Heh, TomP is stopping in now and then
There's a book "Rebuilding your GM V6 60-degree block" by Tom Currao. Look for it now, because it's out of print, and hard to find! I nabbed mine from
http://www.barnesandnoble.com a few months ago.
You don't "really" need special tools. If you have a machine shop do everything -except- final assembly, you don't need any tools. This means the machine shop would do the usual prep work to the block, rods, & crankshaft. Next, they'd also measure/fit/select crankshaft bearings, pistons, and piston rings. Finally, you'd just put the block together.
Specialized tools will allow you to measure for yourself which piston goes into which bore, and which ring sizes you need, and which bearings you need.
The combination of tools you'll need for measuring "inside" diameters is a set of telescoping "snap" gauges, and a set of micrometers. To measure "outside" diameters, such as journal sizes or piston sizes, you'd just use the micrometers. I was recently told on the tech board that my dial calipers will also work for measuring outside surfaces, but I need to take more measurements to make sure of accuracy.
Besides that, you need a torque wrench.
For Xmas I got a Mitutoyo dial indicator, Precise AGD dial stand, and Precise dial calipers (metric & standard) from my girlfriend. All I need to do is hunt down some large calipers and snap gauges, and I'll be set with my rebuild tools.
10.1 compression will probably kill your computer. Stock compression for a 2.8 is 8.9:1. You can probably go up a few points with shaved heads, check with the machine shop on it.
Rebuild kits with forged pistons are available, but for $300 more. If nitrous use will be extensive, you might want to spring for the forged units. When I do my rebuild, I'll use cast pistons- mainly because my original equipment cast pistons have lasted so damn long, I have faith in 'em. Also, the most major cause of nitrous (NOS is a maker of nitrous oxide systems by the way) damage is when an engine runs low on fuel pressure- that's what burns pistons. If you make sure your pump can handle higher pressure, you probably won't melt through a piston.
Rods can probably be re-used, have them checked for cracks (magnafluxed). Crank should be able to be re-used, also.
http://www.northernautoparts.com sells I think a 2.8 crank (rebuilt) for $40 if your crank is screwed up- and yes you need to mail them your old one for a $150 core charge.
Any rebuilding book should be able to help you with the V6; there's not much specific to the V6 (if any)!
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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from
http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
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