Help with a 2.8...

[hotwater]

First of all, let me say hi. I am new to this board and it looks pretty cool. Anyway, I have an 89 GMC Jimmy with the 2.8L TBI and the 5 spd. Here is my problem. I am stationed in Germany and RWD chevy engines are very hard to come by. I want to do some things to increase performance and make this 200k mile + truck run a bit better. Parts are very expensive here and not many people like to ship to here from the states. (high shipping cost). Can someone help? There are plenty of FWD GM's here in the yard but no RWD's. Please help.....

BTW, sorry bout the long post....

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[RidgeRunner]

Well, what specifically are you looking for?

[geoffinbc]

Wow pretty clean looking engine.

Sad to say there is not much that will hop up the truck much as far as bolt ons go. But any ignition box made for a GM HEI ignition system will work. Also you can add on a 4.3L TB, bore the intake for the larger throttle bores and help wake up the engne. 1.6 ratio rockers are a real nice addition (SBC narrow body rockers fit)

If you decide to presue anything just ask and we will help out

[hotwater]

Well, I have already replaced the throttle body with the 4.3 one. I had to stick with the 2.8 injectors though. The 4.3 ones were"over-fueling" the engine. The new TBI is great, however, it seems to have caused the idle to raise up really high. Is there anything I should do or is this just something that I have to deal with on this mod?

Also, I am wondering what kind of parts I can use from the FWD cars. Most of them are late 80's to early 90's models. One again, thanks.....

[hotwater]

BTW, what about swapping over to the MPI from a FWD car? Would it work and how complicated would it be. Sorry to ask sooo much but I am eager to learn...

[RidgeRunner]

Yeah, it can work... the newer the better tho as far as intake manis and heads are concerned.

http://www.domesticcrew.com/raven/James/

Here's someone who did a turbocharged "hybrid" using the newer Gen3 (1994-present) intakes and heads on the old RWD block. He's on this forum as The_Raven.

[geoffinbc]

Well, I have already replaced the throttle body with the 4.3 one. I had to stick with the 2.8 injectors though. The 4.3 ones were"over-fueling" the engine. The new TBI is great, however, it seems to have caused the idle to raise up really high. Is there anything I should do or is this just something that I have to deal with on this mod?

Also, I am wondering what kind of parts I can use from the FWD cars. Most of them are late 80's to early 90's models. One again, thanks.....

Yes sticking with the 2.8L injectors was the right idea. What you had to do with the 4.3L TB swap was un cap the idle adjustment screw. When you do this you can adjust the minimum idle speed. I would suggest taking the TB off the removing the cap

[hotwater]

As far as the heads go, would I have to have some kind of headers fabbed up or something? I have been told that the exhaust manifolds from the RWD 2.8 won't fit the FWD's heads. Also, I am curious about turboing this thing. I have access to a Saab 9000 that is turbo if this would help. Thanks again for everyones help. You guys are great....

[614streets]

A camshaft will help you. 2030 is a goodie. All in all it takes a bit to get good power from that vin R of yours. I was in your shoes (engine wise) a few years back. And I had all the bolt ons on my h.o vin r , even Nitrous Oxide.

[hotwater]

Anybody know of any "how to's" for modding or hooking up a turbo on this thing?

[geoffinbc]

Sorry no "how to's" I do know that Camaro manifolds are larger and flow better than the S-10 ones. But you will need a new Y pipe.

[hotwater]

Sorry no "how to's" I do know that Camaro manifolds are larger and flow better than the S-10 ones. But you will need a new Y pipe.

A custom one or the one from the camaro?

[geoffinbc]

Probabally custom. Any exhaust shop can handle it