renthorin

I am helping a friend buy his first vette. He wants a C3 and I was told to avoid the crossfire engine. They are just 1982 model correct?

What is wrong with them?

Are there other things to be aware of before he makes the purchase?

I am asking on his behalf as he is out of town for a while and also not really into cars that much.

TIA

Bill

Twin_Turbo

nothing wrong apart from being a bit restrictive (the injection system that is)

Eds82

What Turbo said. Intake is a bit restrictive but other than that it's a SBC engine. There are alot of things you can do to a crossfire to increase performance.

Ed

renthorin

Ok.. so I am not so afraid anymore of them :-)

are there other things to be aware of on 75-82 vettes?

page62

Rust. In the upper corners of the window frame (where you can't see it), and where the frame meets the rear trailing arms. If it's rusty in these spots, it's rusty elsewhere.

neverendingproject

biggest thing to be aware of is BUBBA!!! he really fu**** up my car.

Wrecked82

I'm only at 200K miles on my crossfire.

Admittedly, that is not many miles, but I have not had any problems, yet.

I will let you know when I hit 300K miles.

If you are still around.

joeveto

Smart azz :lol: :iagree:

I like the cross fire motor. I don't have one, but you can't beat fuel injection. And there is a lot that can be done with them. Plus, it's unique.

LAvetteman

You can beat old fuel injection with new fuel injection though. But if your bud is buying a C3 with a original equipment drivetrain, the cross fire is the best you will get as far as reliability and economy go. When he gets tired of it he can slap an LT1 or an LS1 drivetrain in there, now ya talkin. Heck by then he may be able to find an LS2 out of a wrecked C6 and be the envy of all. :thumbs:

Pound for pound 82's are one of the best C3's you can buy.

Biker

This topic is ironic. An ASE senior level mechanic once told me to avoid the cross fires, too.


[Modified by Biker, 8:29 AM 4/16/2004]

2TONE82

I'm not pushing the 200K plus like Larry is but I did break the 150K mark with my first '82. She still got 23 MPG (Hwy) and would break my new tires free from the line the day I sold her.

I bought another one after a two year drought...I've only checked it once but this one gets in the 22+ MPG range...and oh, she will spin the tires as well.

The Cross-Fire gets a bad rap because it was so short lived, '82 and '84 only; and gave way to higher HP motors every year thereafter.

IMHO it should be viewed as an important piece of Corvette history as it helped make the leap from Carbs to FI.

It's really pretty neat to see the injectors operate. With the air cleaner's off you can see them spray a perfect conical pattern into the bowls.

markdtn

There is nothing wrong with a Cease-Fire, I mean Cross-Fire. My friend who restores Vettes for a living has only 2 Vettes, an 82 and an 84 and he loves them. They may have their quirks, but it is a simple, solid system. Do not fear a Cross-Fire.

verskel

:iagree: ....It's probably the best gas mileage C3 of them all.
My parent have an '84 crossfire since it was new and it gets 22 mpg although the power isn't as great as the later models. ;)

Wrecked82

I'm lucky to get 17mpg!

Enad

:iagree:

Maybe mine isn't broken in yet at only 80,000 miles :jester

MN-Brent

I constantly estimate my mileage at 22-24 MPG and I think the CFI is acceptable for my cruisin' mentality driving. I would prefer TPI, LT1, or aftermarket FI for the easier power upgrades though.

The 82s come with a 700R4 which is a huge leap forward for street auto trannies. I probably wouldn't be happy with TH350 gears.

Brent...