On 2.8's and Turbos...

[PBodyGT87]

Would installing a turbo in my car put my car out of commission for a while or is that more of a one/two day job? And another thing, would it be bad idea on the original engine? I'll be driving a lot more than used to, come fall. So far I've got almost 124,000 miles. I suppose that's not too bad for an 87. This is the original 2.8 we're talking about though. Think it's too tired? Now that the site is building, I figure if I post this, I'll get more opinions from people outside of the Ewing area. Someone out there might have something brilliant and new to say. Fresh Knowledge is a wonderful thing.

come to think of it, I feel like I shouldn't be asking this at all because I'm no firebird. Eh, oh well. Where else am I going to ask.

[foff667]

Originally Posted by PBodyGT87

Would installing a turbo in my car put my car out of commission for a while or is that more of a one/two day job? And another thing, would it be bad idea on the original engine? I'll be driving a lot more than used to, come fall. So far I've got almost 124,000 miles. I suppose that's not too bad for an 87. This is the original 2.8 we're talking about though. Think it's too tired? Now that the site is building, I figure if I post this, I'll get more opinions from people outside of the Ewing area. Someone out there might have something brilliant and new to say. Fresh Knowledge is a wonderful thing.

come to think of it, I feel like I shouldn't be asking this at all because I'm no firebird. Eh, oh well. Where else am I going to ask.

generally its more then a 1-2 day job...i cant see it being any less then that on your car at least...depending on how much boost the kit would put down is how well your stock bottom end would handle it but im pretty sure it would need rebuilding.

[NJSPEEDER]

a warm air/non-intercooled kit would be pretty easy on your car i think. through in 6psi or so and watch the tires just melt away
you would need some tuning adjustments for sure. a better fuel pump and upgraded injectors would be a good idea too. can get 3.1 or 3100series injectors that will work out good and maybe someone around here woudl be willing to help with teh tuning ....:cough: :cough: Fasterthanyou maybe

later
tim

[Tru2Chevy]

3.1 injector rail is almost identical to the one in the 2.8's, IIRC. The 3100/3400 rails flow much better, but require a 3100/3400 upper/lower intake, which requires 3100/3400 heads....which aren't a bad idea anyway

Let project Fiero begin!

- Justin

[Pat]

Originally Posted by Tru2Chevy

3.1 injector rail is almost identical to the one in the 2.8's, IIRC. The 3100/3400 rails flow much better, but require a 3100/3400 upper/lower intake, which requires 3100/3400 heads....which aren't a bad idea anyway

Let project Fiero begin!

- Justin

why not just swap in a turbo 3.4? it would probably be easier to put the motor together outside the car anyway.

i liked al's turbo ecotec idea

[Tru2Chevy]

Ooooo....find a wrecked 89 or 90 Turbo Grand Prix = MacLaren 3.1 Intercooled Turbo....push loaded Grand Prixs to low 15's spinning while stock.

MacLaren 3.1 =

- Justin

[NJSPEEDER]

motor swaps are serious $$$$$. adding a turbo is easy. it is a 2.8liter pushrod motor that only revs to like 5k or 5.5k at most. you coudl get a turbo from any number of 2.0 or 2.2 liter cars that rev to 7k and feed it very easily. and since the parts sourcing is all junkyard stylie it can be done on the cheap too
hmmm, i am starting to sense another crazy people racing project here liz

later
tim

[NJSPEEDER]

i actually jsut found a very interesting thing in an old issue of hot rod magazine. it is about the 2M4 fiero and a shelby designed hot air turbo set up. low boost levels with big results. i wil try to get a copy of it to ya liz, i know your bro and dad will love this.

later
tim

[BigAls87Z28]

A 3.1 or 3.4 is good, but the 3.5 is better 8)

Keep your eyes peeled for wrecked 04 Malibu's! Its based off teh same 60* V6 as your 2.8, but it makes 200/210hp with 220/235ftlbs. It would drop right in with minimal problems...

or you could wait till GM releases the 3.9 60* V6. 245-250hp.

Didnt the first GTP's have a supercharged 3.4?

[89 Trans Am WS6]

Or you could find a wrecked GNX, GN, or TTA and swap the Turbo buick motor in?

just adding in more dumb ideas.

And i wouldnt turbo a 124k mile car.

[Ian]

yeah, if your car doesnt burn oil now, it will after you put a turbo on it.

[BigAls87Z28]

Originally Posted by Ian

yeah, if your car doesnt burn oil now, it will after you put a turbo on it.

ahaha thats true.

but she will be burning rubber as well.

My vote is turbo ecotec. Find a 2.2 out of a cavi and grab a turbo set up, aftermarket, or off a Saab 9-3, or just take the 9-3's engine as it is already turbocharged. Fix the little turbo lag *cough*nitrous*cough*, and enjoy the booooooooost.

[jims69camaro]

Originally Posted by 89 Trans Am WS6

Or you could find a wrecked GNX, GN, or TTA and swap the Turbo buick motor in?

just adding in more dumb ideas.

how is that a dumb idea? i had always wanted to do that and put a ferrari body kit on a fiero (direct translation: fireball). just could never get all three things together at once. i've had access to the 3.8T, have owned two fieros and have had access to a cut-rate (read: used) body kit.

nothing wrong with the 3.8T - ya just can't find any 'cause of all of the f-body guys throwing them into their GTAs...

[PBodyGT87]

Ok so it looks like I'd be burning oil. That wouldn't be a great thing considering how much I am going to have to drive my car in the fall... from commuting to college, and to route one to work. However, I can definitely say that an engine swap wouldn't be in order for my car, because One: lack of sufficient $$$ and Two: Those take a bit of time. I'm gonna need my car more often then not right now. Unless my family wants to pull one of our all day in one day swaps. Hell, we are big on swaps. But we've already got to rebuild my older brother's 2.8, so mine will have to wait for a while. *sigh* Then again, we do have 4 2.8's to work with. my biggest thing is trying to see how much i can go without spending lots of moolah on buying another engine to swap. And uh, so far, not far. oh well. commuter car for now, leaving a stripe, later.

[Ian]

nothing wrong with the 3.8T - ya just can't find any 'cause of all of the f-body guys throwing them into their GTAs...

hehe, I was gonna do that.

[89 Trans Am WS6]

ok dumb was a bad word, more like not the most logical idea, or easiest,

[EVIL90SS]

V8

[EVIL90SS]

dont tell liz to rip apart her car and do a turbo and it will be easy,we all can see how long your projects can last....(tim and justin)

[NJSPEEDER]

Originally Posted by EVIL90SS

dont tell liz to rip apart her car and do a turbo and it will be easy,we all can see how long your projects can last....(tim and justin)

yeah, why shoudl she take advice from us, we are teh ones that can back a car up without ripping a door off and don't need all directions to start with which way to turn out of the driveway. lol
my last project was a stock cammed 305 that ran a number you still haven't touched. my current project will be done in the spring and runnig a number that you will only see in a wet dream.

later
tim

[EVIL90SS]

i still dont see why u gave up the 91...hmmm much better shape than a 83 ****box, i reallllly dont see how u can bend the frame running a 14.1, really not impressed, plus u prob spent a hell of a lot more on your car than i did on my truck and im only 2 tenths of a sec slower and i weigh prob a thousand lbs more that u. ill give u 2 years until your camaro is done...and by then...who the hell knows what ill be drivin..hell i might even be dead...who knows....but if im still here and ur faster...ill slap a 300 shot of juice on it...run faster than you once and thats all i need....well...that and prob a new motor. and as far as the door thing...it was that or me gettin split up the middle by a 275-60-r15.

[NJSPEEDER]

a twisted frame is better than a straight one?
the 91 was beat, badly beat. the new car is stronger adn will be better planned to avoid that happening again.

later
tim