I'm thinking of rebuilding my 2.8 instead of doing an engine swap. Finances and such... yada yada. This would be my first time rebuilding an engine, but a friend of mine would be helping that has done more extensive engine work.

Is there some sort of rebuild kit for the engine, and is it still available? When I rebuilt the carb on my T-bird we picked up some sort of kit that had all the gaskets and everything that wears out on it. I'd assume they'd have a similar thing for engines with bearings and gaskets and such.

If such a kit does exist, how much does it cost?

Thanks for any info!

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88 Fiero GT (in a coma up on blocks)
78 T-Bird 302

AIM: phool88fiero

They sure do still make rebuild kits for that engine. And one of the better places that I have found is http://www.northernautoparts.com/Products.cfm?CategoryId=76 right there. Just scroll down until you see the Chevy 2.8, and go from what year and vin number it is. And when you are ordering, you can add or delete anything that you feel you don't need or have to have. and they seem to be relativly cheap as well.

Eric

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88 Coupe, Duke I4, 5 Speed

I was set with the same dilemma concerning my 2.8. The motor is nice, but for the cost of a rebuild, I can have a 3.4 installed.

It gets old hearing that, but unless a lot of the labor is free and you can get stuff cheap, the 3.4 may be the way to go. It is a stronger block with a 3rd oil gallery, and doesn't suffer from as many 2.8 problems.

I still haven't decided what I want to do yet. Really tempted to rebuild and run with it, but my own sensiblities get the best of me... By the time I spent the cash to rebuild the 2.8 and turbocharge it, I can have a 3800 done.

In the end, your opinion is what counts.

BTW: Fiero store offers a complete 2.8 rebuild kit for ~$700. Check out ARI as well if you want to rebuild into a stroker motor.

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I've been wanting to do a 3800SC swap, but I'm thinking the money is too tight right now, and might want to wait on that one.

As for the 3.4... I know this has been discussed to death, but what all is different on it? Just the block?

Cause part of the thought was that if my block was too messed up, then seeing if we can get a new shortblock from GM parts direct. But, if it's all pretty much the same and I just gotta get two holes drilled and tapped for the starter, not much a reason NOT to go with the 3.4.

How much of a power gain is it? My 2.8 was running pretty slow anyway when it was running, doing the 0-60 in around 11 seconds. I'm assuming that once I rebuilt the 2.8 I'd get that faster down to where everybody else had their GTs, something like 8. What does the 3.4 run in that?

Thanks for the info guys.

As far as labor... Yeah, likely getting it all free. My friend has a heated garage and does engine swaps and things of the sort, so I think he'd be willing to help me out on this one. (He put a 350 in an S10... that thing's fun!) I'm hoping to get it all fixed and back together for under $1000, but don't know how likely that is. Would prefer if it's under $500, but I realize that fixing a blown engine doesn't come free.

Thanks again!

From Oreif:
"The 3.4L engines from a 1993-1995 Camaro or Firebird is the engine you seek. All you need it the long block. The only mods are drilling/tapping the starter holes on the opposite side of the block. Then swap all the outside pieces from the 2.8L. Basically you use the 3.4L block and heads and a neutral balanced flywheel then everything else off the original 2.8L. GM does sell a "Crate" engine that is a 3.4L with cast heads which you can buy new for around $1500-$1800. The fuel pump block-offs are not needed. You will be using the Fiero timing cover. Only the old S-10 trucks with a carb used mechanical fuel pumps on the old 2.8L version. None of the F/I engines have it."

From Raydar:
"What Oreif said. The flywheel to use is one that came from any 88 or later 2.8, 3.1 or 3.4 front wheel drive engine, or a 2.2 liter 4 cylinder from an S10 or S15. (Believe it or not. The yards can verify this with the Hollander interchange manual.) There is also an adapter required for the oil pressure sender. Not a big deal, just know that you need it. It (and lots of other goodies) is available from Rodney Dickman www.rodneydickman.com
For swap info, check out these links... http://www.thefierofactory.com/34.htm and http://web2.crazydave.org:81/fiero34project/"

From Solo2
"There are three ways to get a 3.4L longblock. You purchase a "used" 3.4L longblock from a '93/'95 camaro/firebird, purchase a factory fresh 3.4L crate longblock from GM or the cheaper route and just purchase a 24 month warranty remanufactured 3.4L shortblock and than just add the fie4ro top end "goodies". The remanufactured shortblock will cost you under $800. Just look at your local engine repair centers near you or look for companies like city motor supply, www.citymotorsupply.com/top100domesticsheet.pdf you may purchase anything you need from oil pumps to the full gasket sets for a very cheap price as compared to others. Just keep shoping around. I forgot to mentioned that you can purchase a 3.4L bored longblock from ARI also. It is all up to you on how much money you want to spend. The cheaper prices require more labor to assemble the engine.
Hopes this helps."

Damn Phool! White, wingless, 88GT!!! 5M??? Please put something good into my dream Fiero. 3800SC if you got the time to save. 3.4LT would be cool. It's all up to you, but GORGEOUS car.

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Yeah, I have a cowl induction hood - with NON FUNCTIONAL GAUGES!! HELL YEAH - FieroRice

Yeah, I'd love to do a SC3800, but currently the job prospects in michigan aren't looking that good. Besides, I figure if I rebuild or whatever now, and change it in two years, then I didn't lose much money in doing it. And it would be on the road instead of in a garage having whatever happen to it that happens from sitting.

That being said, if you'd like to see a 3800, feel free to send me the 7 G's or so that I've heard it takes.

Do a search, pluck the innards from a 3.1 since the crank has better oiling (the weak link on the 2.8) and get the injctors from the 3.1 as well (I believe they are 17 lbs) the 2.8 computer should work fine, maybe invest in a compu-cam and roller lifters? If you clean up the exhaust manifolds and invest in a overbored throttle body you'd have a pretty nice 'stock' Fiero motor!

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John DuRette
Black 85 SE, undergoing work as we speak!

Here is a link to my web page with part numbers and rough costs to build your 2.8 into a 3.2. Naturally, you don't have to go top dollar on all of these items like I did and there are different machining solutions too. You'll have to discuss those options with your machinist.

http://home.earthlink.net/~toddamelio
click on the "hobbies" link, then "car projects", then "2.8 rebuild"

I can speak from past experiance on this one. I did a 2.8 rebuild 4 years ago and the cost is about the same as me doing my 4.9 swap. Yeah I'm doing it on the cheap with a lot of bartering but If I had done this 4 years ago, I would have this money for other things like PAINT :-) You need to determine what you want out of the project as the end result and then go from there. Hope this kinda helps.

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