I like my firebird but its possible that it might need a new engine and I dont really want to get a V8 because I need somesort or fuel efficiency. If i rebuilt this engine would be it be reliable? Can I put another more reliable V6 in it if it isnt reliable?

 

Do yourself a favor and NEVER rebuild a 2.8!

My car came with a 2.8, it lasted 4k miles with a 6 inch crack in the block shooting coolant along the frame rail. All together the engine had 109k on it when i pulled it and replaced it with a v8.

You can do a 3.4 swap. Do a search and look up keds tech post on it. Theirs alot of people who have done it by now. Also you'll probably get more help on the v6 section then on here.

BTW on the gas usage thing. A trip to the shore with the old v6 used $30 in gas.

Same trip this past weekend with the v8 used $20.

I do however use alot more gas with the v8 then i did with the v6 if i drive around the city.

 

There's a technical article on swapping a 3.4. I replaced the 2.8 in my Jeep with a 3.4. The 3.4 is a far better engine. I got the crate 3.4 for about $1700. You can't rebuild that 2.8, and do it right, for that price.

 

my 2.8 was a very reliable engine, in 80K and 5 years it never stranded me once. Of course that ol trooper of an engine had to go to make way for the 350.

 

My 84 had a carb'd 2.8 5 speed and it had 287,000 miles when it finally gave up and cracked a head. and i beat on it pretty good the last 40,000 of it's life ($100.00 car)

 

im still beating the crap out of an old 2.8 in one of my cars. 80K and still doesnt burn any oil to speak of. had one that lasted 230K and was still running when the car finally just fell apart

 

2.8 in Cavalier: 157k sold car, no oil burning whatsoever.
3.1 in Grand Prix 148k sold car, etc...
3.1 in Lumina 138k sold car, etc...
3.1 was in Lumina 131k now sitting in garage wondering what to do with.

I think these engines are underrated in reliability. Power on the other hand, is sort of lacking.

 

My college roommate bought a Chevy S-10 Blazer with the 2.8L V-6 and the 700R4 tranny. He towed trailers in moves all over the country as well as boats to and from the coast with that setup. He sold the Blazer with about 275,000 miles on it about two years ago. The last I heard it was STILL on the road!!!

The 2.8 was a GREAT engine!

Have you thought about the 4.3? It is also mated with the 700R4 in various GM applications. The vortec 4.3 has the same HP rating as a 305, but a better power band... I have 223,000 miles on a 4.3 in a '92 S10 p/u.

I am not sure what would be involved with a swap like this but I doubt it would be all that difficult...

If I were swapping, it would be to a 350 though!

Good Luck!
Speedy

 

Well I still have no clue whats wrong with my car but if its not the engine then I probably wont upgrade it. Im thinking that I am gonna have a 1200 dollar bill ahead of me for fixing this thing completely. lots of electrical probs and other things that will get fixed.

 

What kind of troubles are you having with your car? Why did you think the motor was dying? Give us some symptoms and we might be able to help track down the cause...