it seems i will be acquiring a 995 firebird soon. but honestly, i like my 84 camaro alot more. would an engine swap really be worth it? from the 2.8 to the 3.4? i will actually be getting a higher mileage 3.4 than my 2.8 and it will be a 45 horse gain on my camaro. plus i would really like to keep my camaro a manual.

i feel it would be simpler to sell the firebird and get some cash to beef up my camaro's 2.8 than to go and do an entire swap. can someone shoot some knowledge my way?

 

I think it's worth a swap. I'm buying a 3.4 as my base to build on. They're cheap, and cost the same to rebuild as a 2.8.
I'd pull the 3.4 & rebuild, swap it into the Camaro & keep your manual, put the 2.8 in the Firebird, and sell it at a loss.

 

i have considered that, but keep in mind i dont have a shop. i DO have a shade tree, torch, and all the necessary tools. but the time and effort... i have two jobs and go to college. i have like no time or money.

i am a touch confused on though. it appears the 3.4 and 2.8 heads are interchangeable? my 2.8 is carb'd and the 3.4 is fuel injected, so the ECM would also be required correct?

 

the heads do interchange, but the carbed heads have small valves and flow really bad, just bolting on the fuel injected heads of the 3.4 would pick u up a decent bit of power

sliding the 3.4 longblock under the carb and intake would be a very nice power increase, im just unsure of how well the stock carb would work ontop of a 3.4. it would prolly work just fine might just need to jet it up one or 2 sizes if possible

 

btw the carbed motors are not worth rebuilding or trying to get more power out of, they have much weaker cranks in them and are prone to failure, so u get a nice upgrade in swapping the motor just for that point

 

i definitely recommend dropping in a 3.4. you can then drop an edelbrock intake and a better carb on it and youll reallly notice a difference. just gotta have time and money to do it..... always seems to be an issue, im in that boat too lol.

 

As I recall the early 2.8s had some crank issues. As for the carb not a problem. Keep the heads off the 3.4. Then get the edelbrock manifold top and bottom

I think the factory 2.8 intake and carb would be a huge restriction.

If I were going to stay carbed I would at least get these

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-3785/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-3787/

The 3787 will use the stock carb

Or for more power you can get the 3789

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-3789/

and use a small holley carb 4bbl

Here is some more info from edelbrock.

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_...ormer-v6.shtml

chevrolet 2.8L V6
PERFORMER 4V 60° V6 (idle-6000 rpm)
Designed for 1982-85 2.8L 60° V6 Chevy longitudinal-mount engines used in light duty pick-ups and cars. Design features one manifold base and two interchangeable tops. The Performer 4V 60° V6 #3789 accepts std. flange 4-bbl. carbs. Edelbrock Signature Series chrome valve covers #4488 are available for this engine.
Carburetor Recommendations: Holley #0-8007 (390 cfm)

Installation Notes: Manifold height: A-4.90", B-5.95" see A/B Measurements. Port exit dimensions: 1.00" x 1.28"/1.00" x 1.71". Recommended intake gasket: Fel-Pro #1270 or #MS91022. Linkage and bracketry come with top. With 4-bbl. carb #0-8007 and auto trans, a GM transmission cable #25515598 is required.

 

now the guy wants me to trade my old 350 for his 300,000 mile 3.4 supposedly with a rebuilt on it at some point. i feel like itd make just as much sense to just drop the 350 in my camaro. i dont really have the funds to purchase the new intake and a carb

 

pass on that one, "supposedly" without any proof means it wasn't done recently, if at all

 

To swap to a 350 would require a different tranny, rad,rad hoses, exhaust y pipe, ect.... It adds up quick.
Any good junk yards in your area?
If you get that 3.4, you can do a tbi swap. Use the eddy intake w/ the 4bbl. top, tbi adaptor & a 4.3 tbi unit. Get the wiring, distributor, sensors, ect from an 86-92 s10 pick up that has a 2.8L.

 

just use the intake and carb off ur 2.8 and be done with it, u get a much better motor out of it with morepower and its cheap and simple to do

i dont understand why ppl have to complicate things

 

inorite?

 

It'll run lean w/ that 2.8L carb. Nobody supports mods like rejetting them either.

 

i t wont run as lean as ur thinking

 

i have a tbi 2.8 out of an s10 and the ecu for it. would the manifold and tbi fit the 3.4? id imagine the stock carb and manifold from my 2.8 would starve that 3.4, how many cfms are the carb and manifold worth on the 2.8?

 

thats how i feel about it, im going to check on the car. he says he drives it on weekends to his camp, but just because it goes doesnt mean it isnt a pos. i know i have a low mileage 2.8 because there are papers in it that show the engine had been replaced

 

iirc the stock carb manifold piece was a better piece then the mpfi intake.not sure on the cfm rating of the carb but it will be more then enough for a stock 3.4

the tbi swap might not be a bad idea, but if it were me i would do the swap with the carb for now and save money and pick up a mpfi manifold and 2.8 ecm/harness and sensors.

reason for the 2.8 stuff is the maf sensor will be able to comensate for the larger engine were as the 3.1 ecm wont. this will run better without any further tunning reqired

 

the 2.8 sensors have a higher threshold than the larger engines?

i am really beginning to think i am just going to put a cam, headers, and intake in my 2.8, maybe put the tbi in it. time to sell some crap... anyone need an 84 vette with a carb''d 350?? lol i like my camaro alot more for whatever reason