Guys my 2.8 has given up at 226k Miles. Mechanic says complete overhaul, I say 3.4L. But then today I read the message board and one of you guys posted this: http://www.engine-parts.com/gm28stroker.html

I wrote them and asked about the estimated hp rating of the 3.1 stage 2 conversion and the 3.4 stage 2. Depending on what they say, my cool little engine might live again.

 

Sorry to hear about the 2.8! Those kits aren't that expensive, that's cool. Hey do me a favor? Can you ask them if that stuff (especially with a special camshaft) is 50-state emissions legal? I'd love to know what camshaft they're using.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

I am new to the mechanical end, so bear with me. When you re-build you engine, don't u want to get a new block? I might be misunderstanding the process, but I though you kept the top end and changed the block ect. How would this be price efficient in any respect..lemme know

 

You're thinking about buying a rebuilt (or a new short-block) motor. A short-block is the block, with internals, minus heads & intake & exhaust & etc. In those cases, you'd remove your block and switch it with the one you'd buy.

Rebuilding one involves tearing the old block's insides out, and either reconditioning the old parts, or buying new parts. Almost always, a combination of the two is done (i.e. Installing new pistons, but re-using original connecting rods. Buying new bearings, but machining the surfaces of the original crankshaft.)

Unless the block is physically cracked, or at it's maximum overbore, you can re-use the block.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Tom they just wrote back, the kit is 50 state legal up to stage 2. Anything over stage 2 needs computer recalibrating, ported heads, stiffer springs etc. They told me that the 3.1 kit would give me 15-20% increase in hp. The 3.4 is not a kit it is a short block just as you had mentioned. The 3.4 shortblock is around $900.00, if remember correctly. The stroker 3.1 stage 2 kit is around $630. Check it out at http://www.engine-parts.com/Online_c...conv/gm31.html

 

Oh, that place is too cool. It is about 10 minutes from my house!!! Let me know if you have any questions I can call and ask them.

Vman

------------------
1969 Camaro Sport Coupe
383, 700R4, leather, everything black but the lights

Previous owner of an 89 RS Camaro
2.8L V6, 700R4

 

sorry to hear about the motor, bud. But you got your money out of it, (but still couldn't get up to my 233,336 mile milestone... that's where mine died) but i am glad to see that you're sticking with the 2.8L/3.1L sounds good, and keep us posted on your results.

i feel like a jerk in ways, the reason my motor died, is kinda in the sig but that new 2.9L v6 is working wonders to the pavement.

------------------
the 85 firebird, the first firebird that doesn't burn out....

It eats the pavement!!!

KILL LIST: (SHORT BUT GROWING)

Dodge Daytona (think a 2.2),Honda Acorda (2.0L),2000 Camaro (3.8L),1992 Mustang (V6),1987 Firebird (2.8L),80's probe (4 banin'),90's malibu,90's 4 door Saturn, (wow, that was a slow ride, even slower than me.),91 Celica GT conv.,Acura Integra, 5speed DOHC 4 cylinder. * 86-90 Pontiac T/A, 305ci. (might not have been running well, but i'll count it anyway.)
---came close----
1979 camaro (5.7),1981 camaro (5.7),1982 firebird (5.0) my tires spun, I coulda beat em!!! ,79 El Camino (350, lost by a door),96' Mustang, 3.8L stickshift. (caught him after my car downshifted.)

[This message has been edited by 85f-bird (edited January 26, 2001).]

 

so what's that stroker kit gonna give you then like 25-30 horse? isn't that about the level of a 3.4 anyway?

 

Hell Mines still goin at 461,9** something Its alittle cold otherwise i'd look. Never had to do major engine part replacement don't use or leak oil had to rebuild trans last january got about 10,000 on the new one still runnin strong topped it out at about 124ish racing my friends 93 firebird
i could have pushed it more bt millege and rpms weren't looking like it would help much hehe 3,800-4,000 kinda pushing it
I would go with that 3.1 swap on the interns though sounds like a great investment although what could the millege be pergal????
I myself have thought of ordering the crane 2030 {kick me if wrong mdl} maybe 2070 oh well its in summit mag
i haven't gotten the k&n filters or my flowmaster series 80 yet plan that next month has anyone had probs with the k&n and their cut airboxes I constantly have to keep taking an air compressor to my oem filters they get so damn dirty and its all highway driving


------------------
1987 Chevrolet Camaro
2.8 Ltr HO Cut air boxes K&N Filters Gutted Cat (Did I say gutted opps don't tell the officer)
Duel catback Exhaust With Flowmaster series 80 dual 5"X24" MONSTER Echos
225/60/R16 Mounted on 97 Firebird 16X8" Rims

 

Damn, r u serious? 461K miles. Way to go. Hope mine makes it that long. I knew 200K could be done easily but I never dreamed of one going nearly 500k!

------------------
Red 1986 SC, 2.8L, rebuilt 700R4, 3.42 Posi, t-tops, 134K miles and counting, K&N air filters, hopefully more to come!

 

way to go michael. i can tell you've maintained that car well. i like to think our motors are indestructable...... but 500,000 miles can be reached with ANY engine. prime example is taxi companies. could they really afford new vehicles/engines EVERY 200,000 miles?? taxi's MUST reach at least 500,000 miles and they do because they are properly maintained. and those V8's are soooo unreliable.

------------------
Dan
1990 3.1L RS
80 Series Flowmaster
It's fast(er than a 3 cyl metro)

 

Michael your engine is another example than our little v6's are beasts . I think I could have got more of mine but I gave it the full abuse treatment, including racing it constantly (it used to kick ***** a$$ with just a few cheap mods like free ram air) the day I finished killing it I was whopping this dude in a lowered camry that had a whole lot of performance stickers, stripes and nice rims, we raced on this 2 mile straight highway stretch and all he got to se was a pretty good view of my tail light black outs and my dual pipes heheheh. But then I shot out a smoke screen and the engine started vibrating and that was it .

 

So far, I'm up to 210,500 miles, and still going! Michael, did you ever bring that 2.8 to the track with that kind of mileage? My 2.8's turning 17.1's right now; I think the mileage is keeping it slow.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

I just rolled over to a whopping 135,000 miles earlier today. I'm glad I have a long way to go w/ this little engine!!

------------------
Red 1986 SC, 2.8L, rebuilt 700R4, 3.42 Posi, t-tops, 134K miles and counting, K&N air filters, hopefully more to come!

 

Do yourself a favor!
Swap in the 3.4, instead!
I am wrapping up this swap.
I am/have created a 2.8-in-disguise to fool
the smog people.
It's very easy!
Lots of details, lots of dirt, but, for about $900+ (& a 40K 3.4 engine to start with), I get a great finished product, that, will last along time, and have PLENTY of scoot, to boot!

I cannot wait to break into the 14's with this engine!

3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4!
Remember, there is NO replacment for displacement

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

ONE WORD WELL A FEEW TO THE MILEGE ON MINE CASTROL GTX 10W40 :-)
and no sure haven't taken it to the track i work to damn much eheh


------------------
1987 Chevrolet Camaro
2.8 Ltr HO Cut air boxes K&N Filters Gutted Cat (Did I say gutted opps don't tell the officer)
Duel catback Exhaust With Flowmaster series 80 dual 5"X24" MONSTER Echos
225/60/R16 Mounted on 97 Firebird 16X8" Rims

 

Ked85 I think I'll be doing the 3.4 swap. Question to ya, are you dropping in the 4l60 or are you sticking with your 700? My 700 needs a rebuild so I've thought about getting the '93 3.4 with its 4l60 but Im not clear on one thing, I think I read somewhere that the 93 tranny Is not computer controlled like the 94+ ones are. If thats the case I'll get the new tranny, otherwise I'll just rebuild my 700.

Does anyone know if if the 4l60 will fit my 85 Bird?

 

The 700r4 and 4L60 are the same tranny just different names. I've heard that some 93s were the 4L60s and some were the 4L60E which is the electronic version

------------------
Red 1986 SC, 2.8L, rebuilt 700R4, 3.42 Posi, t-tops, 135K miles and counting, K&N air filters, hopefully more to come!

 

Really?, I didnt know that. Thats really cool, so its gonna be easy popping the new tranny. Ill keep you guys up to date on this project and even post pics. I need all the help and suggestions you guys can dish up.

Anyone have info on using the 3.4 pacesetter headers on our cars? I wanted to go with something diff. I currently run on a flowmaster american thunder catback unit with a random cat converter. I heard that running catbacks on our engines is better than dual pipes, any truth in this?

 

just some meaningless trivia but 4L60 stands for "4" speed, "L" longitudally mounted(RWD), and "60" is the torque rating on a scale of 0-90. and if applicable, the "E" would be Electronically controlled.

------------------
Dan
1990 3.1L RS
80 Series Flowmaster
It's fast(er than a 3 cyl metro)

 

Nothing is meaningless here Cali, thanx for the info. Listen I needed to know if that tranny would work well with a thirdgen posi rear.

 

Someone's got the Pacesetter 3.4 headers on here, but I can't remember their name for the life of me. Oops.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

yes, the 700-R4 was introduced in 1982 and in 1989, although unchanged, it became the 4L60. in 1993, GM produced the 4L60-E. you can use any 4L60 as long as it's for a V6. a V8 tranny won't work.



------------------
Dan
1990 3.1L RS
80 Series Flowmaster
It's fast(er than a 3 cyl metro)

 

I was dead sure the 700r4 became renamed to a 4L60 in 1991...?


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

So even if I pull a posi from a thirdgen v8, I still use the v6 tranny right?

 

I do not doubt that one detail.
Tranny?
In my instance, I bought this 1985 Forebird for $300, because it had a new rebuilt tranny.
I was going tot put that firebird tranny into my S-10 Blazer, but I got the firebird running to good, then I blew the firebird engine (you should see the hole in the piston! COOL!!!) and you all know the rest.
DO IT!!!!
The swap is great!!!

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

yes, rearends aren't engine specific. wish i could find a posi....

------------------
Dan
1990 3.1L RS
80 Series Flowmaster
It's fast(er than a 3 cyl metro)

 

I just got my 3.4 engine dialed in.
IT'S INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT IS SO STRONG & FAST!
100 MPH & 20+ MPG here I come!
DO THIS SWAP!!!
WORTH IT!!

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

I am man, already know where to get an engine. I'm putting money aside cause I need a rear end with posi and a new exhaust and I wanna get the 4l60 with the engine or, if I can't find a non electronic 4l60, a 700 from a 90-92 thirdgen .

Are you running on your stock exhaust manifolds or did you pickup some headers?

I need info on the pacesetter headers which( I think ) are the only ones that would fit the 3.4 in a thirdgen and I cant afford to have them custom made for like $600. Plus if I dish out over 400 in exhaust it would be on Borla . If not, Im looking into the pacesetters and Dynomax 2.5 inch cats and keep my Random Tech converter.

Can anyone give me a bit more info on Dynomax. Do they rust out fast? Remember I'm in a caribbean island so rust is a big concern. My Flomaster catback is almost two years old and it still looks great. Reason I'm not keeping it is that it only has 2" pipes.

Oh and congrats on your hybrid bird Ked85, I'll definitely be living the "no replacement for displacement theme soon"!

 

I'm using the stock exhaust, but, with this engine I got/kept that 1995 version of the manifolds. I has the space for the UFO EGR valve and they came with heat shields. Works by me!
The pipes are new-ish. It has new Cat convertor, good 2 1/4" pipe to back & dual exhaust from a Z-28 imitation (1 pipe per side), for muffler.
All this came with this car that I bought for $300.
My friend drove it last night. He was really stunned.
His response. "Why would anyone want a V-8?"
DO IT!!!!!

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA