I'm looking to buy a 1984 c4 corvette, but I don't want the cross-fire injection; is it possible to swap it for a 1992 LT1 intake manifold?

 

You mean '84 vette that originally came with cross-fire injection? A '94 already has a LT1 engine. The '92 LT1 intake can be made to work on the '84 engine but it's far from bolt on. The intake holes do not line up correctly and needs to re-drilled. I believe there's some coolant plumbing modifications. It also lacks a hole for the distributor but it's pretty well documented on how to accomplish that with details of using a 1/4" tapered spacer. With all that said, the '92-'93 LT1 intake is the example of what not to use for this swap due to the fuel plumbing differences as compared to the later '94-'96 intake. Almost forgot the fuel pump needs to be changed to support the higher operating fuel pressure. The '84 ECM will most likely not be able run the 8 injectors without some kind of modification. I'm sure there's a few more details that I may be missing.

 

what about the l98 intake manifold?

 

what about the l98 intake manifold?

 

It would seem to me that it would cost you less money to buy a car with the engine you want instead of modifying one

 

The one I'm trying to get costs 2,000

 

You can port the CFI intake and have as much power as a TPI, for way less money and effort...but TPI should bolt on. Same issues as the LT1 w/regard to injectors, ECM, plumbing and fuel pump.

I agree w/the others; buy the car that you want.

 

I'm a broke high school student so I can't afford anything more expensive😅

 

Then buy the '84, pull the intake, port the bejeezus out of it, taylor the fuel pressure and base timing to what the engine wants and you'll be beating L98's.

OR, wait keep shopping until you find a $2k '85.

 

What kind of intake manifolds are compatible with the '84 cross-fire engine?

 

All Gen I SBC Intake manifolds will bolt to the long block. Only the "Renegade" and the X-Ram are direct Bolt-on's for the CFI. Neither is in production anymore.

 

buying a 1992 lt1 corvette would be easier

 

You could switch to a single throttle body . I’m running a Holley Sniper EFI setup on my 85 and have had no real issues with it .
but i understand it’s not everyone’s cup of tea .

 

Idk what a broke high schooler can afford, Holley Sniper EFI whew that's a nice chunk of change that you can't bolt on without procuring another intake manifold first. Maybe leave it alone and use that platform to learn about upgrading it as Tom suggested. If it was up to me I'd venture into doing something similar to afactory TBIbut only because I have the equipment to make changes in the tune in the computer and a room full of parts.

Also worth mentioning with TPI I believe the CF has a different hood which I can't tell you if it will accommodate a factory air cleaner. Another gotcha, make sure you get a lower intake that will work with your heads. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, if you get it from a vette then all the intake bolts will be at the same 90 degree angle. If you happen to find a F-body Camaro/Firebird one, late '87 will have the center 2 bolts on each side at 72 degrees which won't work with your heads.

 

Don't waste your time trying to convert it to something else. By the time you spend the money etc you can buy an l98 tuned port car. Save up for a set of vortec heads with the correct intake bolt pattern and I will send you a stock Crossfire base that you can port while you are saving up for the heads.You just pay for the shipping cost. Between the heads and porting you will have a stout little 350 to run around with. I run all sorts of aftermarket EFI set ups and they will cost you a ton. Example is running a TPI manifold with an FAST EZ EFI ecu controlling it correct fuel pump, correct efi hose, a distributor without ecu control and any incidentals you'll be close to 1500 in parts alone. If you find used efi ecu set ups you take chance on bad ecu and look what the ecu alone from FAST costs. There are other ECU company's as well and they all cost alot. No cheap way around it. The factory ecu is very slow on the 84. I believe if memory serves me right the 87 truck tbi ecu was the faster version if you mess around with it but if yours runs fine just leave it alone. There are definitely other L98 cars out there for 2k but you'll have to travel to get them. The cheap cars got all sucked up and parted out or flipped during pandemic but some are still around. If you get the 84 my offer stands. Get some good reading on sbc engines and performance. Books work best , learn some porting skills and go to town. I have had some really stout crossfire vettes and always ended up back with ported gm intakes. Had the X Ram back in the day and plemem was so shallow it had its own unique issues because it's a wet manifold. I still have a few cross fire set ups floating around.. There are a bunch of guys who know alot on the forum to help you out. Good luck !
BTW any old school sbc manifold will fit engine but after putting an aftermarket tbi set up with air cleaner you won't be able to shut hood. The old 70 and 80s low rise 4bbl manifolds will work under hood but again this is for the old Quadra jet carbs only..Keep it factory efi .

 

You could always switch the intake over to carburetor & intake. Probably the least expensive option

 

IMO unless you're going the collector route, If I bought and 84 it would be a Z51 and it would be for the super stiff suspension and low cost. I would then do a whole motor swap. LS or something.
Otherwise just wait till an 85-91 for the right price comes around.

 

Nope, nope. nope. That is a common "go to", but think about this:
Least expensive for what?
If the car runs, and he wants a running car, the least expensive thing is to do nothing.
If the car runs, makes 205 hp, but he wants more power, the least expensive thing is to modify the CFI. (up to a point, around ~300hp.

To convert to a carb, he's going to need:
Intake
Fuel lines
Carb
Distributor
FPR or some other FP arrangement
Remove the cat (exhaust work)
Filter housing solution

For new parts, I'm seeing ~$1000 there.

 

this.

 

As a parent, I have to lecture. Don’t blow what little money you have chasing hp on an old car. Make better decisions.

Invest in your education first. Jobs skills and book learning’.

Get a reliable car that is also fun, say an old 84 Corvette. Make it safe. Make it reliable. Make it pretty. Learn a job skill while you are doing it (automotive).

Take Tom’s advice and port the intake and learn about air flow, etc of the engine while you get a nice hp in a reliable car.

Get a good education. Get a good job. Save some money. Then build you a beast.

Good luck.