Daishi

I am looking for a camaro with the 2.8L

I was just curious..... How does everyone feel about them.. are they seriously lacking in power... Breakdowns? Torque?

I need some reader reviews on how these engines are holding up.

brobert

125 - 145 hp depending on the year i think its like 160 or so tq. It has enough power for normal driving but if you want to race then get a v8 or at least a 3.4 . One good thing is the #>$ and @>* block are basicaly the same so you can drop in a 3.4 and put the 2.8 crap on top, plus you can use the 3.4 cam in the 2.8 etc. :lala: :lala: :lala:

uthertheweak

I think that the 2.8 has medium *****, i have raced hondas and found i have no problem beating them, so if youre just going to street race, pick your races carefully, unless my previous owner did the 2.8-3.4 swap and i dont know about it..........

1991tealRSt-topGuy

medium *****?

i wouldnt even say my 305 has medium *****

to each his own

(the 6's are reliable though)

uthertheweak

considering i used to have a honda civic
it does have medium *****

Doward

Um... the stock 2.8 has little bitty *****. 17's are not a bragging point in the 1/4....

I don't consider a car to have medium ***** until 14's are reached. 12's got big *****, and 10's+ got some bag-o-***** going on!

Hence the turbo setup... try to give the car some sort of *****.

uthertheweak

i take back my previous posts and say that it has small *****, but i was comparing it to my old car (2000 honda civic) so when i got the firebird it seemed to have *****. i can only dream of the day when im driving and see doward and he kicks my cars little *****

Doward

lol... I wouldn't say that. I'm only hoping for mid 15s - smaller medium sized *****.

brobert

All this talk about *****, are you guys ok?

2_point8_boy

I think this post has more ***** now then our cars do...

AGood2.8

Have to say- my little 2.8 has bigger ***** than I thought. I was at my nieghbors shop yesterday and folled him with a client/friends car to the paint shop nearby (and give him a lift back) Car was a '94 convertable Firebird with a 3.4. Needless to say, my neighbor Gordon (62yrs old drag racer aka "Flash Gordon") eggs me on at the light because he knows the two cars are somewhat equal with V6's and all. I kicked the crap out of him by about 3 car lengths!- and I thought my car was slow.

Gumby

Check out my all new TV reality show.

PISSING CONTEST

Only rule is I get to pee on you first.


My first pee shot ---------------------

2.8's rock and are the king of 60 degree's
[ not including the northstar V8 ].
Espically a stick.

Matt

camaro_junkie

My car has *****... I just can't find them right now. Latest theory (there are many) is that they are rattling around behind the timing chain cover with a loose chain.

Daishi

Im looking for a engine that will throw me back in the seat if i Give her at a intersection... But I dont wanna go crazy....

If I pull out the 2.8L, will a 3.4L just drop right in.. What else would I have to do...

In any case I think the 2.8L will be fine. It puts out 135hp-ish and Im hoping after some mods It can push just under 190.

On a 1987 Camaro, What do you think a 2.8L with headers, new ignition system, and a high rise cam.. (As well as a few other tweeks) Will run. If I can get 15's I'd be damn happy

Thanks

brobert

Your kinda new to the whole performance/racing thing aint you?

Daishi

Well assuming in 18 years old, my first car was a 1984 Chrylser New Yorker. And I now only have money cause football ended.. I'd say yeah... I'm new at this. But thats why Im here. To ask questions, and pass on any knowledge That i may gain.. So in reply to your post, Perhaps instead of just calling me a newb, You could have been friendly and just let me know what a typical 2.8L can run

Crazy Firebird Kid

A typical 2.8 will run 17's, maybe high 16's. As far as your idea of getting 190 hp out of a 2.8, it would probably be cheaper/easier to do the 3.4 swap and some tweeking. Or go to Florida and help Doward finish his turbo project and then get him to make the kit and buy it off him.

camaro_junkie

I don't think brobert was being a jerk towards you. Everyone (including me and I'm sure some of the top guys here) did the same thing when they came to this board. We had ideas of a 2.8 camaro that could beat out anything. Of course you can get a lot out of the 2.8, you just have to be willing to fork over money and have lots of time. Headers aren't technically available for the 2.8 yet for one thing. Although KED85 (Karl) has been working on this. But the 2.8 has limitations. For one thing, it's not a DOHC engine.

As everyone always says, use the search option and read up on what people have or have not done. In the words of many, "the search button is your friend." Welcome to the boards.

TomP

I think they hold up pretty well... I'll let you know in another year or so when I break 300,000 miles. (Currently at +258,000 without a rebuild.)

brobert

I wasnt being a jerk towards you i asked if you was new to the performace thing because when i first got my 2.8 firebird i was alot like you as far as im gonna get headers and a this and that and after looking around its much easier to just get either a 3.4 or a v8. *** knows you can get a chevy 305 anyplace, as i said in my original reply to you " It has enough power for normal driving but if you want to race then get a v8 or at least a 3.4 " The 2.8 is good for Normal driving, its not really a performance engine. One good thing about the v6 cars, Ive been told they come with better gears than the v8 cars, as a friend of mine has a v8 car with a slip rear and 273 ( if i remember correctly ) gears as i have a v6 with 342s and a posi. The 3.4 is your best bet, thats what im gonna do as soon as my 2.8 starts running rough or has a major problem. But right now its at a little over 106k and burns no oil, starts right up (after the coil problem ). I changed my oil like 3 weeks ago and i still hardly get a reading on the stick, When i check it i need to angle the dip stick in the light to see the wetness of the oil. all in all the 2.8 is a good motor, just not good as far as performance upgrades. :lala:

Crazy Firebird Kid

Some V8s came with good gearing, some with not so good gearing. Depends on the car and the options ordered from the factory. ALL the v6's came with OPEN END 342s(as always, the TTA is excluded from this...i have no idea what gears it came with). If you have posi, somebody has done a swap.

brobert

uh no actually the limited slip was an option on the firebird that year

Gumby

Maybe it use to be a 4 cyl car???
The iron duke came with a posi stock.

Crazy Firebird Kid

I didn't know they came with posi stock, but I am pretty sure they had 373s (I should just look it up, but I'm too lazy). They had to do something to get those cars moving when only pushed by 88 hp and 100 (?) tq.

brobert

according to my vin it was a v6 car from the factory. :lala:

Crazy Firebird Kid

Well then, I stand corrected, since I can't find documentation as to whether or not it was or wasn't available then, I can't really say your wrong. But I thought for sure that they all got peg legs.

brobert

I thought the same thing awhile back untill i talked to some people about this, even after they told me it was an option it seemed stupid to me that the v6 was avalible with a posi when so many v8 had open end rears, but after searching the net and checking my own rear i found it to be true. didnt mean to seem conforntational towards you, were all here to learn and help:lala: :lala: :lala: :lala:

87CamaroLT43

Hey Guys, I'm new to the board, but not new to the car world.
I also have a 1987 Camaro 2.8, but with a few custom mods of my own. I recently finished building a custom Ram Air system that seemed to be the best mod yet. But what I need to know is what you guys think of putting a 4.3 in this F-body... I was planning on using the 2.8 Fuel injection system on the 4.3 to make is a TPI set up. For those who don't know, the 4.3 is basicly a 350, or 5.7 with 2 cylinders cut off, thus allowing it to be a modifyable V6. With the 4.3, I was gonna get a set of vortec Heads, with a mild cam and Forged Aluminum pistons.

camaro_junkie

Let's see some pics of that ram air setup!

Doward

The 4.3 V6 is a 90º block, and the 2.8/3.1/3.4 are all 60 degree.

What's that mean?

Take all the steps, and new things you need (tranny for one), for a V8 swap, and follow them. You will do the same amount of work to get the 4.3 in there.

You will need some bigger injectors than the stock 13pph 2.8 injectors. Probably need some 22-24pphs.

2.8 performance? Anyone wonder why a turbocharger was the FIRST modification? A 2.8 will never run with a V8 N/A, all things being equal.

I don't plan on taking down a 11 second strip stormer, but I do plan on suprising more than one stock IROC owner, that thought he'd whoop up on a 2.8.

Doward

Iron duke Fbodies came with 3.73 open rears. ALL 2.8s came with 3.42 rear gears, also open. The 3.1 came with either 3.42s with a stick, or 3.23's with an automatic.

The 3.4s came with (I believe) 3.23s stock, with an upgrade to a 3.42 posi in the Y87 package (wasn't that the RPO?)

*CORRECTION* 3.4 = no lsd... 3.8 in the '98+ had the Y87 package (including the ZT worm lsd)

brobert

Its amazing how people claim to be correct when they are not, A limited slip rear was an option on v6 firebirds, you can claim it to be a open rear untill the cows come home you are not correct. My rear is a posi and it is stock.

Doward

RPO Code for it, then?

V6 Stock limited slip wasn't available until the 3800 series II (3.8) in the '98. It's a Zexel Torson worm gear LSD, available as part of the Y87 package. (Y87 = RPO code)

brobert

I do not need to prove to you that the rear is stock , as i said before its amazing how people will say they are right untill the cows come home. The posi traction rear was an option for the firebird, 2.8 as well. I do not know how you come to this idea it wasnt , nor do i care, i am not here to argue with people. The only thing on my car that was changed is the hood. EVERYTHING else is stock (except motor parts radio etc) Lets just agree to disagree. Hey we both like f bodies so thats one good thing!

87CamaroLT43

I'll get the pics of the ram air system soon...

Should I supercharge the 4.3 or go with the turbo package?

Doward

Agreeing to disagreeing is no problem... propogating false information is.

I'm not disputing you having a posi! Quite easy for one to be installed, or the rear end to have been swapped. I'm just saying, there is no way it came stock on your car, as it rolled off the assembly line.

Doward

Supercharged 4.3, or turbo 4.3?

I like the turbo over the blower... simply because you've no belts to toss, or to drive!

brobert

What was the gm tech thinking when he informed me of the facts! He shoulda consulted you first! Have a nice day

vortex

Oh really? Go do a nice burnout on dry pavement. Count the black strips...

Ready...


one...


one...


one...


hmm... only one. A posi does this -



(Doward here btw)

It's common knowledge on these boards that the 3.42s were in the 2.8, and they never came with a limited slip from the factory.

The GM tech obviously glanced at your vehicle, figured it was a T/A, and said 'yep... 3.42 posi...'

You say you don't have to prove it - you're right.

All others with a STOCK LSD raise your hands please.

brobert

I think this would be a better icon for you guys <~ seems you two know alot about that. Since you were so cocky let me correct you , To check to see if you have a posi you do not do a burnout,sine one can install air shocks and get a two wheel burnout, you check the rear code or pull the cover. I noticed you and doward come from the same place, Sticking up for your buddy? The lsd was an option, for the last time, misinformed, people need not reply. Must be you have a open v8 car eh? Stupid people are strong in large numbers!:lala:

2_point8_boy

Why do you want to go through all the work to put in the 4.3??? You might as well toss in a V8 for the amount of work you're gonna have to do. All the same stuff needs to be replaced for those swaps, so you might as well go with a motor that has better overall potential...and is easier to get parts for I would bet.

If you want to stay with a V6, do the 3.4 swap, it's WAY easy from what I've heard, and all you HAVE to change are the injectors and the block(with internals of course). All of your existing electronics and intkae/exhaust parts will bolt right up. Just plain easier than the 4.3L.

brobert

Ive seen on this site it says 2.8s vever came with a posi, so i see why you think this. Dont know what to tell you other than i still do not beleive it. Ive seen other v6s and even a 4cly with a posi in it, it couldnt spin them unless they were wet but it had a posi, but that one was put in it so it dont count, also as you said , the tech looked at my car and said ta yeah it has a posi, you must not know much about f bodies or you must be blind because the two do not look alike.

vortex

wtf are you talking about, brobert?

I'm Doward. I'm at Vortex's place, working on the Turbocharged 2.8 Camaro.

Look, I'm not actually going to sit here and argue with you. When you've rebuilt your own engine (with your own blood and sweat) then come back and talk down to me. When you've yanked your own T5 out of your car a dozen or more times, done a full rebuild on it, then come talk down to me. When you've pulled your own rear end out, pulled and replaced your own limited slip in the back of your buddy's '79 T/A, then come talk down to me.

Open rear V8 car? Actually no. For your information I have the WORLD'S ONLY TURBOCHARGED 2.8 CAMARO.

Not bad for a blind man.

Fbodies, since '70 (Not sure about the 1st gens) have only come with LSD rear ends in the 'high end' (Trans Am/IROC/z28) fbodies. The Y87 packaged changed that in '98.

You really might think of finding a better tech.

AGood2.8

Bobert, Are you the original owner of the car? Didn't think so.

Here's a great sinerio for you- the original owner bought the car, and the first winter there in your area, he realized he had traction problens (possibly with a steep driveway or such) in foul weather. Thus he took the ccar in and had a posi unit added. It did not come from the factory that way. Check your RPO codes like Doward has asked- easy enough to take a picture of the codes and post them for proof partner.

Dean.
Ps- going in about an hour to pick up my ACPT carbonfiber driveshaft from them in Huntington Beach.

vortex

Doward again..

Just like to insert a - thank you - here.

Also... Vortex would like you to know (Brobert) that he DOES have a lsd in his car. It's a '95 'stang, and he's upgraded the clutch packs already. Might be that he's seen one before, too...

Have you?

brobert

NO COMMENT

Skatepunk60

my friend has an 84 2.8 with stock posi. Hes the second owner and it states the G80 Rpo. His was ordered direct from the factory though. He even has a complaint letter on how the org. owner coulnt get the 4 wheel disk. And yes it lays down double black streaks

vortex

Vortex here.... leave me outta this one.. Im a Mustang guy, i run under 17's.

Doward

What I said, was I'm not saying you don't have a posi. I'm saying you don't have one stock. Skatepunk's I could believe - why? He posted it does have the G80 rpo code, and the letter of complaint. I'm sure if you raised enough of a ruckus, you could get anything you wanted, if you ordered it straight from the factory.

The LSD was not an option on the 2.8s.

Maybe you should quit being such a d*ck, and we both just drop this. I never said a T/A and a bird look alike. I know of a lot of people, that think they are two seperate cars, yet can't tell one from the other.

Can you honestly, at a quick glance across a parking lot, say there are 2 T/A's, and 4 'birds there, between the '97 F150, and the Astro minivan? Not many can.

And why are you bashing the fact I've gone into my car a million and a half times? YOU said I didn't know what I was talking about. I'm just providing proof that I've been there, done that. I'll remember to limit myself to only going into the car's systems once a year.

I go in there so many times, because I screw up? You know, you're absolutely right.... yep... I've got no clue what I'm talking about, have never turned a wrench at any time in the past 10 years or so, and as a matter of fact, have no clue what a turbo is, or how it works.

Jesus, why am I even on these boards? I don't even own an Fbody! (or 3)

brobert

I do not think you act very adult like.Just because someone thinks you are wrong you go off the deep end and start calling then names and such. I was just stating that if you did it right the first time you shouldnt have to do it over and over. And if you know so much as you claim to, you shoulda gotten it correct the first time. I know what the rpo code ,is i always have . As i said before i do not need to post it to prove anything, i am not here to argue with some inmature person. I know alot of sites (this one included) and people say that the 2.8 never came with a posi. I am telling you that mine did. This originaly started as a reply to someone else, i never asked for your comments, i did not start this post asking for help.I am tired of argueing with you and you are getting more inmature by the post. Damn i just became a mamber to this site and 80% of my posts are from argueing with you, stop being so ****. I never asked for your 2 cents. And by the way WHO THE HELL CANT LOOK ACROSS A PARKING LOT AND TELL THE DIFFERNCE BETWEEN A TA AND A FIREBIRD?