Hi, all. This is my first post, and I was curious. I've been looking at an s-10 for awhile, looks to be an '86 (haven't checked yet...), with a 2.8 and stick-shift. Anyone heard anything one way or another about these? And just out of curiosity, does anyone have an S-10 ZR2 or Xtreme? How do you like it so far?

Stay away from the 2.8 engine its one of the biggest mistakes GM ever made.

I've got a 2.8 Multi-port in my cutlass, and I pretty well hate it at this point. I just wasn't sure how a 2.8 throttle-body or Carb would do mated to a 5-speed. But anyway, thanks. I think I'll hold out and get one with a 4.3 if I get one.

The 2pointHATE is not too bad of a motor, so long as it has been maintained well, I know of a few over the 200,000 mile marker and still on the road.

As for the last question, I have an Xtreme and I LOVE it. I put alot of $$$$ into it to make it fast, but it is the best sleeper I have owned on the street. Most people expect it to be a slow lowrider truck, all show and no go, but it is a capable 13 sec truck on the street. Not too bad, here is a funny pic of me crushing one of those Nissan SE-R SpecV deals that are supposed to be so fast....
http://s10.nac.net/albums/album44/SPECVOWNED.jpg

Nice Truck. I like what you've done with it. Of course it helps to see it beating the shit out of a rice-burner. Keep the hammer down...

I have a 93 with the 2.8l liter, five speed. I think it is a pretty good truck. Never had any problems with it so far. I picked it up to use for hauling lawnmowers to landscaping jobs because it was very cheap($350) and in good shape, but had high miles(170,000). It does't burn oil or have any sort of other problems. It has proved to be very durable, I drive it hard often. The 2.8 isnt the most powerful engine, but with a 160 degree thermostat, k&n filter, and the fliter lid fliped I can beat civics and chirp the tires going into third gear.

the 2.8 sucks
its known for the cast crank breaking, the intake manifold leaking...yuuuuuck
i had one, it made it to 230k, but it was slow as hell. the 700r4 in every blazer/s10(3 to be exact) my family has had has shit too

My 2.8L does ok. edelbrock intake and headers, four barrel holley, crane valvetrain. A nice 4 banger Tranny. Hahaha zoom zoom. You do have to maintain them though. Like ham said though, you gots to check that intake or you will leak water. If it has a hole put some JB Weld in it and it will last ten more years.