WildManJoe

Hello, I have a stuck lifter, I did everything... & seafoam didn't work. Check post https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/sear...archid=4260757

I just don't have it in me to sell my old high school car, hate to replace the engine but the cost to fix this problem on a 100 K engine is not worth over 1100 G's at the shop. I am not an auto mechanic but I know how to fix minor stuff. This is a over my head so I need to know what is the most cost effective way to go. I looked at the thread to replace my engine with an LS1, looks like it will cost me over 5 G's, hate to replace it with the same engine i have as it is only a 165 hp engine? (1982 305 Crossfire TBI Vin #7) I was looking to get over 300 Hp on the replacement that is compatible with the crossfire to avoid changing the fuel pump and maybe the transmission. Any ideas are welcome, thanks for any input you give on this, Ben

Guest

The crossfire system is too restrictive for 300 HP.

WildManJoe

Thanks for the reply, hate to ask but where can I find a cheap 305 or something the corssfire can use?

lunati397

you can do a LS swap for a whole lot less than 5000 just dont get an LS1 get a 5.3 truck motor for 500 to 750 complete flywheel spacer to use your stock trans and edelbrock intake and a 600 carb and there you go nice setup on the cheap 2000 total investment with proper research and you would get great mileage with 300 hp

Guest

You can put a Goodwrench 350 under it, and be fairly close to what the '82 & '84 'vette had. You'll just be a bit down on compression. If that bothers you, have the heads milled, and use FelPro 1094s. Even so, it should still run fine on regular unleaded. '84 'vette was 205 HP @ 4200 RPM, 290 TQ @ 2800 RPM, IIRC

Notalent

What kind of budget are you working with? You an always drop in a stock 350ci from that year and wit will get you about 190HP using your crossfire... or swap to a carburetor and have many more options....

Guest

It has come to my attention that the '84 crossfire 350 'vette wasn't the '929 cam and 8.5:1 after all. It seems it was 9.0:1 and the L69 cam. Sorry about that.
I also happened across an old magazine article with an '84 'vette, they kept the crossfire but got over 300 HP. But they had to have the intake Extrude-Honed to the maximum.
If you go that route, then I'd skip both of the old GM cams and get something more modern, with more lift.
By the time you buy the E-H job, and pay for custom tuning, it would be cheaper to go to an aftermarket carburetor. Unless they do emissions inspections in your area.

Guest

That's about what a basic Goodwrench 350 amounts to.

WildManJoe

Thanks for the info everyone, RonnJonn I just about to look into the 5.3, as you know the fuel pump is located on top of the gas tank and will cost extra $$$ to replace that, I did replace the fuel pump with an AC delco 3 years back. Will i need to replace it again with a stronger one with the 5.3? Also the TA don't have the Posi anymore, was replaced with a non I will need to look what I got. Thanks

lunati397

If you go carbed you can use your stock pump but will need a regulator


Check LS1tech classifieds for a 5.3 they are on there alot but you might have better luck with a junk yard and ebay I got a complet LQ4 (370 6.0 LSX) for 500 with accesories ecu wireing and it only had 15000 miles so dont limit your search to just 5.3s

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Dont discount CFI.

http://www.c3vr.com/forum/cfi-renega...opic79886.html

ex-x-fire

Another thing he could do is drop a 350 tbi truck engine in it, his cfi wiring & ecm will run it just fine. Just make sure the tps connector is the same (flat instead of round). I'd get a used vortec 350, slap a vortec tbi intake on it, & a set of headers. Check junkyards, swap meets, & craigslist for engines & parts.

Shadow Z

iTrader: (2)

I'd do a carbed LS1.

DeltaElite121

You could do that, and I like that idea - but you'de probably spend more doing it than just using the FI setup if you're just keeping it relatively stock. Of course, then we come into the classic debate - what is worth more to you? I prefer carbed after having an LS1 simply because I don't feel like getting the car dyno tuned every time I make significant changes in components. Everyone has a different direction, though.

Shadow Z

iTrader: (2)

He seems to be in search of a simple setup with a moderate amount of power, so it seems like a reasonable/feasible option. Then again I'm the most indecisive person in the world, so it may not be a good idea to listen to me, always switching up what I want.

In 2009 I wanted to fix up the IROC to be a good daily driver, then I wanted an LS1 'Bird as a daily, then I wanted a 1994-1995 5.0 Mustang as a daily but quickly gave up that idea since they're so ugly, then I ended up with my 2001 GT.

Now I'm stuck between my next daily since I swapped a T56 into the Mustang, have a Vortech V1 waiting to go on, and have plans of a forged shortblock. Stuck between an MKIV Jetta TDI for the mileage, a 2003-2007 Ram 2500 diesel, E46 BMW, maybe even a C5 Z06 since I've been finding them cheap. I swear one of these days the IROC will run again though.

lunati397

going with the edelbrock carb setup its 650 roughly for the wireing harness ignition controler and the intake manifold where you would pay 650 just for the harness for FI

also he only needs a fuel pressure regulator and can keep his stock pump

It will keep a stock look to the car and with the 75 dollar flexplate spacer he can keep what ever trans is in there now saving even more money get a 4th gen stock exhaust if he doesnt want to do headers even more money saved
75 dollars for motor mount adapter plates to use 350 mounts too


Depending on skill level and part searching he could have a 5.3 or 6.0 in there for less than 2000 and it be very reliable




Ive got time if you want me to find all the parts and shoot you a PM with links

lunati397

My only warning is its a sickness once you make it faster you want more

DeltaElite121

I didn't have that problem till I bought my first Mustang. Now I never know what I want because there's a LOT of good stuff out there. The blue oval has corrupted me I think you may be right, though.. because a carbed LS1 may be a more expensive initial investment, but it's cheaper than getting a FAST intake with a few dyno pulls. I dunno. I'm not sure what I'd do. I've had both, and I like both for different reasons.. I guess it just depends on personal preference at this point.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Keep CFI in my opinion.

And if you dont plan on keeping it, let me know how much you want for the system.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Wildman, too bad you weren't around a couple-5 years ago. I've given away perfectly fine 305's.

The GM 290 horse 350 would bolt in place of the 305. Won't have 300 HP, but it'll be more than the LU5 had. For the record, the 165 HP rating of the LU5 is net flywheel HP, while the 290 is gross flywheel HP. 165 net is about 200-210 gross.

The Crossfire guys will be able to tell you what to do about the chip (a Vette Crossfire chip should do the trick).

lunati397

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/lsx-...5-5-3-f-s.html

A carbed LS1 is half the cost of keeping it fuel injected

carb setup 650 plus cost of carb 100-200 craigslist ebay
FI setup 650 plus for intake then 200 for fuel pump 100 for tuning(vats cats egr delete) 50 for misc fittings then wiring it all up hopfully a painless harness

the carb setup is power ground keep stock coils and with the MSD controller you can hook up a laptop and ajust your timing curves like a stand alone

Guest

The EFI is cheaper than carb. The engine comes with an EFI intake manifold, injectors, fuel rails, et cetera. All you need is maybe a pump and maybe a regulator. Both of those together are under $200. Add a bottle of injector cleaner, it might be right at $200.
To buy any of the new carbureted intake manifolds, and a carb, you're over $600. That's not less than $200.
Then after it's running, there's the difference in MPG.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

A 5.3, which would be the "cheaper" LSx type engine, comes with intake, fuel rails, oil pan, accessories, and exhaust manifolds that you can't use in a 3rd gen.

WildManJoe

Hello thanks again for all the info everyone! I looked at the facts and to spend 5K for an LS1 engine is to much for an old 82 trans am. So from what I can figure a LS 5.3 (for under $500) is the way to go IF the transmission and rear end can handle it. What I am also concerned about is the cost of re wiring as I am not an auto mechanic, will have to pay someone to do this. The crossfire fuel injection as someone put very well (Limited) and need to know a cheap way to replace it with something else because from what I can see you just can’t put that on any block you find with the crossfire Inj System (Correct me if I am wrong?).

So I looked at the rear end first and noticed the ID tag on the back (where the 10 bolts are) was missing but I found some numbers painted on the bottom of it. The shaft connected to the wheel to the rear end was (3.42) this looks like the differential? On the rear end it’s self (AOK ?225) The question mark (?) is a missing number as my camera was not in the right spot to see it when I took the picture. So my question here is does anyone know what rear end I got and will it handle an LS 5.3 ?


The Transmission was replaced by AC Transmission back in 1998, I just found this to identify what I got

http://www.chevcarclubvic.org.au/technical/gm_transmission_identification.htm

but the TA is sleeping in my mom’s garage now lol so it will be a week before I can look at it. If this info is not true for the TA please tell me so I can figure out what I got so we can find that fast engine I am looking for.

So here is a template of what I need to know

1.Crossfire fuel injection work on a LS 5.3?
2.What is the most simple & cost effective deal (with little re wiring or with all wires) to get a LS 5.3 if I need a carb?
3.Do I need to replace the rear end?
4 Do I need to replace the transmission? (To be Determined I guess)

Again thanks for the help everyone! Ben

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

You stated that your mechanic skills are modest, and you also want an affordable 300 horsepower. To me, you need a chevy crate motor that's complete from carb to oil pan. It will work with your transmission, and it will be a direct bolt in... No screwing around. All you'll need to fool with is installing a regulator for lowering fuel pressure and trimming back some wiring. Headers/exhaust will be a bolt-on affair. It will be far less challenging than an ls swap, and most likely less costly for your desired horsepower level.

lunati397

the edelbrock carb setup is a simple power ground hookup along with the connectors to the 2 sensors and coils its very simple setup