Engine swap

1987 CHEVROLET S-10
180,000 MILES • 2.8L • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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MLONG98
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Will a 1989 2.8l Firebird engine easily install in my s10 Tahoe Blazer? I can't find used engines for my s10 blazer easily, but I did find a Firebird engine and I need to know all of the following, what needs to be done for a 2wd engine to go to 4wd "is it just the torque converter ??" If the engine would install in my rig would everything hookup exactly ? I'm not a mechanic , but I try to do my own things
The last few used engines Stopped working really quickly after installing them.
Btw; my blazer originally had a 2.8l.
Jul 14, 2020 at 9:42 PM
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MLONG98
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Trying to upload photo.
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Jul 14, 2020 at 9:49 PM
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STEVE W.
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While it is the same basic block there are a lot of differences in the engine. The 1987 would be either a throttle body injection or a carburetor engine while the 1989 in the Firebird is multi-port fuel injected. If you had the TBI the swap is a bit easier as you can just swap the intake and a few sensors over to make the Firebird engine work. If it had the carburetor version you need to swap many more parts. There used to be a kit available that let you drop the 3.4 out of a 1993-1994 Camaro into them. I built my 85 that way years ago. You mixed parts from a few years but it made the truck so much better to run. Basically you swap the intake manifold over with the 2.8 parts onto the 3.4 and it drops right in. However it only works that easy if you already have the fuel injected 2.8. It was a real popular thing for the Camaro and Firebird folks to replace the 2.8. If you Google it there are a few articles still out there about it.
Jul 14, 2020 at 11:50 PM
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MLONG98
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My bad, it's Camaro not firebird . Does this make a difference in what you told me ?
Jul 15, 2020 at 1:50 PM
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STEVE W.
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Nope, only real difference between them is the badges and some trim.
Jul 15, 2020 at 9:03 PM
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MLONG98
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I think I'm going to go your route, find a nice 3.4l . I do have the TBI so I could do this 2.8l if I can't find a bigger engine.
Jul 16, 2020 at 5:53 AM
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STEVE W.
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The 3.4 made a big difference over the 2.8 Just be sure it's from a Camaro or Firebird. They used the 3.4 in other vehicles but mounted sideways and the blocks are different and don't interchange.
Jul 16, 2020 at 8:52 AM