Dropping 3.1 in an 89 RS
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Cleveland, OH...not by choice
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dropping 3.1 in an 89 RS
My 2.8 V6 blew about a week ago and I dont have the $17,000 for the 632 CID 925hp crate motor I want so I had to go to my local "salvage yard". I went through all kinds of crap with them wanting to sell me a 2.8 out of an S-10 and I would have had to make all kinds of changes. They were gonna give it to me for $300, but I wanted a pretty much "bolt-in" motor. I ended up taking a 3.1 out of a 1990 Firebird - talk about direct bolt-in. Now I totally forgot to ask about the computer and someone asked me about it. Anyone know if I need a whole new computer? Or can I just get the chip? And if I run it with the old computer, what kind of trouble will i run into? I'm willing to throw in about another $100, so if anyone has any ideas, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
#2
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Chasing Electrons
Posts: 18,406
Likes: 0
Received 216 Likes
on
202 Posts
Car: check
Engine: check
Transmission: check
Re: Dropping 3.1 in an 89 RS
Originally posted by JadesAn89
My 2.8 V6 blew about a week ago and I dont have the $17,000 for the 632 CID 925hp crate motor I want so I had to go to my local "salvage yard". I went through all kinds of crap with them wanting to sell me a 2.8 out of an S-10 and I would have had to make all kinds of changes. They were gonna give it to me for $300, but I wanted a pretty much "bolt-in" motor. I ended up taking a 3.1 out of a 1990 Firebird - talk about direct bolt-in. Now I totally forgot to ask about the computer and someone asked me about it. Anyone know if I need a whole new computer? Or can I just get the chip? And if I run it with the old computer, what kind of trouble will i run into? I'm willing to throw in about another $100, so if anyone has any ideas, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
My 2.8 V6 blew about a week ago and I dont have the $17,000 for the 632 CID 925hp crate motor I want so I had to go to my local "salvage yard". I went through all kinds of crap with them wanting to sell me a 2.8 out of an S-10 and I would have had to make all kinds of changes. They were gonna give it to me for $300, but I wanted a pretty much "bolt-in" motor. I ended up taking a 3.1 out of a 1990 Firebird - talk about direct bolt-in. Now I totally forgot to ask about the computer and someone asked me about it. Anyone know if I need a whole new computer? Or can I just get the chip? And if I run it with the old computer, what kind of trouble will i run into? I'm willing to throw in about another $100, so if anyone has any ideas, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
There is no 3.1L chip available for the '89 computer as no MAF 3.1l f-body's were made. Being that the '89 is a MAF setup it may run well enough as is.
HTH
RBob.
And enjoy the new found power. . .
#3
Supreme Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Central NJ, USA
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
Yeah, don't even bother with any computer swap. Leave your car's electronics alone, bolt everything old to the 3.1 motor... injectors, sensors, etc. If the 2.8 computer/chip/injection can figure out an upgrade to a 3.4, it can handle an upgrade to a 3.1 motor.
#4
Supreme Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Elkton MD USA
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1983, 1986
Engine: 2.8 2bbl, 2.8 MPFI
Transmission: 200C 3 speed, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08, 3.42
Well you coulld pull the harness and computer for a 1990 3.1 F-body annd go through the hassle of changing harnesses but that's a major PITA. Do you still have your blown motor? If so, remove it from the car and set it next to the 3.1. Find all of the differences. Take any parts that are different off of the 2.8 and attach them to the 3.1. End result is the 3.1 will look exactly like your dead 2.8. Install the 3.1 in the car and use the original harness and computer. Check the tech articles on the main page as KED85's 2.8-3.4 swap boogie will help you in this endeavor -- even though you are not going to a 3.4 (2.8,3.1,3.4 are the same blocks)
#6
Supreme Member
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Garland, TX, USA
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1992 Camaro RS & 1992 Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1 L v6 & 305 (5.0L) v8
Transmission: 4L60 Auto
(2.8,3.1,3.4 are the same blocks)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post