Hey everyone,

Need some help? I just got an '89 firebird with a 2.8l mpfi, 5 speed Tranny. I would like to modify it. Any suggestions? Already have cat-back exhaust. I've seen many talking about going to 3.1 or 3.4. Do they change the entire engine or is it a change of cam and heads. Not very familiar with V6. If Possible would like also see a picture of your engines. My car runs great just want more power. I know a lot of you guys just say drop in a 305 or 350 maybe even a 383 stroker, but i want to keep my v6. I already have a 305 Camaro and a 350 Camaro. I got the firebird as a gift, so can you guys help me. Thnx

 

Going to a 3.4 is probably your best bet since it starts out around 180 HP, compared to the 2.8's 135 HP. The single best mod IMHO is porting and polishing the heads (okay so it's two mods but they're related) and dropping in a more aggressive valvetrain. Also, holding out some cash for the Pacesetter headers seems like a good idea.

There is not really much that can be done above the heads, since nobody makes a production performance plenum for the 60* V6 (yet, anyways). You can tweak out the fuel pressure and injectors for more fuel flow to a point, and you can also tweak the computer chip that runs the whole thing.

To go from a 2.8 above is not as easy as it looks. First, starting with the 2.8, you may need to have the engine block machined to accept the 3.1 stroker crank (that's all thats needed.. the bores are the same but the strokes are different causing the increase in displacement). To go to the 3.4, go out and buy one from a 93-95 1/2 F-body, since those are also bored to increase their displacement on top of the stroker crank, and you can't bore out the 2.8 block that far and have it for a while. Remove everything on top of the heads, including the intake manifold, and a couple of plugs covering the distributor and fan switch holes, and put your 2.8 stuff on the engine where the 3.4 stuff used to be. You'll also want to get a new water pump and gasket, and probably a timing set. You can either use your existing oil pan AND timing cover, or the ones from the 3.4, but don't mix and match them, they won't seal. GM Performance Parts has a number of parts for our 60* V6's and they are probably the only supplier with any decent amount of parts for our little sixes.

Good luck with the mods!

 

There are quite a few options out there for you. Start with the biggest 60* mill you can get access to. 3.4's around here go for about 400-500 bux. Get a nice cam, valvetrain, port the heads. Now, get ahold of some hedders (two companies make them, one expensive, one cheap). You can go forced induction if you like, or nitrous. If you want NA power, ENTIRE bottom ends are available through Speed Pro. They make just about every part for the V6 as they do the V8, only thing we can't get is all of the neat intake manifolds (we have 3 options only). Do a search, there are posts about MODS out there. Have fun, and don't expect to outrun too amny V8's, LOL.