Hey, I've got a sweet '86 Camaro, V-6 2.8, rebuilt a/t, but the engine is blown. Going to splurge on a nice motor after Christmas. I drive it really hard, so I was going to ask for advice on what you guys think I should do to make it cherry without being scary.

 

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Go for it. I have an 86 Camaro also. Did the same swap. You'll love it. And while your trying to blow that motor up, might as well get started on the newer bigger motor project. Like Qwk said. It'll keep getting bigger and bigger. So much fun.

Brad...



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1986 SC Camaro
Mods: Threw 2.8 in garbage, put in rebuilt
350 .060 over, XE268H Comp cam, Edlebrock
Performer Intake and Edlebrock 600 CFM Carb,
Pete Jackson noisy GearDrive (which sounded
cool for about 5 minutes, now I'm sick of it)
Rebuilt TH350, 3.42 Rear Gears. LCA RLB's.
B&M Mega Shifter.
Now has T5 in it. YES!!!
CenterForce Dual Friction Clutch.

 

You're from California - does that mean you have emissions inspection/testing to worry about? If so, tread very carefully. You'll have to install or match every factory piece of emissions equipment. That means computer controls, and your V6 parts (including that rebuilt tranny) won't work on any V8 you might choose.

Mine is an emissions-legal swap, and I can say I wouldn't have started it had I known what I do after discovering this board and benefiting from the wisdom shared here.

You might consider a 3.4 crate engine from GM. Technically, it isn't a legal replacement although your computer controls and tranny will work, and it isn't a direct bolt-in (no mechanical fuel pump mount and the oil pan needs to be swapped); but it's not a bad choice for improvement in power. And, it won't be as hard to do as a V8 swap or as scary as a ZZ4.

Don't even consider the 330 horse 350HO crate engine with those Vortec heads if any of the emissions things apply to you.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4, 2300 stall TC. Ported World 305 heads, Crane PowerMax 2050 cam. ZZ3/4 intake, oil pump, pan & baffle. Accel HEI SuperCoil & module. Hooker 2055 headers, 3" Catco cat & 3" catback w/dual-opposite Flowmaster 80. 2.93 limited slip. Spohn SFCs waiting to be installed. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily year-round driver. Best ET, speed TBD...
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. '66 396, 9.7:1 forged TRWs, Weiand Action+, Holley 750VS w/4150 conversion, GK 270 cam, Magnum rockers, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders & 3" Warlocks, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, MegaShifter, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Idles smooth @ 700 RPM in D. Best 15.02/95.06 @ 5800' Bandimere (corrected 13.93/102.4 @ sea level).