Topic: Will an '89 L98 TPI fit in the '84
in Forum: C4 Engines
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(if you don't care to read about my buying experience skip to the last paragraph) :(
As my handle implies, this is my first Vette. Even after reading all of the negative reports on the Cross-fire I bought an '84 last month for a winter project. I figured a complete vette not running and needing minor body work and paint is still worth $750, don't you think? (sarcasm intended) It didn't take long after buying it to get the fever. I ordered my first part from Corvette America, the scissor support for the hood. now I can get the shtick out of the way and work on the motor. The PO told me it only needed a head gasket but also admitted he didn't know anything about cars, hence the really low-ball offer on the car which he accepted. I pulled the heads this weekend and confirmed my suspicions. Looks like damaged heads, actually grooved beyond repair between cyl 6 & 8. Cylinder walls don't look too good either. While removing the Intake I notice 1 of the 6 inner bolts was missing. I thought what moron would leave that out? After removing the head I turned it over and guess what rolled out of the intake port? It must have worked loose and been rattling around in there for a while. Fortunately it was too big to pass into the cyl. Now all of this makes me want to go through the motor completely.
With the alternative being a used motor I was searching the ads and found a good deal on an '89 L98 TPI. Will it fit in the '84? What problems can I expect aside from the wiring harness?
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Whenever you do an engine swap on a computer operated car you must have the wire harness and ECM. Just part of the cost. However in your case getting that crossfire motor out of the car is a huge improvement. You could always use a 4 barrel carb and just pay for the gas.
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2246
Vette(s): 1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine.
1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.
It will physically fit, certainly, but the hood may not close properly. Why not use the L98 long block, and put your Crossfire intake and accessory drive(waterpump/alternator, etc.) stuff on it? That way you don't have to mess with changing the ECM, or any of the wiring...
Joel Adams 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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Vette(s): 1988 Corvette / Blue Pearl
What is it that the L98 long block has that the Cross Fire Block doesn't ? Would it be the Cam Profile ? ( Grind ) Just over hearing some early C4 owners they just call the cross fire junk . I've never bothered to ask them why , Maybe you folks can help me understand better . Was it just the Cross Fire intake ? Was it restrictive....compared to the TPI intake & runners ?
The cross fire was not junk, it was the first engine used (1984) in the evolution of the C4.
There are wide and varied opinions from outside and from the inside of the C4 family regarding many aspects of the C4. Everything depends on perspective. Every year of C4 production saw technological advances. Some, but not all, C4 owners look at the latest in automotive technology and performance and dismiss everything before as obsolete junk, including engines, sound systems etc. etc.
IMHO that is why there is more interest and value in the second half of the C4 generation.
What is important is how you feel about your car, and what your expectations are.
People collect everything from Model T Fords, classics, muscle cars, Corvettes, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, etc. each car and each owner has a place in the car hobby family.
Just watching this one.
|UPDATED|8/11/2013 10:48:34 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
~Laurie~
1985 and 1995 coupes:
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Vette(s): 1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine.
1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.
Big Mike 49 said: What is it that the L98 long block has that the Cross Fire Block doesn't ?
An intake manifold that doesn't cover half of the intake port, for one.
The question from the OP was, will the L98 FIT. The answer is, it will, but the ECM and wiring will need to be changed/modified, and possibly some inner hood mods.
I suggested simply installing the Crossfire intake on the L98 long block so no major mods would be needed.
I suggested simply installing the Crossfire intake on the L98 long block so no major mods would be needed.
Joel Adams
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
The Cross Fire was a carry over from the last of the C3's in 1982. Since Chevy already skipped the '83 MY they couldn't wait any longer and had to launch the C4 with CrossFire. The original plan was the L98 TPI. Years ago I borrowed a friends '82 and while it wasn't a neck snapper the CrossFire ran beautiful. Just the maze of sensors that TPI needs is a project itself to get them all there and wired. If I were to consider an engine swap, I'd go for an LS1 install and buy one of the dedicated ECM harnesses.
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That's why I chose to go to the LS-1, even with a low mileage Crossfire engine in my '84. I've spent a ton of money trying to get it tuned properly to trust it on cruises and caravans. If I were only going to local shows, I'd live with it, but I'm getting a nice package from a West Coast supplier (not sure I can post a link to his site, but PM me for info if you like.) Here's what it is supposed to look like with the chrome package I've ordered:
The only issue i've heard on the cross fire was that at the time they had to use two chevette TPI. units that work well but not a lot of airflow, an easy way to make up for this instead of replacing everything mabee buy a couple of the new Edelbrock TPI units and try that. had a friend do it and he loved it. Just a thought.
in Forum: C4 Engines
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