87 firebird 2.8 vs 85 s-15 2.8

[PKrueger]

I have a 87 firebird with a MPFI 2.8. It knocks, and has a lot of vibration. I have a friend who has a 85 S-15 with a 2.8 that has pretty low miles on a rebuild. I want to use the short block out of the S-15 engine, and put the top end of the 87 engine on top of it. Basically turning the old carb'd S-15 engine into a MPFI engine. What are the things I should be watching out for? Will it even work?

[Joseph Upson]

You'll want to swap the cylinder heads because the TBI engines have the heads with smaller valves than the FI engines. Make sure the water pumps rotate in the same direction also, if they don't you'll have to swap the timing covers also.

[ezrollin]

You'll want to swap the cylinder heads because the TBI engines have the heads with smaller valves than the FI engines. Make sure the water pumps rotate in the same direction also, if they don't you'll have to swap the timing covers also.

NOT ! The tbi engines have the same valves as the FI,it's the carbed engine that have smaller valves.