i just picked up a 87' S10 with a 2.8 TBI in it. im looking to see what i can do to get a little more nuts out of it, its got a 700r4. i did a new tune up with all new wires cap, plug,..etc i cut off the cat and put in a straight pipe with a dynomax muffler. i really havent messed with these engines before so im not too sure on what other stuff i can do. im not looking to spend a fortune but a little bit to get some more power, let me know what things i can do.

 

also how do i check the timing on this engine? the manual says to take off this one wire for the timing advance but i dont see where it is.

 

If your looking to spend about 1000, you can slap a supercharger ontop of the 2.8 tbi

 

Holly makes a oversized TBI for the 2.8l. Cost a tad, but should be well worth it. Headers, chip, pullys. That should get you some good power gains.

On my s10, the timing wire is under the dash, passenger side. Its a tan wire, with a black clip. If its never been tampered with, it will have some black elec. tape holding it up to the rest of the harness.

 

Won't that blow the bottom end off the engine??? I've heard that the crankshafts and connecting rods in the 2.8's are weak links...

 

BAck in early 90's Sport Truck mag hopped up a 4.3 Blazer
How
Electrical, used a Jacobs ignition system & Plug wires
Exhaust used Edelbrock 4.3 EPA approved headers (no one make 2.8 TBI headers, but correct me if wrong) & replaced complete exhaust system except CC
TBI
Rebuilt it using an adjustable Chrylser Fuel Pressure regulator (made by Rochester!), shaved off top of the lip of the TBI, cleaned injectors & RAISED the injectors by using an extra top spacer.
Added K & N filter & increased air flow to air cleaner ("Ram Air" like I have done to my Blazer).

Their gain was about 1.6 sec for 0-60MPH.
Rebuild your distb, try the TBI tricks.
Holley does offer a rebuilt or "new" TBI, yet.......
Good luck

 

Ked, I have headers for a 2.8l

 

It could happen with any motor...

The 80-84 2.8's are weaker in this area as they have smaller main bearing journals.

In 85 -up the main bearing journals were enlarged making them much more durable.

 

Whenever I refer to "headers" for our 3rd Gen V-6 rides, I mean street legal CARB numbered headers.
I am unaware of TBI 2.8 headers being street legal.
Are they?

 

OO, I was talking for s10 2.8tbi headers. My bad

 

Only 2.8 headers I know of being street legal are for the up to 1985 S-10 2.8 engine (all 50 state) carb. Also same in Jeep, too.
And the 4.3 TBI engine for the same vehicle.
I've heard of others getting away with others, tho.
Wish it was that way in CA. Not anymore unless you're real lucky or you really know someone

 

what are some of the throttle body tricks i can do? i've only really worked with carbs before and TBI is new to me, also i have a msd blaster II coil with 2 prongs i used on my 68 gto, would this be able to work on my S10 or would i need to get a special coil?

 

Read my response earlier.