The Chevrolet Lumina Van is a frontwheeldrive vehicle with a transversly installed engine. So in other words, the 3.1l engine from it should not fit an F-body?

On ebay, a company is selling a rebuilt 88-93 chevy 2.8l motor. They say it is for RWD vehicles, but it will also fit a lumina van ?? Are they mistaken or what?

The reason I'm asking is, that there is a 3.1l engine from a lumina APV for sale close to where I live and since there aren't very many 2.8/3.1l engines for sale in Finland , I need to grab the opportunity. So whats the deal here? Is the ebay seller wrong or what?

The auction number is 7904793856 and the title is "CHEVY 173 ENGINE; GM 88-93 2.8 L REBUILT MOTOR V6 RWD"

 

correct.

The one in the e-bay auction you listed is the correct rwd style, but that $1k price tag is a pipe dream.

I didn't see anything about shipping overseas, but you probably could make arrangements. The listing of vehicles under that engine is correct & what you are looking for.

 

I'm not buying the engine on ebay. I'm lookiing into buying an engine from Finland, that came from a '91 lumina apv.

So does the engine from the lumina apv fit an F-body?

The seller on ebay says that an engine is for RWD cars and will also fit a lumina van.

This is the same as saying that the lumina van uses RWD motors -> An engine from a lumina apv will fit an F-body.

So is the seller mistaken or what?

 

That looks to be a mistake. All the applications listed at the bottom of the auction are for RWD.
FWD and RWD blocks have different mounting hole locations. Starter is on the right side on a FWD and left on a RWD. I have both a Trans Sport (same as a Lumina APV) and a Camaro with V6 's, and can tell you from looking at the blocks myself that they aren't interchangable.

 

Damn, that's what I thought.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

 

UNLESS you are dead set on retaining a V6
UPGRADE TO A V8
Your ride is VERY SIMPLE to upgrade to V8 due to
LACK OF ENGINE ELECTRONICS.
Swap in proper frame/engine mounts set up, other small details, be done.
IF you had the MPFI set, that's a real hassle due to gas tank fuel pump engine wiring and such.
Your Carb'd V6 set up is so easy to upgrade.
In all honesty, the only thing holding ya back from this type of upgrade may be your country emission laws or taxes on your car. And the engine tranny. You do need to change trannys to a V8 bellhousing pattern, that's a given.
Check for Opels with V8 as they may be GM corporate engines. Yet once having a 1974 & 1975 Opel, I know those 4 cylinders definetly were NOT made in the USA.

 

I'm doing the same swap from an 83 2.8 5 speed to a v8 305. If you need any help if you decide to do it let me know and I'll help you out. Just remember that you have a mechanical clutch with a z-bar that requires a hole in the driver side of the engine block for whatever engine you decide to get. Or you can do what I'm doing and get a whole hydrolic clutch setup which I'm told is very easy to do on our cars.

 

wel have you priced gas in europe ? id get online at gm parts direct or the oversea's equlvilent and and get a 3.4 just becuase he has a carbed 2.8 doesnt make a carbed v8 swap easy. with out a whole donnor cars hes gonna need all sorts of bracket wiring etx that do vary from v6 to v8. if i was gonna go to all that trouble id just buy a v8 fbody. getting those parts to where he needs them could be extremly difficult to say the least.

 

The V8 swap is hard for two reasons:

1. Don't have a donor car

2. You have the local authoroties to deal with. You have to prove that the brakes and etc. on your car are the same as in the V8 model. Also getting the carbed V8 through emissions is a slight pain, especially if you aren't stock.

Also, gas costs about 6,30 dollars /gallon here

 

Ya noticed I threw in a few what ifs...
Like emissions & engine availability and taxes.
I only offered an optional plan due to what has so far been scored (a FWD engine set up).
IF ya know international manufacturing GM is Opel over there.

 

Yes, Opel is a GM branch, but in europe V8 cars are not common at all. I don't think I have ever seen a V8 opel in Finland.

And I can forget about the lumina engine. Luckily I found a 2.8l V6 from a wrecked '87 S-10

Maybe I should buy a 3.1 crank or a stroker kit? Is the extra displacement worth it?

The only thing that sucks about the engine is the price. Asking price, which seems to be firm, is 1000 USD

 

Myself knowing Opels (I had them in the 70's & 80's), I knew of the cross breeding going on.
Yeah the largest Opel engine I recall were in the Commadore & Bitter, the in line 6.
If you are able to keep searching. I assume if it comes from a neighboring country, it, too, would be taxed upon entry?
Those early 80's blocks were considered "fragile".
How about seeking a FWD from the early mid 80's like Chevy Citations and the like? Those FWD engines if correct are the same as in your year Camaro.
FWIW
Caddy Northstar 60* V8s fit in front of that tranny you have.
Only tossing out an option.

 

3.1 crank kit is up to you.

5hp, and 20tq added.

Also, you will be required to then get a neutral balanced flywheel/flex plate. Where on that 87 engine they must be balanced to the crank.

While your in it, install a 3.4 oil pump. Stock delco 3.4 pumps have larger pickup screen and feeder tube.

Since you are carbed 2.8, MAKE SURE you get the newer mpfi heads. 1.3/1.6 valves vs 1.42/1.72.

 

The caddy engine would be sweet, but aren't there a lot of modifications required for it to fit into the engine bay. I can't even imagine the asking price if one were for sale in Finland.

Since the engine is an 87, doesn't it have the larger valves even though it's carbed?

 

NOT KNOWING your wrecking yard resources or your connections, I cannot see where your engine choices are coming from.
Caddy engine choice certainly COULD BE expensive.

I only can see your foundation the 1983 F Body
CARB'D engine cylinder head valves are SMALL (your 1983 engine falls into this catageory).
MPFI Engine valves are larger. MPFI V6s are 1985 and later.

The 3100 series FWD idea has a completely different cylinder head requiring MUCHO modification. Can it be done, certainly, but at what engineering expense?
Keep searching your local ebay or your local wrecking yard for alternatives.

What is the price range you are working with for this engine swap or engine work?
Have you tried checking out your local car rental places for places they "dump" their used cars/rental wrecked cars?
PERHAPS that may offer a clue, too for engine option choice.
From what local country do the GM vehicles arrive through? Perhaps that is a clue for asking about the necessary MORE INEXPENSIVE 60* V6 you are seeking.
What about your machinist that MAY be doing any engine work for you? Does that place have any suggestion?
Did you buy your F Body with this engine this aged?

 

87 s10 engine should be TBI, not carb. And no, I belive it will still have the smaller valves.

Or well,thats over here in the states.

 

If the S-10 in the states was TBI omn '87, then it should be in Finland also. Alla the S-10 have been brought here by private people, GM has never sold them here.

So either the wrecking yard is:

1) lying about the engine's age

2) cannot tell a TBI from a carburator

I should go check it out myself, but it's like 400 miles away.

 

For those "not knowing" the carb & a TBI look very similar.
Or it may have been converted.

IF you are willing to pay for shipping I got a guy here in LA, CA that'll be happy to sell ya an engine.
You can buy a 3.4, too. Various ages (93-95) & milage (low milage to over 100,000 miles, a core).
I got a place that will also send ya the gaskets, too, that you need for conversion. You supply the rest.
I would suggest you seek out a closer source, though.
Do you need this engine immediatly?
What does the engine machinist suggest for place to purchase?

 

I don't need the engine as my current 2.8 is workin nicely. (knock wood)

The reason I'm looking for a new engine is:

1) The new engine will have larger mains and therefore will handle more power

2) I'm going to be rebuilding the "new" engine from top to bottom

3) I'm going to tinker with the engine and target horsepower is 180-250 depending on wheter or not I will add a supercharger/turbo.

I'm thinkin about getting a Fageol supercharger kit for the S-10, convert it to work in the F-Body and off course add a new camshaft, hi-ratio rockers, port+polish, headers, CAI, new exhaust and etc.

I just finished school for this semester and I am currently working. Will be graduating this spring and getting some money out of that. So I have the money, but work is really taking my time. Wake-up at 5 am, everyday 9-10 hours of work+ 1h commute. After that you really don't have a lot of energy to do much. I'm also going to be going into service for the Finnish army in july. That's gonna take a year.

So I just want to get an engine in the garage and start working on it, so it would be ready for installation in a year or so.

 

Start with a 3.4 engine.
Out here in Los Angeles, CA this guy will ship ya all ya want.
Fageols do work with carb. I've seen em & have passed due to the design & cost for output ratio.
3.4s are stout engines worth the effort.
IF yours is still running strong, upgrade your ignition/timing chain system the best ya can. That'll keep current engine rolling longer. Keep revs limited. Less chance of valve spring breakage.
Find a 3.4 then shop for parts. PLUS many of the already done upgrades to your 2.8 will swap over.
Win-win.
Do you have a machinist chosen?
What does he suggest?
IF you want to just buy a set of rebuilt 2.8 MPFI heads, let me know I got a pair ready for shipping.
I've stuck a 3.4 under my 1985 S-10 Blazer carb set up. Problem is the lack of mechanical fuel pump provision. I had to convert to electrical. Besides that, no true problems, everything fit just fine. And the 3.4 has all the stuff done ya seek to do to a earlier V6 (cam/heads/valve springs/compression/bore-stroke).

 

Was there ever a RWD Northstar?

 

Do you have any idea what a 3.4 engine would cost and how much for shipping?

I also have to convert to an electrical fuel pump. How hard was it to install? Did you go for an in-tank pump or in the engine bay? Where did you get the electrics from/how did you wire it up?

 

GEEZE I can go into a whole detailed explaniation!
ON WHICH PART!
Eniges are like this
FROM THIS GUY IN LA, CA
I paid $800 & $900 for my low milage 3.4s & I installed as is (adding new chain, balancer snout sleeve repair, timing chain, welding oil pump pick up onto 3.4 pump, new rear main seal & new cam shaft rear seal & several new gaskets & a whole engine gasket kit).
One swap has over 20,000 miles on it & I started with a 50,000 mile used engine.
My other 3.4 hasn't seen too many miles yet due to odds & ends in life beside CA smoggin it (& synching the carb).
How much for shipping?
Well that's one for you
Taxes to your country, that's up to you.
WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST IS
IF ya that interested, I know he has one now, low milage, $900, complete. I know he is able to "ship anywhere" AND besides he is "close to Long Beach shipping docks".
Now you figure out how to get it from Long Beach, CA Port Of Los Angeles, CA shiping docks & ya got a 3.4.
Or keep scouting Ebay for an option.
My Blazer I used an in engine bay designed electric fuel pump which works off a relay to absorbs the electric shock of the instant on electric fuel pump. Eventually I will make my pump in tank, using a TBI pump from a S-Series truck. And a regulator to keep my fuel pressure down to the required 5 PSI for no harm to my 2SE factory Carb.
Yes that's a 3.4 under that stuff.