arighty, i blew the 2.8 now should i put a 2.8 back in, or would it be hard to find a 3.4 to put in. or go the long run and just throw a 350 in. please help me out. throw me some info.


88 camaro 2.8 muitiport

 

this is when you ask yourself......how much work are you willing to do or how much money do you wanna spend? i personally love my 3.1 even with the few problems i bought it with and no way would i ever put a v8 in that car

 

as fox said, you got some choices, and only you know the answer.


How much time do you have?
how much money do you have?
what kinda tools do you have/access to?
how long can the car be down?
what is main goal/use of the car?


finding a 3.4 shouldnt be hard, and you can swap it out in a LONG weekend with some help. Doing by yourself will take a good week. Dropping in another 2.8 or 3.1 will be same amount of work. Only reason not to go 3.4 is they are somewhat more limited in availiblity, 3.1 is even worse.

Dropping in a v8 is more work, but will net you more power, and ability to add more.

 

If the car is just a daily driver or you dont have too much $ i'd go with the 3.4 as they are cheap as dirt.

Want to make plenty of hp easily. (also cost more money then a simple 3.4 swap) go with a v8

 

i have absolutely nothing more to add to this, however i feel the need to respond anyway. How much do you love the car?

it's a really big question, because depending on the swap, that's how much you'll be swearing at it....and your love for the car will be what carries you through, love it a little, go 2.8/3.4, love it a lot, do v8. Dont' "start" v8, and then have to sell it cause u hate the car now (not u brobert, as ur situation is different) but, u get the idea.

Another question is ur emission standards, if they're stringent, it'll be tough to do the v8 swap unless u do Fuel injection, along with ensuring all emissions equipment is in place...plus don't go w/ an older engine, it'll most likely have to be an LB9 or L98...unless u can find a good cheap LT1, or LS1

 

If you feel like swapping ALOT of parts and spending ALOT of cash... V8, if not, go with a 3.4. Can be had for typically $500 at bone yards.

To do the V8 CORRECTLY, you need to change....
Motor mounts, Radiator, engine, trans, Trans mount, front springs, possibly front struts if the ones there are kinda old, all new coolant lines, possibly a fuel pump and not to worry, there are more things, just not coming to the front of my head right now. Oh, depending on the type of V8, engine harness and alot of electrical wire swaps. And to keep semi decent handling, you would also want the wonderbar and V8 HD sway bars.

Not to mention the cost of the engine AND transmission...

 

85 bird brought up a good point, emissions. You did add to the post!

If you have strict emissions, 3.4 it for sure, they will never know.

 

It depends with the front springs also. MANY MANY people pn here have done the swap without changing the springs. My car always felt bouncy with the v6 in it,. Now it handles much better, BUT my springs and shocks looked new when i did the swap. Also you will only have to change your rad if the hoses dont line up. And once again you dont need to change the pump.

Also for emissions testing and such and for the cheap upgrade from a tired 2.8 you cant beat the 3.4.


Also about my car, Turns out i just came across a decent paying Job and since i seem to be running into scam artists and theifs ( Im gettin emails about fake checks and had a guy try to trade me a stolen suv for my car) I'll probably be keeping the Firebird and buying a mini van or something larger for when i have my kids.

 

congrats on getting to keep your project.....were there any other parts missed out on that v8 swap list?

An ex-friend of mine did an ls1 swap into his old 2.8L camaro, didn't change the radiator, and the car ran fine. However, you could hear the massive cooling effect after the car was stopped, but she still never overheated.

 

ok, ill do the 3.4, out of what cars can i find a 3.4??????? or what about the 3.1???where can i get one of them?

 

93-94 (iirc) firebirds/camaros
The 3.4 should feel alot better then the 2.8 from what i hear from people who have done it.
I'd like to drive a 3.4 eq 3rd one day. My v6 was a slow pos
but then again it did have a 6 inch crack in the block since i bought it and i have never drove another v6 fbody.
For everyday driving i think the 3.4 will suite you well.


85 , only other thing i can think of is when we did the swap in my car I needed to make the starter wire longer. Also if you go carb and have a electric pump of course you'll need to either change the pump or get a mallory 4309 afpr.

Just too many things when it comes to a v6 to v8 swap,Smog legal is one of them, i cant imagine if i had to pass inspection! If i didnt get such a good deal on the motor/trans i would have ended up with a 3.4 as well.


BTW did i mention how much i hate removing and runing new steel brake line SUCKS!? On the way home the main rear line busted.

 

3.4 is 93-95 Camaro/Bird
3.1 is 90-92 Camaro/Bird

Make sure you get the flywheel or whatever on the back of the new engine to fit your needs. An 85 is externally balanced, where these 3.1/3.4 are internal.

 

go to a crooked shop that will let you buy the inspection sticker... , or is that only in new york city?

 

works here in vb too

 

I still have original 2.8 and it runs great and fast, I guess I was lucky when I bought it. I guess some 2.8's are better than others. But do whats best for you and best cash wise.