What all can be done to a 2.8L?

I just purchased an 1989 Firebird with a 2.8L and a 5-speed manual a few months back. Been wondering what some inexpensive mods i could add to it to get a little more power. Is the 135 HP figure i've been hearing true? It's always felt stronger than that.

Its probably actually less. My 3.1 is gutless... A few things you can do is a fresh tune up, upgrade your ignition components, throw some headers and an exhuast on it and some type of intake. Not much more you can do than that... Maybe a different cam and rearend will give it some better bottom end power.

I'm not entirely sure mine is stock anymore. I know the exhaust isn't original. It's single with dual outlet, but not the original. I believe the tips are 4". Gives it a nice, deceiving V8 rumble. It is pretty easy to smoke the tires and if i don't watch it, it'll be at 30 really fast in a parking lot.

I'm not entirely sure mine is stock anymore. I know the exhaust isn't original. It's single with dual outlet, but not the original. I believe the tips are 4". Gives it a nice, deceiving V8 rumble. It is pretty easy to smoke the tires and if i don't watch it, it'll be at 30 really fast in a parking lot.

the 2.8s always sound nice. and its pretty easy to smoke the tire because it has an open differential so only one spins. You could swap in a closed differential and it will give you better launches.

ceahp inexpensive mods, 160 or 180 thermostat, Cold air intake, Exhaust from headers back, Lightweight pulley, remove the a/c, Gut the interior. Pretty much what everyone does to their v8's you can do to yours. You could even bore the motor out and turbo it with enough money. You just have to have the know how and hope somone out there makes the parts and you don't have to custom fab everything.

some thicker spark plug wires, a msd blaster coil helps those motors alot, also some k and n air filters and replace the fuel filter. use some nice synthetic oil like royal purple and a 180 thermostat. some underdrive pulleys, i wouldnt suggest ripping into a 2.8 as you might end up moving backwards and they arent really worth the effot. but those small mods will help out alot. it will be noticable

i have the same car and was wondering about swapping out the engine would it be worth it.

i have the same car and was wondering about swapping out the engine would it be worth it.

Short answer- No.

Long answer- Never in a million years.


Just factoring costs assuming you do all the work it would be cheaper to buy a car already a v8, and would save you a hell of a lot of work.



BTW- This question has been answered a million times already, you might want to try doing a search next time.

Stepho is correct.
If you want respectable power, sell it and buy a Z28.
I don't want to make any V-6 peeps mad or anything, but I've witnessed it myself.
I knew a guy that had his intake/heads Extrude-honed and installed every bolt-on that was available. When his car was towed to my shop because of a lifter failure, (and he was disappointed in it's previous performance) I talked him into an LS1 swap.
The first time at the track he ran a 13.8 in the 1/4.
He brought the car back a few weeks later for basic exhaust work. I installed long-tube headers, Y pipe and a cat-back system/K&N. The next time out he turned a 13.2

He loved the car and was impressed w/its performance. All of his friends in his V-6 group were jealous, he had effortless power.

Go-fast parts aren't cheap. You can gain some prformance w/average mods. Just don't expect too much.

I'm sorry.
I read 2.8, but I was thinking 3.8.

The same applies, it'll still be a V-6.