Here's what I would like to do. I want to get some more lower end speed and hoping to lower my high end RPM's a bit. When cruising at 80MPH I'm pushing 3K RPM. I do this everyday monday thru friday for about 85 miles (traffic gets in the way for the rest of the 170 miles) and I'm worried that hold the car at this RPM range may cause it's end (I may be wrong).

Would a six speed tranny help with this? What other things would help me do this. I really don't want to lose to much top end speed, but would like to come off the line a bit faster.

 

I dont think it will hurt you that much.
Just slow down to 80, and it will drop to like 2500 rpm's if your so woried...

 

IF your timing chain is strong and your engine is strong, do it at 85.
IF NOT do 70 be safer.

 

You'll be just fine with you're current set-up if you just keep the mantainence up (fluid changes and such)! The 2.8 in my Jeep runs at 3K rpm at 55MPH, and this is the "old style" 2.8 (carb'd). It's at 186K miles now and still runs like a top, although it is starting to develop a knock at idle due to (I believe) the cam bearings being worn. But, like I said, it's the old style 2.8, the newer ones are much more reliable!

 

I had my carb'd 2.8 until 211,500 miles.
Tips.
Change oil, change antifreeze.
Let it knock.
For oil, add one can of 20-50 to three cans of 5-30.
"Cures" the Knock.
Your oil pressure should still be at 40 at cruising, right?
ALSO be aware of your balancer.
Mine separated in my hand, the rubber ring was so worn down.
The biggest weakness, right now, is the head gaskets.
If you notice slight water dropping level, head gasket sealing is wearing out, soon.
More pep?
Rebuild distributor and rebuild carb throttle shaft plate. Those will swap over to a 3.4, as I am doing, now to my 85 Blazer.
In future I will be reinstalling the complete 3.4 ignition/induction set up I received with purchase of my 95 3.4 long block.
Not exactly easy, but, I got everything, so.....
It'll look BITCHIN'!!! one day.

 

I don't think you have to worry about it, either. Biggest thing that'll hurt is the gas mileage, that's all. At those high rpm's on the highway, your engine isn't really under much load. If you were towing a heavy trailer at 85mph/3000 RPM on the highway, then, you'd probably need to worry.

 

I sure hope you dont try to pull a trailer with a 2.8...

It would look pretty funny though

 

I pull a trailer with my 2.8 all the time. But, my 2.8 is in my Jeep. With 4.11's, a 2.8 pulls a load real nice!

 

Damn, what kinda gas milage do you get with that?

 

13-14 mpg. Just one more reason why I'm dropping in a MPFI 2.8

 

DO 70MPH!!! I can barly stand to do that when the traffic is clear! Well at lest I learned that there's not to much to worry about. I'm going to be replacing the timing chain and water pump soon. The water pump is starting to leak just a tad so I figure I will just replace it while I'm there. My 3.1 runs nice and strong (with 197,000 miles) which makes it kinda hard to get up the nerve to replace these two parts. I've all ways gone by the saying "if it aint broke don't fix it!".

How about improving the take off a bit. Would bigers be the ticket? due to the amount I drive every day I don't to affect the gas milage much.

 

When confronted with that problem and a car I like, I ask myself,
Will this stuff swap over to the next engine?
IF yes, then do it.
Is there a local Pep Boys by ya?