Hi folks! I posted this over at fv6.com but the got 1 reply after a couple days so I figured I'd post it here to. Lately I've been going through my '89 Fbird (2.8) fixing little odds and ends while freshining things up and it seems to be a pretty solid machine at 135k and runs really good. Note,I have done the full tune up (posted here) except for the rear axle fluid. I plan on a full seafoam treatment as well soon. I've done quite a bit of research on these cars and done alot of reading and have learned quite a bit but I'd still like some opinions. Only thing is I keep reading how these 2.8's really arent capable of much. I'm a young'in and not rich by any stretch so the money that I've saved up is either going in to this Firebird or in to my Turbo Coupe Thunderbird (73k,loaded,awesome shape).

So far I've been researching quite a bit but I would like some opinions from fellow v6'ers. I plan on a CAI,underdrive pulley kit,ecu tune,pace headers,dynomax exhaust and a high flow cat along with an upgraded ignition like coil/wires&plugs etc and top it off with an aluminum driveshaft. The firebird has the A4 automatic transmission which would recieve some TLC as well (if not a full rebuild a good quality shift kit and cooler atleast). How durable is this transmission? Also I'd like to stick with the stock engine internals(bottom end atleast) so forced induction is probably not the best when trying to keep durability along with the daily driver factor,right?

Now obviously it wont be eating corvettes,but I've seen what the 2.3 turbos can do and am far more familiar with them than I am the 2.8 although I'd much rather have a fast(er) sporty firebird instead of a fast grany mobile... Ya know what I'm saying? Roughly the same would be done to the thunderbird if ya'll think I'd be wasting my money on the 2.8. Engine swaps are out of the question unless someone would be kind enough to come over to my house and help me . The 2.3 turbos are very durable motors from what I've seen... Can the same be said for the FI 2.8 in my '89 Fbird?

Any opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

 

i've seen guys run high 12's with a turbocharged 2.8, so that might be something you would want to look into. you could always sell the T-bird

 

the 2.8 is capable of some decent power.regardles sof what other ppl tell u.a few memebrs of this board, can deff prove that point to be wrong.as far as the bottom end strenght its rated to 400 hp and 7,000 rpms.though the stock valve train will never live under those kinds of rpms.boost is an option on the 2.8 on stock pistions u can safley run 7-9 psi depending on the tune.i have personally gone over that on stock pistions,and another member has run 12 psi on stock pistions.If u have the tools/knowledge abilitys u can build a turbo setup for less then 800$'s.The cheapest bang for the buck would be a single nozzle nitrous system,most power for the least bit of money.the 2.8 does love gears though.a swap from ur 3:42's to 3:73's or 4:10s will make a world of difference