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Topic: Swapping CrossFire For A Carb

in Forum: C3 Engines


Swapping CrossFire For A Carb

Posted: 12/2/15 7:16pm Message 1 of 11
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Alexandria, VA - USA
Joined: 11/2/2015
Posts: 24
Vette(s): 1982 Collector Edition
OK guys, please, please, advise.  I love my 82' CE, however, when I slow down to about 35 mph or just a little below, then slowly step on the gas to accelerate, it will load up, bog down, quiver and shake it way back up into normal MPH's (55-80) range.  Then all is well.  My local corvette shop said I should think about swapping the CrossFire for a manifold, carb, and different distributor. Would end up with a wholly different running car. It would be a wonderful car to drive. Box the injection system up for when I sell the car to put it back to original.  What say ye????     Chic


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Re: Swapping CrossFire For A Carb

Posted: 12/3/15 4:19am Message 2 of 11
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA
Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2381
Vette(s): 1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.
I think your local corvette shop should learn how to diagnose and repair a cross-fire system or you should look for a different shop.  But that's my opinion. It's a simple throttle body injection system that GM used for years.

I know DaveM had his cross-fire removed along with the original engine. He's running a carb and non-computer controlled distributor with no problems.  






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Re: Swapping CrossFire For A Carb

Posted: 12/3/15 12:05pm Message 3 of 11
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Sarge81 said: I think your local corvette shop should learn how to diagnose and repair a cross-fire system...


Yeah....lemmie know how that works out for ya....LOL

The Crossfire systems are not that friggin difficult to diagnose/repair. The problem is, they just don't run that well when they ARE working right, compared to the carbs before and fuel infection after. It was a stop-gap system...that's all it was intended to be. Had it been intended for a longer production life, it would have been more well developed.

That being said.....carbs are much easier to deal with, with a lot fewer leaks to deal with, and...no 'puters to mess with. Approve



Joel Adams
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Re: Swapping CrossFire For A Carb

Posted: 12/3/15 6:29pm Message 4 of 11
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Burke, VT - USA
Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7307
Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
SOLD - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am
"BLUBYU" - '04 Coupe
Bringing Pete's '82 CE back from California we had all kinds of trouble with it running right.  Ended up being a couple of things - throttle body gaskets were shot and the bigger mystery turned out to be the rubber hose connecting the fuel pump to the fuel line (the wrong type of hose was used on a previous fuel pump installation).  To the best of my knowledge he hasn't had any problems with it since.

But if you're dead-set on pulling the Cross-fire I'd give some serious thought to one of the throttle body EFI packages currently on the market over a regular carb setup.  Come spring I'll be installing one of those on "BLKBRRD" in preparation for the move to Colorado in the fall.  Just don't want to be fussing with a regular carb in the mountains.  ("Zen-Master Ken" recommended selecting one that constantly reads the barometric pressure over one that takes a base reading at startup and holds that reading for the duration of the drive.)

|UPDATED|12/3/2015 6:29:24 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



Jim Olson 

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Re: Swapping CrossFire For A Carb

Posted: 12/4/15 11:02am Message 5 of 11
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Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1533
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport M7 convertible.
Seems to me a conversion to an aftermarket fuel injection should be pretty easy and not as expensive on an '82 since it already has the fuel pump system for it.


   

Re: Swapping CrossFire For A Carb

Posted: 12/4/15 11:33am Message 6 of 11
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Flanders, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2556
Vette(s): 1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.
I replaced my engine with a ZZ4 crate engine, best move I ever made on my '82. I was having all kids of issues with my CrossFire so I got rid of it. The engine itself is a 4 bolt main and if it's in good shape you should have no problems going to a carb. You will need a fuel pressure regulator to get it down to the 6lbs. range for a carb. Good luck with it.
Dave



 

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Re: Swapping CrossFire For A Carb

Posted: 12/5/15 2:15pm Message 7 of 11
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Alexandria, VA - USA
Joined: 11/2/2015
Posts: 24
Vette(s): 1982 Collector Edition
OK, I have decided to change shops in the Spring when I take the CE out of winter storage.  Going to Tony's in Maryland.  He is rated as one of the best.  I will put it ALL my CE's problems in his hands.  Thanks guys for your advice and words of wisdom.  Chic


Re: Swapping CrossFire For A Carb

Posted: 12/8/15 12:14pm Message 8 of 11
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Flanders, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/27/2004
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Vette(s): 1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.
Hope all works out well for you, let us know how it goes.
Dave



 

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Re: Swapping CrossFire For A Carb

Posted: 12/9/15 9:13am Message 9 of 11
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McKinney, TX - USA
Joined: 4/8/2005
Posts: 263
Vette(s): 1982 Collector Edition, Silver-Beige metallic, 45000 miles and counting. 2024 Riptide Blue Z06 Convertible
Knock on Wood....but I have never had any issues with my 82CE crossfire.  I have replaces wires/plugs...simple tune up crap....
 
Don't know if you have checked out the Crossfire forum, but if not, have a look at www.crossfireinjection.net   a wealth of info on these engines including people who have detailed the swap out to carb or newer fuel injection.  Also good info on how to tune a crossfire and where to look to fix hiccups like your having.
 
good luck and let us know how things progress.



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Re: Swapping CrossFire For A Carb

Posted: 12/9/15 4:20pm Message 10 of 11
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Alexandria, VA - USA
Joined: 11/2/2015
Posts: 24
Vette(s): 1982 Collector Edition
Thanks to all.  Will let you know how it all turns out.  Appreciate all your thoughts.   Chic


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