i was talking with a backyard mechanic today and he told me that he was able to swap the 2.8L v6 with the 4.3L v6 straight across without having to change the tranny or the motor mounts or anything. he also said his was the same year year as mine. and that it was 4X4 as well...
was he just blowing smoke up my @$$?
-Wes-

 

I would have to say hes blowing smoke the best upgrade for you I believe is the 3.4l

 

Not just blowing smoke... All out lying to you.

The bell-housing is ENTIRELY different between the 2.8L and the 4.3L (and other GM v8s). You cannot bolt a 4.3L v6 up to a 2.8L 700R4 and actually have it work.

 

is there any engine that will bolt right in that is better then the 2.8L?

 

3.4 (NOT 4.3) most common pulled out of a 93-95 camaro but GM does sell one to replace the 2.8 its just not emissions tested for a FI truck so they say its not for them. Either one will bolt in exactly like putting in a 2.8 short block but give you 50 extra horses.

You can also find 3.1s out of older v6 camaros (don't know the years as i'm not looking for one). And put that short block in it or pull the 3.1 crank and pistons out of a 3.1 FWD car and slap in your 2.8 block. (3.4 stuff won't fit in a 2.8 block)

The 3.1 and 2.8 share the same block the 3.1 is just a has more stroke (think of a 383 stroker). The 3.4 is a 60 degree block based on the 2.8 but has bigger bores. You can not bore a 2.8 to fit a 3.4 piston.

Now depending on how far you wanna mod it you can get extra horses out of a 3.4 (or the 2.8 for that matter). All you have to do is get a 4.3 throttle body, have your 2.8 intake bored to match it, put it on as is if your gonna use it on a 3.4 or put the 2.8 injectors back in it if its on a 2.8/3.1.

If ya want more info send me a PM and I'll tell ya some websites and crap that can prolly help ya a hell lot more than I can.

 

well im planning ahead here my truck says 196k on the odom and its the 2.8 so i dont know how much longer my engine will last. my mechanic says he thinks its a new engine but i dont know. i got it at a dealership and they cant get me in touch with the previous owner.
so im thinking im gonna have to do an engine swap sooner rather then later. both my mechanic and my father say the 2.8L is the worst engine GM ever built so yeah.
i am interested in fuel economy as well as more power. my truck is rather gutless... also mine is the 4X4 if that matters for the engine swap. i cant afford much at this point but i may be able to in a few months. i like the truck the body is pretty solid and rust free so i think its worth preserving. but under the same token i dont want to spend much more then 3 or 4k rebuilding it becuase i could prolly spend 6k and get a newer blazer.
-Wes-

 

Mine is a 2.8 auto 4x4, same year model. The 2.8s are great little motors if youthink you need a motor at only 196K you got a ways to go. I have well over 200k on mine and waiting for it to die to start my 3.4 swap and I don't think its ever gonna.

The 2.8 likes high RPM so it was a bad choice for a 4x4 but most people rag on them cause its not a v8 and not a normal 90 degree cyl bank like they used to. They can make pretty good power but as always there is no replacement for displacement and bigger is better. The 3.4s powerband is lower and thats why are better for a 4x4 and are bigger. You just have to understand what your working with and against. Most people are on the v8 bandwagon (and 4.3 since it shares a basic 90 degree block design) and refuse to like or learn about anything else.