Ok. How much will ported/polished heads, Cam (biggest power cam I can get and still have driveability) give me in general from stock? I know where a 2.8 is that I can rip the heads off for like $20 (junkyards here are cheap) probably, and I was thinking that I could get them, port and polish them, and do whatever to them, then put them on along w/ a cam and maybe some new valve springs.

 

<grin>


Heheehh i can answer this fer ya's been there done that BUT ya locked my post lol... so i can't do it....


Seriously tho.....


Get a set of heads and send em to be:
1: checked over
2: shaved .010
3: 3 angle jobed
4: Ported and polished - MOST of the porting and polishing on the exhaust side!!! Do not put much into the intake side.
5: New springs, SS valves ect ect....
6: 1.52:1 roller rockers

Cam:

This is a hard one.... I enjoy a lope to any engine i build. Your streetablity might be different then mine... I would suggest the CompCams 2030 cam... Coupled with the 1.52:1 rockers it produces some nice lift, vacuum still stays good for yer brakes and there is a NOTICABLE difference in power - Couple this with the heads above you are making some nice power.

Intake side:

Theres quite afew things ya can do here... the most basic is Gasket match you intakes - do this... more undisturbed flow the better. The idea here is to port into the intakes ONLY 1/2 to 1 inch and remove ONLY enough metal to create a smooth transition from one piece to the other... DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT grind ANY metal from the bottom intake - only smooth the metal... the metal is thin and it will leak.... again DO NOT remove alot... only surface polish IF you have to...

Take and get a TB from a donor car and send it to a fiero shop... have them do their magic on it... this will increase flow as well... the idea is again to increase flow.

If you do this you will out flow what your stock "headers" can handle so from there get custom made headers and Y pipe...


While your at it get a stall convertor - you will need it and it will enhance your new 180hp engine... Now if your building a block then heres what i would/have done...


Take block:

1: Have it checked
2: bore it 1mm or .030
3: Zero deck it
4: Add custom forged pistons... comp to 9.5 to 10.2:1
5: Get pre 68 forged chevy rods. have em necked down to fit crank and piston pin. this is actually cheaper then you might think and 20 times stronger then stock.
6: Crank - two routes here... Get a old one and have it cleaned up - Stock 2.8/3.1 cranks are EXTREMELY stout... they can and will handle 300+ hp... OR get a hardened Grand prix crank... yer choice. I went with a old crank and it ran fine.

Now that you have a stout bottom end go ahead and add upper engine and add 120 shot of nos...


Get a custom chip and a fuel/spark manager like the Holley commander.

Enjoy a 230 to 245hp engine with 220 to 245 ft/tq

Hook up 120hp NOS on a progressive system and injoy the high 13's.... BTW that will hang with a stock 99 firebird... will smoke a 5.0L mustang...


this doesn't include the lil stuff like spark control and such but i am sure ya get the idea....

Have fun...


David

 

Ok,
1. what was the machining bill, please.
2. why not start on a 3.4, instead?
Was it because it was unavailable at that time?
Just curious on #2.

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

 

Thanks Red....although I was more looking at only adding the heads/cam, and springs....not redoing the whole engine. I'm wondering about how much HP this would have.

 

Heads cam and springs

If ya just do the heads cam and springs you will see about 165hp i would guess. BUT why add things that improve breathing if your not gonna uncork the intake - you will have it off anyways, might as well do it and get better flow :P

A good cam kit will come with:

Cam
lifters
springs

Replace your pushrods

Might as well replace the keepers and such... While ya have em out ya should get em worked over - heck there out, do it now. When there worked over get em a 3 angle job, get new SS valves. Believe me, the 2.8 and 3.1L heads are breathers - mostly on the exhuast side but man if ya get em done you can feel the difference. Its not a i think i can feel it or i see it in tenths on the stop watch, it is a TRUE seat of the pants feeling.

While you have the top off, replace the timing chain. Get so fiero valve covers ect ect... I know ya wanna keep cost to a low, but sence ya have everything apart it makes more sence to do it all.


If your still just wanting to do the heads cam and springs you are robbing yerself of power for something that would be afew hours more work.


David

 

ah, fiero valve covers....very nice touch. i shoulda snagged the ones i saw last month.

 

Why would you buy 2.8 heads, when you could just rip off the ones you have and port and polish them and put them back on?... save some money...

------------------
1985 Camaro SC - 2.8L, auto.

Mods:
Removed air baffles, mandrel bent cat-back pipes (but stock replacment muffler, Dynomax Turbo is on the way)

Maintenance since I bought it:
Bosch Platinum Plugs, wires, cap + rotor, Radiator, Water Pump, PCV, fluids and filters

 

Well, if he buys those heads, he can port & polish & valvejob them while he drives his car. I myself have two sets of 2.8 heads in my basement...


------------------
-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!

 

Good point... didn't think of that

Oh yeah, TomP, I just noticed that you live in NJ... where abouts? I'm right down near Toms River (Ocean County)(If you're not familiar, about 30-45min south of Englishtown). I'd like to ask you a few questions pertaining to machine shops and those heads of yours


------------------
1985 Camaro SC - 2.8L, auto.

Mods:
Removed air baffles, mandrel bent cat-back pipes (but stock replacment muffler, Dynomax Turbo is on the way)

Maintenance since I bought it:
Bosch Platinum Plugs, wires, cap + rotor, Radiator, Water Pump, PCV, fluids and filters

[This message has been edited by Xenodrgn (edited May 24, 2001).]