5.7 Tuned Port Injection Engine Question

[potter22]

I'm fairly new to this forum just having bought an 89 Vette with the 5.7 engine. A so called buddy of mine has a 96 LT4 which I know is a faster more sought after car. This guy really never has anything nice to say about anything that is not his. Anyhow, he is looking at my car, telling me how clean it is, then says " I would take of those decals on the side that say 5.7 Tuned Port Injection Engine { I know they didn't come from the factory}, because that is a crappy engine and you wouldn't want to advertise it. Is this true? I have seen no mention in the forums of this. He kinda bummed me out a little, that is why I am asking you guys if that engine is problems. Thanks Paul

 

[DRTH VTR]

With "buddies" like that, who needs enemies? You have a fine Corvette. I have always liked the early C4s. I am no expert on C4 engines, but I do know that you have a 5.7L tuned port injection engine. It was an improvement on the cross-fire setup, and was quite advanced for its time. It was more powerful than almost anything else at the time and is still nothing to be apologizing for.

Enjoy your Corvette and find some new buddies.

You were in the Archies?

 

[potter22]

Thanks for the reply, I feel better now, and yes I was in the Archies. Check out my current bands website you should like it and thanks again for the kind words. I really like this forum.

 

[Ken]

The L-98, which you have in your Corvette, is more of a torque-building engine than a higher rpm breather. Autocrossers love the L-98 because of this bottom-end torque; that is, it makes its torque in the lower rpm range and is very useful when you spend most of your time in that range, such as an autocross course.

The LT-1 and LT-4 both make their power in the upper rpm band. The L-98 runs out of wind around 4500-4800 rpm and there just isn't any more power to deliver in stock form. Whereas the LT-1 and LT-4 wind much higher, to around 6500 rpm or so, where they breathe the best and make the most power.

The L-83 is another story altogether. That engine was in the '82 and '84 Corvettes. It was known as a "Cross-Fire" engine in that it had two throttle bodies, similar to carburetors, mounted diagonally opposite from each other on the manifold. It was used before the L-98 Tuned Port Injection (TPI) came out in '85.

The L-83 engine is a very difficult engine with which to make any serious power. It takes serious effort and knowledge to build anything noteworthy from the L-83.

 

[Edmond]

I must admire your restraint in not smacking the taste out of his mouth.

I have a TPI and this year, I hope to get an LS powered Vette'. In the street, numbers don't matter. It's like a streetfight. No matter how many belts or how much you can bench press in the weightroom, throw all those statistics out when you meet on the street.

The LT may make more HP at higher RPM than the TPI but when you line up at the red light, anything can happen.

 

[nyernga]

With "buddies" like that, who needs enemies?

took the words right outta my keyboard DRTH

I'd ask him how he would feel if a Z-06 owner said the same thing to him.......or better yet........a ZR-1.

You are driving a vette..case closed.

Len

 

[Ken]

Something else to consider: The old C4 holds its own.

 

[ßill]

took the words right outta my keyboard DRTH

I'd ask him how he would feel if a Z-06 owner said the same thing to him.......or better yet........a ZR-1.

You are driving a vette..case closed.

Len

My ZR-1 has "Tuned Port Injection" on the fenders. I don't think it is something to be ashamed of. Like Len said It's a VETTE. enjoy it.

Bill

 

[nyernga]

My ZR-1 has "Tuned Port Injection" on the fenders. I don't think it is something to be ashamed of. Like Len said It's a VETTE. enjoy it.

Bill

Here's what you do potter. Go get your "buddy", Open the clamshell on bills ZR-1......stand back and have plenty of napkins ready because he's going to be drooling if not foaming at the mouth.

Len

 

[Hib Halverson]

I'm fairly new to this forum just having bought an 89 Vette with the 5.7 engine. A so called buddy of mine has a 96 LT4 which I know is a faster more sought after car. This guy really never has anything nice to say about anything that is not his. Anyhow, he is looking at my car, telling me how clean it is, then says " I would take of those decals on the side that say 5.7 Tuned Port Injection Engine { I know they didn't come from the factory}, because that is a crappy engine and you wouldn't want to advertise it. Is this true? I have seen no mention in the forums of this. He kinda bummed me out a little, that is why I am asking you guys if that engine is problems. Thanks Paul

Dude...don't be bummed. Find new friends.

Out Moorpark way, there's a couple of good Corvette clubs. There's one in Simi. Red Line Corvettes is out that way too. Clubs are great ways to find like-minded friends.

Also, if your friend really needs some attitude adjustment, next time I'm out that way, I'll drive by his house in my ZR-1 and demonstrate to him what a "crappy engine" his LT4 is.


Ok...seriously...there is nothing wrong with the L98 engine. It powered Corvettes for seven years and did it well. If you're friend thinks it's a crappy engine from the standpoint that it has some inherrant problem, well...your friend probably doesn't know much about Vettes.

 

[Rufus1050]

Paul...welcome to the club and vette ownership! You've got a solid engine and don't let anybody fool ya...the 350 has been around for a long time and has been one of the most dependable engines Chevrolet has made. I'd let Hib do his thing with the ZR-1...but then again why lower yourself to your so-called friends level. Harvey Pennick, one of the best golf instructors had two sayings that I hold in high regard. First, he said don't be too hasty to judge...God waits till the end and the other was if you don't have anything good to say, then it's better not to say anything at all. Enjoy your car...

 

[potter22]

Thank you for all your kind and very funny replies, you all made my day!

 

[Edmond]

Also, if your friend really needs some attitude adjustment, next time I'm out that way, I'll drive by his house in my ZR-1 and demonstrate to him what a "crappy engine" his LT4 is.

:L:L:L Last time I heard someone mention an attitude adjustment was when I read a story about Bruce Lee. Seems like one of the extra's on one of his movies challenged the Master himself. Bruce bloodied him up and said that the guy was in need of an "attitude adjustment.":L

Hib, after you beat him with the ZR, are you going to rub it in with the Z16?:L

 

[Ken]

Let me guess ... Blue tie, right?

Or are you the one with his hands on bluetie the other guy's shoulders?

:cool

 

[potter22]

Hands on blue tie with Beatle haircut Yeah Yeah Yeah

Let me guess ... Blue tie, right?

Or are you the one with his hands on bluetie the other guy's shoulders?
.

:cool

 

[Hib Halverson]

(snip) Hib, after you beat him with the ZR, are you going to rub it in with the Z16?:L

Well....that'd be too easy, wouldn't it? Better I beat him with the ratty old Malibu station wagon I own. Ok. It's not stock. One of my favorite kill stories about that car is in this month's Hemmings Muscle Machines.

 

[WhalePirot]

A so called buddy ...This guy really never has anything nice to say about anything that is not his.

I think you said it well and first.

I advertise my lowly '84, and while I rarely race another Vette, I would be tickled to 1-2 this jerk with Hib or any other 'pal'. (Okay, so it's neither a 5.7 nor a CrossFire.) What fool judges this book by the cover?

I agree that you need one less 'friend' and more Vette club friends. Ya know, a lot of them like to party, and they need bands!

 

[Ken]

What fool judges this book by the cover?

Mine still says "Tuned Port Injection."

 

[vetteboy86]

If it were such a bad engine then why did it power the C4 for such a long time? Lets face it the C4 and the L98 made the corvette a world class sports car, competing against porsche and others on a regular basis. You have a good car, and dont need a friend like that.

Craig

 

[WhalePirot]

Mine still says "Tuned Port Injection."

You can read that w/o glasses? :L

Mine says Cross Fire Injection and always will, as if anyone will get a view of any part but the :booty. (Notice the clear and present fishtail.) :naughty: