in look of the recent postings and happenings...when i go to the yard...i'd like to get a long block...question though...are the head and block exactly the same on the carb and the fuel injected models with exception of the intake manifold? or would i have to get a short block from the fuelinjected 2.8 and put my carbed heads on it? (or is the FI short block different? i wouldn't think so)

Thanks

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1984 Bright Red Pontiac Firebird...2.8L V6..173CI...2BBL Carb..15 inch wheels..o.o

 

The blocks are the same.
The heads "are the same" but different.
The FI heads flow better. So find a FI block (even the cam is better/more performance agressive in a FI engine), it's in your favor.
WHAT YOU REALLY WANT IS A 3.4 long block, swap intakes.
This is what GM sell for the Blazers.
I did this with my 1985 Firebird, got a 3.4 block.

Everyone here knows the results.

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

 

No frieght train comment KED?

 

Weird, 87Rs.. I was gonna say the same damn thing =P

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'86 Camaro SC, black /w silver racing stripes
2.8l MPFI/700r4 /w special 2nd gear delete option
In search of new v8 engine & transmission, now contemplating t5 swap to get me out of this mess.
MSD coil, Accel 8mm wires, SplitFire plugs, Gabriel hijackers, possible performance chip I don't know about.. gotta crack open the ECM and check sometime

 

As I said,
Everyone, here, knows the results

Damn, this car really does pull like a freight train! The problem is when you start to get used to the new found horsepower.
Remove the front behind the bumper stuff for better weight transfer & cooling, too.

When do the drags at Pomona start?

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

 

sorry to get off the subject here, but KED, have u ever been on a freight train?

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Stock 2.8 MPFI auto w/ Flowmaster 40, More to come......
New Pioneer Head Unit
2x 10" Pioneer subs powered by 300 Watt Jensen amp
2- 6x9" Pioneer (rear)
More to come..... (hey, i dont got a job yet)

 

There's a few differences you should know about...

82-86 motors are "externally balanced". That means the flywheel or flexplate is balanced to the engine, and it's vital you get that with the engine. 87-up 2.8's were internally balanced, meaning the flywheel/flexplate has no weights on it. This means you can interchange flywheels without worrying about the engine. So, say you have a manual trans in that '84, and you find an '86 2.8 out of an automatic. It's probably not a good idea to take your '84 flexplate and bolt it to the '86 engine.

Large-journal crankshafts started in mid-85. If you find an '85 block, it's a half-half chance you got the large mains, but it's a "minor" thing to worry about, and won't affect an engine swap.

As Karl said, the cam in '85 became a "high-output" cam, with a more agressive grind. The valves in the heads also got a bit bigger.

Think about asking the wrecking yard guy about buying the whole fuel injection setup (main engine wiring harness, computer, sensors, intake manifold, intake tubing and the sensors on the tubing, etc).


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-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!

 

Sooo, Tom, theoretically, I should be fine using my balancer and flexplate from my 2.8 ('87) with my 3.4 block that was mated to a manual tranny.... right?

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--'87 Camaro LT --
Currently undergoing a 2.8->3.4 swap.....

 

Actually, never been on a freight train.
But, back east, had a train in my backyard (across the street) when I was growing up.
At my Dad's old furniture factory, a freight train went by, for bit.
Did ride many trains back east, in NYC/DC area (subways).
I do so love trains.
One of my favorite places is Travel Town (Griffith Park, Burbank, CA). I'm gonna give my 6 Month old Son a ride on that train, next month. They have an opertional Diesel train, once a month.
So cool.
I missed riding a train in Northern California. I was really bummed.
The old Coal burning Trains, could pull the Rockfeller Building out of its foundation. So much power! Think of the opening for the old Superman Tv series of the 50's. More powerful than a Locomotive!

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

 

Yreka, CA. The old steam train make a few loops a day around town for like $5-10. I used to see it when I was loading up there with veneer for the plywood mills.

 

The one I had missed was up by Santa Cruz.
That's ok, saw a great concert (Bob Weir) and then caught a BEAUTIFUL sunset on 17 Mile Drive at the Golf Corse, with deer in the background.
I do so love Northern California. Favorite is Marin, North. Especially Eureka. Glad I did my trips up the coast starting in 1981, sure isn't the same, today.
Said by a East Coast born Boy, that was born on the wrong coast.

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

 

87LT, in theory, yeah. You might want to check with Graeme'sFirebird on this; he did an auto-to-manual conversion, and noticed some changes with flexplates. I don't know if the same applies to flywheels, though.


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-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!