Joe, your videos inspired me to ditch the crossfire and upgrade to a SPR modified TBI on a Weiand X-cellerator intake. I took the 84 vette out and it outperforms the crossfire through the entire powerband. It is not the same car. My vette has a 350 not a 305. The car is insane fun to drive now. I have heads, headers and TKX transmission sitting in the garage. I need a week or two off from work to complete. Thanks for the videos.
I only have a 1982 trans am with the lg4 but I really find this interesting, you are expanding the knowledge base and offering ideas and options for current third gen enthusiasts to consider
I did this swap about 20 years ago on my 84 vette. I used a Holley tbi for a 87-89 Chevy 350 truck. The intake I used was Holleys tbi intake, it came with throttle cable brackets. Mine runs really well too. I think TBI systems run better when they have good flowing ports but a small plenum. Both the stock and Renegade intakes fail to have both of these, the stocker being worse.
Yeah I wasn’t a fan of the Renegade. The only reason I used it was because I got it for free and it was brand new. The single TBI ran circles around the Renegade in every way.
I totally understand your frustrations with the CFI but thanks to your input ive got an 8746 ecu and a Caprice 350 Police car stage 2 chip to go in my 83 Trans am when I put the 355 ive built with Aluminium heads that ive port matched to a Renegade manifold along with some fresh 2" bored throttle bodies. If and when i get the swap done my old throttle bodies may well be available for your car . I'll keep you posted.
Sounds like a nice build you’re doing! Not at all frustrated with the CFI, just out of options at the moment due to the worn linkage and improperly bushed TBs. I’ll eventually put the CFI back on, but for now I’m enjoying how great it’s running 👍
@@Joesmusclecargarage Sorry yes, I just meant your frustration over finding parts, not the actual functionality of the CFI. I love it and want to show what it can Really do. 👍
Either find the Fcar snorkle system or use the throttle body 90-deg elbow plus air cleaner found on the 4.1, 4.5 and 4.9 Cadillac engines for a cold air setup, slightly quieter too. Your vids are great btw, very clear.
Nicely done, this is just another example of how well you know these cars. If you have the time, I’ve found a carburetor restoration shop that I want to bush my TB’s, take a look the TB balance screw and assess the master/slave throttle linkage and I’m a little nervous about it. My CFI has the factory exhaust/emission system and I will need to address this area soon. I’d like to improve this area but am concerned with messing something up. Would welcome any advice you have. Thanks for all the great info!
Hi Joe, I was wondering one of the next things to do on my 83 305 CFI is to get to the IAC, I changed the coolant temp sensor, CO2, replaced some hoses re possible vacuum leake. The car drives nice at temp, but remains at high revs in neutral once warm. I haven't changed or cleaned the IAC as yet? Any thoughts?
Joe I just purchased 2 tbi systems because I broke the fuel manage block. The problem is the unites I bought I was told that it was for a 82 corvette however; the tbi's are rodchester 24 and the Vett is Rodchester 22. I believe they are for a 305. Not sure if I should rebuild the 24 and put them on the 350? Good deals are some time not as good as you think. Let know what you think or maybe you can use these Tbi units. If you wish to see the 24 tbi I can send you pics to your email.
@@10rrace All CFI throttle bodies are the same; Rochester model 400. The difference is the injectors. You can swap the injectors accordingly depending on application. I don’t have any use for CFI parts anymore. I sold my T/A about 18 months ago
Hi , I have an 84 Vette with the Crossfire and want to go to that single TBI !!! did you or can you do a video on how to and what to use plz Thanks Tim!
So I recently purchased a 1982 C3 . It runs decent, but they are so limited on gaining power. Whereas I love how complex the system is, specifically with balancing vacuum pressure; My fear is that the best I will ever get is maybe a 30hp gain. My dilemma is where we have all been before. It's a numbers matching Crossfire Vette (AC even works) but I am looking for 400hp+. Can I get that kind of power from a Crossfire set-up or do I gut the whole top end for a carb or Stinger set-up? You seem to know Crossfires, I am an old school stroker and TBI guy.
First, the CFI is an extremely simple system. It’s really single digit IQ type stuff. You can take it as far as you want to, and can pick up a hell of a lot more than 30 horse. Bump timing and fuel pressure, port the base, remove swirl plates, 7747/8746 ECM swap. From there, the list is the same as any other car; cam, heads, gears, exhaust, converter. An 82 350 had the worst of the worst; corks for heads, broomstick for a cam, horrible exhaust, tall gears, 5550 ECM, etc. There are CFI street cars going deep 11s now.
Did you use a factory throttle body injection intake manifold and if so did you have to modify the center mounting bolts going into the cylinder heads?
I used an L03/L05 manifold and yes I had to elongate the center two bolt holes. I’m eventually going to change to a 4bbl manifold and an TBI adapter plate.
Joe, did you already have a ported CFI intake on it? Curious as to if just the larger(normal size) intake runners from the tbi manifold made any performance improvement? Asking since a lot of folks ditch the CFI due to the small intake ports and instead of taking time to port the CFI they just punt and stick a carburetor on it? Because you have so much experience with the CFI I would like to ask another question. People claim the small runners were to increase air velocity to help reduce fuel puddling in slower driving. Would porting the stock CFI and switching from 2.83 to 3.73 rear gears not mask or eliminate fuel puddling due to higher rpm’s at same slow speed driving as before? The increased rpm’s would be an increased intake charge too would it not?
I did have a ported base on the car before I put the single TBI on it. And yes, there was a huge performance improvement with the single TBI. I honestly didn’t think there would be, but the difference was huge. The car even pulls harder than it did with the Renegade I had on it a year ago. You are correct about the reason for the choked down runners. It was done to increase port velocity. With the original designs of the manifold, they had problems with poor fuel atomization due to the large runner volume and overall runner length. Changing to a lower gear ratio would not have a positive effect on the puddling issue if you were to have a standard size runner on a CFI manifold base. I have 3.73s in my 83 and when I removed the ported CFI manifold to swap the single TBI on, there was fuel puddled in the manifold. In some spots, the fuel was puddles 1/4-3/8 deep. My manifold isn’t completely hogged out either. I shortened the runners roughly 1.25”, gasket matched, and opened up the entire length of the runners. I also trimmed the swirl plates. Even though good gains can be had by porting the stock manifold, it is still poor, as a result of the overall design of it. All you would benefit from a gear swap is WOT performance. Your low RPM operation would fall to the same issues that were had when the manifold was originally designed.
Getting rid of my Crossfire Setup in my 84 Corvette switching over to a FiTech EFI myself, Although not going to lie but the thought came into my mind to try and run 2 systems on the crossfire intake but I think that mod would be too much for my stock cam and heads, Still looking for everything? LOL
@@Joesmusclecargarage My 82 odometer / speedometer cable works when you spin it and the speed needle moves as well as the odometer but when you plug it into the Cruise control transducer and drive the car it doesn’t work. Any ideas?
@@Joesmusclecargarage did you have to make any modifications to the manifold for it to fit? Bracket from carb car for alternator will work right? I also noticed you didn’t have a transducer for cruise control, how did you run your speedo cable? I will probably do that instead of the transducer, less hectic
It’s not a matter of having the TBs rebuilt. I can bush them. The problem is whoever bushed them in the past put bushings with too large of an OD in. The TBs are junk.
Is it possible to 3D print a lower section to pair w/ the original Crossfire air cleaner or is there too much rise now w/ new intake? Would look great to keep that original look.
I’ve actually been thinking of making an air cleaner base out of aluminum. I have seen a CFI air cleaner adapted to a single 4bbl, which is the same size neck as this single TBI. 👍
I noticed you don’t have any of the emissions equipment like the air pump lines, how did you remove it without the car throwing the CEL on or running bad??
@@Joesmusclecargarage Maybe you can help me, I have the CEL on for code 42 ( EST ) and I can’t figure out what the issue is. I’ve replaced the ignition coil, spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor and it’s still on. It’s an 82 crossfire
You don’t buy a “kit”. You go to the junkyard with your tools, find an L03, pull the top end off of it, bring it home, and replace the LU5 setup. It’s not hard or time consuming, and even an incompetent can knock it out in an afternoon.
@@Joesmusclecargarage I found a bracket for a 92 Camaro with TBI on Ebay. Do I need a different throttle cable or does the stock CF throttle cable insert into the 92 bracket.
Joe, I have been watching your videos. If you plan to put the crossfire back on and sell your TBI set up I am interested. If you are planning on leaving the TBI on and sell the renegade I am interested in that as well. Unfortunately, I just moved out of Los Feliz.
@@Joesmusclecargarage Joe Thanks for getting back to me. I just bought a TBI from SPR performance. I will be converting my crossfire to TBI soon. I am still deciding on the manifold. I have a X-celerator intake, single plane that will fit under my C4 hood, but it will kill torque down low. I am debating the EPS manifold with drop base air cleaner or new fiberglass cowl hood to give me the clearance to run any manifold I want. Your videos have been inspirational, thanks. No one is doing the TBI conversion.
The T/A is long gone. Sold it over 3 months ago to some stupid kid. Got back into foxbody Mustangs. Picked up an 89 LX. Going to be doing a video on it this weekend.
@@Joesmusclecargarage oh men, I also have a 82 T/A with due injections, and planning to upgrade to a duo carburetor, to keep it almost original.....do you still have the renegade intake?
1984 Corvette owner here.. Wondering if you could post the main parts that you used for this conversion? I'd like to copy your setup. Really looks awesome what you've done and don't think it would hurt the value, converting crossfire to TBI. Thank you for your posts!
It’s just a TBI manifold and throttle body from an 88-92 F-body, or 87-95 truck. Everything interchanges between 305 and 350. The only difference is the injectors. Since you have an L83, your best bet is to get a manifold and TB from a 350 truck. Use whatever air cleaner will fit under the low hood of the C4, and you’ll have to change your TV and throttle cable. Everything else is plug and play once you modify the CFI fuel lines for the single TBI.
I didn't think there was. But I was curious. I've never dabbled in the TBI world as I have only owned L98 cars but I am looking at some crossfire vehicles at the moment.
@@tymaginnis7746 You can take a CFI car a long way. There are legit CFI cars running deep in the 11s, still reliable, still driven on the street. If you’re good with tuning or know someone that is, you can do a lot while keeping the CFI.
@@Joesmusclecargarage Thanks for the reply. I've got an 84 corvette that I have owned since 1989 and I'd like to keep it looking stock but with a little bit more power. The car runs goods now but you always want more...
hi friend have exactly this car and have lot of problems with crossfire please can you say to me the instruction to swap it in tbi single? can you give me your email please? thank you
Joe, your videos inspired me to ditch the crossfire and upgrade to a SPR modified TBI on a Weiand X-cellerator intake. I took the 84 vette out and it outperforms the crossfire through the entire powerband. It is not the same car. My vette has a 350 not a 305. The car is insane fun to drive now. I have heads, headers and TKX transmission sitting in the garage. I need a week or two off from work to complete. Thanks for the videos.
Thanks Joe I guess I will have some parts now if I brake Injector pods. I Greatly appreciate The FAST Response. Happy Cruising
I only have a 1982 trans am with the lg4 but I really find this interesting, you are expanding the knowledge base and offering ideas and options for current third gen enthusiasts to consider
A single TBI is a simple swap even on an LG4 car.
I did this swap about 20 years ago on my 84 vette. I used a Holley tbi for a 87-89 Chevy 350 truck. The intake I used was Holleys tbi intake, it came with throttle cable brackets. Mine runs really well too. I think TBI systems run better when they have good flowing ports but a small plenum. Both the stock and Renegade intakes fail to have both of these, the stocker being worse.
Yeah I wasn’t a fan of the Renegade. The only reason I used it was because I got it for free and it was brand new. The single TBI ran circles around the Renegade in every way.
I totally understand your frustrations with the CFI but thanks to your input ive got an 8746 ecu and a Caprice 350 Police car stage 2 chip to go in my 83 Trans am when I put the 355 ive built with Aluminium heads that ive port matched to a Renegade manifold along with some fresh 2" bored throttle bodies. If and when i get the swap done my old throttle bodies may well be available for your car . I'll keep you posted.
Sounds like a nice build you’re doing! Not at all frustrated with the CFI, just out of options at the moment due to the worn linkage and improperly bushed TBs. I’ll eventually put the CFI back on, but for now I’m enjoying how great it’s running 👍
@@Joesmusclecargarage Sorry yes, I just meant your frustration over finding parts, not the actual functionality of the CFI. I love it and want to show what it can Really do. 👍
Either find the Fcar snorkle system or use the throttle body 90-deg elbow plus air cleaner found on the 4.1, 4.5 and 4.9 Cadillac engines for a cold air setup, slightly quieter too. Your vids are great btw, very clear.
Nicely done, this is just another example of how well you know these cars. If you have the time, I’ve found a carburetor restoration shop that I want to bush my TB’s, take a look the TB balance screw and assess the master/slave throttle linkage and I’m a little nervous about it. My CFI has the factory exhaust/emission system and I will need to address this area soon. I’d like to improve this area but am concerned with messing something up. Would welcome any advice you have. Thanks for all the great info!
Shoot me an email if you like roccojakubec@yahoo.com
Do you know if the Summit 1102 cam kit that you used will work with a 98-02 trans am ls1 engine?
Yes I do know, and it won’t. A Gen 1 cam is nowhere near interchangeable with ANY Gen III engine.
Hi Joe, I was wondering one of the next things to do on my 83 305 CFI is to get to the IAC, I changed the coolant temp sensor, CO2, replaced some hoses re possible vacuum leake. The car drives nice at temp, but remains at high revs in neutral once warm. I haven't changed or cleaned the IAC as yet? Any thoughts?
Joe I just purchased 2 tbi systems because I broke the fuel manage block. The problem is the unites I bought I was told that it was for a 82 corvette however; the tbi's are rodchester 24 and the Vett is Rodchester 22. I believe they are for a 305. Not sure if I should rebuild the 24 and put them on the 350? Good deals are some time not as good as you think. Let know what you think or maybe you can use these Tbi units. If you wish to see the 24 tbi I can send you pics to your email.
@@10rrace All CFI throttle bodies are the same; Rochester model 400. The difference is the injectors. You can swap the injectors accordingly depending on application. I don’t have any use for CFI parts anymore. I sold my T/A about 18 months ago
Hi , I have an 84 Vette with the Crossfire and want to go to that single TBI !!! did you or can you do a video on how to and what to use plz Thanks Tim!
So I recently purchased a 1982 C3 . It runs decent, but they are so limited on gaining power. Whereas I love how complex the system is, specifically with balancing vacuum pressure; My fear is that the best I will ever get is maybe a 30hp gain. My dilemma is where we have all been before. It's a numbers matching Crossfire Vette (AC even works) but I am looking for 400hp+. Can I get that kind of power from a Crossfire set-up or do I gut the whole top end for a carb or Stinger set-up? You seem to know Crossfires, I am an old school stroker and TBI guy.
First, the CFI is an extremely simple system. It’s really single digit IQ type stuff. You can take it as far as you want to, and can pick up a hell of a lot more than 30 horse. Bump timing and fuel pressure, port the base, remove swirl plates, 7747/8746 ECM swap. From there, the list is the same as any other car; cam, heads, gears, exhaust, converter. An 82 350 had the worst of the worst; corks for heads, broomstick for a cam, horrible exhaust, tall gears, 5550 ECM, etc. There are CFI street cars going deep 11s now.
Did you use a factory throttle body injection intake manifold and if so did you have to modify the center mounting bolts going into the cylinder heads?
I used an L03/L05 manifold and yes I had to elongate the center two bolt holes. I’m eventually going to change to a 4bbl manifold and an TBI adapter plate.
Joe, did you already have a ported CFI intake on it? Curious as to if just the larger(normal size) intake runners from the tbi manifold made any performance improvement? Asking since a lot of folks ditch the CFI due to the small intake ports and instead of taking time to port the CFI they just punt and stick a carburetor on it?
Because you have so much experience with the CFI I would like to ask another question. People claim the small runners were to increase air velocity to help reduce fuel puddling in slower driving. Would porting the stock CFI and switching from 2.83 to 3.73 rear gears not mask or eliminate fuel puddling due to higher rpm’s at same slow speed driving as before? The increased rpm’s would be an increased intake charge too would it not?
I did have a ported base on the car before I put the single TBI on it. And yes, there was a huge performance improvement with the single TBI. I honestly didn’t think there would be, but the difference was huge. The car even pulls harder than it did with the Renegade I had on it a year ago.
You are correct about the reason for the choked down runners. It was done to increase port velocity. With the original designs of the manifold, they had problems with poor fuel atomization due to the large runner volume and overall runner length. Changing to a lower gear ratio would not have a positive effect on the puddling issue if you were to have a standard size runner on a CFI manifold base. I have 3.73s in my 83 and when I removed the ported CFI manifold to swap the single TBI on, there was fuel puddled in the manifold. In some spots, the fuel was puddles 1/4-3/8 deep. My manifold isn’t completely hogged out either. I shortened the runners roughly 1.25”, gasket matched, and opened up the entire length of the runners. I also trimmed the swirl plates. Even though good gains can be had by porting the stock manifold, it is still poor, as a result of the overall design of it. All you would benefit from a gear swap is WOT performance. Your low RPM operation would fall to the same issues that were had when the manifold was originally designed.
Getting rid of my Crossfire Setup in my 84 Corvette switching over to a FiTech EFI myself, Although not going to lie but the thought came into my mind to try and run 2 systems on the crossfire intake but I think that mod would be too much for my stock cam and heads, Still looking for everything? LOL
What fuel supply and return lines and brake did you use? From another car or did you just bend them and make them?
I made them, just like I stated in the video.
@@Joesmusclecargarage My 82 odometer / speedometer cable works when you spin it and the speed needle moves as well as the odometer but when you plug it into the Cruise control transducer and drive the car it doesn’t work. Any ideas?
@robinlovescars The gears in the transducer are stripped.
@@Joesmusclecargarage did you have to make any modifications to the manifold for it to fit? Bracket from carb car for alternator will work right? I also noticed you didn’t have a transducer for cruise control, how did you run your speedo cable? I will probably do that instead of the transducer, less hectic
There is a place in Florida that can rebuild your throttle bodies back to brand new , guaranteed carburetors
It’s not a matter of having the TBs rebuilt. I can bush them. The problem is whoever bushed them in the past put bushings with too large of an OD in. The TBs are junk.
Is it possible to 3D print a lower section to pair w/ the original Crossfire air cleaner or is there too much rise now w/ new intake? Would look great to keep that original look.
I’ve actually been thinking of making an air cleaner base out of aluminum. I have seen a CFI air cleaner adapted to a single 4bbl, which is the same size neck as this single TBI. 👍
I noticed you don’t have any of the emissions equipment like the air pump lines, how did you remove it without the car throwing the CEL on or running bad??
It’s an archaic OBD-1 ECM. The ECM doesn’t check for cat efficiency, A.I.R. operation, EGR function, etc.
@@Joesmusclecargarage That just goes for the 8746 not the 5055 right?
@robinlovescars It goes for any GM OBD-1 ECM.
What rockers and springs did you end up using with the single tbi setup?
@@Joesmusclecargarage Maybe you can help me, I have the CEL on for code 42 ( EST ) and I can’t figure out what the issue is. I’ve replaced the ignition coil, spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor and it’s still on. It’s an 82 crossfire
where do i buy the conversion kit for my 83 cfi, it has a 305, its either this or convert it to the carbureted. thankyou
You don’t buy a “kit”. You go to the junkyard with your tools, find an L03, pull the top end off of it, bring it home, and replace the LU5 setup. It’s not hard or time consuming, and even an incompetent can knock it out in an afternoon.
Joe, what do I need for throttle linkage brackets?
L03/L05 bracket
@@Joesmusclecargarage I found a bracket for a 92 Camaro with TBI on Ebay. Do I need a different throttle cable or does the stock CF throttle cable insert into the 92 bracket.
@michaelhelsley4133 The LU5/L83 cable has a too long. Grab the L03 cable
@@Joesmusclecargarage I finished the conversion. My 350 vette is insane now.
Joe, I have been watching your videos. If you plan to put the crossfire back on and sell your TBI set up I am interested. If you are planning on leaving the TBI on and sell the renegade I am interested in that as well. Unfortunately, I just moved out of Los Feliz.
I sold that car and all of my CFI/TBI stuff almost a year ago.
@@Joesmusclecargarage Joe Thanks for getting back to me. I just bought a TBI from SPR performance. I will be converting my crossfire to TBI soon. I am still deciding on the manifold. I have a X-celerator intake, single plane that will fit under my C4 hood, but it will kill torque down low. I am debating the EPS manifold with drop base air cleaner or new fiberglass cowl hood to give me the clearance to run any manifold I want. Your videos have been inspirational, thanks. No one is doing the TBI conversion.
Great job well done, what will be your next project on the T/A?
The T/A is long gone. Sold it over 3 months ago to some stupid kid. Got back into foxbody Mustangs. Picked up an 89 LX. Going to be doing a video on it this weekend.
@@Joesmusclecargarage oh men, I also have a 82 T/A with due injections, and planning to upgrade to a duo carburetor, to keep it almost original.....do you still have the renegade intake?
@@xtransam9970 Nope. That sucker is long gone too.
1984 Corvette owner here.. Wondering if you could post the main parts that you used for this conversion? I'd like to copy your setup. Really looks awesome what you've done and don't think it would hurt the value, converting crossfire to TBI. Thank you for your posts!
It’s just a TBI manifold and throttle body from an 88-92 F-body, or 87-95 truck. Everything interchanges between 305 and 350. The only difference is the injectors. Since you have an L83, your best bet is to get a manifold and TB from a 350 truck. Use whatever air cleaner will fit under the low hood of the C4, and you’ll have to change your TV and throttle cable. Everything else is plug and play once you modify the CFI fuel lines for the single TBI.
I’m going to do the same thing as this thank you for all the info I’m also in az if you want the old cfi system joe it’s yours
@@Mushie90 I’d like to take you up on that. What part of AZ are you in? I’m in north Glendale.
I’m in camp verde short trip up the 17
@@Mushie90 I’ll have to meet up with you sometime soon. I go up to Prescott valley a couple times a month.
What did you do for the torque converter lockout?
Everything functioned as it did with the CFI.
Joe do you have a Renagade intake manifold you would sell?
Nope. Long gone
Are you using a factory 4 barrel TBI??
There is no such thing as a factory 4 barrel TBI. GM never made one. It’s an L03/L05 top end.
I didn't think there was. But I was curious. I've never dabbled in the TBI world as I have only owned L98 cars but I am looking at some crossfire vehicles at the moment.
@@tymaginnis7746 You can take a CFI car a long way. There are legit CFI cars running deep in the 11s, still reliable, still driven on the street. If you’re good with tuning or know someone that is, you can do a lot while keeping the CFI.
What are you going to do with the Renegade manifold?
The Renegade is long gone. I sold it about a year ago. This single TBI runs circles around the Renegade and gets better gas mileage.
@@Joesmusclecargarage Thanks for the reply. I've got an 84 corvette that I have owned since 1989 and I'd like to keep it looking stock but with a little bit more power. The car runs goods now but you always want more...
You got all the original gauges to read?
Of course. The gauges have nothing to do with the type of induction.
Thank you!
I'll sell you my cross fire stuff 200 if you still need them
Don’t need it anymore. Dumped the car 6 months ago
hi friend have exactly this car and have lot of problems with crossfire please can you say to me the instruction to swap it in tbi single? can you give me your email please? thank you