Hi all,
Just found this site. I ahve just started delving into a 1985 s10 4x4 with a 2.8l v6 automatic. It went bang about 9 years ago and i finally got around to tearing it down. ended up finding a 3-piece crankshaft inside. I'll load pics when i can. Right now i am having a haard time finding a new/used engine. I have heard that I can put a camaro/firebird engine in it...either the 2.8 or the 3.4. i would like to know where I can get more info on engines that will swap. Any suggestions or info would be appreciated.

 

Any of the f-body (camaro and fire bird engines) will swap out till 95. Sadly it seems you found one of the weak points of the early 2.8s. In 86 GM put bigger mains in the block to fix the problem.

Basically if it was me I would do the 3.4 swap for sure, you can either do a gm crate engine or find the engine out of a 93-95 f-body.

Your other options are

82-85 s-series, same engine with small valve heads and weaker cranks

86-93 s-series, bigger valve heads and stronger crank

86-89 f-body, 2.8 same short block as the 86+ s-series

90-92 f-body, 3.1 basically a bored and stroked 2.8. Possible to build a 86+ 2.8 into a 3.1

93-95 f-body, 3.4 same outside as a 2.8 but block was beefed up for the extra bore.


More detailed info on the 3.4 swap can be found here, good site to look over so here is the main site.
1993 GMC Sonoma / 1990 Isuzu Trooper

Just the 3.4 swap is here
Swapping Your Chevrolet 2.8L for a 3.4L

I have done the 3.4 swap 2 times now and its a no brainer. You get within the same HP of the bigger 4.3 but you keep the better gas mileage of the smaller v6.

 

Go for the Gusto...I hear if you are good with a torch and a welder, you can shoehorn a 454 with a supercharger into it.

....but that's just what I heard.

 

3.4L... I would do it if I had the cash. Search that s-10 link in NEO's post. I have also followed NEO on a different forum site thats a little more active then this site.

If I am not mistaken you can even buy the right oil pan if u have 4x4 so everything fits, and also the few mods that need to be done are simple.

 

I found a place i can get a used 1993 camaro 3.4l. now my next question is should i try to convert my vehicle to work with the fuel injection or replace the intake and stick with the carb. i would prefer to go with fuel injection, how much of a headache would that be? any suggestions here?

 

Good question, you'll have to search, but if I am not mistaken, you will have to pull the wiring from the donor engine including ECU and all the original sensors and fuel managment components that go with that. It would be the easiest to go with the carb, but I am not sure if you'll be getting full potiental power and gas milage if you stick with the carb.