2.8L Needs More Power!!!

I just got a 1987 Cherokee Pioneer with the 2.8L V6 and its sow as hell. How can I make power with this engine? I'm going to run a full straight-thru dual exhaust (No cat, no muffler, just true duals). Is the 2.8 that came in these jeeps the same 2.8 that came in a lot of chevys? Thanks in advance for any help.

http://www.hesco.biz/supercharger.html OK it's for the 4.0

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(IMO)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She is to old to be pumping up the HP. She will become a money hole.
Live with what you got or sell her and get a newer Cherokee with a I6.

The Chevy 2.8L was used in the early XJ and Izusu Trooper (although Izusu opted for fuel injection in lieu of the dreaded VaraJet carby). They make great boat anchors.....

I don't know if this will work but.... the GM crate engine replacement for the 2.8L wheezer is a 3.4L. Supposedly your intake and exhuast manifolds and accessory drive just "bolt right on" (I know, sounds like "compatible" in computer speak). I know this is a way to get more oomph on older S10's and it seems like it should work for your XJ......

Good luck....

mike

I drive an '84 XJ with very extensive mods to the 2.8.
Back in '89 I bolted the Edelbrock aluminum intake to the engine. This is a cross-ram design where the intake runners for the passenger size are slightly smaller than the drivers side. This design gives the engine a wider power band.
There are 2 different carb adaptors available so you can use the stock carb or run a Holley 390 cfm 4 barrel.
The Holley carb is 2 seconds faster in 0-60, so use it, if the local emissions laws let you. Toss the stock carb. This intake was the single greatest performance improver I ever did to the 2.8.

Edelbrock offers a shorty header system where the tubes on one side are a bit bigger than the tubes on the other, which matches the intake design. Don't bother with dual exhaust, just use a 2 1/4 inch single system with a decent muffler.

2 years ago, I rebuilt the heads and installed larger intake and exhaust valves, which are used on the high output version of the 2.8. (Fiero and Camaro/firebird)
Look for some Camaro/Firebird heads off a 2.8 from the mid to late 80's, and bolt them on. Fiero heads will not work.
Also I used an Edelbrock camshaft designed for use with the intake and exhaust.

Also advance the ignition as far as you can, without it pinging. This makes a huge difference in power, with the mods. Do NOT set it to stock!!
Use premuim fuel and try advancing the idnition one degree at a time until it starts to ping on premium, them back off 1 degree.

The air cleaner clearance is a bit tight. For years, I used a K&N 6inch ID filter, 2 inch high sitting on top of the carb. Now I use an air cleaner pirated from a 3.8 liter Buick Regal T-type (carb version from the early '80's)with a cone-type K&N.

So now I have a very nice running 2.8. I cut my 0-60 times IN HALF!!!!
It now is about as fast as a non-HO, 174 hp 4 liter six.
So why not just buy a 4 liter Cherokee????
Heres a secret. The 2.8 is about 300 lbs lighter than the 4 liter. All that weight savings on the front axle produces better handling on road and off.

Finally, gas mileage is better than stock.

I just got a 1987 Cherokee Pioneer with the 2.8L V6 and its sow as hell. How can I make power with this engine? I'm going to run a full straight-thru dual exhaust (No cat, no muffler, just true duals). Is the 2.8 that came in these jeeps the same 2.8 that came in a lot of chevys? Thanks in advance for any help.

I had the 2.8 (84) and now have a 97 and 01 with the 4.0L. Much betta.
Don't put time or money into that old one which probably has a rear main seal leak that cannot be fixed. You can buy a good 4.0L with AW4 automatic and 4X4 for about $2500 to $4000 out here in California.
And it will pass smog.

I did an overhaul on the 2.8 in 92 and cost $2000 with a new crank and one piece seal conversion, a Crane cam, ported heads, and rings and valves etc. and still can't out run my 4.0 L Jeeps. I traded it in for the new 97 when the oil leaked more than a quart a week. The bad thing is that it flys onto the exhaust and then burns.

Oh yeah the new one has power windows and locks and a CD player too.
Remote entry too.

I just got a 1987 Cherokee Pioneer with the 2.8L V6 and its sow as hell. How can I make power with this engine? I'm going to run a full straight-thru dual exhaust (No cat, no muffler, just true duals). Is the 2.8 that came in these jeeps the same 2.8 that came in a lot of chevys? Thanks in advance for any help.Smaller engines need backpressure to make more torque. Unless your running a race engine you should at least have a muffler.

I just got a 1987 Cherokee Pioneer with the 2.8L V6 and its sow as hell. How can I make power with this engine? I'm going to run a full straight-thru dual exhaust (No cat, no muffler, just true duals). Is the 2.8 that came in these jeeps the same 2.8 that came in a lot of chevys? Thanks in advance for any help.yes the 2.8l is a gmc/chevy motor comes in corrsica's s10/15 an so on

Or you could convert it to a 350 chevy,the most popular swap.

Or you could convert it to a 350 chevy,the most popular swap.
x2 quit playin!

this what ur talkin 'bout? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woJ2kikXzgI

Gentlemen,
Please note this is an ancient thread and should not be revived. Most users find revival of such old threads to be annoying.

If you wish to continue the discussion about this fine engine, please start a new thread.

This thread is now closed.