nWo Hogan

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys ! Hope all is well. I'm in the automotive business and a good friend of mine,picked up a 82 Trans Am for me.
Its a 305 Crossfire with 140,000 miles, he said he runs good in Choke. I'm not too familiar with the engine,but I've been doing my research on the forums,and most of time I've seen negative reviews regarding the engine. So I need some advice,should I keep the Crossfire, knowing that its rare -? If I decided to keep it,can I do some mods to it,to make it faster and run better -? Or should I scarp the motor and go with a 350 ? Also, I think the car has a 200 C Tranny,should I replace that -? Any help would be great guys

HiPerf_Chevyman

My personal opinion: 140K miles. its a 305. Runs Good Choked. and i havent Messed with the 200C tranny's. But you want something with a Little more Pep.
I'd Take the Motor and toss it. Find a 350, *(have it Bored .30 over)* Get the Cross Fire Injection on top of the 350 or 355. Get a Rebuilt 700r4? *(a T56)*considering what the 200c will take cause im not sure. Then Get in here and Learn how to Tune your computer.

*(is what I Did)*

DeathStarr89

iTrader: (1)

I pulled the crossfire 305 out of my '82 TA and scrapped it about 12 years ago, i still regret that to this day.

It may not be the best setup out there but it's one of those that you shrink wrap tight and stick it in the back of your shed. Someday, Someone will need one and pay top dollar for it.

nWo Hogan

iTrader: (1)

Hey Chevyman ! I didn't get the car yet,just trying to plan out some things. But I'll keep your idea in mind,I heard the Crossfire is problematic, but very rare.
Hi Purple ! I heard some people regret dumping the engine too. I'm just wondering if I can do some mods to it,to make it faster -?

chazman

iTrader: (4)

People will notice a Crossfire. It's rare and neat looking. Whenever I pop the hood of my '83 at a cruise night, it draws a crowd.

DeathStarr89

iTrader: (1)

you could probably throw on a good set of aluminum heads, drop the crossfire setup on top, slide in a healthy cam, some good headers.. it'll make good power for sure.

You'll need to tune it though, I have no idea what your options are for that ECM. I'm sure a more modern 1227730 could control the CFI if you can find a good TBI mask to run.


I'll warn you though, that 200R trans isn't the best thing to be packing a bunch of HP behind. My '82 had 67K on it when we swapped the 305 out for a 355, the 200R trans lasted a week and my 355 was only making around 300 HP/400 TQ.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Got any more pics of your Hilborn?

nWo Hogan

iTrader: (1)

Thanx Chaz ! So what do you think I should do first -? What kind of mods you did on your Crossfire-?
Hey Purple, where should I look for the parts for the Crossfire. Jegs or Summit -? I have no idea where to start, I have about $ 1000 to spend on the engine. I heard a lot of bad news about that 200R, I think I should change the tranny first. Which one 700R or TH 350 -? Thanks

chazman

iTrader: (4)

First thing I'd do is make sure it's running well. Check for vacuum leaks ESPECIALLY on the intake's top plate bolts. Make sure they're tight. If not, HUGE vacuum leak there. Make sure all your sensors are working right. Remove and clean both IACs. After that, just common smallblock stuff.

Mine is stock, with the exception of a custom bent exhaust, K&N airfilters and initial timing bumped afew degrees.

TheGr8erG00d

iTrader: (2)

nwoHogan, a lot of people will tell you to toss the 305. I hear it all too often. They have their reasons, it is not a powerful engine to begin with. You do have options for squeezing more out of it if you want to take that route, they just cost a little more than their 350 counterparts.


Personally, I think it'd be neat to clean up, tune, and keep your crossfire engine. You don't see all that many of them as many have since been dumped for the 350(all too common), swapped to tpi, etc. They are really neat looking engines when they are all cleaned up. People do appreciate seeing these cars cared for and will look twice at them.

In my case, I have a 305 tpi. I could swap to a 350 and get more out of it and I'd have fun. But, it's somewhat of a daily driver (after my bike) and I won't race it. It's quick enough and fun for me to drive as it is and I hate to part with an original motor when my entire car is all original as it is. I'll be adding some power in not so visible places in the future, perhaps, but overall, I'm staying fairly orignal to the car.

In the case of a Crossfire, I think you should go all or nothing. Either you keep it strictly stock/original to its time, or if you cannot enjoy that, you should probably look for something with more power under the hood.

Really, you need to ask yourself this question: is it important for you to have a speed-demon of a car in order for you to enjoy it, or can you enjoy a totally original car even if it isn't fast?

What will make you happy?

nWo Hogan

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Chaz, so first thing is to check for vacuum leaks,clean both IACs, then I guess a full tune-up. What can I do to the exhausts -?
Hi Gr8erG00d ! Thanks for replying. I did a lot of research before starting this thread, and the odds against the Crossfire are pretty high. So I have options for squeezing a little more power out of the engine,but it cost more than the 250. How much are you talking about -? I just want to know what I'm getting into. I was really leaning towards buying "j88l98irocz" Crate Engine, but I'm thinking of keeping the Crossfire,since its so rare.Sure I would like to keep the car original,like the engine,which I think I most likely will do, but I hope I don't get bashed for saying this, but I'm converting the car to a Knight Rider Replica. I have a 92 Firebird,V6 that I'm about to sell,and after having some chats with 3rdgenparts (Dave) and he told me about the originality of KITT, I mentioned to a buddy of mine to keep a look out for a 82 Trans Am,and he found one for me. So Gr8er, you say keep the Crossfire strictly stock and original to its time, I'll go that route, but what can't I not do -? I'm not looking for a speed-demon at all, its not worth the tickets,just something to enjoy,with a nice sound to it . What can I do to the exhausts ? I would like to do a complete tune-up,change the exhausts and most likely change the Tranny,but not sure which one to put in -?

8t2 z-chev

i'd keep the crossfire-uniqueness and originality as well
as the ability to modify for way more power than stock
main problem with a stock crossfire is the intake
runners are kinda restrictive and the shape of the
runner intakes are less than optimal-some welding and
die grinder work can cure the intake restriction problems
-made a huge difference on my otherwize pretty much
stock '84 vette 350Another common crossfire problem
is the fuel pumps were often not quite up to the job
even when new,a TPI pump is often adapted as an
upgrade.Even if the intake manifold is left stock,there
are plenty of other tweaks that will raise the stock
power up(stock ratings:165 hp'82,175 hp'83-improved
catalytic converter on '83s)
For the 305,if original with 140,000 mi,is likely to have
worn cam,lifters and rocker arms but "short block"
could still be in decent shape if maintained well and
air filters working properly.
TH200c doesn't have the best reputation,but if it is
working good i'd keep it and if it goes bad replace
with a th350-almost a bolt in swap.
BTW,if you replace the 305 with a 350 and keep the
crossfire,you will need to replace the injectors with
350 '82-84 vette injectors and use a 'vette chip-'82
vette for '82ECMs,'84 vette for '83ECMs-all the rest
of the crossfire system is the same between original
305s and 350s

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

a good tune up: MSD ignition cap and rotors, spark plug wires, ac delco platinum plugs you find them at any good parts store napa auto parts , advance auto parts , www.summitracing.com

a 1985 corvette tpi fuel pump and turn down the psi at the TBI's to 15 psi.
85 corvette TPI fuel pump:

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=90646

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1400523

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=977787

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=296439

crossfire injection performance parts:
http://crossfireinjection.net/

build a 350 or 383 block up and put a renegade crossfire manfold on it, bore the TBI's to 2.0 inches. the firebird stock wiring harness will work with corvette crossfire 350. ebl flash computer for a cfi 350
EBL flash computer= www.dynamicefi.com

here is 8t2 z-chev/gheatly build thread:

http://www.crossfire.homeip.net/inde...opic=2566&st=0

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

removing the catalytic converter or install a catless cat

http://www.siliconeintakes.com/index...04dcb5dab987c9

duel exhaust:
http://www.jegs.com/i/Dynomax/289/89009/10002/-1


https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/exha...l-exhaust.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...-kit-jegs.html


you should only change the tranny if it is bad or you decide on a 350 swap

I recomend a good performance Th-700r4

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Well I'll tell you what I did. When I first got my CFI, I knew my exhaust was an issue. For one, I was pretty sure my cat was clogged. What I REALLY wanted was a factory '89-'92 N10 dual cat exhaust. After searching unsuccessfully for one, I went to local shop on the northwest side known for decades for their custom exhaust work. I had them custom bend 2.25" pipes off the manifolds into a Y-pipe, then into a 3" Catco high flow cat, into a 3" pipe, into a Flowmaster and stock looking 2.5" tips. A week after that I found an N10 exhaust someone was selling.

The Flowmaster sounded good on the outside, but the drone on the inside was just intolerable. I ended up removing it for a stock replacement muffler. I also bought a set of L-69 HO exhaust manifolds for it, which I havent installed yet.

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

Keep the 305, as well as your stock transmission. So long as compression is good in all cylinders then the higher mileage isn't that big of a deal. Pull the crossfire setup and cylinder heads and store them. Get a decent set of heads with 1.94/1.50 valves, Summit Racing Camshaft, and Holley 600-DP w/adjustable fuel regulator, and you will have a very quick 305 for the street. Shop arouind for your parts, they don't have to be new. Your car either has 2.93's or 3.23's out back (check your RPO codes, or simply jack the car up in the back and spin the rear to check), so base your stall speed on your overall setup (cam, gears, etc.). Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the car....

TheGr8erG00d

iTrader: (2)

I'm with this guy

Or, alternatively, just give the thing a full tune up. New plugs, wires, etc. Anything that wears overtime, replace it, and as long as the compression is good, like Street Lethal pointed out, then you will have a fine running car.I wouldn't pull the crossfire setup though, because that setup is what makes the engine so damned neat and unique for everyone to look at. If you store that assembly, then you just have another 305 build.

nWo Hogan

iTrader: (1)

So I drove the 82 Trans Am Crossfire for a few days, and I've already given up on the engine. After the car warms up,the RPM goes up and down, when I'm at a light, it takes for ever to pull off,and between 30-50 it breaks up and last,and worse of all, after doing about over 50 mph,and I slow down to 10-15 mph, the whole car starts to shake,like turbulence in an airplane. I'm in the automotive business for about 10 years now, and this baby is slow. So I'm busy looking online for a 350 Chevy. Craigslist or Classified . I can't believe how slow it is compared to my 92 V6.

8t2 z-chev

Hehe-you've got a 29yr old,medium miles,car in need
of some repairs and a tune up;start with the basics-
compression test,get the CEL working and check codes,
check for faulty tires,ETC,ETC.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

I betcha mine was even worse when I got it. It's pretty satisfying to go from that to purring like a kitten.

nWo Hogan

iTrader: (1)

Hey 8t2 ! How are u -? So you think I need a tune-up,and do a compression test. How much am I look for -? I think this engine needs a lot of work. I'm in the mist of locking up a deal for a GM 350 Goodwrench replacement engine and 700R tranny. Its was in a Jaguar Conversion. I hear ya Chaz ! I'm also watching how much gas this thing burns................I'm thinking...................

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

it sound like it needs a tune up and you have some vacuum leaks. dont give up so easily.


do a 350 SBC crossfire /700r4 converison and get the crossfire intake parts from DCS.

get an optima battery red top and check the battery harness for corrosion you may need a new one

eseibel67

Lots of things could be causing this, but wharever it is, it won't require an engine replacement. Could possibly be something very minor, and after it's fixed it will certainly run stronger than your V6.

Of course a 350 will easily make more power, but on the 1-10 panache scale, the carbed 350 scores 1 and the Crossfire scores 7.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

For sure!


I can't tell you how crappy my Crossfire ran when I bought it. Slow? It had to be the slowest damned car I ever drove. My butt dyno had it pegged at around 90 horsepower. It idled like it was running on 7 cylinders. If you gave it more that 3/4 throttle too suddenly it would pop and die. And it struggled to rev past 4000 RPM.

But little by little I got it running better and better. It idles like a Buick now (usually ), easily breaks loose the tires (even with a 2.93 gear), and screams to it's redline when I put my foot in it.

Will it take down an LS1? Of course not. But it's fun to drive now, and gets lots of attention at shows and cruise nights. Hell, it even won a trophy at ThirdGenFest. No one would have given it a second look if it had some generic carbed 350. It's the CFI which is the car's attention getter.

Jupiter

iTrader: (1)

If it's a 'street racer' then replace the complete drive train!

If it's a 'street rod' then fix that CFI up and make the car look
and sound good. With a little work that CFI motor should run
decent enough to make that 'CLASSIC' car be presentable!!!

Personally i would do as KITT1983 suggest and do a 350 CFI
just to have a 'little' power plus the CFI for nostalgia... lol

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

a 400hp crossfire 350 if you play your cards right

nWo Hogan

iTrader: (1)

Hey KITT ! So far no vacuum leaks. I'll work on that tune-up. So a 350 SBC crossfire /700r4 conversion-? Those DCS parts are pretty up there in price. I'm wondering if that will run me more than that 350 Goodwrench.
Hey Eseibel67, I'm working on the idle problem, but it still shakes a little. And I'm really not crazy about the Tranny in it.
Chaz, I hear you my friend, just doing some thinking on my options.
Hey Jupiter ! I'm not looking for a racer at all, just decent power and sound.
How can I do the 350 CFI -?

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...m/IMG_3916.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...m/IMG_3917.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...m/IMG_3913.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...m/IMG_3782.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...m/IMG_3783.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...m/IMG_3912.jpg

Jupiter

iTrader: (1)

SWEET RIDE dude...

That car is so nice i would be hard pressed to
make any major mods. I don't know much
about CFI so i'll let others give advice there.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Wow, that car is nice!

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, my crossfire can be a headache at times.
The smallest vaccum leak can cause the cfi to run like crap such as the a/c vacuum selctor switch behind the heater controls. Which is causing me to have a crazy idle at 500 rpm that wants to stall out.

the 350 had bigger injectiors and a different computer.
the 305 crossfire wiring harness will work with the corvette 350 cfi
Does the crate motor have an intake ?
Do you have a laptop computer? you will need it for the ebl flash computer
get rid of the th200 tranny and get a 700r4.

how are the motor mounts ?

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

do you have a link or any specs on the gm goodwrench 350?

nWo Hogan

iTrader: (1)

Thank you very much Jupiter. Trust me,I've been doing a lot of thinking about the sway :/

Thanks again Chaz !

Hey KITT83, Wow,even the A/C vacuum selector switch can cause the idle to go nuts. I don't my friend, I spent all day on it yesterday, and it like it got worse now. When I was on the highway last night, between 40-60, it looks the engine went dead on me, no power at all, until I floor it,then it came back to life. This morning the idle was stuck at 2000 RPM, then went down to 1500,and started to go up at down.
I think one of the mounts are bad,because when I put it from park to drive it jerks,but I think that might be because of the high idle. No laptop,but I can borrow my brother one if anything. The goodwrench 350 is a 1994 production date. fully dressed. holley four barrel carb, Edelbrock dual plane intake, HEI distributor, ram exhaust manifolds, starter, fuel pump, water pump, alternator, ps pump. Trans/ converter still bolted to engine. Everything is for $ 600. Mileage on it is 22,000. Its a GM Crate Replacement engine. What do you think -?

8t2 z-chev

the standard"goodwrench" AKA "target master"is a basic
350 c.i.,8.5 C/R, two piece rear seal,small block with
dipstick provision on both sides-the major change from
normal production blocks.They have been
"hecho en mexico"at least as far back as 1979.
Selling new for around $1000-1200,they usually put out
around 250hp on the dyno,165-200 in a car with '70s
'80s inducton,exhaust and accesories.
$600 sounds like a good deal for that engine and tranny
for my car i bought a complete '84 vette engine for
$1200back in 1994 and that same engine is still going
strong today so that was a good buy
'vette engine long block has some performance and
durability improvements over the standard passenger
car 350s-including forged flattop pistons.

nWo Hogan

iTrader: (1)

Hey 8t2 z-chev ! I needed that info,thank you very much. I lot of ppl rave about the engines. So what do you think I should do -?

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

You have bad motor mounts and need a tune up. That sounds like what my KARR did 10 months after I got it. It needed a tune up and motor mounts. That is a sweet deal for $600 for a 350ci V8 and tranny.

nWo Hogan

iTrader: (1)

So a tune-up and mounts.I know you were saying about a 350 Crossfire setup -? How much would that run me ? Is there any other difference other than the engine size between the 305 Crossfire and 350 Crossfire -? I know a sweet deal for the 350 and 700r4 Tranny. How much is that 700r4 worth -? I'm trying to weigh in the cost if it will cost me more money to keep the engine and originality of the 82 Crossfire or do the 350 swap, and keep the Crossfire wrapped up. Thinking....thinking......

8t2 z-chev

the only difference between the 305 and 350 crossfire
systems in the injectors and the chip in the ECM-
the cam should be fairly close to the same specs as used
in the corvette 350 in order for the crossfire to work
properly with the replacement engine-the stock cam in
a "targetmaster"is milder than a stock L83 'vette cam
but would probably work good with a stock chip.
i'd say the 700r4,if in good working order is easily
worth $300-700r4 is not a direct bolt into an '82,but
using parts from an '83 later f-bod(driveshaft,torque
arm,tranny x-member,etc)it is nearly a bolt in.
the 700r4 got some upgrades in 1984 and further
upgrades in 1987-if the 700r4 was not originally from
an f-bod,you will need to use an f-body tailhousing
on it.
The worth of changing anything from the original setup
in the trans am depends on the condition of original
parts,your skills,your parts sources and your funds
if you would have to "farm out"any of the work that
could really raise up the cost and bother factor...
forgot to mention that if the engine still has the original
timing chain after 140000 mi,that will be badly worn
and could cause all kinds of drivability and performance
problems

nWo Hogan

iTrader: (1)

Thanks 8t2 ! I totally forgot about the mileage and the issue with the timing chain. Either though I'm in the automotive business for about 10 years now, I think parts wise it will cost me more money to overhaul the Crossfire with getting the Throttle Bodies serviced,Decent Tune-up,Fuel Pump,Timing Chain,Seals and so on. With the Good wrench engine it comes fully dressed. holley four barrel carb, Edelbrock dual plane intake, HEI distributor, ram exhaust manifolds, starter, fuel pump, water pump, alternator, ps pump. Trans/ converter still bolted to engine.
So I basically need a drive shaft,torque arm, tranny mount,etc.I will most definitely put the Crossfire Engine away,leave oil in it,and wrap it tight. There are actually people coming to meet with the seller and potentially buy everything. So I need to beat them to it. So I guess I'm going to rent a pick up tomorrow and going to get it,hopefully. If I making a big mistake,please let me know guys :/

8t2 z-chev

sounds like a good plan-it's pretty easy to run a carb on
a crossfire car without disturbing much-did it on mine
when i had my crossfire off for modification-just took the
crossfire off,clapped on a q-jet,swapped the CCC HEI
with a vacume advance one,the crossfire fuel pump is a
turbine type so fuel will flow through it easy with it
inactive-just use the block mounted fuel pump.
with the ECM inactive you will have to come up with a
method to operate the torque converter clutch in the
tranny-a search will reveal a variety of methods.
once the car is operating and driving properly you can
then think about reinstalling the crossfire system if
desired
BTW when i had the q-jet on(took it from an '84 3/4
ton pickup)car ran good and strong but only got about
12 mpg

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

ditto

nWo Hogan

iTrader: (1)

Thank you very much guys. I'm sorry I didn't stick with the Crossfire crew, and make you guys proud. I will swap out the engine this week,but I'll shrink wrap the Crossfire engine and put it away for now. I picked up the Goodwrench and Tranny today,everything looks good. I'll definitely need help with the swap, and I'll start a new thread for some input.

Lnewvision

I own a 1983 trans am with crossfire injection and they are expensive to repair and not reliable at all.Iam planning on removing mine and installing a cam intake carburetor and ignition to simplifie the engine,also check your catalitic converter at night if the y pipe it glows red is clogged and you probably have internal engine damage due to high internal engine temperatures, that happened to my car and it only has about 65000 miles on it right now.if you have plenty of cash you can rebuild your tbi good luck and GOD BLESS.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

I still have the original Crossfire in my car. While it may not be a high horsepower engine, it is unique, and mine runs fairly well. My goal is to build up a 383 stroker and put the Renegade intake on it that i bought. It will still be unique, and hopefully make some decent horsepower. Don't get rid of your original engine. Some day you may want to put it back original.