1984 4+3 CrossFire Rebuild

[Outlaw]

First, let me say that I have read quite a bit prior to registering and have thoroughly enjoyed all the information that many here have posted...

I am in the process of doing a "Ground-Up" Rebuild of my 1984 4+3 CrossFire Coupe and even though I will not be doing a Factory Restoration, I hope to have a fine Corvette when I have completed this task. As I am now 48 Years Old, I will not ever be selling this CrossFire and will probably in later years give this to my Granddaughter...

I am not a true fan of the 4+3 CrossFire and I will be doing quite a few modifications during my rebuild. First and foremost, I will be doing a Complete 350 ci Rebuild, but will not retain the CrossFire Dual Throttle Bodies nor the ECM...

I will be leaving the displacement at 350 ci although with 130,000 Miles on this engine, it may need to be bored and honed. I will be Balancing and Blueprinting though and hope to have a strong engine when finished...

I am going to be replacing the CrossFire with the Edelbrock C-26 Dual Quad (1500-6500 rpm) Intake Manifold with the Edelbrock 500cfm Electric Choke Carbs. As I had stated above, I will be doing away with ALL the ECM and Components and getting this auto back to where I understand how to work on it in the future. Plus, I like the idea of having Dual Carbs on my Corvette as I had this in 1971...

I will also be doing away with the 4+3 Manual Transmission with the OD Unit as well. I will be changing this out for the Richmond 6-Speed ROD...

Again, I have enjoyed reading all I could here and looking forward to being here for a long time...

If anyone has any tips that they would like to express about this project, I would appreciate hearing from the masters here at CAC...

 

[slashnick]

Good Luck

You sound like you have quite a project ahead of you. Good Luck. You'll find lots of help with anything and everything Corvette. Will the interrior and paint be incorpoating that into your project?

And Welcome to the CAC.

Matt

 

[geekinavette]

Well, that sounds like quite a project.

Are you doing the switch for the sake of HP? Probably plan on beefing up the rear end if you're going to make lots of power.

What are your plans for all of the "leftover" CFI stuff?

Bill

 

[JonM]

Good luck with your build...let me start you off with a pdf file.

http://www.richmondgear.com/techdocs/IX-INSTALLING THE RICHMOND 6 SPEED.pdf

 

[Outlaw]

Originally posted by slashnick
You sound like you have quite a project ahead of you. Good Luck. You'll find lots of help with anything and everything Corvette. Will the interrior and paint be incorpoating that into your project?

And Welcome to the CAC.

Matt

I am extremely looking forward to beginning this project. I have already seen hw much help is available here at CAC by just reading. The Interior and Exterior will be totally changed out. Exterior will be Gun Metal Gray Metallic with (2) Silver Metallic Stripes similar to the Grand Sport. The Interior will feature Recaro Electric Seats, Digital Dash Removal with "New" AutoMeter Gauges installed, AM/FM/CD/DVD, Hurst 6-Speed Shifter, New Door Panels, and a Custom Carbon Metallic Dash Layout...

Originally posted by geekinavette
Well, that sounds like quite a project.

Are you doing the switch for the sake of HP? Probably plan on beefing up the rear end if you're going to make lots of power.

What are your plans for all of the "leftover" CFI stuff?

Bill

Extreme HP Gains, Ease of Maintenance (No More Computer), and much easier to operate. As for the CFI, I will probably sell after I get everything finished and operational. Also, the 4+3 Transmission/Overdrive Unit (New) will be sold as well. Only 4,000 Miles on the New Factory OD Unit...

Originally posted by JonM
Good luck with your build...let me start you off with a pdf file.

http://www.richmondgear.com/techdoc...206 SPEED.pdf

Already have a lot of documentation from what Richmond Gear sent me. Plus, I did already have this Document, but thank you so much JonM for letting me know...

 

[Outlaw]

Just started my Project over the weekend and already have a Number of items to get rid of...

• Throttle Bodies with Complete Linkage
• CrossFire Intake
• Original Distributor with Cap
• Air Cleaner Assembly (in Good Shape)
• Original Heads
• Original Exhaust Manifolds
• Original Valve Covers
• 4-Speed Transmission (Excellent Shape)
• OverDrive Unit (Only 4,000 Miles on this Unit)

I will be adding to this list as I disassemble this 1984 Corvette...

 

[Daryllawman]

Good Luck on your soon to be new Vette.......alot of knowledge to be had here in the Corvette Action Center......

 

[geekinavette]

Outlaw, shoot me an Email...I might be interested in some of that stuff.

bill@misterbill.homeip.net

Bill

 

[JTB]

Outlaw: you will enjoy the results. I am a now running a 670cfm Holley carb, Weind intake manifold, edelbrock heads and cam, with original 3.07 rear end (automatic) in my '84. If only I had time/money to convert to a six speed! Oh well, I guess when I get out of school I will have to buy my dream car: 1990 ZR-1!! Good Luck with the mods.

 

[slashnick]

JTB, what kind of power are you producing with that setup?

also, how much trouble is it to get rid of the x-fire and put on a carb?

 

[JTB]

Slash: I would be guessing right around 300 hp b/c I raced a 95 six speed from about a 10 mph roll to right when he shifted into third and we were right next to each other (about 80mph?)-(he did have a passenger though?) The biggest improvement in the 84 is the rpm is higher now to a comfortable 5,500 or so. The car pulls pretty strong from about 2,700 to redline now and I know some 3.73s would really help out the auto but I love cruising on the highway with lower rpms. At 70 I am at 2,000 and I have read that jumping to 3.73s I may be sitting at 2,500 after the swap.? Changing from the x-fire to carb was the easier part (a guy from Chevy did the work for me), but swapping the heads/cam of course is where the work/labor kicks in. I really think I am going to leave the '84 alone for now and just wait one day to enjoy the sound of the LT-5 at 7,000 RPM!!!! Hey, maybe you (six-speed) LT1 guys could tell me where you shift into 3rd? Thanks. Keep the shiny side up!

 

[Outlaw]

The "New" Stats for our 350 CrossFire Buildup is as follows:

• 350 ci Bored .030 making 355 ci
• ARP Bolts Throughout
• Balanced & Blueprinted
• SpeedPro Forged 0.100 Dome-Top Pistons
• SpeedPro Moly Rings File-Fit
• Edelbrock Performer RPM Hydraulic Roller Cam 234/238 @ 0.050 - .575 Max Lift
• Edelbrock Performer-Link True Roller Timing Chain Set
• Melling High-Volume Oil Pump
• Edelbrock Performer RPM 64cc Aluminum Heads
• Edelbrock Performer RPM Air-Gap Intake
• Barry Grant Speed Demon 750 cfm Carb
• Hooker Ceramic Coated 1 5/8" Headers
• Ignition - MSD or Accel
  
• Transmission - Richmond 6-Speed R.O.D.
  
• AutoMeter Phantom or Cobalt Gauge Set
  
• 1984 to 2000 Corvette Conversion Package from Vanacorvette
• Recaro "Style" Leather/Artista Seats

This is about all that we have for now...

Just received most of the Engine Parts, so hopefully will be starting the Engine Build within the next week or so...

 

[Outlaw]

During this rebuild and as we are Converting to a 2000, I will be having quite a bit of good 1984 Stock Items for sale...

Some of the items include:

Dash Cluster (Good Condition)
Delco Bose AM/FM/Cassette Head Unit
Factory Heads & Valve Covers
CrossFire Intake with Throttle Bodies & Linkage
Factory Delco Distributor with Cap
Air Cleaner Assembly (Good Condition)
Taillight Assemblies
Side Marker Lights
Front Driving Lights
Sport Seats (Not that good of condition)
4 Speed Manual Transmission (Excellent Condition)
OD Unit (Excellent Condition - Only 3000 Miles on it)

and looks like there will be much more before I get this Project into full swing...

 

[blactopballr]

hey out law personally id kep the cross fire, did u know they're quite a few things u could do with that set up to make it perform really well and keep the 4+3 unit and have both performance
and acceptable gas milleage u, u were saying that u want something that u re more familiar with. the cross fire set up really isnt that complicated once u understand it. first of the 84 L-83
("crossfire350") is a 9:1 engine with cast iron heads. if u take your engine and punch it out 030 over and use a set of sealed power brand stock pistons for an 88-90 corvete350 (L-98 tuned-
port injected 350) along with a set of corvete aluminum heads
from and 86-90 u'll bring compression up to about 9.7:1.
shave the alluminum heads 020. bring it up an even 10:1 compression ratio. go with comp cam xtreme energy part#
(12-256-4) {256/268 adv duration-212/218@050-449/456int/exh
lift) which is good for 1200-5200rpm band where as cross fire
was targeted for low end torque. go with a k&n air filter,
autolite double platnum plugs wide gap 040,accell supercoil
160degree thermo stat, A.D.S stage 2 chip and freeflow exhaust
with hooker aero chambers mufflers for the corvette and 355
gears in the rear u'll be surprised about 260-280 hp

 

[Outlaw]

Thanks for the info blactopballr...

As far as the CrossFire Injection, I wouldn't use it for a boat anchor, much less in this rebuild. I have had my share of Chevrolet's Great Mistake for 1984...

We already have all our parts in for the rebuild and from what is estmated, we should be in the neighborhood of 400+ HP with 450lb-ft torque (if not a little more)...

After the rebuild, we will be checking on Engine Dyno to see what we have accomplished...

We just got the Engine/Transmission/OD Unit pulled out of the Car yesterday, so now we can get her down to bare metal and begin the rebuild today...

Thanks for everyone's help and advise...

 

[jsaultz]

Parts Still Available??

Hello new to the group, I am restoring a 84, do you still have the following still available?
Dash Cluster (Good Condition)
Delco Bose AM/FM/Cassette Head Unit
Air Cleaner Assembly (Good Condition)

Please email me: jsaultz@gmail.com
Thanks

During this rebuild and as we are Converting to a 2000, I will be having quite a bit of good 1984 Stock Items for sale...

Some of the items include:

Dash Cluster (Good Condition)
Delco Bose AM/FM/Cassette Head Unit
Factory Heads & Valve Covers
CrossFire Intake with Throttle Bodies & Linkage
Factory Delco Distributor with Cap
Air Cleaner Assembly (Good Condition)
Taillight Assemblies
Side Marker Lights
Front Driving Lights
Sport Seats (Not that good of condition)
4 Speed Manual Transmission (Excellent Condition)
OD Unit (Excellent Condition - Only 3000 Miles on it)

and looks like there will be much more before I get this Project into full swing...

 

[bartric]

I may be interested in the 4+3, drop by an e-mail with a price, etc.
clsavage0213@yahoo.com