i bought my first car last year...an 87 F Bird 2.8...it worked great...thought it liked its gas about as much as my dads big block ford...

and last week i broke the crank...and now i need a new engine...i was gonna go v8...but my money has its limits...and they end long befor i get enought parts or find a donnar car to finish the swap...after all i am only 18

so...that leaves me with fixin my 2.8...which is a good route...i no the engine did run...and i no it will fit...

or

a buddy of mine has an old 3.1 cavalier...i no the 2 engines are one and the same...(so i was told)...so if i take the 3.1 outa the cavy...will the block have the holes and mounting and such that i need to put it in my car???

my car is a 5spd and the cavy is and auto if that makes any diff...any help u could give a youngster would be great

the FWD motor will not be a simple swap. you'd be better off to find a 3.1 out of a camaro/bird or a 3.4 out of a 4th gen camaro/bird.

The FWD and RWD blocks are different, sorry.

Snag a 3.1 or a 3.4 out of a Camaro/Firebird (3.1 = 90-92, 3.4=93-mid'95)

You'll be happier in the long run, with the extra torque

Your plight is a bummer
BUT ya got a couple of choices
one answer ya won't like another is along journey thru Canada's wrecking yards & such.
FIRST IS STRONGLY CONSIDER SELLING THE CAR just say good bye to it.
That equals NO LABOR or extra money spent & yeah, ya got to deal with the loss (in any words ya put together)
The other is another engine
BUT THAT constitutes a long journey of various this's & that's. Including funds.
Being as young as ya are, the choice is yours.
Is there a quick fix?
ABSOLUTLY NOT!
Is there a cheap fix?
ABSOLUTLY NOT!
Stinks.
Try me.
I got my ride for $300, blew the engine while I had a one year old a wife & no work. I had to put together a plan that entailed making a car, one way or the other.
I was lucky to scrap together the right plan, for long term. BUT was that right plan the one my Wife wanted? Ask her!!LOLOL!!!!
Put the costs, efforts availibility down on paper chat with your parents friends and such.
So ya know, rebuilding and or engine swapping is "simple".
Costs equal about $1,000 US dollars, EASILY!
That's why I suggested dump the ride and start fresh. Enjoy a date with a cheerleader over wrenching on a car, anyday!
Scoring a cheap engine is a real challenge it seems in Canada. BUT the real solution is a 3.4 mill to go under your hood. Not putting this & that to recreate a 3.1 or a 2.8
And yes Doward is correct, the 3.4 YOU NEED FOR THIS SWAP is available ONLY in F body 1992-1995.
Good luck ya got a long ways of many driving years ahead. Start enjoying them now.

ok, im in ontario as well, ill help you out on your search.

this is going to seem a bit funny to some

but the 2.8's start at the same price as the 3.4's

haha

1987
Engine
Pontiac Firebird 2.8L,AOD,FLR,PARTS, M50698 US$625
CAN$750.00 Millers Auto Recycling Can-ON(Fort-Erie) E-mail 1-800-263-8104
1987
Engine
Pontiac Firebird 2.8,145-150 COMP,40 OIL HOT,-R- 4NV063 US$416.67
CAN$500.00 Bodyline Auto Recyclers Can-ON(Hamilton) E-mail 1-905-573-7000
1987
Engine
Chevy Camaro 2.8L,RUNS GOOD 102K
170KM 02M010 US$416.67
CAN$500.00 404 Auto Recycling, Ltd. Can-ON(Sharon) Request_Quote 1-866-277-4045 Request_Insurance_Quote
1987
Engine
Chevy Camaro 2.8L,AOD,RWD,LT,VIN S,BAM H-1878 US$400
CAN$480.00 Number 9 Auto Wreckers Can-ON(Tottenham) E-mail 1-800-263-3267
1987
Engine
Chevy Camaro WHT,2.8L,2DR-HB,RUNS -OK 6371ZC $Call Cookstown Auto Center Ltd. Can-ON(Cookstown) E-mail 1-705-458-4366

NOW FOR THE 3.4



1994
Engine
Chevy Camaro REBUILT,1 YR WARR,UNLT K'S NOTES CX014 US$1375
CAN$1650.00 Aadco Automotive Can-ON(Brampton) E-mail 1-866-283-7278
1994
Engine
Chevy Camaro 3.4L RUNS NICE X07042 US$900
CAN$1080.00 Corey Auto Wreckers Can-ON(London) Request_Quote 1-800-265-9250 Request_Insurance_Quote
1994
Engine
Chevy Camaro 160-175-160-160-175- 160CMP,32 OIL 89.4K
149KM M286 US$833.33
CAN$1000.00 P and G Auto Can-ON(North-Bay) E-mail 1-800-461-9562
1995
Engine
Pontiac Firebird 3.4L,5SPD,FLR,125 THRU 180,OP40-85 123K
205KM M21477 US$833.33
CAN$1000.00 Millers Auto Recycling Can-ON(Fort-Erie) E-mail 1-800-263-8104
1995
Engine
Chevy Camaro COMP.150-180 OIL32H,72C 4L0741 US$758.33
CAN$910.00 Valley Automotive Can-ON(Pembroke) E-mail 1-800-565-7667
1995
Engine
Pontiac Firebird 175 COMP 40 HOT OIL,M-PETE WF4019 US$750
CAN$900.00 Woodbeck Auto Parts Can-ON(Stirling) E-mail 1-613-395-3336
1995
Engine
Chevy Camaro (3.4L, VIN "S")- 406052 US$666.67
CAN$800.00 Woodstock Auto Recyclers Can-ON(Woodstock) E-mail 1-800-465-2814
1994
Engine
Pontiac Firebird 150 160 H45 A1 3D0061 US$625.03
CAN$750.04 Autoland of Delhi LTD Can-ON(Simcoe) E-mail 1-519-582-2840
1994
Engine
Pontiac Firebird 150 COMP NO START SEE NOTES 93.6K
156KM 14529 US$600
CAN$720.00 Arnprior/Ottawa Auto Parts Can-ON(Arnprior) E-mail 1-800-267-7386
1993
Engine
Chevy Camaro 3.4FI,AOD,OKAY PER PHIL 79.2K
132KM 020086 US$591.67
CAN$710.00 Queensway Auto Parts (No U.S. Shipping) Can-ON(Port-Robinson) E-mail 1-800-263-7124(Can.)
1995
Engine
Chevy Camaro 3.4,5SPD OKAY GARY 010004 US$591.67
CAN$710.00 Queensway Auto Parts (No U.S. Shipping) Can-ON(Port-Robinson) E-mail 1-800-263-7124(Can.)
1994
Engine
Chevy Camaro 3.4,5SP,NOT STARTED LESS EGR 87K
145KM 000709 US$591.67
CAN$710.00 Queensway Auto Parts (No U.S. Shipping) Can-ON(Port-Robinson) E-mail 1-800-263-7124(Can.)
1994
Engine
Chevy Camaro 3.4,AOD,CANNOPT START 28.8K
48KM 000341 US$591.67
CAN$710.00 Queensway Auto Parts (No U.S. Shipping) Can-ON(Port-Robinson) E-mail 1-800-263-7124(Can.)
1994
Engine
Chevy Camaro 3.4,145-155 COMP,50 OIL COLD,-NS- 3NV001 US$583.33
CAN$700.00 Bodyline Auto Recyclers Can-ON(Hamilton) E-mail 1-905-573-7000
1995
Engine
Chevy Camaro 11-94,AC,216988KLM,1 60 C,60 OP,HT 129.6K
216KM 18769 US$550
CAN$660.00 Arnprior/Ottawa Auto Parts Can-ON(Arnprior) E-mail 1-800-267-7386
1995
Engine
Pontiac Firebird 3400,AOD,12-94, TEST RUNS GOOD 75K
125KM 4MR159 US$500
CAN$600.00 Shaw Auto Recyclers (No U.S. Shipping) Can-ON(London) E-mail 1-888-826-8666
1993
Engine
Pontiac Firebird BARE CORE BLOCK ONLY 106.2K
177KM M321 US$83.33
CAN$100.00 P and G Auto Can-ON(North-Bay) E-mail 1-800-461-9562
1994
Engine
Chevy Camaro BLK,3.4L,2DR-HB,150, 75OIL.OK 111.6K
186KM 1094C $Call Cookstown Auto Center Ltd. Can-ON(Cookstown) E-mail 1-705-458-4366
1995
Engine
Pontiac Firebird WHT,3.4L,ABS,2DRHB,N OTES 4430D $Call Cookstown Auto Center Ltd. Can-ON(Cookstown) E-mail 1-705-458-4366
1994
Engine
Pontiac Firebird 3.4L, VIN S - VJ72 $Call Rectangle Auto Supply Can-ON(St.-Catherines) Request_Quote 1-800-387-3491 Request_Insurance_Quote
Year
Part
Model Description Miles Stock# Price Dealer Info

oh and there are no 3.1's listed in ontario

if i were you id give these guys a call

i dont know where malloryville is but often times they will deliver for free cause sometimes they travel to different cities everyday anyway

1995
Engine
Pontiac Firebird 3400,AOD,12-94, TEST RUNS GOOD 75K
125KM 4MR159 US$500
CAN$600.00 Shaw Auto Recyclers (No U.S. Shipping) Can-ON(London) E-mail 1-888-826-8666

~87Bird~2.8~: I'm not sure what all is broken, but is it just the crank and bearings? Or is your block toast?

Everyone else: I know the 3.1 FWD block is not usable in the 3rd gen, but what about the crank/bearings/connecting rods/pistons?

~87Bird~2.8~: And if you can't steal those out of the Cavalier either, there is a 2.8-3.1 stroker kit available (do a search here on TGO), but I'm sure how much it is.

edit: The stroker kit is pretty expensive: http://www.engine-parts.com/GMV6/gmv6ps1.html

just buy a 3.1 crank and pistons. i never reccomend that "stroker" kit to anyone!! there is no reason to spend $1200 on the same parts that you can get for probably $400 or so.

Yeah, I forgot how much it cost until I looked up the website.

hmmmm...well #@%&!!!

thanks fer all ur info...and tho its not the answer i was hoping for...it dose help...

i did manage to get my car home befor it blew up...so i dont need a block yet...i guess all get it apart and c what all i need to rebuild!!

so now if when i do up a new engine for my car...what engine will give me the best perfomace upgrades in the furture??? from what u all say im guessing a 3.4??

thx again for the info

Performance Upgrades.....
Hmmmmmmm
MONEY About $1,000 american dollars, easily.
A machinist
Tools
Rest is just luck to find stuff at fair price.
These cars are still very common.
Go find a good one in running shape & enjoy it
OR go find a wreck with a good engine & do some swapping around.
You're doing alot of too much extra effort for just a car
Good luck.

I don't know what the prices are up there, but down here in US -

$15/hole to bore the block ($90)
$75/line hone the mains
$50/clean & mag the block
$35/install new cam bearings

Then the rebuild kit is $400 for a 3.1