I currently own an 86 firebird with a 2.8 liter engine...It has recently been designated as "the project" (or horseater, like we like to call it). My question is if a rebuilt 2.8 can become any kind of an engine. A sleeper maybe? Is there anyway I can get enough torque to smoke the tires more than the light chirp i get now? Regardless, if not, i understand (please be honest). Id be willing to drop a 305 or 350 in, but thought that maybe id be fun to have a V6 that is oriental biased (eating rice and smushing cobras) Thanks!

 

If your planning to rebuild the 2.8 you can make it a pretty strong car. Make sure you do TomP's major tune up list and get everything running right then do some good mods like a cat back system, some type of cold air intake, new plugs, wires, distri cap and rotor. and if your rebuilding u can put a more aggressive cam in there with roller rockers and upgrade some. It'll never be a 350 but you can still have fun with it. Hope I helped.

 

I paid $800 for my 3.4 swap engine.
This other guy paid $700 for his 3.4.
I know of another paid $500for his 3.4.
Stongely consider the 2.8 as just a core motor.

 

Ked is absolutely right.

Forget the 2.8 and find a 3.4 out of a 92/93/94 Camaro. You can easily swap all your parts; exhaust, intake, etc. You will need to plug up the cam/cranksensor holes on the block. GM sells these parts. You won't be able to use the 3.4 intake assembly.


With all the trouble of removing the motor and rebuliding it, why bother when the 3.4 can be easily located at a much cheaper price.

I managed to pick one up for $350 that had about 40K mileage ( although I'm rebuilding it for a project) so you can get lucky also by searching the scrap yards.

 

2.8 and 3.1 are both very solid engines. Smoke a 350 not going to happen, sure it can be done but why not take that money and buy an IROC or something that will be of value when your done.

I would go with Ked and get the 3.4 L, first off you start with a better plat form 160hp and 200 ft/lb. Then when you do upgrades like better exuast, cam roller rockers etc. You will see your money working.

But if I were you and had the money get a 350 or 305 car.

 

Just curious but wasn't the 3.4 also available in 4th gens in 95 for the early part of the year?

 

If you want to do something cheap replace the cap and rotar, wires, plugs, and get an accel super coil, you will get better gas mileage and feel a difference, then you can gut the cat or remove it and this will help and give you a somewhat v-8 sound, I did all of this for less then a hundred bucks
David

 

Correct.
3.8 available as the mid year replacment.
I have a 1995 3.4

 

the fastest 60* v6 ull find is the 3.4.. i VERY STRONGLY suggest dropping in that engine if ur even thinking bout rebuilding ur engine.. as far as i know u can only use the l36 with was only in the 93-95 f-bodies.. if u live in an area with smog, dress the 3.4 as a 2.8 (look up ked85's swap bogie.. there is ALOT of info on this swap in there.. it also sucessfully passed cali smog)..

if u really wanted to, u could rebuild a 3.4.. waste of time and money? a lot of ppl will say it is.. complete rebuild w/ performance parts $1k easly just on parts.. est 250hp from 160hp stock.. remember that ull never get ur money back on doin something like this if u ever decide to sell the car in the future.. if u want a reliable really fast f-body, get a v8.. if ur dead set on getting a v6 sleeper like me and dont plan on ever selling ur car do this..

u could also swap in a 3.8 or 4.3 (both 90* v6).. im pretty sure the 4.3 was never in a car (always in trucks and suvs).. that makes it not a smog legal swap.. u can get better power from a 3.8 than a 3.4, but this swap requires the things same as a v8 swap and costs just as much..

x55cam - 92/93/94?? 93/94/95 sounds alot better.. ive never seen a stock 92 f-body with a 3.4..

ked85 - u sure that the 3.8 appeared in a 95 model year car? i thought the 3.8 first appeared in the f-body in the 96 model year f-bodies and all 93-95 v6 were 3.4s.. oh well.. i could be wrong on that..

i feel like i just wrote an essay..

mike (loomdog)

 

I'll explain why I'm sure.
My 1995 Pontiac Model line catalog states that the 3.8 available as a mid year replacement.
That note is in the Firebird part.
3.4 in 93,94,95 F Bodies.
Yes, real sure on these facts

 

I agree too; my girlfriend has a '94, with the 3.4, and that was the last "full" year of the 3.4. For '95, the 3.8 was the option.

 

Ked85 post a pic of your new engine I want to see it in a thirdgen. Also does a 3.4 have stock forged pistons like the 89 2.8L did. Cause if I plan on swapping in 3.4 I want to run a NOS system with it.
Also I dont think Cammy hunters 2.8-3.1L headers will fit on a 3.4L. So do they make 3.4L headers.
And finally in 95 they offered both engines a 3.4 and 3.8L. My mom has a 95 camaro with a 3.4L. Go to www.kbb.com and look under 95 camaros and it says they offered both engine types.

 

hmmm.. 3.8 midyear 95.. ok.. was that only on the firechicken? good to know that karl and/or tom always have the answers..

 

Dis is Wha Da Book Sez!
Pontiac full line brochure
Page 27
3.8
"*Available Mid-Year, with automatic transmission and air conditoning."
Come on, you know the same line was used in the Camaro brochure, too.

ANYTHING FROM one 60* engine, will FIT another 60* engine, PROVIDED IT IS THE SAME DESIGN (BUT, MANY items from a FWD engine, will not CORRECTLY OPERATE on a RWD 60* engine.
Seriously,
Measly $6 go to ANY GM DEALER and get the GM Performance Parts book.
It will help you with so many answers.
About the pistons, I do not know that answer.
I really doubt GM used Forged pistons in the 60* engines.
Show me proof, please.
You can use NOS in ANY engine.
Safely, too.
Read the instructions and ask the manufactures.

 

The 2.8/31./3.4 all came with cast aluminum pistons. No production vehicle with a v6/60 ever came with forged. Doing NOS with such a setup is potentially disasterous. Don't even think it!

Here are some P/N's that were availible from GM, though some may be discontinued - http://users.spec.net/home/emxjc/pistons.html

 

Picture this:
After swapping in your 3.4, got it all cleaned and running, you cruise over to the local hangout, pop the hood.
The Hottie that melts your legs, walks up to you, her sensuous, pouty lips part, your heart beats faster!
"Where's this "Big Engine" of yours, this stroked V-6, the 3.4?"
You say,
"I know, it looks exactly like it used to with the 2.8, doesn't it?"
Fast RS knows. He saw it.
Serious

 

Im not saying anything on this one Karl ... I will say most chicks down here dont even care about engines .They just droll over the looks of the car ! I'll have to let ya'll know how its doing today when I get her back with the shiftkit in it !!!

 

The 3.4 headers will even fit our 2.8's - but they won't fit the CAR.