View Full Version : Quick 2.8L performance mods?


PedalToMetal
07-24-2007, 01:27 PM
Do you have any suggestions as to what cheap and simple modifications i can do to a 2.8l to make it run better? Even stuff i can do myself whitout parts.

1985RS
07-24-2007, 11:10 PM
aside from the standard tune up, not that i can think of. the 2.8 isnt really a performance engine, just economic

PedalToMetal
07-25-2007, 02:55 PM
I just though about it, would a turbo, or even a TWIN turbo considering all the space there is, work on this engine? I mean, costs less than a swap but takes the performance to a whole new level? Maybe? Sorry, im not a mechanical expert...

jbf101
07-25-2007, 02:58 PM
I wouldn't think it'd be worth it on that engine, i'd go more for looks if anything else..

PedalToMetal
07-25-2007, 03:04 PM
And this car needs to get it's looks repaired, beleive me... O_O

EqualizedCustoms
08-18-2007, 09:20 AM
Yea i'd have to go with Pedal on this one. Get The looks going first. I am doin the same thing to mine. Unless i sell it. If not its gettin A V8.

PedalToMetal
09-09-2007, 11:35 PM
I've been shopping around and looking alot on the net as to what i could do, apart from a swap.
The thing is that the car has a welded frame, wich is solid but it makes the car a bad candidate for an expensive swap. Basically what i'm looking forward to is spending up to $1500 and lots of spare time on it to make it run nice and swell to beat the local hondas until i have money for a better car.

I've narrowed down my options, note that i'm on a tight budget. I probably will go with most of the following.
1. Free-Flowing Exhaust: Most likely what i'll do is do a 2.5in line with free-flowing cat and cherry bomb muffler.
2. The air-intake/hot wires/performance plugs boogie, all the bolt-ons i can think of.
3. Stroke the engine (http://www.engine-parts.com/GMV6/gm28stroker.html) to a 3.1. There's quite a lot of work to do, like pulling the engine, but a friend of mine is a mechanic that has all required tools.
4. Holley 3210 (http://www.holley.com/502-3.asp) throttle body. Heard it helps alot.
5. Cam and Rockers kit (http://www.engine-parts.com/GMV6/28camspecs.html). Again, complicated but perfectly doable.
6. Turbo city. I don't know if it's even been done before.

... Or is a 3.1/3.4?? swap really more easy than i though?

1990CamaroRS
09-10-2007, 03:03 PM
ORIGINAL: PedalToMetal

Turbo city. I don't know if it's even been done before.



i've seen a turbo 3.1 driving around, he's consistantly running low 13's in the quarter, but he's put some money into it too.

SpecterGT260
09-10-2007, 03:08 PM
the motor wasnt made to handle boost. hell, if ur going to swap, why not put something bigger under there? go for broke

PedalToMetal
09-10-2007, 03:17 PM
Is the turbo 3.1 in the 1990 Grand Prix really that rare? It'd be the perfect thing. I'd like to swap a small block, but idk... It's been done so much, and i can't afford the gas price. I don't want a drag car, just something nice and lean. Beleive me, i've been in an IROC-Z and i love that V8 rush, but that's gonna be for later.

justintr1990
09-14-2007, 08:55 AM
Ill keep an eye on this topic as im currently looking to add performance to mine as well. Its actually in my shop and within a month i should be redoing it. Midnight Blue metallic. its gonna be soo siiiick:)