Okay, I'm going to see how feasible and time-comsuming it would be to do a simple rebuild on my beater 2.8 engine. I'd go .030 over and .010 over on the crank mains, .020 on the rods. Northern Auto prices the master kit at 320-something, and the dude I know at work (very experienced engine builder and drag racer) thought it was a good price. What sort of issues would I run into in doing a simple rebuild? Should I go ahead and look for some easy mild speed parts to toss in while I'm at it, or just leave it alone? I'm not planning on keeping the car, but wanted to sleep guiltlessly after selling it that the engine was going to last the next guy a good while.

 

Not worth it if your going to sell the car. Its not going to bolster the car's value much, if any, and you may not see that money back.

I'd just sell it as is, and not worry about it. For all you know, the next guy that buys it has a .30 over 350 with all sorts of goodies looking for a new F-car home.

 

What if he was going to keep the car? Would it be worth the rebuild, what's the average labor cost on something like that? Does it matter from 3.1 to 2.8 cost and time wise? I plan on keeping my car forever and would like to sleep better knowing that my car was going to last a good long while till I have the money for that vette drivetrain.

 

Thanks dude, that's just what my wife wanted to hear... But seriously, this little escapade was more for my experience than for any resale value it would add to the car. Plus, I'm still going to drive the thing before I sell it, so if it's smoother for me, I'll enjoy it. My co-worker is interested in helping me with this, I just have to do a little more research and then buy whatever rebuild kit I need.

 

Well in that case, why even ask us? Knock yourself out.

 

Well, I sort of wanted to know what sort of issues I would expect to run into when rebuilding it - what has everyone else ran across in terms of snares and roadblocks, or is this sort of thing a walk in the park? I'm not looking for an opinion, I'm looking for someone experienced to post facts and issues they ran across. As far as opinions go, I'm aware that many people (if they were heading GM in those days) would've just done away with any V6 powerplants and stuck some sort of V8 under the hoods - I sure would have. We won't even mention the Iron Duke... Is it a waste of money? Probably, but I'd rather break an anemic 2.8 when learning how to build it back up than to break my 350. Waste of time? As long as I walk away with some experience under my belt, then it's not a waste of time at all.

I heard an intereseting quote the other day: REAL Firebirds and Camaros had V8's installed from the factory. You guys with V6's aren't driving REAL Firebirds and Camaros, you're just posing.

And maybe, just maybe, I might have a change of heart and keep the car and make it into an Autocross car that can run rings around my GTA in the turns at the tune of 1.0 Lateral G's or better. It would sure be nice to not worry about the engine's mechanical condition while at the track.

 

handeling is suspension NOT motor size.

I would think the rebuild would be the same as any engine, only smaller.

I remember when my pos 2.8 blew the head gasket. The head only was like 25-30 lbs.

 

[

I heard an intereseting quote the other day: REAL Firebirds and Camaros had V8's installed from the factory. You guys with V6's aren't driving REAL Firebirds and Camaros, you're just posing.

____________________________________________________
I would have used the edit post feature but as you can see im a member of the probation club.

Id like to see the person who made that comment go up against some tta's . Maybe throw a Gnx in also.

 

So firebirds and camaros that were installed with V-6s from the factory are fake?

 

Well, I've ran into a few V8 Neanderthals that sneered at any F-body that didn't come from the factory with a V8 under the hood. Same type of people who think the best upgrade for a 2.8 or 3.1 is swapping a 350 in. Hey, I got BOTH, I don't want another V8 car, one enough is fine for right now. I consider the 2.8 to be expendable in terms of learning how to rebuild an engine - if I break it, I can always drive the GTA again...

For more tidbits of idiocy, see this link:

http://www.goingfaster.com/spo/thirdgenidiots.html

And no, I didn't come up with any of that.