Learn me C4 Corvettes

Specifically, 1984 with the crossfire and automatic.

I would mostly be using it as a weekend cruiser/fun car. Looking for info on reliability, ease of maintenance, and problem areas to look for.

I would give the body/paint an 8.5 or 9 out of 10. Wheels are 8/10. Gonna try to take it for a test drive next week. If it starts/runs/shifts normally, can I really go wrong if I get it for < $4K?

Check the Dash to make sure if it all works - if it doesn't Cha Ching. Not too sure ont he Cross fire , ours has an L98

Dad has a crossfire. Dash was $180 to get it shipped out and fixed. Works like a charm now. Expect squeaks, rattles and broken switches/knobs. But it's a 26 year old car. That is to be expected.

I know the biggest suprise I had on my first drive with it was the instant torque. The ass kicks sideways fairly easily when on it. Ride is firm, borderline harsh but it corners flat.

If I recall correctly, 1984 is the C4 that you don't want.

Woody wrote: If I recall correctly, 1984 is the C4 that you don't want.

Please expound.

I've been more and more curious about C4's lately. As if I didn't have one too many 80's sportscars.

there was a thread on these recently, let's see what I can remember

it's one car where automatic transmission might be better than a manual - I think the 1984 cars had the 4+3 manual which doesn't get good reviews

I remember something about wheel bearings and some other regular maintenance parts that cost a lot more than you would think. Might be worth checking some prices before you commit to a car.

Lots of dash/electrics type of issues. The vibe I got was that these cars make for cheap fun weekend cars, but a pain for more regular use.

I've been working on mine: fun car, but frankly I'm astounded at how many times the GM parts guys tells me "No longer available".

I NEVER ran into that with 25 yr old BMW's.

The ride is...abrupt, but steering response and chassis feedback (at least on RA1's) seems pretty stellar on relatively smooth pavement. My wife reckons that it's simply a street legal go-kart.
It's also a lot smaller in real life than I thought it was.

Apparently there are issues with the earlier cars and wiring harnesses that disintegrate. Automatics have weaker rear ends than manual cars. The Crossfire is the least desireable engine.

Unless it is really cheap, I'd look for an L98 -- C4 prices are really low right now, so it shouldn't be hard to find one.

We bought our 87 new and for the soul purpose of autocrossing. The 4+3 has never skipped a beat.

Auto cars have a Dana 36 , manuals have a Dana 44

We have replaced an alternator and brake booster and that's it.

Maintenance is key.

84 Z51's had some ridiculous lateral G numbers.

I just remember the joke: 'cease-fire injection'.

Just swap in an LS engine and appropriate trans and go crazy.

i remember hearing lots of chatter regarding he f body crossfire motors catching fire a lot. i'm not sure if it is true or urban legend stuff as i have never owned one or known anyone who did. my 84 f body had some pretty lousy emissions stuff on it though. it seemed like the learning curve was pretty steep for gm when the emissions rules first got started so you should plan to strip that e36 m3 out as soon as possible if it isnt already gone. just fyi. i think that manifold set up is pretty limited for aftermarket upgrades anyway so unless you are purist or historian you will probably end up ditching it later anyway. good news is almost any other small block through the ls release will both right up so if the engine goes later there are easy and cheap options out there.

Weren't the '84 Vettes only rated at 120hp stock? I remember an article comparing it to the '94 Escort GT(because I had one), stating that the Escort meet/beat the performance of the 10-year prior Vette.

Of course, regardless of stock power, cheap power is an easy upgrade.

Instructions at the shops I worked at when one of these come in and need to go on a lift; pop the doors to the first latch so the car can flex around and not shatter the door glass. Pop the hatch and make sure it stays unlatched so the hatch glass doesn't shatter as the car twists around while being lifted. Put effort into making sure all lifting pads on the lift are contacting the correct points so it's lifted as evenly as possible.

If you can get this car for a few grand then okay. Then go find an LS type engine to swap in; if you can find a 5.3 aluminum truck engine with auto trans and computer for not too much cash that's the direction I'd take. Cross-fire isn't a great setup in any measurable way (perf or reliability) and the interiors don't seem to hold up real well. Thankfully the aftermarket has the suspension covered and I think the brakes are good out of the box.

I want to like these cars but can't.

Cross fires in vettes were 205hp.

Shatter the glass? Err?? That makes no sense at all , and this is coming from someone who has had one in the stable along with other vettes for over 20 years. Don't confuse a car that has creaks and rattles with a rigid chassis

To like one you have to get past the dash and creaks and drive it. I can tell you that it is far easier to drive at the limit (and more fun) then our 997S. I am pretty sure one unnamed poster in this thread bought one after driving ours on several occasions..

84 Crossfire isn't unreliable, just down on power compared to later ones. Dashes can be rebuilt on the cheap these days as already noted. Front wheel bearings can be replaced with f-body units for less than the C4-specific ones - check the tech articles in Corvette Forum for details. Rear wheel bearings are modestly expensive but not budget-busters. Headlight motors on the early cars are weak but can be rebuilt at home with some patience and cheap parts to replace the delrin/nylon gears or bushings. Be good to the weatherstripping, its the part of a C4 that ages least well but isn't too expensive to replace if you shop around. The only really pricey item any more is the AC compressor for some reason. The early C4s are pretty cheap and it's wise to hold out for the best one you can find, but the one you are looking at sounds like it could be a good get. You will probably enjoy it for the use you've described.

'84 had the stiffest suspension ever put on a Corvette. Their base suspension was stiffer than the later sport suspension options. The only odd things about the Crossfire are its intake and ECU, which hold it back a bit but can be swapped to later (or aftermarket) items if you decide you want more power.

Didn't a few C4's do really well at the scca nationals this year?

I lusted for a C4 'Vette when I was 13. If I found a screaming deal on one, I'd take it.

I'd love to find an 84 with a dead drive train and a 99-03 GM truck that was wrapped around a tree. I think the two would make awesome babies.

In reply to AutoXR:

So you hear the structure creaking and you think that means it's stiff? I can only repeat what I know about these cars for guys that didn't want to get sued for breaking windows out of the thing.

Maybe this has never happened once, just take it with a grain of salt.

Been around the corvette community a longggg time , never heard of that @ all. But Ok...

nothing wrong with a crossfire.

friend had one, she was .3 behind my 91 L98 at the strip. not bad at all. the ride in the 84 is STIFF - very nice in my book.

instant torque off idle is fun. so is going around corners as fast as you feel like pushing it. when i got my sticky tires i was a very happy camper.

i'm contemplating the LS swap with mine right now as i'm in very deep messing with things.

AutoXR wrote: We have replaced an alternator and brake booster and that's it.

What was the symptom that led you to replace the brake booster? My dad has a '94 that I'm convinced needs a new brake booster, based on the fact that the pedal takes far more effort than I think it should. He insists it's fine

Thanks!

Same as you , pedal effort, almost like it was manual brakes.