Crossfire: deserving of it's bad rep?

[craig0ry]

I know the Crossfire is reviled as the worst of the c4 engines - and it is. I will whole-heartedly agree upon that - simply because the '85 and up just got better and better. But before I bought mine, everyone told me a few things:

1) it's a total dog
2) you will have non-stop problems
3) terrible gas mileage

Well, while my '84 isn't going to be beating up on any TPI's, it's definitely not as slow as everyone made it out to be. With a 1st gen G-tech it recorded a 15.2, but I do not trust this little gizmo as I would a real timeslip.

I haven't had a single problem with the motor / electronics yet. And I have 143k miles on the clock with no rebuild. The last thing I had to replace besides routine maintenance was the oil sending switch. While I have only owned the car for 7k miles, my godfather owned it for about 80k and he said the same thing - minimal problems.

As for the gas mileage, sure, when you put the hammer down I get single digit numbers, but once I've reached cruising speed I maintain 25 mpg, GIVE or take 2 or 3 mpg. My current "average MPG" is 19.7, and I certainly don't drive for mileage.

Basically what I want to know is if anyone else has had a "good" crossfire or if I seem to be the exception?

 

[NevadaJim]

Can't speak for the '84 Cross-Fire, but I can speak for the '82. Had one with over 160K on clock; completely restored everything but the engine -- it was still running strong, no leaks, didn't eat oil, ran/idled as smooth as glass. Probably one of the best Vettes (mechanicly) I've ever owned.

 

[4 webers]

Despite the bad rep that folks assign to the CF it is a good system . True it does not make mindnumbing power but , it will accomodate the needs of many a vette cruiser type . I think what is interesting is the fact , that these less than flattering opinions originate from nonCF owners .


geo

 

[JonM]

170,000 on mine and running like a bear...not an ounce of problems with the motor or tranny (4+3) I still hae the original injectors in it. Just routine maintenance.

 

[MoeJr]

My 84 has been a dream to drive. Mine GTeched at 14.94 with 86k on it and only a hi flow exhaust as the only mod. People say bad things abput the Cross Fire cause they don't understand them. It is not the best system to make tons of HP but you can make 300-350 with the stock Cross Fire if you pay attention to details in the build up.

 

[WhalePirot]

Mine was fine when I went to the 406: spun a bearing, but I think Precision, the paint shop did it, as I saw them doing repeat burnouts with customers' cars as they moved them indoors each night. Nothing like a little hot rodding on a cold engine! A***oles!

My injector shafts got loose in the bodies and after the first rebuild, I had repeat leaks. The car,otherwise, has been quite good(once I got it away from the warranty {dealer})

The biggest gripe I had with CF was the small ports limiting the intake charge for BIG motors. That landscape has changed, but TPI still offers more options.

Many bash the 4+3, too; unfairly, IMHO.

 

[craig0ry]

It's just funny that whenever I buy parts for the car, I'll be like "oil filter, '84 vette" and the parts guy will say something like "god you have a crossfire? Only place i see them is in the junkyard".

I have yet to hear a single person say a positive thing about them.

By the way, on a side note - having now driven an '85 more than a few times, I think the Crossfire, while being down on torque, seems to have a little more oomph up to about 30 mph. Is this just in my mind? I know my car is maintained well and this '85 probably isn't - owner is a lazy ass - but I still feel like it.

 

[oldace84]

My '84 is running just find. No problems. I make the most out of what I have for now.
tony

 

[WhalePirot]

I think the Crossfire, while being down on torque, seems to have a little more oomph up to about 30 mph.

Might have a lot more to do with the rear end ratio than the induction system.

Ace, we oughtta hook up sometime, neighbor.

 

[82ColEd]

Cant speak for the 84 either, but my 82 CF hasnt given me grief at all. Some routine stuff, but nothing earthshattering. True, it's not a Big Block type of driving, but after 22 years, it's still running well.

 

[laborisfree]

92k great oil pressure, smooth idle, easy starts. My 84 handles like a dream. It seems to have enough power to come out of hard curves as fast as I can handle. You know one thing about the 84 is that they have been so disregarded for so long that in a few years there will not be many left and as the first C4 thier value may raise as well.

 

[vetteboy86]

When my cousin bought his 84 it had 90k on the clock. It ran good, and mechanically was a good car. My 86 was stock, and I pulled on him but it still was a fast car. However a car treats you the same way you treat the car. I think it is the same old story, a well taken care of vette will provide years of fun. I guess to make a long story short, my cousin beat on the car to no end. The engine ended up failing. I guess he was young and dumb. In my opinion a vette is a vette, and an elite car.


Craig

 

[corvetterider84]

I've had my 84 cross fire for about a year now and have had no problems. In fact, it has been one of the most dependable cars that I have ever owned. Although I may not get the best gas mileage (around 15mpg), I still love the car and the way it drives. I too, don't understand why the cross-fire has such a bad rep. It is a pretty fast car and still runs smooth after over 20 years. To me it is a vette, and anyone that is knocking it is probaby just jealous that they don't have one. Just my opinion.

Ryan

 

[Fishman]

Just sold my 84 a few years back. Unlike most GM vehicles I have owned, the CF engine NEVER gave me any grief, was strong off the line, and also got respectable gas mileage.

I have no idea why the CF ever got a bad rap. The bad rap probably came directly from GM so we would all trade up to a 'better' engine.

 

[Chuck McDonald]

I purchased an 84 a month ago that was sitting for 10 years in the garage. I went through the auto and replaced all the items that were needed, or seemed to be needed. Have drioven her for over 2K to date, has more than enough power and actually gets about 16 -17 in the city with air. The only problem is a flat spot when you start to move, but this weekend we go on our 1st long 800 mile round trip, if it is gummed up that should clean her out. But bottom line I will not change anything to do with the design, I really fell the 84 vetttes will start to appreceiate due to being the 1st year, solid suspension etc. I am going to treat her with a great deal of RESPECT! Crossfire or not!

 

[ATL 84]

I know what you mean

I have owned 2 84's and I have loved both. The only reason I had to get another one is, I gave my wife the keys on a rainy day. (One car accident). I have not had any problems out of the engine what so ever. Now I can't say the same about the 4+3. I do know the previous owner did not know what to do with the car so, I had to have the tranny rebuilt, now it runs great. I have taken it on several long trips, 2 1300 milers. I can't stop bragging about it and I have dusted some 5.0 stangs with it.

 

[Timppa]

I have an '84 with 130,000 miles on her, consistently running 11-12 l/100 km (or 19-21 mpg to you metrically challenged) on highway and around 15-16 mpg in the city. Just last weekend I ran 14.803 @ 144.26 km/h (89.66 mph).
No problems with CrossFire!

 

[elkabong]

I have had my 84 about 1.5 years and it is great. May not be the fastest Vette on the block but it is getting there. I get about 21mpg and it is a quite reliable vehicle. The fun part is well it is a Vette and paid for plus no one seems to know how to work on the TBs any more so guess what. I am getting there as well.

People can bash the Crossfire motors all they want but a Vette is a Vette for the most part. Presently I am running 14.5 @ 92.7mph with 1.6 roller tipped rockers and a mildly ported Crossfire manifold. Soon X-Ram.

 

[Outlaw]

Never had a single problem out of my '84 CrossFire...

130,000 Miles when I decided to Customize. Could never have been more proud of the Performance, Mileage, etc...

Excellent...

 

[RedVetteMan]

My 84 CF has been great. Mileage around 19 combined city/highway...with an "occasional" goose to the gas pedal. The only mod I did was replace the catalytic converter and added "Flowthroughs" on the exhaust. I also spray the insides of the throttle bodies with carb cleaner once a year, after I pull it out of it's winter storage. It has about 43,000 miles on it, so I suppose it's still barely broke in.

No complaints about my crossfire injection.