Howard Barker
New Member
So I have had the car for 15 years and its coming out of paint shop soon after a minor (minor? on a vette? did I just say that?) accident.
I originally bought the car because I liked C3's and I planned on driving it often so FI, 4 speed auto and MPG were a consideration for me. Besides I couldn't afford a chrome bumper car. But now it just too slow for me to enjoy.
I have considered every option from X-ram(yes, it's been that long) to carb conversion to Renegade to LS style FI engine. I have read many threads on various other sites and a lot of the ones here until my eyes started to ring and my ears started tearing up . . . I think . . .
What I learned was that although the CFI system works OK for what it is, its just isn't ever going to be anywhere near the equal of the later EFI systems.Having said that, I just don't want to modify the car that drastically from the way it was built. So I'm looking to keep it CFI. Don't get me wrong, I don't have any misconceptions about an "82" drastically escalating in value but only in original factory form. And, as previously mentioned, I realize I'm dealing with a "limited" (understatement of the year?) system. But I just think if I was going to make such drastic changes in the name of performance, I should just get an 80 or even a 79 and start with new bumpers. But . . . I have an 82, I made my own bed and I'll have to sleep in it. Or toss and turn for another 15 years.
What I already really knew, but was certainly reinforced especially here, is that the project as a whole has to be considered and all modifications have to perform in concert in order to be most effective.
So, that brings me to my list of particular goals. I still want to drive the car almost daily. I live in a city where its hot all year, with lots of traffic. We don't survive without A/C down here so it has to idle in traffic and I'd like to be able to put it in gear without having to hold the brake pedal with both feet and still have my head snap back when it hits drive. I need to get gas from an ordinary gas station so 91 or 92 octane is about all I can usually expect. Obviously I don't need it pinging or detonating
.
How much horse power and torque do I want? All I can get with the above conditions and the dreaded CFI.
Of all the Renegade threads I have read, most discuss which cam/head combination to use and so on. Some talk about 383 stroker upgrade also. But I haven't found (or I missed it) exactly what info I'm looking for.
Given all the limitations I listed above, I don't want to be limited by CI. I don't want to be limited by heads or cam. But I also don't want to get stuck with a really nice long block set up the my CFI with a Renegade won't compliment.
So here's my question: Lets assume I start with an 82, no engine, and a brand new Renegade, what would be my best choice given my list of needs.
Here are a couple that I have looked at. Looking at some of the head and cam specs listed on this site some of these may be a good fit but again, I know the package has to be considered as a whole.
http://www.blueprintengines.com/ind...anding/gm-383-main/item/gm-383-base-bp3834ct1
http://www.blueprintengines.com/ind...landing/gm-396-main/item/gm-396-base-bp3961ct
http://www.blueprintengines.com/ind...anding/gm-400-main/item/gm-400-base-bp4001ct1
http://www.blueprintengines.com/ind...ding/gm-427-main/item/chevy-427-base-ps4271ct
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/refresh-1982-crossfire-vette.14173/
Probably not a serious consideration but I just couldn't resist!
I guess my main concern is "will my CFI that is upgraded with a Renegade, different injectors and maybe an ECM ever be able to feed 383 or bigger CI with the higher lift cams?" And "will these high horse crate motors ever idle smooth with an auto and be suitable for more than occasional city use?"
I do like the idea of a crate motor as opposed to building one. Two reasons, I can install myself. And gun to my head, I could probably rebuild it myself, but more than likely I would die of old age (I'm already old) before I finished. Also I like the idea of a warranty for a couple of years which I won't get if I find a local builder and get one to my specs.
I should also add, that the car is already equipped with 2" stainless dual exhaust (cat free) and a 355 gear ratio diff. It is in need of a trans overhaul so that can be upgraded as necessary when engine goes in.
And now to address the 900 pound elephant in the room:
I didn't put a horse power goal in my post for a reason. HP is very important to me. But I expect that with a CFI (even upgraded) it would be significantly less than stated claims from the manufacturer. So I would like to know what to expect, but I trying to keep my expectations realistic.
I appreciate the forum and thanks for any advice you may have.
I originally bought the car because I liked C3's and I planned on driving it often so FI, 4 speed auto and MPG were a consideration for me. Besides I couldn't afford a chrome bumper car. But now it just too slow for me to enjoy.
I have considered every option from X-ram(yes, it's been that long) to carb conversion to Renegade to LS style FI engine. I have read many threads on various other sites and a lot of the ones here until my eyes started to ring and my ears started tearing up . . . I think . . .
What I learned was that although the CFI system works OK for what it is, its just isn't ever going to be anywhere near the equal of the later EFI systems.Having said that, I just don't want to modify the car that drastically from the way it was built. So I'm looking to keep it CFI. Don't get me wrong, I don't have any misconceptions about an "82" drastically escalating in value but only in original factory form. And, as previously mentioned, I realize I'm dealing with a "limited" (understatement of the year?) system. But I just think if I was going to make such drastic changes in the name of performance, I should just get an 80 or even a 79 and start with new bumpers. But . . . I have an 82, I made my own bed and I'll have to sleep in it. Or toss and turn for another 15 years.
What I already really knew, but was certainly reinforced especially here, is that the project as a whole has to be considered and all modifications have to perform in concert in order to be most effective.
So, that brings me to my list of particular goals. I still want to drive the car almost daily. I live in a city where its hot all year, with lots of traffic. We don't survive without A/C down here so it has to idle in traffic and I'd like to be able to put it in gear without having to hold the brake pedal with both feet and still have my head snap back when it hits drive. I need to get gas from an ordinary gas station so 91 or 92 octane is about all I can usually expect. Obviously I don't need it pinging or detonating
.
How much horse power and torque do I want? All I can get with the above conditions and the dreaded CFI.
Of all the Renegade threads I have read, most discuss which cam/head combination to use and so on. Some talk about 383 stroker upgrade also. But I haven't found (or I missed it) exactly what info I'm looking for.
Given all the limitations I listed above, I don't want to be limited by CI. I don't want to be limited by heads or cam. But I also don't want to get stuck with a really nice long block set up the my CFI with a Renegade won't compliment.
So here's my question: Lets assume I start with an 82, no engine, and a brand new Renegade, what would be my best choice given my list of needs.
Here are a couple that I have looked at. Looking at some of the head and cam specs listed on this site some of these may be a good fit but again, I know the package has to be considered as a whole.
http://www.blueprintengines.com/ind...anding/gm-383-main/item/gm-383-base-bp3834ct1
http://www.blueprintengines.com/ind...landing/gm-396-main/item/gm-396-base-bp3961ct
http://www.blueprintengines.com/ind...anding/gm-400-main/item/gm-400-base-bp4001ct1
http://www.blueprintengines.com/ind...ding/gm-427-main/item/chevy-427-base-ps4271ct
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/refresh-1982-crossfire-vette.14173/
Probably not a serious consideration but I just couldn't resist!
I guess my main concern is "will my CFI that is upgraded with a Renegade, different injectors and maybe an ECM ever be able to feed 383 or bigger CI with the higher lift cams?" And "will these high horse crate motors ever idle smooth with an auto and be suitable for more than occasional city use?"
I do like the idea of a crate motor as opposed to building one. Two reasons, I can install myself. And gun to my head, I could probably rebuild it myself, but more than likely I would die of old age (I'm already old) before I finished. Also I like the idea of a warranty for a couple of years which I won't get if I find a local builder and get one to my specs.
I should also add, that the car is already equipped with 2" stainless dual exhaust (cat free) and a 355 gear ratio diff. It is in need of a trans overhaul so that can be upgraded as necessary when engine goes in.
And now to address the 900 pound elephant in the room:
I didn't put a horse power goal in my post for a reason. HP is very important to me. But I expect that with a CFI (even upgraded) it would be significantly less than stated claims from the manufacturer. So I would like to know what to expect, but I trying to keep my expectations realistic.
I appreciate the forum and thanks for any advice you may have.
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