I want to rebuild my 2.8 and get some more performance out of it but every one tells me that I should just put a 350 in it and get more pwoer for just about the same amount of money. I don't want a 13 second car (I already have one). Why does everyone else keep the 6?

 

V6 Generally equals better gas milage and for some people cheaper insurance.
6's can also be quite fun to drive.
SSC

 

It's really expensive to do a V8 Swap. You're lookin at Tranny, Springs, Computer, TPI, Wiring Harness, all the brackets and accessories, Radiator (although ours MAY work, but not that well, and various other small things like sensors. I roughly averaged my swap out, and it was going to run me around 8000 bones (that was for Monkie). I decided instead to keep my lil 6 and buy a 4th gen Formula.

 

If you do stay 6 with in your case sounds like the better way look into doing the following for fun:

1. 3.73 Posi Rear or a locker
2. Complete MSD Ignition Helps spark and is cheap and easy to do
3. If an auto raise the stall, get a shift kit and a tranny cooler
4. Crane 2030 cam and 1.52 roller rockers and a coyles double roller timming chain
5. a dynomax cat back and a high flow or new cat

Do all that and you run low 15's all day long and still make 20MPG city. It would be fun yet fast enough and give the peppy feeling. Then you could always add:

6. Sub Frame connectors to give that cornering edge
7. urethane bushing kit
8. Lower control arms and panhard rod and torque arm

Then you would be pulling close to a 1g skid pad if you get the right tires and rims.

Then look into vented/crossed drilled brakes, stainless steel brake lines, synthetic fluids, and firberglass body parts to reduce weight.

Then look into new interior carpet to brighten things up, a new head liner, a 140 speedo combo, a hurst dual gate shifter, a K&N Conical setup, relocaint the battery to the trunk and a killer 5 speaker 1 amp radio setup. Then paint it...

Stick with the 6 if you already have a 13 seond car. I know in 5 years after I modd my 6 and if I do not have my 80 vette yet I will drop a 400 small block in mine just to own a bad *** v8 for awhile, but for know it does it's job running 16.01 consistantly. Toss my headers on and my double roller chain and I should be VERY HIGH 15's each time not just the rare once.

 

Then I guess it is decided. i will stay with the V6

 

What do you mean "Its decided?" I'm guessing that emmsions arent very big where you are. If they are then I wouldnt change anything. If not then why not swing a 350 w/ carb in there, its no where near $8,000. I was looking at my setup, the only engine wires I need are 1) Alternator 2) Hot wire for the fuel pump (You would be able to get by w/ a fuel pressure regulator to kick the pressure down) 3) Carb chock hot wire. Then you have your instrument wires. Voltmeter, Oil pressure, Temp, fuel. Those are already on your car. So you wouldnt have to buy a new harness, TPI, etc. Once you install the new carb and the vacuum dist your computer will be taken out of the loop and rendered ineffective.

You are looking at what? $1500 for the engine and transmission (A medium case scenario) then ($250) for the carb. Say $125 for the intake. Then springs doubt they'd be more than $100. Throw in a couple of motor mounts $20. Voila! Thats about it. So thats a total of $1995. And you have a 350 Chevy instead of a 171 Chevy.

I had an 89 2.8. And this 87 T/A that l put a 350 into is a whole lot more fun to drive.

Just my thoughts, but dont believe the $8,000 quote unless you are planning on dropping a GM crate motor w/ all the top of the line stuff on it. But even then....

Oh well

Clayton

 

Swap in a 3.4 or 3.8 just to be different and keep a 6, or build a V8 and do it with like a 327 or something. True the easiest way would be a 350, but sometimes fun come into it to. The next motor I build will not be a 350, I did it once because it was cheap and easy to find parts, next time when I have more money and time I am going to build a 327 with 4 bolt mains that revs to like 7000rpms with all the goodies to go with it, or maybey a Chevy 302 that revs High. I would just like to see a high revving small block that isnt a 350 or 383. Oh I know how about a Lingenfelter 427 small block kit, now that would be WILD!!!.

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89 Trans Am Turbo 3.8L All stock 43,000 miles #1053 of 1555

Past Thirdgen:
86 Trans Am w/ built 355TPI with SLP goodies and too much other stuff to List. One sweet *** car, wish I would have had a good enough Job to pay insurance on three cars so I could keep it, but for a 89 Turbo Trans Am w/ Low miles, I think I made the right choice!

 

Emissions are important here and they are pretty strict. I don't go however becaus ehte people are so dumb. My dad went in his 85 volvo 740 and it failed becuase the kid wouldn't shift out of 2nd at 45mph and he fept going between 40 and 50 instead of staying at a constant speed

 

Well heh heh! If you really wanted the best of botlh worlds Thers a V6 305 "Not inline" about the same dimentions as a 350. I think its 58-68 GMC truck. Now thats a 6.