WOULD LIKE TO BUY A 1982 CORVETTE . WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE THE CROSS-FIRE ENGINE. WHICH MODERN UPDATED ENGINE WOULD BE BEST FOR THE 1982 CORVETTE?

Look at what Chevy offers in crate engines, and others like Edelbrock or Summit. There are a lot of engine builders that build what will drop into you Corvette. Fro another two grand you can get a great transmission attached that will make your engine swap a lot more enjoyable. Look at spending between $8,000 to $15,000 depending on all the do-dads attached. Headers, cats, exhaust, mufflers, computer ignition and the list goes on. Have fun and enjoy. It'll be worth every penny spent. Just remember, on a re-sale, your lucky to get 50% back out of the investment. So it is for yourself, do the homework, ask questions, and don't skimp on quality.

First make sure you really want to replace the crossfire injection. I had an 84 with it that I gave to my son and it always ran great with the original intake. plaenty of power, excellent throttle response and pretty good gas mileage. Getting kind or rare these days too as everybody and their brother yanked the intake because they heard that they were no good. You can't build a high HP engine and feed it with crossfire, that is true. The intake ports are very small. Good for low end torque though.

If you absolutely have to get rid of the crossfire though, look at the Edelbrock Pro Flo FI. If you can afford it. I have it on my 81 with a mild crate engine and it is a modern multi port fuel injection system capable of supporting high HP engines and very tunable.

Oh, and there's no need to YELL!

Sarge-Az, I was looking at the Pro-flow. What advantages are you getting? More HP, Throttle response both low and mid range? Better mileage? I'm thinking of giving up on my dual carburetor set-up but am looking for a good replacement in an aftermarket EFI bolt on. Why'd you go with the Pro-flow?

I got lucky, the Pro Flo was already on the car when I got it. It is an excellent system. Very efficient so you can expect a huge difference all around over any carbureted engine. It is a modern, computer controlled Multi-port Fuel Injection system and it was developed by both Edelbrock and Weber. It is stamped with both brands. The throttle body looks like a huge Holley Dominator carb and will support very large engines. When you get your system, you tell Edelbrock what your engine specs are and they send you the right chip for the controller. You fine tune everything from fuel mapping to ignition advance curve from inside the vehicle with a hand held controller. Worth every penny of the $3,000+ that the system costs especially if it's a daily driver like mine.

I sound like an Edelbrock commercial but in all my years of driving muscle cars and hot rods, this is the best intake setup I have ever had.

Thanks, it helps to hear from a user not a seller. The dual Edelbrock carbs are great, but they have the carb set backs. Hard to start if sitting a week or more, smells of gas when parking, and at times floods out on hot days with vapor lock.

Now don't get me wrong, There is nothing like the looks and mystique of multiple carburetion. I have fond memories of my 65 Tripower GTO. But this is truly modern FI and it makes even the hotter engines very streetable. Oh, and even with a 3" tall 14" triangle air cleaner, it fits nicely under my stock 81 hood. Driving back and forth from Phoenix (1,000 ft) to Arizona's High Country (7,000 ft) every couple of weeks I don't have any trouble with the altitude changes.

Oh there are a lot of advantages to an EFI of the new modern design over the carberators. The first ones on the 1963 Corvette was good, but it had it's issues in it's infancy. The tuned port and those that followed got a lot better. GM, Ford and the other one used them a lot, but had to keep the cost down to sell a lot of iron. Aftermarket people have the luxury of us hot rod folks wanting the best if not better on our cars/trucks so used their test facilities and money to put out the best on the market and we are willing to pour out the bucks if they work AND look good doing it.

So there you have it OP. If you have a good running Crossfire setup and you aren't trying to build more power, I say keep the Crossfire. My 84 was a pleasure to drive with lots of low end torque and good gas mileage. If you want a great aftermarket setup and you are willing to spend a lot more than you would on a good carb, look at Edelbrock's FI setups.

Don't forget you are working with a 32 year old car. You will never get your money back at resale. Something will always be wrong with it. I've learned my lesson. I found it is better to cut your losses and get as new a Corvette as you can afford. The technology leap since 1982 is astounding. Even the late C4's ( which are not my favorite) offer some really great deals compared to what you will spend on an engine, tranny, drivetrain, brakes and tires/ wheels.

However, the 82 is a beautiful car and most would take a C3 over a C4 just based on body style alone. Your C3 is going up in value so if you like it, go ahead and put a little time and money in it. You will not lose.

I find this dialog very interesting. I am stuck with the Dilemma myself. I have an 82 crossfire that runs fine and strong. The car is a head turner even Porsche drivers roll down their windows at traffic lights and gawk at the car. Trouble is it is not quick... And I think I would like to invest in a new motor but there is no problem with the current one. Just a little boring and parking attendants fantasize what it would be like with a LS1. So please indulge me with more feedback about the pros and cons of switching it out in favor of more power.

If the car runs great, and you want more power, there are solutions that sill not break the bank. Get a new transmission with lower gears in first and second, and an overdrive to get good mileage on the highway. Headers, larger exhausts and flow through mufflers. If mileage isn't a worry, try lower gears also in the rear end. Look into the cost to put in a hotter cam. Good heads will run a couple of grand where a good shop can rework your car's heads for a fraction of the cost. Go a little bit at a time. Do the homework, plot out what it is you really want. There are tons of ways to get to where your going. Some ways are very expensive and trading up just may be the better route. Simple low cost tricks will also get you there. My engine build using my original engine was in the turn of this century around $10,000. I'd do things different now if I was goi9ng to start all over again, but then it'd cost a lot more. I'll never get out of my car what I have into it, but wives are the same.

Califcarson, thanks for the advise and speedy response. Very helpful. My mechanic suggested carberator but he is an old school hot rodder. Do you agree or should I go more high tech EFI in addition to the headers, cam, tranny, etcetera?

Really it is a personal choice. The EFI will be more work and expense, bvut it is an instant tune every second you drive. If you live or drive to the mountains, it si tuned to adjust for the lack of air the higher you go. Carbs are easier to work on, and no computers to haggle with or sensors. Like I said, If I could do it over again, I would go with an EFI unit, but back in 2002 there was not much after market EFIs out there. Holly and Edelbrock make bolt on EFI units to replace carburetors. These are port injection type and not direct injection. Take a look at them. They look like a normal carb, but are a constant tune piece of equipment. Two things to consider. One is cost, Two is what you want for esthetics. I went with # one and two.

My last Vette was a pure stock Crossfire equipped 84 and it ran great. My current Vette is an 81 with a crate motor and Edelbrock Pro Flo EFI. If you like what you have, there is an aftermarket intake manifold on the market that will help you make power in an engine with a severe manifold flaw. It is called the Renegade, http://www.crossfireinjection.net/renegade.htm The Crossfire intake manifolds have such tiny ports, they cannot make any power past 4,000 RPM. They are great for instant throttle response and low end torque which makes them fun to drive around town. In order to make any more power you have to get rid of the tiny ports. Once you change the minifold, you can enlarge the throttle bodies and injectors. Or, you can spend a bunch of money and get an after market EFI system.