What would be the max hp I could acheave with around $2000. I'm debading weather to get a 5.7L TPI or build up my current 3.1L. Would I be able to get 250horse out of it without nitro or turbo.

 

If your looking to spend only 2K you have to stick with your 3.1.. Most 350 upgrades cost around 3-5K if done right...

I would look into profoesional head work, boreing it over, custom chip reprograming and 10:1 compression....

 

3-5K. I know of a place I can get a 350 TPI + trans for ~1500. And I'm planning on doing the swap my self with some help of others.

 

Do up the V-8.
Dollars WELL spent.
Sell the V-6 for more money, right now.
Go find a V-8 car in the yard & have at it.
Being real.

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

 

I'd have to second Ked's opinion. Swaps ain't worth the time and effort when you can get a whole car with the same setup. Just like I'm looking for a v8 parts car now, when in all reality the v8 will prolly be the main car and my current car turned to a parts car.

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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.
Misc Mods: Cut air box, '83 Firebird spoiler.
Performance Parts: MSD coil, Accel 8mm wires, SplitFire plugs, Gabriel hijackers.
Audio Mods: Pioneer DEH-P3000, two 12" Optimus Pro Audio subs in hand-made enclosure each powered by a 260 watt Optimus amp. Working on shaving the box for weight.
My Homepage, with pics.

 

yeah, i was doing some calculations out of curiosity last nite.....the 2.8 is approx. 47% the size of a 350......the fuel injected 2.8 makes 135 HP which is approx. 47% of what an LT-1 makes........therefore in my calculations i realized trying to get say, 250 HP out of a 60* V6 is about the equivalent of getting 540 HP out of a LT-1 350.......it can be done, but as with anything in life....it's cost money!

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Slayer of the following:
2000 saturn
198? Ford Crown Vic, (no i don't know why he bothered)
1990 Buick LeSabre 3.8
1986 Camaro 2.8
Newer Ford Explorer
Food that makes me sick: RICE
1991 Camaro RS 3.1 V6 5-speed
1991 Z28 Rims with Firestone Firehawks
dual snorkel intake w/ slashed boxes, 2 K&N's
my motto: I CAN'T DRIVE 55

 

oh yeah.....the 2.8 produce approx 48 HP per liter..........an LT-1 produces approx 50 HP liter....where as a TBI 305 comes in at a very poor 34 HP per liter........i am saying this becuz the 60* V6 is actually one hell of a great engine judging by these numbers.........it also makes me realize that we can squeeze power out of them, but very little at that.........i mean look.............48 HP per liter......thats nearly what an LT-1 makes.....judging that you can get a street LT1 to about 500 HP.........do the calculations and you can get one of our 6's to about 250 naturally aspirated........thats pretty good


it also shows that our engines our hard workers and not no dogs

 

Those calculations fail pitifully in the real world. The fact that you get more Hp per liter has nothing to do with what the max should be... Naturally aspirated engines usually hit the limit around 1 HP per cubic inch, so the 2.8 should make up to 173 Hp and a 3.1 up to 210 Hp. It is probably much easier to go with a turbocharger to up the Hp's. There are exceptions of course, the Mazda 2.0L Rotary engine can put out over 300 Hp naturally aspirated.

In regard to the question stated... I say buy a V8 with good frame and engine or just sell your car, add on the extra 2000 you have to buy a nice v8 car that needs less work than your current car (assuming of course you have a budget car)

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1984 Firebird - Daily driver, 305 LG4, T5 - Hurst short shifter, Edelbrock 600 CFM Performer Carb - Edelbrock Pro-Flow air filter, gutted cat, IROC 16x8 Wheels, Goodyear P215/60/R16, AIWA bargain basement (from Sears of course) CD player, Fuzzy dice, Eight-ball shift ****
Check out my ride here $1600!!

First Kill: 2001 Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon (1 person vs me with 2 passengers)

 

Actusly my car is in perfect condition so that would suck if I had to sell it because i'd only loose money on it.

 

I don't think you'd lose money, The difference between a nice V6 and a nice V8 is negligeable, if you find the right deal it would be just as cheap.. and if you add on a couple grand it should be in better condition or have lower miles than your current car. Remember, you have a used car and its like comparing apples to apples in that market... selling your car should result in no loss of monetary value unless you've put a lot of money into manhours (shop repairs/mods) spent working on it... 4-5k ought to get you a nice '92 with relatively low miles.

Good luck with your $$ anyhow, just spend it wisely and you'll be happy.

[This message has been edited by ChillPhatCat (edited August 14, 2001).]

 

First one is normal, second is w/ Turbo and a 100HP shot of Nitrous.

 

ok, then why did my friends 91 350 Vette make 400 HP with a N/A package from ligenfelter?? you can do better than 1 HP per inch........its just a matter of time and money............



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Slayer of the following:
2000 saturn
198? Ford Crown Vic, (no i don't know why he bothered)
1990 Buick LeSabre 3.8
1986 Camaro 2.8
Newer Ford Explorer
Food that makes me sick: RICE
1991 Camaro RS 3.1 V6 5-speed
1991 Z28 Rims with Firestone Firehawks
dual snorkel intake w/ slashed boxes, 2 K&N's
my motto: I CAN'T DRIVE 55

 

When I mentioned the swap price htat included labor.. With what I have going on it would be easier for me to pay than do it myself. Personally play with the 6. Toss the CRANE 2030 cam in 169.99 add some 1.52 Compu Cam roller lifters 109.00, then get a double rolelr chain 69.99, Power Pulleys 89.99, and port a few things under 100 if you do it all yourself. You will be surprised and not have tossed to much cash away.

 

The "magic" one horsepower per cubic inch was first done by Chrysler back in 1955.
But, Chevy made it magical with the 1957 Fuel Injected Corvette.
One HP from any engine is quite easy, IF YA DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SMOG/EMISSION, etc.
IF ya need worry about smog & such, it's still easy, just MORE COSTLY than the old days.
AND THAT'S IF SOMEONE MAKES STREET LEGAL HEADERS. Our V-6 lack that detail. BUT, power can be found in a more efficent exhaust system. And amongst other engine parts, too.

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

 

575Hp out of a 3.1L. You know what that means. Thats right, redoing the whole engine. For a couple grand of course.
Allso for the price if a turbo I can get a nice v-8 out of a wrecked Camaro.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cg...item=592435708

[This message has been edited by 92_CamaroRS (edited August 14, 2001).]

 

yea, and when that engine needs to be rebuilt, you'll be kicking yourself.............575 is actually alot more power than i need.........300 would be good for me.........
do you know how much it will cost to convert to a V8? there are so many parts that need to be swapped, i'm not even going to mention them........if you want a V8 car sell your car and buy a V8 car........i wanted to swap my 6 for an 8 but when a mechanic told me it would cost 4 grand easily, the thought was soon out of my mind

lets see just for the fun of it:
new tranny: $1000
new radiator: $300
wiring harness: $400
dual fans: $100
new front springs: $200
motor mounts: $50
motor: $1000-2000
miscellaneous parts: god knows!!!!!!!!

there you have it: 3-4 grand just for parts

the best thing to do is get a V8 car.......if you like your car, well add an addition to your camaro family.........