cam", chevy 350 will work.
Another option is any '86 - '95 chevy 350 will work with a newer style ("one piece rear main seal") flywheel.
There are other, more involved, but viable options as well, but the two about should give you way more options than you need.
Another option is any '86 - '95 chevy 350 will work with a newer style ("one piece rear main seal") flywheel.
There are other, more involved, but viable options as well, but the two about should give you way more options than you need.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
There is nothing unique to the Crossfire motor outside of the intake manifold. It is the same 350 CID, small block Chevy used from ~1970-~1985. So, any chevy 350 from ~1970 - 1985 will work. OR, put another way, any "two piece rear main seal, flat tappet cam", chevy 350 will work.
Another option is any '86 - '95 chevy 350 will work with a newer style ("one piece rear main seal") flywheel.
There are other, more involved, but viable options as well, but the two about should give you way more options than you need.
Another option is any '86 - '95 chevy 350 will work with a newer style ("one piece rear main seal") flywheel.
There are other, more involved, but viable options as well, but the two about should give you way more options than you need.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
Tom has pretty much nailed the answer. Chevy crate engines start at about $1,500.00 from Summit. All kinds of horsepower choices. Course, more power = more $$$. You may also want to look under the "Blue Print" engines, summit sales as well.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/b...rate%20Engines
http://www.summitracing.com/search/b...rate%20Engines
Last edited by ghoastrider1; Oct 21, 2015 at 10:09 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
I should have been more clear on this; the '85 motor is a great choice for "drop in"; it is identical to the '84 motor, other than a slightly (and meaninglessly) different cam, and the intake system. Bolt the CFi intake on an '85 and you have effectively made, an '84 engine.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 706
Likes: 47
From: Denver Colorado
Tom nailed it pretty well. It is important to keep in mind the need for a mild cam if you intend to keep the stock Cross-Fire chip in the ECM. If you get too radical with the cam you will cause idle and mixture issues and need a custom chip. Otherwise, about any first generation non-vortec head 350 chevy will work.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 15
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Tom nailed it pretty well. It is important to keep in mind the need for a mild cam if you intend to keep the stock Cross-Fire chip in the ECM. If you get too radical with the cam you will cause idle and mixture issues and need a custom chip. Otherwise, about any first generation non-vortec head 350 chevy will work.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
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From: Park City Utah
You said it still runs strong...why are you looking for a new motor?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2015
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I plan on keeping the motor in for now. Winter is coming so the car is being put away. I plan on painting the whole car detailing the engine bay and dying the interior again. That won't take the whole winter and I like to keep real busy so... I thought I could pick up another motor then clean it up maybe do a little porting and polishing to it so that next winter if I want I can drop it in. If not ill be able to do a little more work to the motor next winter as the car itself will be done
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2015
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I'm hopeful. I'm more then happy with a nice clean car. I tell ya the older I get the more I realize that a nice clean looking car is just as good as any aftermarket additions. I'm still getting an exhaust though
. To be honest would be happy with around 300hp so I'm not looking for anything crazy to drop in the old girl
. To be honest would be happy with around 300hp so I'm not looking for anything crazy to drop in the old girl
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
*a thorough porting of your intake
*headers/dual exhaust
*CAI mod
*1.6 Rockers
*Optimized base timing
*Optimized fuel pressure
....should get you a good way toward your goal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: AZ
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2015
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
X-Ram is discontinued. Only way to find one would be used.
The current bolt on replacement option is the "Renegade" intake manifold, which is a true crossram design. Might be hard to find one of those too. You had mentioned head porting above, hence my mention of porting the intake. Big gains for small $$ there.
The current bolt on replacement option is the "Renegade" intake manifold, which is a true crossram design. Might be hard to find one of those too. You had mentioned head porting above, hence my mention of porting the intake. Big gains for small $$ there.