I have a 1988 Firebird with a 173 ci 2.8 L motor in it. I'm wanting to swap it with a more powerful V6, but I don't want to have to make alot of modifications so it can be swapped into my F'bird. What is the most powerful V6 that can be swapped easily with the 2.8 L V6? What modifications would be required to put in a 4.3 L V6? I'm wanting to put a more powerful V6 (than the 2.8 L) and then either twin turbo charge it or supercharge it. Which would you recommend for the most increase in acceleration and power? If any one can help me with these questions it would be much appreciated. Thanks for your time.

------------------
Rocky H.

[This message has been edited by Rizock2000 (edited August 30, 2001).]

 

With out a lot of modifications you have to stick with the 2.8L-3.4L line. Check out http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...d=741&pid=3516 I don't know what the deal is with it since they don't give a description but its worth a call.

 

find a 3.8L v6 Turbo off of a Buick, that would probably be the most powerful v6 (245HP) but pretty hard to find, other than that, look for a truck engine they have high HP and alot of torque.

 

Hey,

I dont think the camaros 3.4 would work or any other production 3.4 will work. The camaros doesnt work with a distributor and all 3.4s were made in front wheel drives and dohc. There is a 3.4 that you can buy for replacements for 2.8s in carbed s-10s. You should be able to run that easily with a carb. ON the 4.3 matter, youll need a new intake manifold and a carb. You also need a different transmission. Somehow it bolts up different. Not sure.

 

Somebody needs to tell KED85 his 3.4 won't work, although he's been driving it for over 6 months... I'm trying to remember what it came out of but I know it is a stock, used longblock from a late model.

The 4.3 will work, but get out your welder.

The 3.8 is about as close as you'll get to a bolt in. Your going to need RWD heads for it, the FWD pieces are different and IIRC will not fit our engine bays.

 

you could always go with a 3.8 from a 4th gen camaro, they have almost 195 hp , get headers, roller rockers,better intake/exaust get a MSI distribution unit and maybe a bigger cam. it would probably do 250 hp-270hp

------------------
LT1 POWERED
HEADMANS HEADERS
NEARLY 300 HP.

KILLED:
98 MUSTANG GT CONV.
88-89 MUSTANG 5.0 CONV.

next mods:
crane roller rockers 1.6
lt4 hotcam kit
airfoil
58MM edelbrock trottle body
new paint (wet look blue)
17' rims with 275 zr 40 and 245 zr40

 

Putting in a 3.8 or 4.3 is just as hard as putting in a small block. They're both 90 degree motors just like the small blocks. The 3.4 is the biggest direct swap you can use. The 3.4 out of a newer camaro would work best with its intake/accessories/computer, but if you swapped your 2.8 intake over you should be able to use your 2.8 distributer, computer and accessories. At the most you may need a cam swap if the newer 3.4 doesn't have a distributer gear on it.

Some FWD cars came with the SOHC 3.4, but my understanding is that the block on FWD cars is somewhat different and in order to bolt a RWD transmission to it you'll need to grind some of it away.

------------------

The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
Custom Thirdgen Subwoofer Enclosures
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

 

**** v6's put in a 350....

------------------
Drive it like you stole it

 

the easiest swap would be to pull a 3.4 froma 4th gen. you can find them for around 500-1000 at a junkyard used with low mileage. the problem with 3.8 and 4.3 is that both are *90 V6, which is esentially a small block V8 minus two cylanders. you would need a new tranny for the 3.8 or 4.3. a stock 3.4 has about 165-180 hp, depending on what model you find. i have seen them modded out to put out aobut 230 hp, and heard of people getting even more than that. also, if you live in a state that does emissions and does an engine check to make sure you didnt do a swap, all you have to do is keep the 2.8 manifold on it.

Just my .02.

------------------
1988 Camaro
2.8 with T5
K&N
Soon to be CAI or Ram Air...
http://www.nothingssafe.com

 

Well, everyone is talking about the easiest and cheapest, so I'll be different. You could always put a V-6 from a new BMW M3. 345 HP baby!

 

since when has the M3 had a V6 LMAO

------------------
-Tas
'89 Formula WS-6

305, TBI, auto, 14x3 chrome flat based open element with K&N, Milodon 160* thermo, functional Formula hood, cross-flow Flowmaster, '99z28 rear pipes and tips....

To be installed eventually far far far into the future: Yours if the price is right and I don't have to ship :
Hooker 1-5/8" 50 state legal headers, Dynomax 3" I pipe (PN 44063 and 43248), Catco 3" cat, and injector spacer.

Super GRK_Taz World
F-Body Dual Exaust
EFI & Intake Options
AOL IM: superGRtaz

 

You all are WRONG, the 3.4 swaps right in, go over to the V6 board and talk to KED85, he got his 3.4L engine out of a 1994-1995 Camaro, works great, all you need is the block, your heads and all your stuff, includeing your transmission and exhaust will work, go talk to KED85, he has a great post. 3.8L will not work unless you get a V8 transmission because a 3.8L is a 90* engine and the 2.8/3.1/3.4 are 60* motors.

When talking about the V6 go to the V6 board

 

If you're actually serious about a turbo setup on the V6 then save yourself a ton of money and effort and put in a 350. This sounds like one of those projects where the guy says, "I wish I had never tried it."

 

Oops! Sorry, musta lost my head, lol.

 

Take a chill ryan. Go back and read people saying that he can do a 3.4L. As for being wrong, you are. The 3.8L is buick based and wont bolt to a chevy v8 tranny. The most powerful v6 will be a turbo 3.8L. GM made WAYYY more of them than the water intercooled turbo 4.3L v6. It has a much better aftermarket too.

------------------
-Tas
'89 Formula WS-6

305, TBI, auto, 14x3 chrome flat based open element with K&N, Milodon 160* thermo, functional Formula hood, cross-flow Flowmaster, '99z28 rear pipes and tips....

To be installed eventually far far far into the future: Yours if the price is right and I don't have to ship :
Hooker 1-5/8" 50 state legal headers, Dynomax 3" I pipe (PN 44063 and 43248), Catco 3" cat, and injector spacer.

Super GRK_Taz World
F-Body Dual Exaust
EFI & Intake Options
AOL IM: superGRtaz


[This message has been edited by Tas (edited September 15, 2001).]