New crate engine ordered!

[gcomfx.com]

But it's for my BLAZER!

How's this.... took me all summer off and on with the stupid stall converter in ths stang.... now that winter is here, the Blazer chit a brick. Blown intake gasket led to finding wore out bearing and crank....

It had 66,000 original miles on it when I bought it and was in storage....

So my little 2.8 is getting replaced with this:

http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpartsjsp/partlist.jsp?section=ce&cat=9274

12363230*HT 3.4
Tired of that tired 2.8 V6 in your S-truck? It's time for a major upgrade, GM Performance Parts style. The HT 3.4 is a bolt in replacement for the 2.8 V6 in your 1982 - 1985 S-10 pickup or Blazer with automatic transmission. And it's emission legal in 49 states (Yes, you guessed it, California said no.) But for the rest of us, the HT 3.4 is the best thing going. With 160 horsepower and 194 Ft. Lbs. of torque your truck will feel better than new, and tow better than ever. The heads have large 1.72" intake and 1.42" exhaust valves and combustion chambers that yield a healthy 9 to 1 compression ratio. The camshaft is a high lift, short duration design, developed to produce lots of strong low end torque and mid range horsepower. With .427" intake and .454" exhaust lift, the cam ensures a strong pull to 5000 RPM. Doesn't sound like your 2.8 V6 at all does it? It isn't, when GM Performance Parts develops an engine we focus on making power. But not power for the sake of power, but power where you need it. For great drivability, towing performance and maybe even a little off road fun. The HT 3.4, a serious upgrade for your favorite little truck. With 40 more horsepower than your 2.8 V6, why would you even consider rebuilding that old 2.8? The induction system, ignition system, exhaust, emission controls, water pump and other parts required to bolt in your new HT 3.4 are already on your truck. Sounds like a weekend project or talk to your GM Performance Parts Authorized Center, they can install it for you.

 

[VibrantRedGT]

Damn Chevy's! I use to work for Lou Bachrodt Chevrolet down here. I know your pain. I've done a few motor swaps on that vehicle before.

 

[gcomfx.com]

I SOOOOO wish this money was going into the motor on the stang......

 

[BlueOvalStangGT]

Put the 5.0 from your stango in there and then buy a new engine for your car!

 

[gcomfx.com]

Put the 5.0 from your stango in there and then buy a new engine for your car!

I wish..... I'm just not a good mechanic. Should have bought an Exploder.

 

[blksn955.o]

Why not get a 4.3? I mean they ended up in that body style stock and you would think the swap parts would be easier/cheaper to find instead of a 3.4?

That and you can use the 350 pistons/rods if you want to build a cheap stong aftermarketed' lower end, as the 4.3 is a 350 with 2 cyl. taken away from the cast.

 

[gcomfx.com]

This 3.4 is a HT motor.... better gas mileage than a 4.3, has better HP and torque than a stock 4.3, and bolts right in, as the external of the block is the exact same as the 2.8. So I don't have to get a different tranny. I've already got this tranny built to a 92 with a shift kit.

I almost bought a $500 4.3 blazer to swap, but by the time I rebuilt that motor and tranny.... I would have been in the same price range AND it would have been a helluva lot more work for less performance.

 

[gcomfx.com]

Oh, and I'm on a BIG time crunch. Already bummed a ride to work since we were told to expect 2 inches of snow Tues. Luckily we didn't get anything but cold as weather. So I'm still driving the stang....

 

[blksn955.o]

So is the 3.4 a sroker or something like that of the 2.8? I didnt read the link too much. Well if it will bolt up to the existing trans and stuff that does sound like a better route.

Good luck.

sounds like you guys dodged the bullet down there like we did here, Cape got like 14-16in of snow Mon. night or Tues. whatever it was.

 

[gcomfx.com]

The 3.4L runs on 89 octane over 87 but I'm used to that with the stang. Also, I don't know if they actually made carbed 4.3s. I couldn't find any locally, and while mine is an 86 and suppose to be a TBI 2.8... it's definately carbed. I would have to put a computer in and my guage cluster would have had to be switched over.... or the 4.3s I found switched to carb operation. Which meant finding a bigger carb... and other crap.

Seems more I researched it, the more I was going to stick with a 2.8L (or part out the blazer) - then this 3.4 block popped up and I was like...sweet. Guess that's where I'm headed.

The weather was weird deal. The snow storm just past over us and the stuff never actually hit the ground. Bought me another week to get that engine here.... :worship:

 

[ProKiller]

hope you get it soon man, good luck with the swap.

merry christmas for the blazer...

 

[89 blue lx]

how much power did the 2.8 have?

 

[gcomfx.com]

how much power did the 2.8 have?

Like technically? 120hp Or what did it feel like? 50hp

 

[89 blue lx]

Like technically? 120hp Or what did it feel like? 50hp

hahaha

 

[blksn955.o]

The 3.4L runs on 89 octane over 87 but I'm used to that with the stang. Also, I don't know if they actually made carbed 4.3s. I couldn't find any locally, and while mine is an 86 and suppose to be a TBI 2.8... it's definately carbed. I would have to put a computer in and my guage cluster would have had to be switched over.... or the 4.3s I found switched to carb operation. Which meant finding a bigger carb... and other crap.

A local engine builder had the first year s10 blazer and he was messing around with a 4.3, he pulled the 2.8 and built a 4.3 with ported heads, custom cam, forged pistons/rods, and made a custom set of headers (cut up like 4sets of hooker headers and alot of bent pipes) to clear the steering shaft. He used a tbi intake and put a holley double pumper (I think it was a 650) with the use of a carb spacer plate. Ran realy, realy well. He also built a 350turbo trans. for it and swapped it in with the motor.

I can see that kind of project getting out of hand quick, and since you posted you just got the trans. rebuilt or whatnot it realy makes the 3.4 seem alot more worthwile.

EFI was not mandatory in all US cars until 87, maybe GM made a few carb ones still that 86 year.

 

[larrendeuce]

Should have said something earlier, I have a new factory 4.3 shortblock I am trying to get rid of.

 

[Kornnut]

So is the 3.4 a sroker or something like that of the 2.8? I didnt read the link too much. Well if it will bolt up to the existing trans and stuff that does sound like a better route.

Good luck.

sounds like you guys dodged the bullet down there like we did here, Cape got like 14-16in of snow Mon. night or Tues. whatever it was.

Yep the 3.1 and the 3.4 are versions of the 2.8

I had a 95 camaro with the 3.4. It was a sad, sad, sad, sad, slow pile of junk.

 

[gcomfx.com]

Yep the 3.1 and the 3.4 are versions of the 2.8

I had a 95 camaro with the 3.4. It was a sad, sad, sad, sad, slow pile of junk.

The HT isn't a stock 3.4 - it's cammed for pulling and 4x4ing. I didn't have a problem with the 2.8L. It did fine for what I needed. Adding 40hp and a cam sounds like a great idea to me. Especially for cheaper than the stock 2.8 block. This one is suppose to out perform the 4.3 and weigh less. We'll soon find out.