ANYTHING into a 1985 Pontiac 6000

[newwave]

Hi all-
I have a 1985 Pontiac 6000... the engine (2.5L, iron duke) seized on me the day I bought it... I tried swapping a duker from a 1987 Olds into it but failed, possibly due to the DIS on the 87 engine.... now I'm thinking if I have to pull that engine again anyway I might as well put something worthwhile in there... thinking of a 2.8 V6 but I figured I'd ask you guys if you had any ideas, since I'm going to have to get the engine anyway. What engine can I put in that will give me the most bang for the buck? Which will be the easiest swap? etc... ideally I'd like to drop a V8 in there but I know that's probably tons more work than I care to put into it. I have access to a garage, motor hoist, and plenty of tools, but time is of the essence.. I can't have it there for too long or I get charged storage.

[geoffinbc]

3400 Cheep and reliable swap. I do not know all the details of swapping a 4 to a 6. but I believe the trannies are the same fit.

[newwave]

Will that require installing the computer or reworking a wiring harness or anything?

[BMC]

Yes,
and when you say "cheap and easy"- this is what it is not.

You willl need to cahnge motor mounts, exhaust, complete wiring harness, ECU/PCM, intake system and so on. Figure a couple $2 to $4k and you will be back on the road. Not worth it unless the car is something you really enjoy.
FWIW,
-BMC.

[Zboy]

Dude, sweet AMC collection. Dig the Eagle and the Hornet. I think the cheapest route is to sell the 6000 for whatever you can get and buy an 89 6000 STE All-wheel drive with a 2.8. But for swapping, a used 3.1 would probably be the cheapset route( besides another 4 cylinder which is the easiset and cheapest by far).

[newwave]

Zboy, thanks. Is the 3.1 available with a distributor or is there a way to use DIS in a car designed for a distributor? I know little to nothing about GM stuff.. I'm more of an AMC fan (as you could probably tell). I do know I like the look of the early-mid 80s A-body cars, and I also know the car doesn't go very fast with a non-working iron duke in it. What sort of work would be involved in a 3.1 switch? Motor mounts? New transmission, or will the 3-sp from the duker work? Thanks...

[Zboy]

The 2.8 carb v-6 had a distributor, however these engines should be avoided at all costs. They SUCK, horribly weak bottom end, carbs that catch on fire, no power, trust me they SUCK. Some 2.8 multiports in the 6000's had a distributor however these are hard to come by. Most 6000's came with a fuel injected V-6 and they are very cheap these days. I can find them for what you will pay for an engine. They are that cheap. If it sounds like I'm trying to talk you out of this swap, I am. This is something you do if you have all the parts sitting around and have access to a junkyard. These cars are so common and cheap there is no reason to spend that much time and money on a car that will be worth a quarter of what you have into just parts. If you are still hell bent on this swap, get a trans, wiring and mounts from a 87 up 6000. Get a 3.1 and computer from anything front wheel drive. Corsicas and Luminas are a good bet. The 3.1 should bolt up to everything. Be sure to get a 3.1 NOT a 3100 which requires a different computer and wiring harness. You can also use a 2.8, but since you want to swap, you might as well use the biggest version engine available. It is possible to use a distributor, but it is not worth it, the DIS is far more efficient, and since you have to do some major rewiring anyway use the DIS. Another engine option ( albeit it is more costly) is to swap our favorite engine the 3.4 Dohc. But seriously, consider finding another 6000, they almost grow on trees.

[newwave]

I already have another 6000, and oddly enough it has that 2.8L carbureted V6. I do have access to a fuel injected 2.8 out of a Celebrity that has a distributor... however I didn't know if anything else would be easier to swap in.

6000s aren't all that plentiful where I live, but they are by no means rare... if I wanted another one I could probably get one. It's just that I hate to have bought this car and now have no way to drive it. I'm not so much worried about it not being worth what I have into it... I just want it to run.

(also I know I could put another duker in there, but hey, this is the V6 board, thought I'd ask )

[Erich]

The carbed 2.8's should be converted to a non computerized emmision control setup like a Holley setup. The 1985+ have the better bottom ends with larger bearings.

Install a 3800 or 3800 SC into the A bodies...its a better swap and almost bolt in. You can also do a small block v8 swap with a partial Archie kit. The sky's the limit with modifying the 82-96 A bodies...MANY bolt in junkyard parts. Keep in mind that you will need to take in account your transmission, speedometer and fuel pump and various revisions throughout the years.

Consider using a newer 3X00 set from from a 94-96 Century/Ciera. My goal is to get a L67 into my 1990 AWD some day.

Good Choices for a X/A body are
3400/3100
3800
3800SC
4.9 Caddy engine
4.6 Northstar
Small Block