Lots of 3rd Gen Questions Need a lot of answer !!!!

I have an 82 Camaro, Automatic, 2.8L Slant 6

I need advice for which exhaust to put on...
How to get more power out of this small engine...
How to raise the rear end so the offset rims won't rub...


Everything is completly stock right now, and I'm running into small problems here and there... I just timed the engine, changed transmission fluid and filter, changed air and oil filter, changed oil, spark plugs and cables, pcv valve and filter, and put a new starter on.

The engine is running a hell of a lot better, it has power now that it didn't before ... but I want more.

The 2 barrel carb is running fuel rich and i don't know how to fix that... can someone help. Other than getting that fixed, and putting a new exhaust with headers on it... im done with the engine...

I want to put MSD product on it but I don't know which ones to buy and what they do so if someone can explain all that I would appreciate it.

I'm also going with a single 12in sub in the back behind the seat, and interior neons.

Also few other problems I've experienced...

The windshield wiper motor works, but doesn't spit washer fluid...

The air conditioning system won't kick on when cut on... the clutch wont' work, nothing... the engine doesn't even changed idle... and I need A/C. What can i do to fix or test it.

I also changed from the idiot cluster to the Tach cluster... but the oil presure, and engine temp gauges won't work they move when the key is turned on but won't give you a reading at all... oil presure moves all the way up and the engine temp doesn't move but a little, but more or less stays the same... are the switches bad on the engine or are the tachs bad ?

I also want to fix my shifter... I have an Automatic transmission and the selector moves freely... it doesn't lock in any gear... how do i fix that ? the linkage arm for the shifter... just falls all the way through it, thers nothing at the bottom of the shift rod to stop it...

Just from what I know of the 2.8L, I would say swap to a 350, unless you are in love with the 2.8. What experience I have had driving some of them is that they are extremely underpowered. I am not familiar with the rear suspension of this car, depending on what it has, you could shackle it, air shocks or something along those sorts.

-Just some Ideas

well i doesn't have leafs on the rear end otherwise i would shackle it, i was thinking about airshocks but don't know much about them or what kind i need... it is underpowered, but it runs good and i don't have the $ to swap.... the engine only has 23k miles...

also if anyone is selling anytype of 10in or 12in sub ina box let me know... just need single speaker but let me know what ya got because i might go with a dual box depending on what ya got

you mean 2.8 liter v6

2.8L V6

its an underpowered engine, very very hard to get power out of. There is not alot of aftermarket support for it, so most anything you do is going to have to be custom. Headers, will have to be custom made, and wont be worth the money. Cold air intakes, custom made, aside from that, its gonna come down to alot of port and polish work, possibly a custom cam if comp cams will make one for ya. Higher compression, thermal coatings, antifriction coatings, high power ignition system which you are looking at with the MSD parts. and stuff like that.

as far as the rims rubbing, first off, how big are your rims????? as far as lifting the rear end, i know there are some sort of kits that allow this cuz ive seen plenty of third gens with jacked up rear ends. but im not sure what they are.

the washer nozzle may be clogged with debris, or the line may be clogged, use compressed air to try and blow the line out. Also the line may be broken somewere between the nozzle and sprayer. run the washer and look for a puddle of washer fluid forming under the car.

the compressor is not getting the electrical signal to turn on. there is a open somewhere in the wiring harness. either a blown fuse, or a broken wire somewhere.

as far as the inoperative guages, were they acting up before? or did this happen after you swapped out guages clusters?

as far as your shifter, it sounds like your shift cable is broken, are you currently driving the car? i cant imagine that you could be if you were unable to maintain gear selection.

2.8L V6

its an underpowered engine, very very hard to get power out of. There is not alot of aftermarket support for it, so most anything you do is going to have to be custom. Headers, will have to be custom made, and wont be worth the money. Cold air intakes, custom made, aside from that, its gonna come down to alot of port and polish work, possibly a custom cam if comp cams will make one for ya. Higher compression, thermal coatings, antifriction coatings, high power ignition system which you are looking at with the MSD parts. and stuff like that.

as far as the rims rubbing, first off, how big are your rims????? as far as lifting the rear end, i know there are some sort of kits that allow this cuz ive seen plenty of third gens with jacked up rear ends. but im not sure what they are.

the washer nozzle may be clogged with debris, or the line may be clogged, use compressed air to try and blow the line out. Also the line may be broken somewere between the nozzle and sprayer. run the washer and look for a puddle of washer fluid forming under the car.

the compressor is not getting the electrical signal to turn on. there is a open somewhere in the wiring harness. either a blown fuse, or a broken wire somewhere.

as far as the inoperative guages, were they acting up before? or did this happen after you swapped out guages clusters?

as far as your shifter, it sounds like your shift cable is broken, are you currently driving the car? i cant imagine that you could be if you were unable to maintain gear selection.



Lets take this one by one...

I have heard you can get headers for this engine... seeing as how Pontiac, and Chevy both have v6 models and they were numerous in production... I want an entire new exhaust... headers, downpipe, converter, 3in all the way back to a dual. Thats what I'm looking for and I want flowmaster...

Rims are 15in on the rear and front... there solid chrome Gregars... the offset is on the rear maybe sticks out an inch and half past body... I want airshocks... because for one 3rd gens don't have leaf springs, and I don't know what else would work. I want the rear to set up high like an older muscle... I don't know much about airshocks, and which ones to get or where to get them...

The washer motor... doesn't even turn on... the hoses are all good and nothings glogged...

The same goes for the compressor... Doesn't even cut on... I don't know where to start looking for disconnected stuff...

The guages wern't there before... It had the idiot guages... the one where it would light up if something was wrong with the temp, oil presure, and stuff like that... I moved it to a tach guages that had guages for everything because henry ford gave us that great invention of the assembly line, and camaros are interchanable and already have the set up for everything... i'm thinking the switches for the guages are gone, and might just need replacing on the engine...

The cable isn't broken, im driving it now... in fact the shift cable is in great condition... just changed the tranny fluid and filter and if you know what that intails... you get a nice look at the shift cable... it just doesn't lock in any gear... i can shift very freely... the dentent for the shifter won't stay on the shift pole... just falls through.

Thanks for the info keep them coming...

well, as far as headers, i hadnt heard of them for this small engine, but if you can find em, sure nuff, as far as a 3in exhaust, i wouldnt, with a 2.8L V6 i would stick with a 2in or 2.5in system max.

with the rubbing rims, ive never heard of the 15in rims rubbing, are you running big MT slicks or something?

as far as the pump for the washer fluid, the compressor, and the guages, you are looking at electrical gremlins, if you arent familiar with the wiring, its a hell of a project to get involved in.

as far as the shifter detent problem, not completely familiar with the function of the assembly, its one of those things you never really think about untill it breaks. lol. might as well take this chance to throw a ratchet shifter on to replace the stock unit :)

sorry not more help.

Lets take this one by one...
The washer motor... doesn't even turn on...the hoses are all good and nothings clogged...
Since I'm lazy and we're 'bout to go out to eat I'lltake the easy one.Connect a voltmeter or test light across the water pumpand have a friend push the button. If you've got powerreplace the pump. If you don't have power trace it till you findthe open circuit/bad washer button..§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§REFUSE . . TO . . LOSE§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§

Or you can just put a stupid bypass switch to it too that works off your fuse box , so it's not left on or bumped accidently and runs the battery dead when the cars off.

The 2.8 shouldn't even have been produced , I had one in my s-10 and at about 74K it started to blow oil and head gaskets , I had them professionally replaced , when it hit 85K did it again , then took out the water pump and cracked the block. Best advise anyone could actually give you is throw that damn engine away and getting something at least 3.1 , Which is actually a beefed up version of the 2.8 , Had a little fiero with a 2.8 block and a 3.1 stroker kit dropped in it.