GM 2.8/3.1L v6 budget performance upgrades! Part 1
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- Опубликовано: 24 июл 2024
- In part one I show you some "budget" performance upgrades for your Generation II 2.8/3.1L v6 (aluminum headed) engine! in part II we will look at improving the cylinder heads and intake manifolds!
Follow along on Instagram @mod__everything 
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I've got a 1988 Buick with a 2.8L V6 in it, looking forward to making my grocery getter into a sleeper...
I got a 3.1 89 regal
Hey, it’s Franz, formerly of FDP Performance.
Thanks for the shout out!
I see from some of your videos you visit the St Thomas race track. I’m in that area as well and still messing with a turbo 3.1 Z24.
Hey! We will have to meet up soon, I would love to check out your project! Do you still have the z24? I found a couple old pictures of it about a month ago! If you want I can send them to you on FB messenger?
@@modeverything1 yep still have the same car. Unfortunately it sat for 15 years after I blew up the transmission. Then decided to rebuild the engine again, turbo and put MS2 on it. Just got it running again last summer but it’s out again due to clutch issues.
@@xlr8ing_zgarage Still using the original handle too huh;)
88 Chevy celebrity cl here and look forward to doing all these steps! Thanks man
Pretty cool video, I'll have to revisit this when i get back to my 90 GP
Wish this was around when I had my 89 camaro 2.8 5speed loved that car
I got a 1986 Chevy S10 4wd 2.8l v6, lookin to make that bad boy faster, great video
Thanks! If you want the most from it look into swapping the 3400 top end on it!
I got the 3.1 love it
Damn, wish I still had my 87 S-10. Would've loved to do the mods for it.
Thanks for these videos, you seem well informed on these motors, and I was wondering: I have a 1987 L44 2.8 from a Fiero GT. I'm wondering if the factory crankshaft, if balanced and in good shape can handle high compression. 12:1 or 11:1, or is that too much for the factory crank? And how about the connecting rods?
Yes both will handle more compression, but the RPM and HP is your limiting factor. Google "60degreev6 power manual" it has some great information on prepping the conecting rods and engine for more power and higher rpms!
holy crap i haven't seen an intake like this in forever!! I had an 89 celebrity new
That would be nice to have now!
@@modeverything1 wasn't the euro though. i thought those looked cool
God damn. This was crazy awesome and informative. Seriously want to build a high reving 2.8L now!!!!!!! This was excellent. Can’t wait for part 2!
Good to hear! I have a 2.8 crank that I want to put in a 3100 block and make a 2800!
@@modeverything1 i need to remove the egr exhaust tube from the egr base/adapter any help on how to do this would be appreciated
3.1 cavalier 1993..... is it pressed in ....do not want to destroy it
@@modeverything1 what would u gain there better top end or what
I was talking about 2.8 crank n 3100 block could that be done with a 3400
Should make a video on how to cut the upper intake like the 2nd one you showed.
I could do that! But I need to get some other projects out of the way first! Lol maybe I will do one to try on Dave's z24!
How would one perform an EGR delete on a 90 3.1?
Do you know how to tune the computer on the car my 93 grand prix is obd1, but I'm planning on doing everything you are doing and I'm doing true dual exhaust from the 3500 exhaust manifolds I got plus made my own exhaust flanges
You need the computer chip burning equipment and software. Check out moates.net for the equipment and search around the w-body.com form or v6z24.com I believe has a write up as well.
Do these modifications work as well for the later year engines? Specifically 1999 3.1? I realize these shown are mainly early 90's engines.
Only the exhaust manifolds from the 3500 would be an upgrade on a '99. On a 99 you can upgrade the throttle body, upgrade the cylinder heads and intakes to 3400's/2000+ 3100's.
I will try to do a video explaining this soon as I get the next few finished that I'm working on now!
I have a 1994 3.4 Camaro, I've read that people swapped the heads and upper and lower intakes to the 3500/3400/3100 ones, however could i just swap to the 3500/3400/3100 plenum without changing anything else just to get the better airflow?
Unfortunately you would need a 3100(large port)/3400/3500 lower intake to work with the 3500 plenum since the port spacing is different than the 3.4 Camaro. Also when using the 31/34/3500 lower intakes you will need the matching heads too!
Since you know more about these than anybody I've run across I'm currently swapping the McLaren 3.1 into my 88 Z24 Cavalier my issue is my transmission mount which is the 282 Muncie sits pretty much where the turbo is is there a trick to this situation or do I have to have some sort of custom fabricated mount that would be a radically go under or around the turbo I'd like it to look Factory I've seen them online but they are very old threads that nobody will respond to I was just hoping maybe you have run across this in your travels thank you
From what I remember guys used to modify the transmission mount bracket to fit the turbo in there. Its been a while since I have seen one! I'm thinking that you can trim out where you need clearance then box the bottom of the mount in to reinforce it. You may want to look into a gt28 turbo, from what I remember the stock one was too much on the small size to start with!
Noticeably the 3100 has alittle more power and maybe torque , but very subtle. But the trade off is the notorious intake manifold gasket plague on 3100s. For this sadly the slightly underpowered 3.1 multiport is probably better by way of reliability
This is killing me, I REALLY would've loved to have fabricated a turbo kit and have some ARP head studs and MLS head gaskets for my 89 Beretta with a 2.8 because that's what killed it, head gaskets. It had ALOT of EGR issues as well. I would've seriously loved to have either swapped in an upgraded L67 with a 5 speed swap, or even just turbocharge the 2.8 with supporting mods and do a 5 speed swap to it. Those older 2.8s and 3.1s had good torque down low, but they didn't really last until the 3100 SFI came out. I had a 95 Corsica with 355k miles on it on the original engine and trans that I got for free with fusible link issues for the alternator.
Hello would you happen to have a part number for the header flange. Or maybe an idea of some headers that would face up I have a 2.8 in a sandrail it's sits front to back so looking at going up then y ing together with the o2 sensor
Racemufflers.com and stainlessheaders.com both have 3400 header flanges that will work on the 2.8/3.1's. If you have the iron heads you may have to slot the upper or lower bolt holes.
@@modeverything1 hey thanks for the info keep up the vids this is my first 2.8
Headman makes two different sets for the S10 trucks one for the two wheel drive and one for the four wheel drive both are direct bolt on no modification needed.
I have no clue if you'll respond but I have one of these motors and a stock 90 olds 3.1 V6 it stalls and hard start. I did research and they said replace the fuel regulator does the supply to these older 3.1
When dose it stall? When your are coming to a stop? I remember them having torque converter lock up solenoid problems. If it's a fuel pressure regulator problem you should be able to see it on a fuel pressure gauge
Just want to thanks. It was faulty ECM, and caused my " Got spark- car not starting "- issue.
Got new ECM, and my car working plus idle repaired also with other parts, i guess
Does ECM(engine control module) do and adjust the ingition timing in this engine?
Yes, the ECM controls the ignition timing on these engines. Only way you can adjust it is with a custom programmed "chip" (memcal)
Do you know if a 4.3 v6 throttle body will bolt up to a 2.8 v6 Chevy ?? I saw I think they would but not sure? I have a 86 S10 4x4 I'd like to get some more ummpp
I have read that as well, but have not tried it myself (no iron head engines). I do believe it is a direct bolt on.
It is a direct fit.
I picked up the injectors what the dohc and purchase Camaro head gaskets for my 88 Z24 as far as these 1.6 rockers go from 1994 to 1995 what vehicles can I find them on or search for thank you so is it true that the 4.3 Vortec throttle body both directly to a 2.8? Thank you
Basically any car that came with a 3100 in 1994-1995. Wikipedia has a list when you look up the 3100v6. The first way to tell searching the yards is that they have black plastic valve covers.
As far as TBs none are a direct bolt on, some are close but they won't be simple at all! I was going to use a ford 3.8 tb (60mm) years ago but I ended up swapping before testing it.
@@modeverything1 I appreciate the information! I wish I knew this stuff back in the 90s when I was young and still had my first one
I have a v6 2.8l Firebird 89 with s10 carb, i want to know what its the max horsepower that can i get with that engine
If you swap to aluminum heads / fuel injection you will make more power. Max effort no expense spared you might be able to get 300whp from a 2.8 N/A
If you stayed with iron heads probably be 250whp if you lucky.
If you went turbo and aluminum heads you could probably make 400whp + depending on how you build it
Wish I would’ve known this when I had my old lumina
I wish I tried this stuff on my Lumina before swapping to a 3400! Lol
Mod Everything I honestly loved the 3.1 and the way it worked, almost bought another 94 lumina but the trans was a ticking time bomb, maybe one day.
These were great engines
Still are, if you have one.
I think most of these engines out lasted the cars that they came in!
I remember my buddy was proud of his v8 s10 until he got beat by a 2.8 cavalier. He was so upset he never admit he lost. And the Cavaliers put a bus length on him.
Haha! There used to be a guy with a 350 swapped Jimmy that worked at the track, he would line up with me in my 2.8 Cavalier RS every time I did a run after I beat him the first run! He was not very happy that he couldn't catch a Cavalier 😆
Damn I wish I had seen this before I replaced my injectors. Still contemplating a 3100 top swap. Good info on the head gaskets bumping up compression ratio, I think I remember reading that on forums years ago.
It's a shame most of the aftermarket sources for the 2.8/3.1 dissolved.
At least ARI, Wot-tech, JBP, and a few others still have some stuff.
Love these old cars more than most of what's made today
I think that the swaps killed most of the aftermarket for the gen II stuff. I'm really looking forward to seeing the gains we get out of Dave's z24. Only be a few things that hold it back!
@@modeverything1 Could not agree more, especially with the significant innovations of the 3500 & 3900's.
Looking forward to the process and progress.
I literally ONLY buy 1970 to 1988 vehicles. My current is a 1988 Chevy Camaro v6 2.8 l. It's nice and quiet and stealthy, yet still has some good get-up-and-go. The engine is the original engine, very healthy and has about 60,000 miles on it now. Wouldn't trade it for the world.
Great videos
My son has a 2.8 camaro
He is thinking of picking up a montana 3400 and adding a tbird sc to it
You have much experience with 3400?
Thanks! Yes I have some experience with the 3100/3400's, check out the videos of my '93 c1500... it has a 3100 swapped in with a 6.5 diesel truck turbo and used some v6 Camaro parts!
Awesome thx ill check it out
Is turbocharging an option for these engines? Just wondering if that would give a jump in performance.
Yes it is, they work well with a turbo. GM actually had one with a turbo for 2 years in the 1989-1990 Grand Prix. There where very minor differance from a regular 3.1l. (Search for 1990 TGP) Just have to make sure that your computer/engine control is calibrated correctly for a turbo!
@@modeverything1 Don't forget about the one year only 1990 TSTE or STE Turbo sedan. Only 1,000 made and they used the identical drivetrain as the TGP. Three hundred made in maroon and 700 made in white.
@@modeverything1 fukin eh. I had no clue about those vehicles.
I know any 94-95 3.1 but on what car did you find your 1.6 rockers? If I knew I could just order new ones. Thanks in advance.
I believe this one was from a 1995 Pontiac Grand Am. The aftermarket rockers may not be correct, as they are listed to fit the early 80's 60degreev6 up to 1995. And they only show a picture of the bottom of the rocker arm on rock auto
@@modeverything1 Thank you sir. I can go have the parts store pull parts till I find one with the oil deflector on it. Then I can cross that part number. It is worth a try.
I've got a 1990 Pontiac 6000 3.1 LH0, I was thinking of doing the 3400 fuel injectors and maybe the throttle body if I can figure that out. My injectors that are prolly stock and 30 years old now might be going so I thought this upgrade would be good. Do you recommend this, is there anything I should do with them? Or anything you'd recommend before that? And do you know what kinda power I could expect from a setup like that? 85k original miles on it, just want a lil more than the original 140hp or so
My self I would do the throttle body if you can find a shop to bore it out for you.. it would be the best upgrade with out going in the engine. As for the injectors I would look for some 1994-1999 3100 injectors and have them cleaned by an injector shop if you get them used. Not sure how much of a gain you will get with the bigger TB but it will be noticeable when driving!
@@modeverything1 yeah I was looking around, I think it might be more common for me to find the DOHC 3.4L V6 injectors. Do you think with the TB and injectors I should get an aftermarket intake too for better air flow? or would the stock intake be good enough
The cold air intake would probably help! I would not use the 3.4 injectors unless you have internal engine upgrades like ported heads and a cam. You would want a custom chip for it too. I custom chip would help make some more power on a near stock 3.1 too. Talk to wot-tech, think they are the only ones that will do a custom chip unless you want to learn yourself then look up moates.net!
@@modeverything1 okay thank you for the help. I'll look into the tb bore and air intake then and see from there
I'm buying 1 again soon last 1 a ex totaled show me the mods im here for it
I have a 3.1 sfi not multiport, i have a 97 cutlass supreme sl and i need some insight
Depends how far you want to go? If your looking for bolt-on performance I would do the 56mm 3400 throttle body, exhaust and a pcm tune/calibration. After that you can swap to the 2000+ 3100 top end or even a full 3400 or 3500!
This might be a old question, but: will a 3400top end (heads, lower intake, upper intake, TB) fit on a 1st gen 2.8 block?
Yes a 3100/3400 top end will bolt to a 1st gen an 2nd gen 2.8/3.1 block. You will need to measure for correct push rod length when you do the swap.
All GM 60degreev6 RWD engines were 1st generation and had iron heads.
I'm building another 3.1 for my derby engine i have an s10 with a 2.8 with iron heads will my intake fit the iron heads
You want to use iron heads on an aluminum head 3.1l? If you did that it would not be very efficient, I'm guessing your compression would probably be around 6 or 7:1 if your lucky! If your asking about just swapping the iron head intake for aluminum it will not work, the ports do not line up.
@@modeverything1 ok thank you
What year 3400 injectors will work on my 1994 z24 3.1 cavalier and u said no tune needed for them correct last cavalier i had I polished the throttle body it made a difference id love to cut my manifols up like u did and port and polish it
Up to 1999 for the injectors. If you use 2000+ you need to change the injector plugs and get a chip calibrated for them. The 3.4 DOHC are a little larger than the 3400 injectors, I would not recommend them until you port the heads and add a cam! For best results a custom tuned chip is best!
@@modeverything1 so I can run 94 to 99 3400 injectors no issues at all i wanna add power i eventually wanna buy heads to port and polish so im not without my car for a long time so small mods like injectors are easy to do
Yes except for a little more fuel consumption lol. I would not do the injectors until they are needed. I tried 3100 injectors on a stock 2.8l and didn't notice any real difference. When I went from 3.1 to 3.4 DOHC injectors in my lumina with the 3500 swap I noticed a difference, because it was not getting enough fuel. Once you improve the airflow then you improve the fuel flow!
@@modeverything1 so whats your best bet on improving air flow im trying find a whole motor and tranny spare also im quite good with cars etc my 94 3.1 is having a idle issue i just disabled and blocked off the egr it helped quite a bit actually idk what else to try i leave tomorrow morning for a week for work but ya ill gather parts etc did you polish the inside of your intake manifold or just cut the extra stuff off of it i
Better air filter to start, and better exhaust 2.25"-2.5" from the manifolds back along with a high flow muffler. When I did my intake plenum I ported in as far as I could reach with the tools I had. Then I cleaned up/gasket matched the outlets from the plenum. Another thing you can do is polyurethane fill your engine mounts like I did in another video. In my old cavalier I made a solid rear engine mount from a block of aluminum, it helped putting the power to the tires!
Don't let granny with her 2002 Buick century know about these mods 💀
Will a 2.8 carb Intake bolt to 3100 heads? if not will the heads swap onto the 3100 block. not looking for power per say, just have a 3100 on hand and want to use it to replace a 2.8 that's telling knock knock jokes. 3100 is from a 2003 Malibu, the 2.8 is from a 1st gen s10.
The carb intake will not bolt up. You can bolt the heads on a 3100 block but you would need to measure pushrod length, and your compression would be very low ( less than 8.0:1). You could purchase a set of 1990-1992 Camaro pistons to get your compression back to stock.
The left/driver side of the block has a different mount bolt pattern and no provisions for a mechanical fuel pump if you need one. My self I would use the complete 3100 and swap to fuel injection.
@@modeverything1 I would use a 3100 with efi, but it's a little too much work for my temporary swap. that's going in before my 355/TH350 the v6s will likely be saved and thrown in something lighter or sold to someone who needs them.
Dude please come to Colorado and help me build my celeb!
That would be fun but I don't think that I'm going to be traveling that way anytime soon! Lol
I got a 2003 chevy malibu with the 3.1 v6 would these mods work on it
Unfortunately your engine is an upgraded version of this one. Basically anything you can do to a 99-05 3400 Grand Am/Alero you can do to your 3100 Malibu, except for changing to 3500 heads. The larger throttle body, and pcm tuning will make a very nice improvement on your 3100!
@@modeverything1thanks
Can you bolt a sbc to a 3.1 v6 transmission
Not directly, you would need an adapter plate. I used one on my truck with the original 4l60e but I went to a Camaro 4l60e with the 60degreev6 pattern because I cracked 3 flex plates
Thinking a SBC swap would be a better choice
It might not be as simple though lol
What do I need if I want to supercharger this engine, and how many pounds would it hold?
The only way to supercharge is to make brackets for a vortech/Paxton style centrifugal blowet or a custom LIM/plenum for a m90 style but that won't fit under the hood.
As for how much boost that depends on engine condition and how good the tune is. I have seen someone put 18psi on a stock bottom end 3.1 before and it stayed together
@@modeverything1 thank you for the tip 💪💪
Would these upgrades work on a 3.1l 1991 camaro?
I don't believe any of this will work on the iron head engines. But I do believe you can get headers to bolt on to your car/engine. Check out the v6 page on the thirdgen.org forms, lots of information there for your vehicle!
@@modeverything1 I looked up headers and they are discontinued. If I swap my head's over to aluminum I can use pretty much all apart do you covered in part 1 and part 2 of your videos
2.8 engine put injectors with 3.0 Ford car stopped driving, rail pressure 3.4, which injectors to put in order to get everything back, it is not possible to put stock injectors, maybe some Bosch injectors are normal, I also heard that injectors from BMW m50 and m52 are suitable please help, i'm breaking my head
Is your engine unmodified? If so stock replacements would be best. Fuel pressure should be approximately 43psi at the rail.
@@modeverything1 yes, the problem is that I live in Russia, right now I installed nozzles with 3.0 Ford, it doesn’t go, the spark plugs are white, according to computer diagnostics it writes a rich mixture, I don’t know what to believe, ordering nozzles from the states is very long and incredibly expensive, funny, but I will try to order through aliexpress ..
full stock engine
@@modeverything1 thanks for the answer, it’s very difficult to look for information about my motor, because of this I want to put myself a 3.8 engine (
@alexvurje2833 hey Alex, did you ever get that fixed?
@@alexvurje2833try ordering the injectors from Canada or Mexico
What about the rwd models?
The Iron heads/intakes are the biggest restriction on the RWD 2.8, 3.1 and 3.4's. Headers are a good improvement for them along with a larger throttle body, aftermarket cam and porting the heads. If you're looking for the most power you will want to swap on 3400 aluminium heads/intakes!
@@modeverything1 Can you put a cam on a TBI 2.8 V6?
Yes you can! They usually list valve springs that are needed if it's much larger than stock. Also in most cases you will get best results having the computer chip tuned for the upgrades!
Its about chevy lumina?
Yes if your looking for more power from your 3.1l!
@@modeverything1 thank you men. I got one. I will do it.
Why are there product review say it's fake
Not sure what review you are referring to?
Man if youre already taking the heads off you might as well polish and match the intake and exhaust ports while your at it!
Check out part 2! I share some info on what to do with the heads!
Lt1 350 injectors and 3800 injector look 💯 the same
Hw to make a 2.8L v6 cts faster
Haven't looked into them but you should be able to get performance tunes, exhaust and cold air intakes for them...
3400 tb is work on the them
3400 TB is completely different. Only thing that can be done is have a stock one bored out, or adapt a TB from something else but more is involved with that.
Put a v8 in it
Get a 1994 3.1 it was most powerful year. I had a LTZ Corsica with sport 4spd and my dad's buddy tuned mine. I ran a Aluminum racing radiator wide open allday
1994 I believe the Corsica and Beretta got the 3100v6, they made about 10-20hp more than the 3.1L mpfi
3.8 was best
😂
Its a 60°V6. Its not the best.
Or you could tow it with a F-150 and it would be much faster!
At least you would have something reliable to drive when the Ford breaks down!