I have alot of the threads here about the 2.8 swap. I have an 84 berlinetta the engine is about ready to 7482 the bed so if i have to pull it out anyway why not put something diffrent in. It is carburated and i would like to stay with carburated what engine would be a direct bolt in where i can use alot of the 2.8 parts specially the ECM and harness is that even possiable? I have found a couple of 3.4 at the yard with low milage and in good condition. But they are FI so what would I have to do to change to carburated is the even possiable? Please help i love this car but it is going down hill thanks.

 

All you need is the long block (no intake or exhaust manifolds) of the engine of your choice. Everything bolts on if you're staying carbed. Just keep in mind that you may end up either swapping in the older style water pump or the accessories off of the donor engine due to the fact that serpentine water pumps turn in the reverse direction of the V-belt pump.

 

So Maverick, chalk this up to me being new to the engine swap ideology but from what i gather all i need is a good block with heads cuz mine are gone i think. Then all have to do is swap out the intake for a carburated one. Also keep the serpintine belt set up from the donor car.

 

Being that your car is an 84, I wouldn't keep the heads even if they were P&Ped... The 85-95 RWD iron heads (and the heads on those screwy TBI vans) have bigger valves, period. So, yes, the long block includes the heads, timing cover, valve covers, and oil pan (short block is just a rotating assembly inside a block). You can keep your current belt setup if you get a replacement water pump on the replacement engine for your 84 (again, the V-belt pump and the serpentine pump turn in opposite directions, so you can't swap the V pump onto a serpentine system or a serpentine pump on a V system and not overheat constantly due to no water flow). If you get a junkyard engine, I would advise getting a new water pump anyways. The one on my junkyard engine failed 1 month after the engine was replaced.

If you want to go serpentine, that's fine too, just make sure to get the brackets and such you will need. Keep in mind that you may end up rewiring the alternator or doing some other mod on the alternator to fit your SI alternator onto the bracket designed for the CS130 alternator.

 

Ah that Maverick is right again, and all I would add is that when I did my 3.4 conversions on my 1988 and my son's 1991, I recomend using the 3.4 oil pan. Why? As the 2.8 motor mounts age, the 2.8 sags and the front edge of the oil pan rests on the crossmember and this transmits engine vibration into the chassis. New motor mounts cures it, but only for a while. The 3.4 oil pan used in the 1993 to 1995 Camaro, is more shallow at the front and having more clearance does not make contact with the crossmember even with worn mounts and makes for a better drive, the 3.4 pan does have an oil level sensor, but just ignore it and leave it threaded in or you can by a plug by Motormite from the discount parts stores. Beyond that ,Mavrick is right on. All I used from the 3.4 was the block, heads and oil pan & dipstick.

 

Just got a call about a 99 mailbu 3.1 with valve train noise is this a possiablity guy only wants $50 for it

 

Not going to work. The block is mounted by the heads and transmission, not the block itself, and there are no mounts for the RWD mounts on the block (not to mention that the starter is on the wrong side). However, if you want, you can get the heads and everything above and read the hybrid swap threads at the top of the forum for when you get an RWD block.

 

I have an 84 firebird 2.8 carb and a donor 91 camaro 3.1 mpfi, would this swap your talking about apply to me? if so, what would be some other rules I should follow so I can make this swap happen?

I was originally gonna have the 3.1 modified for another mpfi camaro. but, since the fuel injection is gonna be done away with to be placed in a carbbed set-up, how would I mod/upgrade this engine now? and can i use the 700r4 off the 92 after i swap the tail housing?

 

It's exactly as above. Keep the original parts with the car if you're not going to swap in the fuel injection stuff. I doubt there would be a need to change any of the parts on the trans... The trans in the 84 should also be a 700R4, so it would basically just be an upgrade to newer parts. You may want to swap over the trans crossmember if you have the one with the funky and expensive 3-piece mounts.

 

cool, I just thought that since the newer style trans had vss housing & newer/better parts it couldn't be swapped easily. i just have to swap the tail housing so i can switch from electronic speed to mech speed right?

but let me ask you this, is it better to keep the set-up carburetted or try to drop in the whole mpfi set-up?

the 2.8 on my firebird is still running & and has not been rebuilt, the same could be said of its trans. i can feel it fading away... its not nice.
i had acquired a 3.1 camaro dirt-cheap, i used the parts & accessories for my other 3 camaros, but i didn't think i could use this engine to upgrade from a 2.8.

this is some cool stuff!

 

I'm not sure how much rewiring would be involved in getting the 3.1 engine harness and ECM to work in the 84. Yes, it would be beneficial due to the fact that the factory 2 barrel carb is highly restrictive.

And no, you don't need to swap the tail housing on the trans to use the mechanical VSS... Just pull out the electronic unit and put the speedo drive assembly in the hole. May need an o-ring, however.

 

awesome! thnx Maverick, it's good to know that so many routes are possible & are available to me. i'm still not sure which set-up i'm going to keep/use though. but it's good to know that i have a choice thats readily available.

 

If you want info on the 3.1 harness, let me know. I have a full write up I can send you, but it's for cars that are already equipped with fuel injection. You would need to get the info on your harness connectors from Austin Thirdgen or from a factory service manual.

 

Can you send me the information? thnx again.

I think i'm gonna go with a cost "efficient swap" and keep it carbbed for now due to my lack of funds. How would go about the fuel pump problem? I'v heard that the 3.4 engine doesn't have a bosse for a mechanical fuel pump, not to sure if this applies to the 3.1 & i have yet to check for it. would i have to go with an inline electric fuel pump? or what can you do to keep or swap to so the engine can stay as mechanical fuel pump user?

Sorry, i'm new with mechanical talk.

 

No ifs, ands, or buts, you would need to get an inline fuel pump and inline pressure regulator. Unless you can find a machine shop willing to drill the necessary holes and such in the boss on the driver's side of the block (the boss should be there, one of the bolt holes may be used for the rear power steering pump bracket).

I'd need an email address for the FI swap issue... Keep in mind one thing about the 3.1 harnesses, though. A lot of guys have ignition problems with them (myself included) and intermittent stalling. I'd personally recommend the older MAF harness, but the MAFs are expensive and can be a pain in the rear...

 

OK so I think i found an engine 95 camaro 3.4 this would be a good direct bolt in right?

 

If you can, you want to hear it run and/or do a compression test on it to make sure the engine parts you WILL be using are okay. It would be a bad thing to spend umpteen dollars to put the engine in the car to find out it needs to be completely rebuilt .