Need Ideas for Rebuilding 2.8L in S10

[mikey chalupa]

So, I finally came across a 2.8L that I'm going to rebuild. It's a 85 block that I will be putting in a 93. I have a TBI and I believr that the engine is carb. I'm picking it up this weekend. Will my TBI stuff convert over to the other engine?What other issues would I be running into with the older engine? I also have a 5spd. Will it bolt up to the block without any problems?

My plan is to take the 2.8L and make it a 3.1 or 3.2L. I was going for a 3.1L crank and pistons. A Comp Cam 260H cam kit and 1.6.1 roller rockers or maybe the 1.5's. Amd also the 4.3L TBI.

What else would I need to get this thing up and running? I'm not looking for a race car. Just something with decent gas mileage( I currently get 25 mpg on the highway with 375K miles) and a little more power.

I am looking for all the ideas a nd help I can get. I would love to do a hybrid, but I'm kinda doing this on a budget.

[bszopi]

Its kind of hit and miss with the 85 engine, as it may have the smaller crank journals. Therefore, you won't be able to swap in a different crank, plus it isn't as strong as the newer cranks. 85 was the year of the switch, but not all of them got the larger cranks. That would be the first thing I would verify, and skip over it if it has the small journals.

[neo71665]

Depends if its mid year, sometime in 85 they did swap. You want to also have your heads rebuilt and use those. 85 was still carb and got the smaller valves.

[mikey chalupa]

So should I look for another engine?

I'm assuming from bszopi that the 3.1 crank won't fit in the older 2.8. I spoke to the guy again and he said that it was an 83 engine. So I guess I will keep looking.

I was freaking excited because my engine is giving me really bad low end power. Maybe I will try to rebuild it, but I will be out of a ride for a while.

[bszopi]

Correct, the 3.1 crank will not fit a pre-85 block.

[60dgrzbelow0]

You don't say how much $$$ you have to spend on the anemic 2.8L ...but if you are in a hurry...and don't want to waste more money trying to bump 30-40 HP and torque out of a block that might be marginal in giving you what you need...and still cost you in the end...Consider the GM 3.4L HT Crate Engine as a possible way to go.

If you tally up everything (and I do mean EVERYTHING including wrench time, transport to and from the Machine Shop with costs for the work, new gaskets and engine build tools and cleaning/assembly lubes, etc..) you will wind up either breaking even on the dollar investment and be well ahead of the clock on how long all of this really takes to get done without your own garage... or perhaps even be a little ahead on the money when it comes time to start the new engine. Just remember to pre-oil the engine before then...

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=3&ved=0CA0QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sallee-chevrolet.com%2FPDF%2FHT3.4IntallationInstructions.doc&rct=j&q=gm+3.4l+ht+pdf&ei=GcAmS9iDL4eVtgfvj63VCw&usg=AFQjCNG0xpM_gKp9J1AZhaAN2BOED1obTA

http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/_res/pdf/CrateEngineQRC2008.pdf

[neo71665]

Personally I would look for at least a 86+ block to use.

When looking for an engine don't overlook other makes and models. Camaros and firebirds had 2.8s, 3.1s, and 3.4s.

[neo71665]

You don't say how much $$$ you have to spend on the anemic 2.8L ...but if you are in a hurry...and don't want to waste more money trying to bump 30-40 HP and torque out of a block that might be marginal in giving you what you need...and still cost you in the end...Consider the GM 3.4L HT Crate Engine as a possible way to go.

If you tally up everything (and I do mean EVERYTHING including wrench time, transport to and from the Machine Shop with costs for the work, new gaskets and engine build tools and cleaning/assembly lubes, etc..) you will wind up either breaking even on the dollar investment and be well ahead of the clock on how long all of this really takes to get done without your own garage... or perhaps even be a little ahead on the money when it comes time to start the new engine. Just remember to pre-oil the engine before then...

And your still getting an engine that the warranty is gonna be no good on. Personally I don't charge myself for my time working on my engine but everything but the rings so far I only have $600 tied up in my 3.4. This includes heads rebuilt, the engine, roller rockers, cam, bearings, gaskets, a 4.3 TB, poly motor mounts, and paint for everything. I've been keeping track of everything so far and had a $2000 budget. Prolly part of the reason I've decided to go all out on it is cause I'm coming in so far under budget. It all depends on how you shop and how much work you can do yourself. Personally I would much rather build my own so I don't void any chance I even had at lying to myself about a warranty with putting aftermarket cams, rockers, porting and polishing, and all that good stuff I like to do to engines.

[60dgrzbelow0]

And your still getting an engine that the warranty is gonna be no good on. Personally I don't charge myself for my time working on my engine but everything but the rings so far I only have $600 tied up in my 3.4. This includes heads rebuilt, the engine, roller rockers, cam, bearings, gaskets, a 4.3 TB, poly motor mounts, and paint for everything. I've been keeping track of everything so far and had a $2000 budget. Prolly part of the reason I've decided to go all out on it is cause I'm coming in so far under budget. It all depends on how you shop and how much work you can do yourself. Personally I would much rather build my own so I don't void any chance I even had at lying to myself about a warranty with putting aftermarket cams, rockers, porting and polishing, and all that good stuff I like to do to engines.

For the sake of the OP... Please list everything here...with prices, parts sourcing and availability...

[ezrollin]

It would be much better to get the 3.4 as you start with 160 hp and updated block,heads,crank etc. I have built my own engines anything from a sbc v8,V6's,inline 4 cyls. but went with the 3.4 gm crate engine.If you can find a 3.4 really cheap that only needs a re-ring kit and the heads done,go that way otherwise you will end up with about 2/3's of the cost of a new one.If you decide on a crate go with the factory gm crate not some of the aftermarket junk that's out there.

[ezrollin]

Tried to edit my previous reply but it didn't work. Anyway,unless you get a used 3.4 dirt cheap and have to do nothing but a re-ring kit and heads it would be better to buy a gm 3.4 crate [160 hp]engine.Price of a used 3.4 and total total rebuild will be at least 2/3's of a new one.Be aware that alot of those aftermarket 3.4's are junk.

[60dgrzbelow0]

X2 ^

[neo71665]

For the sake of the OP... Please list everything here...with prices, parts sourcing and availability...

3.4 engine and tranny $200
sold tranny for $100
sold heads for $100 (had my own I been working on)
sold intake and some minor other f-body odd and ends for $50
(Sale pending on f-body manifolds for $75)

So far + $50 (maybe $125)

I bored my intake and done my own porting and polishing $0
The 4.3 TB- s10planet for shipping $12
roller rockers- WOT-tech x-mas sale $120 or something like that
complete gasket set- ebay $100
Paint- local parts store but a buddy discount $10

stuff for cleaning, port and polish, silicone, loc-tite- dad a mechanic $0

Block and heads being vatted plus cam bearing installed-$100 local shop
block honed- me $0
factory f-body cam kit with lifters- buddy had for his car before he decided to swap to a 350 $100
rings- oreillys for $150
poly motor mounts- v8s10.com $70

total so far $662

minus the $50 (maybe $125) for the money I made back and the total so far will be


$612 or $537 depends on if guy buys these manifolds.

Like I said it depends on how you shop and how much you can do yourself. I still got some odds and ends to get but the most of it is sitting in my shop right now. Also those numbers are rounded off to the nearest $5 (most greater) or so but if you really want to nit pick I can try to go out and get ever receipt and add it all up.

[mikey chalupa]

3.4 engine and tranny $200
sold tranny for $100
sold heads for $100 (had my own I been working on)
sold intake and some minor other f-body odd and ends for $50
(Sale pending on f-body manifolds for $75)

So far + $50 (maybe $125)

I bored my intake and done my own porting and polishing $0
The 4.3 TB- s10planet for shipping $12
roller rockers- WOT-tech x-mas sale $120 or something like that
complete gasket set- ebay $100
Paint- local parts store but a buddy discount $10

stuff for cleaning, port and polish, silicone, loc-tite- dad a mechanic $0

Block and heads being vatted plus cam bearing installed-$100 local shop
block honed- me $0
factory f-body cam kit with lifters- buddy had for his car before he decided to swap to a 350 $100
rings- oreillys for $150
poly motor mounts- v8s10.com $70

total so far $662

minus the $50 (maybe $125) for the money I made back and the total so far will be


$612 or $537 depends on if guy buys these manifolds.

Like I said it depends on how you shop and how much you can do yourself. I still got some odds and ends to get but the most of it is sitting in my shop right now. Also those numbers are rounded off to the nearest $5 (most greater) or so but if you really want to nit pick I can try to go out and get ever receipt and add it all up.

Sorry I haven't posted in a min, been busy. My original plan was to go with the 3.4, but I have looked and looked but I can't find one. I considered the crate, but I don't really have the scratch right now. I even went so far as to look for only an engine block. That search has also come up empty. I know they aren't really abundant seeing how they only came in the Camaro for 2 years.
So now I have ruled out the 2.8 because it's from an 83 S10. I want to make a 3.1 or 3.2, so this block won't work. I was even thinking of rebuilding what i already have, but my engine just broke the 360K mile barrier and I don't know what else it might be able to take. While it doesnt' burn and oil and has a minor oil leak, I didnt think I could freshen it up and rely on it.

As for neo, I wish I could do alot of the work myself, but I have never rebuilt an engine before. I am very mechanically inclined and if I had a manual or something like that, then I would attempt the not too difficult things.

[geoffinbc]

Well if you find a block I have a 3.1L Crank I can sell you.