V6 Discussion and questions about the base carbureted or MPFI V6's and the rare SFI Turbo V6.

2.8 to 3.4 swap

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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 01:15 PM
  #1  
TheBadazz's Avatar
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From: chi, Illinois
Car: Pontiac T/A
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Borg Warner 9-Bolt w/ 2.77 gears.
2.8 to 3.4 swap

I want swap a 3.4 from a 2.8. I want to know can I still use the same cooling system? Do I need any extra parts? Last.... what are the best car to get it the motor from? Does a FWD 3.4 work?
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 01:26 PM
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Car: 1984 Firebird
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42's
Re: 2.8 to 3.4 swap

Originally Posted by TheBadazz
I want swap a 3.4 from a 2.8. I want to know can I still use the same cooling system? Do I need any extra parts? Last.... what are the best car to get it the motor from? Does a FWD 3.4 work?
cooling system from your 2.8 will work. As for extra parts... every project needs extra parts no matter what you do, expect to be nickel and diming a few things. The engine you need is from a 93 - 95 f body. The front wheel drive engines will not work without lots of fab work. (plus the intake would be on backwards)
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 01:48 PM
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From: chi, Illinois
Car: Pontiac T/A
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Borg Warner 9-Bolt w/ 2.77 gears.
Re: 2.8 to 3.4 swap

Thanks for the fast reply WhiteBlaze. If I can't find a 3.4 I'll use a 3.1. But I do prefer a 3.4 (I want to slap a turbo on it)
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 02:50 PM
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From: Waterford, MI
Car: 1998 Camaro Z28
Engine: 6.0L
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: 2.8 to 3.4 swap

youd be better off waiting to find a 3.4, its a really great upgrade. even the guys w/ a 3.1 say it is. you can use the heads/intake from a 3400 (FWD 3.4) but you also have to replace the pistons. you also need to replace the ECM, some wiring and custom fab some bracketry.

do a search for the 3.4 swap and check out the tech article on it. after that you shouldnt have any additional questions, but if you do, were here to help. but make sure you do a very thorough search, it should all be there.

good luck to you and hold out to find that 3.4, its definetly worth it.... oh do a regasket on it, its worth the $100 or so. replace the waterpump, the oil pump, injectors...depending on how many miles you have on yours, etc.
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 03:38 PM
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Re: 2.8 to 3.4 swap

yeah if i could go back and do it over agin i would probally held out for a 3.4 instead of building the 2.8, but im more than happy with what ive got now.
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 05:08 PM
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Re: 2.8 to 3.4 swap

I had a 3.4 in my blazer, absolutely loved it... of course... it had a 2.5 in it before... so that could be why I noticed a hell of a difference
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 05:46 PM
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Car: 1987 Camaro
Engine: 3.4 Liter
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: 2.8 to 3.4 swap

Originally Posted by pairtoe87
yeah if i could go back and do it over agin i would probally held out for a 3.4 instead of building the 2.8, but im more than happy with what ive got now.
I rebuilt my 2.8 and still swapped out the engine for a 3.4. A waste of monry on the rebuild but worth it for the 3.4.
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 08:39 PM
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Re: 2.8 to 3.4 swap

but im more than happy with what ive got now.
You know a 3.4 swap would only entail the short block and the 260 cam you got. Everything else can be used, including the heads Dave proted for you .

you also need to replace the ECM
Why? With a MAF based system, it just measures airflow for fuel tables. I would think the MAP would have more of a problem with the swap.

Sixshooter is using a 7730 ECM that also controls his custom DIS (stock 3rd gen MAP ECM).
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Old Jun 12, 2007 | 08:26 AM
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Re: 2.8 to 3.4 swap

yeah but thats why im running nitrous on it. and if i do blow this motor a 3.4 will def be taking its place...(even though i have 2 350's sitting around waiting.)
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Old Jun 12, 2007 | 03:13 PM
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From: Waterford, MI
Car: 1998 Camaro Z28
Engine: 6.0L
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: 2.8 to 3.4 swap

Why? With a MAF based system, it just measures airflow for fuel tables. I would think the MAP would have more of a problem with the swap.

Sixshooter is using a 7730 ECM that also controls his custom DIS (stock 3rd gen MAP ECM).[/QUOTE]

when i was looking into burning a chip, there isnt a complete bin file for the 7730. and i thought he used a different ecm out of an older cavalier with batch fire because it had a crank position sensor, our ECMs do not have anything for a crank position sensor. not to call you wrong or anything, but are you sure he used a 7730?

edit: i was wrong, there isnt a complete bin file for the 302 ECM, not the 7730. but depending on the year of his car, he may have MAF, not MAP. but the MAP still doesnt have a CKP does it? so how would he incorporate a CKP into the ECM and the whole system and make it run off it? i still think im either forgetting something about all this or missing something, fill me in or correct me if i am.

Last edited by drdave88; Jun 12, 2007 at 03:24 PM.
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Old May 14, 2008 | 10:35 AM
  #11  
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Car: '86 T/A
Engine: Vortec 406sbc-carbed
Transmission: 700r4-vette servo/B&M shift kit.
Axle/Gears: Ready to splode
Re: 2.8 to 3.4 swap

im planning on the same thing with my '83 bird. upull&pay sells complete engines for $200. if you take everything but the intake, i think (and could be wrong) it knocks the prie down to around $100. im getting a 3.4 from a '93-'95 f-body just as whiteblaze said. though im also getting the computer and fuely system out of it as well. i have too many carbed cars. i want 1 fuel injected!
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Old May 17, 2008 | 11:50 AM
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Project: 85 2.8 bird's Avatar
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From: BFE, MD
Car: 13 Ram 1500/ 78 Formy
Engine: 5.7 / 7.4
Transmission: 6sp / TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.55 posi / 3.23
Re: 2.8 to 3.4 swap

Karl has/did have a 2.8~3.4 swap boogie article, should be in the tech database (may even be in the engine swap forum)
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