I have a 2.8L engine I pulled out of an 88 FWD Grand Prix. The intake is entirely different, but seems to mate to the heads in the same place. Does anyone know if they are interchangeable with the Camaro 3.1?

I have another thread, concerning the hesitation problem, and I'm wondering if air is getting past the valve guides. I had the original cast iron heads vacuum checked (they checked out OK), but didn't do a valve job. I'm just wondering if when the valve is opened, the stem clearance changes, and lets air in?

This car is a daily driver, and I can't afford the down time in doing a valve job on the existing heads. I could rebuild the aluminum heads, and swap them out, if they will fit.

Anyone know?

Thanks,

Bob

 

The heads will fit, but you'll need to put the intake on backwards, so the throttle body faces forward. You'll need the 2.8's tb, intake, and pistons as well if you want to run those heads......

 

I can't use the intake from the 3.1? Why would I need 2.8 pistons? Valve indentations?

Thanks

 

search FWD heads, there are a few threads on this. the # 6 intake runner is to far back to use a distributor, you would need to use a custom dizzy or a ignition with a crank trigger, the combustion chamber on fwd heads is much smaller than the iron heads, you need the fwd pistons to compensate or you'll have VERY high compression

 

WOW, I didn't think there was actually a physical difference in the heads. So if the #6 intake is too far back, the RWD manifold wouldn't even fit. I figured the combustion chamber would be a LITTLE smaller, and I may gain some compression, but you're saying they used dished pistons on the FWD, so I really struck out!!

Thanks for the input!!

Bob

 

not to bust your ball but there are hundreds of 6cyls in the yards go get a set and rebuild them

 

Yeah, so I've heard, thanks.......

 

yea, the iron heads have a 54 cc combustion chamber and the alum. have like a 26cc, that would put you at around 14:1 compression, so ive heard

 

yeah, Six Shooter posted a couple of pics in a thread I searched for, they OBVIOUSLY will not fit, thanks for the referral........

 

Well.... They'll fit, you just need to change other parts to use them. Which IMO very worth the effort.

 

I saw your pics of the aluminum head mounted on a 3.1 (or was that a 2.8?) next to a cast iron head on the other bank. It looks like the edge of the head would have to be machined to get the valve cover on.

Why would you recommend it? I would need different pistons also, right?

 

ok now this has got intresting,.,.somtimes ppl say one thing and others have diff expiriences.,now i feel like i have to know how much extra hp we talking about here?

 

Yes it would be best to use the FWD pistons....

You will also need to use the inatke and a few other items, also swapping to a DIS ignition is a must,

There is a thread abuot using 3400 heads. I believe it was authored by 94Camaro.

The top end swap would be essentially the same, but will recommend skipping the genII and early gen III top end and go for the 3400/ 2000+ 3100 top end, much higher gains.