Need advice on the best way to build a reliable 2.8 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69C-owner · 01-17-2011, 01:54 AM

The original 2.8 in my 87 blazer blew, well not totally blown but knockin really really bad and its not drivable in that condition, assuming its a good motor like the guy said i got a deal on another 2.8 for $50, I dont wanna drop it in and then 5,000 miles down the road be doin another engine swap so what is my best option for the new engine?

Tink · 01-17-2011, 09:39 AM

Make sure you get an 87 or newer block - they have bigger main bearings. Or you could go for a 3.1L out of a Camaro. Also, keep in mind these motors have flat tappet cams and need the higher zinc oils.

How many miles do you have on your current 2.8?

69C-owner · 01-17-2011, 07:00 PM

272319 miles

gchemist · 01-17-2011, 10:36 PM

Ouch! Time for new bearings! You can turn the crank for new bearings. Install new bearings on the rods and you can drive it until it is really toast.

**michaelnolimit** · 01-26-2011, 04:26 PM

Will everything off the 2.8 bolt onto the 3.1. Also do they make any performance upgrades for the 2.8 or 3.1 such as alum. heads, cams, valve springs,etc. Ive always wanted a 200-300 horespower 2.8 dont know if its possible. If it is let me know

69C-owner · 01-28-2011, 01:39 AM

X2 I'm with michaelnolimit on that question, I'd love a powerful and still very reliable 2.8 or even a 3.1

BarryB · 01-30-2011, 11:26 PM

when you put a 3.1 in place of a 2.8 you need to swap intakes, then its a direct bolt in. a 3.1 is basically a stroked 2.8. there are some performance parts out there for these little motors but they are limited. I've seen over at s10forums a supercharged 2.8.

63chevyll · 01-30-2011, 11:28 PM

3.1 is the only way to go.

any front wheel drive 3.1 will work

Tink · 02-01-2011, 09:30 AM

OR, you could swap in a 3.4L from a Camaro/Firebird and then run a 4.3L throttle body.

GMC91 · 02-01-2011, 10:31 AM

Thats what I plan on doing. I got a 3.4 out of my friends 95 camero. I am planning on re-building it with a few goodies and then dropping it in. And on the throttle body, you dont have to run a 4.3 throttle body, you just need the injectors off of one.

BarryB · 02-01-2011, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMC91

Thats what I plan on doing. I got a 3.4 out of my friends 95 camero. I am planning on re-building it with a few goodies and then dropping it in. And on the throttle body, you dont have to run a 4.3 throttle body, you just need the injectors off of one.

No you don't need to run one, but it is better too. Reason, the 4.3 and up have bigger air intake holes(tech name slips my mind. You actually need to cut out the intake to match the holes in the TB. This is a trick you can do to get the 2.8 to breath better.
There is alot of info on these swaps over at s10forum.com. But be for warned. guys over there aren't as nice and respectable as the guys over here.

GMC91 · 02-01-2011, 11:12 PM

I know its better to run a 4.3 throttle body, I was just stating you dont have to. And your right about the S10forum, a lot different then this forum.

69C-owner · 02-05-2011, 02:36 AM

Great info guys, will any late model V6 bolt up to the stock trans?

01-17-2011, 01:54 AM	#1
69C-owner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Apison Tn Posts: 490	Need advice on the best way to build a reliable 2.8 The original 2.8 in my 87 blazer blew, well not totally blown but knockin really really bad and its not drivable in that condition, assuming its a good motor like the guy said i got a deal on another 2.8 for $50, I dont wanna drop it in and then 5,000 miles down the road be doin another engine swap so what is my best option for the new engine? Attached Images __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=43855069 LWB Fleet 1994 Buick Roadmaster 1994 GMC Sonoma

01-17-2011, 09:39 AM	#2
Tink Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: VA Posts: 1,337	Re: Need advice on the best way to build a reliable 2.8 Make sure you get an 87 or newer block - they have bigger main bearings. Or you could go for a 3.1L out of a Camaro. Also, keep in mind these motors have flat tappet cams and need the higher zinc oils. How many miles do you have on your current 2.8? __________________ 69 Chevy C10 88 Sierra 02 2500 Suburban And too many S10s to list!

01-17-2011, 07:00 PM	#3
69C-owner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Apison Tn Posts: 490	Re: Need advice on the best way to build a reliable 2.8 272319 miles __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=43855069 LWB Fleet 1994 Buick Roadmaster 1994 GMC Sonoma

01-17-2011, 10:36 PM	#4
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: Need advice on the best way to build a reliable 2.8 Ouch! Time for new bearings! You can turn the crank for new bearings. Install new bearings on the rods and you can drive it until it is really toast. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

01-26-2011, 04:26 PM	#5
michaelnolimit Active Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Bernardino, Ca. Posts: 131	Re: Need advice on the best way to build a reliable 2.8 Will everything off the 2.8 bolt onto the 3.1. Also do they make any performance upgrades for the 2.8 or 3.1 such as alum. heads, cams, valve springs,etc. Ive always wanted a 200-300 horespower 2.8 dont know if its possible. If it is let me know

01-28-2011, 01:39 AM	#6
69C-owner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Apison Tn Posts: 490	Re: Need advice on the best way to build a reliable 2.8 X2 I'm with michaelnolimit on that question, I'd love a powerful and still very reliable 2.8 or even a 3.1 __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=43855069 LWB Fleet 1994 Buick Roadmaster 1994 GMC Sonoma

01-30-2011, 11:26 PM	#7
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: Need advice on the best way to build a reliable 2.8 when you put a 3.1 in place of a 2.8 you need to swap intakes, then its a direct bolt in. a 3.1 is basically a stroked 2.8. there are some performance parts out there for these little motors but they are limited. I've seen over at s10forums a supercharged 2.8. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!

01-30-2011, 11:28 PM	#8
63chevyll gets board easy....... Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 717	Re: Need advice on the best way to build a reliable 2.8 3.1 is the only way to go. any front wheel drive 3.1 will work

02-01-2011, 09:30 AM	#9
Tink Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: VA Posts: 1,337	Re: Need advice on the best way to build a reliable 2.8 OR, you could swap in a 3.4L from a Camaro/Firebird and then run a 4.3L throttle body. __________________ 69 Chevy C10 88 Sierra 02 2500 Suburban And too many S10s to list!

02-01-2011, 10:31 AM	#10
GMC91 Always trouble Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hartsellle, Al Posts: 1,111	Re: Need advice on the best way to build a reliable 2.8 Thats what I plan on doing. I got a 3.4 out of my friends 95 camero. I am planning on re-building it with a few goodies and then dropping it in. And on the throttle body, you dont have to run a 4.3 throttle body, you just need the injectors off of one. __________________ 91 Silverado Regular cab, 2wd, swb-project truck 97 Silverado Extended cab, 2wd, swb-driver

02-01-2011, 11:12 PM	#12
GMC91 Always trouble Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hartsellle, Al Posts: 1,111	Re: Need advice on the best way to build a reliable 2.8 I know its better to run a 4.3 throttle body, I was just stating you dont have to. And your right about the S10forum, a lot different then this forum. __________________ 91 Silverado Regular cab, 2wd, swb-project truck 97 Silverado Extended cab, 2wd, swb-driver

02-05-2011, 02:36 AM	#13
69C-owner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Apison Tn Posts: 490	Re: Need advice on the best way to build a reliable 2.8 Great info guys, will any late model V6 bolt up to the stock trans? __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=43855069 LWB Fleet 1994 Buick Roadmaster 1994 GMC Sonoma



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