'81 vs. '82

[Big Tex]

Other than the crossfire injected motor, is there any real difference between an '81 and an '82?

I have heard both good and bad about the '82 motor. I have heard that they are tough to keep in tune, need to be worked on more often and are more expensive to work on. I have also heard that they run very smooth, have slightly better performance and use less fuel. I just wonder why Chevy only made then for '82 and '84.

If you had a choice between an '81 and an '82, which would it be, and why?

 

[paintdaddy]

I can only comment on the crossfire because I have one in my 82 Z28 Pace car.I have never had any problems out of my crossfire setup but it was completely rebuilt during restoration and doesnt see alot of use.Ive never had to retune them.

 

[Twin_Turbo]

The crossfire is NOT hard to tune or maintain, in fact it's pretty easy.
The 81 is a one year off system too (except LG-4 calif. emissions had the same setup w/ the cccc q-jet).

The 82 is lighter (thinner glass, SMC panels,...) has beefier IRS (BB 1/2 shafts & stubs, 81 manuals also had those), better mileage, more power, 4 speed automatic,..and so on

 

[Eric]

Another big difference is that 82 values have really taken off lately. I've been tracking 80-82's for my next Vette and would prefer 82 but the rise in value is getting me a little discouraged.

 

[GerryLP]

Don't forget the transmission -700-R4 4speed auto with converter lock-up.

 

[Big Tex]

Is this different than the '81 tranny? Better?

 

[Guy]

Another big difference is that 82 values have really taken off lately. I've been tracking 80-82's for my next Vette and would prefer 82 but the rise in value is getting me a little discouraged.

Don't worry, Eric, I'll cut you a deal in the future .

Even though I'm thinking about selling both 82's to get a C5, I must admit that I love driving these cars. I bought my silver-green 82 last April and put 9000 miles on it by November. Trips to Atlanta, Carlisle, St. Louis all from MA without a burp. I find the 82's fun and comfortable with mostly maintenance issues like brakes, tires, etc.. To me it's the last of the C3's, kind of a sports/luxury combo. Gee, I think I'm talking myself into keeping them .


Guy

 

[GerryLP]

Big Tex,

The 81 was the last year, for some time until late model C4's I believe, that came with the optional 4 speed manual tranny. It was normally available with a TH350 (3 speed, lock-up on 2nd and third gears).

 

[Big Tex]

So the auto tranny in the '82 is new and improved vs. the auto tranny in the '81? What are the performance differences? I'm not interested in a 4 speed anyway.

 

[HammerDown]

I'm not interested in a 4 speed anyway.

Why not? .....I sure wish my 81 had another gear to slip in when at 65 mph.

 

[Yoda]

So the auto tranny in the '82 is new and improved vs. the auto tranny in the '81? What are the performance differences? I'm not interested in a 4 speed anyway.

Tex,

Check out the tab at the top of the page called "Tech Center" then go to "Model Center" and click on the years to compare 0-60 times braking times and options

1981 reduced the side glass thickness and the auto. cars (non-FE) all came with the new mono springs to help reduce wieght. I don't think there is much difference between the 81-82 when it comes to hp. good luck in your search

 

[Big Tex]

Many thanks. The site is a wealth of information. I wish I had known about it earlier.

A few people have told me to steer clear of the '82 because of problems with the crossfire system, but I have never heard anything to substantiate that. Not having to mess with a carb would seem to make life that much easier. As for apprearance, I can see no real difference between an '81 and an '82.

I am now all consumed with my search for a Vette and I think I have decided on an '82, if for no other reason than it is the last of the C3's. I'm even pre-planning road trips for this summer!

 

[Guy]

I wonder who has a couple of 82's for sale .


Guy

 

[GerryLP]

hint...hint...

 

[Big Tex]

Did you read my e-mail? If it's still available in late Feb I might be your man...:BOW :BOW

 

[Hib Halverson]

The crossfire is NOT hard to tune or maintain, in fact it's pretty easy.
(snip)

Darn...a Crossfire expert.
Ok.
I need some help. I regularly service an 82 which has had a chronic misfire and running rich problem when cold. As soon as the coolant temp comes up, the misfire stops and the richness disappears.

Ideas?

 

[Guy]

Did you read my e-mail? If it's still available in late Feb I might be your man...:BOW :BOW

Got it .



Guy

 

[Chris Kennedy]

I have an '81 4-spd (my only car, so it's a real-world Corvette not a fair weather weekend cruise queen)and have also heard about the problems with the '82 crossfires. Maybe they have an undeservedly bad reputation, but lots of different servicemen I have spoken to are very negative about it, and some people have even converted back to a carb set-up. Be that as it may, something I think you definately need to consider is the automatic transmissions being used by GM in the early 1980s. Many of these were an early version of a lock-up transmission for fuel economy, and from a driving stanspoint they were decidedly inferior to the old Turbohydomatics. I drove several '82s, and the problem I remember is that these early transmissions frequently would hesitate and stumble in and out of the lock-up feature (owners' manuals from several GM cars at the time even warned you that this was normal!). Anyhow, it really took away from the fun of driving a Corvette, especially on a demanding road, and I remember having to manually shift the automatic and out think it. Anyhow, take your time to decide and drive as many of these cars as you can before making a decision---there are lots out there for sale. Good Luck!

 

[Twin_Turbo]

Darn...a Crossfire expert.
Ok.
I need some help. I regularly service an 82 which has had a chronic misfire and running rich problem when cold. As soon as the coolant temp comes up, the misfire stops and the richness disappears.

Ideas?

Yes, several. It obviously is an open loop problem. Have you checked the resistance curve of the CTS? Try replacing it with a leter model + weatherpack connector. The stock connector likes to let moisture in causing a bad onnection.

The mixture and ifnition timing is greatly dependant on the CTS in open loop, TPS and MAP have much less overall influence.

To diagnose it quickly you can try and disconnect the CTS and insert a 640 Ohm resistor in the connector. 640 Ohm is still an open loop state with more advance than closed loop. If the thing runs smooth the problem is definitely related to the CTS.

You might also want to check if the resistance values at the ECM connector are the same as at the CTS. If you want to diagnose at the firewall, the engine harness weatherpack connector with the proper yellow wire (CTS = yellow & black) will have a black wire next to the yellow but that's not the proper one (it's systems ground), the ground for the CTS is on the same connector but on the opposite side.

All crossfires have some idle quality problems when cold though, you can never cure it completely, some have more problems with it than others. Stuff like worn throttle shafts come into play too, when the styff is badly synched the idle problems get worse, especially when the engine is cold.

 

[Guy]

.... I drove several '82s, and the problem I remember is that these early transmissions frequently would hesitate and stumble in and out of the lock-up feature (owners' manuals from several GM cars at the time even warned you that this was normal!).

My first 82 drove me nuts with the lock-up too, but on the advice of fellow CACer Jim Martley, I put in a Hypertec chip which has helped greatly and gave me about 20hp. I was impressed enough to put a new chip in the silver-green 82. At least it made me happy.


Guy