Determining what Gen 2.8l I have

[Charless1]

OK was trying to figure out some information on my Corsy

I have an 89 4 Hatch with the 2.8l MPFI
Trying to decern what Gen that is and as it is not a DOHC I presume then that it is a Push Rod

Did a search on the Forums for reading my VIN to see what Body Style as I see y'all refer to the cars as A bodies W bodies and the like did not see anything will post my VIN and (minus Serial Portion ) if that would help

[1988GTU]

Why do you want to know this?

Is it carb? MPFI? Is the motor bad and you are looking for a replacement?

Welcome and where are you located? Pictures? I like those hatches.

[Charless1]

Just like having information about a Car I spent 600 on with only 84k on the clock. Engine is Tight (Ok so the VC gaskets leak a tad wadya expect for a 20 year old engine)

This is MPFI

Will try to get some pics of it posted.

Currently Car has 3 colors on it Primer Blue and White (car was White had idiot damage to door and Pass fender and was replaced )

I want to see what I can do with this motor from Stock Config and not have to completely go through the internals

[1988GTU]

I personally class the 2.8 MPFI FWD aluminum head engines as a Gen 1. Although, knowing that the s10 and camaro's had a 2.8 iron head (fiero too) , some may call it a Gen 2 due to the revisions that your motor has.

If you're looking to make more power with settle changes and don't expect to make tons more power, I'd drop a 3.1MPFI in there. It's a direct bolt in and if you wish to retain the 2.8 plenum, you can. Just know, that you will either have to tap the 2.8 plenum to provide a crank vacuum/vent source for the rear valve cover, or you can just swap the lower intake from your 2.8 onto the 3.1 and keep it easy while stock looking. ORRRR you can just say F it and keep the 3.1 plenum setup and be slightly modern with it.

If you want to make serious'er power, Lx9 swap it. Will require new front engine mounting bracket and a modified rear mount bracket. Also, a crank trigger will be needed. Can buy those already made. TB linkage and coolant temp sensor will need to be address, but if you know how to tap threads, you can do this.


IF you are thinking about 200+ HP and your budget is thin now, you will want to do the Lx9 Swap. It will take you a few grand to get that 2.8 or 3.1 producing power, and it will only be producing stock power compared to a 3400SFI. With a lX9 (3500) you will be sitting at about 225HP stock. Another plus in going 3x00, you can have choice in the aftermarket world with a modern designed engine. The MPFI motors had their time to shine, and that time has shined long time ago.

Now if you go boost, then you can go with that 2.8/3.1, but then tuning becomes a problem since it's rough finding someone willing to help tune your setup for a reasonable price without hacking up your harness and throwing in unneeded parts (not knowing wtf they are doing) .

[bszopi]

The engine is a Gen2. The body style of a Corsica is an L-body. Although a 3500 (LX9) swap is a great alternative, its a little more expensive due to the required extras (ie, external crank trigger). A 3100/3400 would be a cheaper alternative, but still be a decent increase over the current 2.8L.