2.8L Chevy V6, How much horse power can you get?

I have a 1987 Chevy S10 Blazer with a 2.8L V6.I'd like to know if you can make horse power and get good gas mileage?


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173 dyno whopping cubic inches. Years ago they developed a blower for the 2.8, and it still never broke 250 horsepower. Trust me, don`t waste your time.

i had a 87 blazer with the 2.8 was a total pig on gas and a worse in performance. i don't know what kind of budget your working with but a 350 or 305 swap may be the best bet

I've seen a "quest" for the 13s with an S-15. He ended up using 3.4 and STILL barely got there.

3.1 cranks and pistons "drop in" the 2.8 block. The 3.4 has a bigger bore. Overall, the 60-deg V6 is a great little engine (operative word: LITTLE, both in physical size and displacement). The "early" 2.8s had smaller main journals, and were notorious for cranks breaking. '86-on, though, MUCH better. As my "name" would indicate, I'm into Fieros. The 3.1 is a great engine for such an application. Not fast, but torquey and fun. Hey, P-bodies (Fieros) don't need to be fast, anyway. They are, afterall, the PUREST form of Pontiac since before WWII...

Anyway, lots of good parts can be used in the 60-deg engines. IMO, they're better in FWD applicaions, though.

Jim

Good source for stroker kits:

http://www.engine-parts.com/GMV6/gm28stroker.html

GM makes a crate 3.4l which is a direct replacement to the 2.8 (move your parts from one to the other, direct bolt on):

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/result...number=12363230

I have one in my MG which is a 2300lb car and a common swap for these cars:



I put in an aftermarket car which was good for a bit more hp. I am in the process of cleaning up the engine bay and making new headers for it now.





They are popular in some of the small kit racers such as the Stalker:

http://home.hiwaay.net/~sbuc/stalkerv6/index.html





They don't make much power but they are good engines with some good uses. My MG is only 2300lbs and the swap from the original 85hp 4 banger has the same weight. It doesn't make it a hot rod but makes it fun to drive.

I've got one in my '65 1800S. Yes it's a dog, but it beats the crap outta the 78 hp 4 banger tractor engine that was stock and I happened to have access to a rolled-over '87 Camaro with the 2.8 in it. It was the easiest swap I have done even the engine mounts lined up! - although I had to "massage" the trans tunnel a bit to get the 700-R4 in. I had to use a 60* V6 to fit in the engine room. May upgrade to the 3.4 "just because", but for now......

I put the Edelbrock intake on it (Got rid of the FI system) and found that the little teeny 390 cfm Holley woke the thing up a little bit. Home made headers (ugly as sin, but they work) and duals (now it sounds like a Jag). Dual-points Mallory dist (did nothing for HP, but looks cool)

Not real fast or quick but reliable and better than the original for a cruiser

I think the 2.8 v6 was the worst motor they ever made....

There are a lot of Jeep owners who would surely agree! I did a lot of business swapping dead ones out (almost all crank-related) when I was in FL.

In Northern NY (about an hour from Canada) We love to drive through snow; we better because we get ten feet or more a year. I had an S10 Tahoe Blazer with a 2.8 and it had oiling issues from day 1.

Swapped my Son's 2.8L Isuzu Trooper engine with a 95 Firebird 3.4L engine, It's a little better even in that box shaped 4X4.
The fun part was neither of us realized the 3.4L didn't have Starter mounting holes in the Block, the Firebird had a 5-speed Trans w/Bell mounted Starter & yes we had installed the Engine. Trooper had Engine mounted Starter w/5-speed.
We used a Trans Floor Jack and Hand Drill clamped in a Vise to drill the holes, they actually lined up perfectly & without having to use any Shims.

New Interiors,

Let's not forget Vega, Chevette and 348. ALL are FAR worse... (:-

Jim