I came across a web page that claims to have a few fairly simple methods to increase the 2.8 around 50 HP. The page is at

www.4x4wire.com/tech/60degreev6/index.htm

I was wondering if anyone has tried these things and what the results were. I am also interested in any other upgrades that were affective at improveing HP.

 

Well with the mods they mentioned, 50 hp is definitely achievable I think, though few have hit it. But that's not simple slap it on and go stuff! Roller rockers, a cam, a computer...those can all become fairly in depth, depending on how radical you want to go with them.

Now, SOME snippets from that side did make me laugh though... Like this one:

"the most notable gain to be had is from the addition of a high-flow throttle body. Good for approximately 20 hp"

Yeah, and I'm the pope. I give it 5-10 hp absolute tops. Granted, a lot of these mods are listed for the TBI motors, which are quite a bit lower powered and different than ours...and the throttle body is for the TBI motor I believe...but I still doubt the TBI throttle body is THAT bad that you can gain 20 hp from it alone.
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My recommendations for initial modifications:
*Major tuneup....search for TomP's tuneup if you havent already
*2.5" mandrel bent catback exhaust, with a new converter/converter delete pipe
*Intake modification
*Underdrive pulleys

Those four things will give you the best bang for your buck immediately. Then you can start looking at the other stuff.

 

20hp from a bigger throttle body?

 

I beat you to it, Dow!!!

 

I'd say an honest 20hp to the rear wheels, with all those upgrades (depending on how wild a cam you go)

 

Little pessimistic there dontcha think?

 

ARG!! Sleepin' at the tree again. *sighs*

 

Not at all. about 5hp for the intake side, with another 5-7 on the exhaust. Another 10-15 for the cam... eh... ok, maybe 20-30. Still, without any head work, a big, lumpy cam won't yield great results....

 

Lol...reminds me of my first drag strip run. R/T: .998

Damn good point though about the heads.

 

I haven't read the full story yet, trying to get past the pic of the 3.4, with the 3.4 ON IT, being labeled a 2.8

 

Nixon1, what type of intake mod would you recomend. Also, would I benefit much from a newer (or none at all) catalytic converter and headers in front of the cat back

 

Headers in front of the catback you sure your Y-pipe won't mind?

A gutted or high flow cat will only show improvement at high RPM's a high flow cat won't rob you of any HP compared to gutting it.

 

Intake, it's tricky to say. If you have a 2.8, I'd recommend finding a factory dual snorkel intake setup if you dont already have one...and cut the baffles out on the bottom. If you've got a later one, with the intake arm and filter-in-can...you can always pick up some Home Depot stuff and build a cold air intake yourself...

A new catalytic converter would be an improvement over the stock one....I wouldnt recommend gutting the cat. Gutting the cat creates an expansion chamber that creates turbulence inside it. The best solution if you're going to run cat-less is to run a straight pipe in place of the converter.

Headers, good luck finding em!

Y pipe...same!

 

I would like to play around with my V6 but I think I'd just settle for a big old crate V8 between my fenders and about $20k