Hi everyone, this is my first post and I just have a question I want some opinions on. I don't have the money or the time to rebuild my 87 2.8L Camaro into a road rocket, but I want to at least beef her up. Can I get respectable power out of a 2.8? It's MPFI, and I'd like to keep it that way. I want to redo the block, get new heads and injectors, and of course internals. My goal is 200hp, can it be done?

 

Anything is possisble, just how much do you want to spend. http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...115+4294908216

 

See sticky on top of this section.

 

I had a TPI 350 that I was gonna try to swap, but it would mean too much work for me to take on right now. Plus a new drivetrain so I don't rip my v6 car apart with a v8, too much money. I'd much rather rejuvinate the engine I have in there for the sake of simplicity.

 

What do you mean by "rip my v6 car apart with a v8"?

It'll handle v8 power just fine as they are the same car.

Engine, tranny, driveshaft, radiator are the must haves....plug in the harness....that's about all to it, though it's not an easy job where the grunt work is concerned.

Either way, a 3.4L would be a much better starting point for modding compared to a mid 80s era v6 engine.

 

So pretty much no one thinks it's a good idea to keep the 2.8?

 

The 2.8 is just too small. Liters, in definition, are somewhat of a measurement of how much power your engine is capable of holding. Sure, if you feel like dropping big bucks, you can make that 2.8 pretty fast. Oversize the pistons, get a cam, screw around with all the internals basically, get headers and a full exhaust system, maybe some forced induction if available - then yeah, that 2.8 could be nice. But they don't come stock with the greatest base of horsepower. Honestly, you're probably better off getting a bigger engine, if power is what makes you happy.

 

I fully intended to overbore the cylinders, a new cam, crank, pretty much renew the engine with new parts throughout. I even thought about a (i believe it's) s12 supercharger from early 90's toyotas. For 900 bucks PAW has a rebuild kit, the ignition system is brand new Accel, the exhaust is sized for a 350 already, I mean all she needs is that damn engine to run and I'd be cruising the streets right now. I don't need massive power, is 200hp too much to ask? I don't need a racer I just want my damn car back, ya know?