Supercharger for 84 2.8 V6?

[anhaedra]

Hey all, this is my first post. I have a 1984 XJ with the 2.8 liter GM V6. Is there a supercharger I can get for this engine? I tried to search, but the search function will not let me search for the number 2.8.

 

[j99xj]

This guy found one for his S10:

http://614streets.com/2.8.html

 

[BBeach]

Thats pretty cool, but is it really worth it to still have (im assuming) under 300hp? Its a pretty small engine to begin with, and on top of that, hows the rest of the drivetrain going to handle the extra power?

 

[pierceME311]

Thats pretty cool, but is it really worth it to still have (im assuming) under 300hp? Its a pretty small engine to begin with, and on top of that, hows the rest of the drivetrain going to handle the extra power?

You should have thought about that before YOU asked the question.

Your better off swapping in a complete 4.0 AW4 NP231 driveline, it's cheep and easy.

 

[BBeach]

You should have thought about that before YOU asked the question.

Was that to me or him? I think swapping in the 4.0 woulda been a decent idea.

 

[anhaedra]

The drivetrain could probably handle it, assuming you ran low boost, couldn't it?

 

[WB9YZU]

Here's my 2c.

This really isn't a question of "can you do it", but rather, should you do it.

The 2.8L is an OK engine, but not real awsome. It is about as powerful as a 2.5L and has simular performance characteristics. However, in stock for, it has a carburator.
The exhaust manifolds were nothing to write home about, just standard logs with rear exit. The only redeaming feature the engine had was the HEI distributor, and that's even kinda questionalble as the modules were of such dependability that you kept a spare in the glove box.

The drivetrain was usually a AX5 or a TF-904 with a 207 T-Case. Again, not awesome, but more than up to the task of keeping the 2.8L attached to the D35/D30 axle setup (with small brakes to boot).

Now unless you just picked up a dirt cheap, read "free", supercharger for your awsome little 2.8L, I wouldn't even bother opening that can of whoopass waiting to smack you up side of the head and say "WOW, I could have had a V8!"

You should do some personal reasearch (not here, but using your web browser), and examine what kind of real money it will take to install a Supercharger, and a FI system (I wouldn't even mess with a SC without doing EFI nowdays), rebuild your 2.8L, do headers and an exhaust, then strengthen your drivetrain to handle what you can throw at it worse case.

I guess that's my take on the question.

You know, you can by a NEW crate engine that will bolt into place for a 2.8L engine for around $2.4K from GM performance. IIRC, it is a 3.4L and makes another 50bhp.
So, for a bit more than the cost of a rebuild, you get a new engine and more HP.

Ron

 

[anhaedra]

Yeah, I could put a V8 in, but I doubt I could afford gas for it.

What about a newer V6, such as a Vortec? Are the engine mounts the same?

 

[anhaedra]

Ah, nevermind, I see the Camaro 3.4L will fit.. Cool

 

[MudDawg]

The 3.4 is a very good swap....nobody builds them anymore that I know of, but there was a company that used to make a supercharger for the 2.8 back in the day.

 

[lancey3]

Yeah, I could put a V8 in, but I doubt I could afford gas for it.

What about a newer V6, such as a Vortec? Are the engine mounts the same?

The 2.8 doesn't get very good MPG. I think a SBC would net you better MPG because it doesn't have to work as hard.

 

[MudDawg]

A decent SBC will snap the stock drivetrain like a twig...and it's a pretty involved (and Expensive) swap...the 3.4 is a direct swap except for having the flywheel or flexplate "0" balanced.

 

[IslanderOffRoad]

This guy found one for his S10:

http://614streets.com/2.8.html

He pieced it together. I used to chat him up back when I had an S10.

 

[WB9YZU]

Ah, nevermind, I see the Camaro 3.4L will fit.. Cool

And you thought I was messing with ya

Here the link to the GM Perf catalog:
http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/EngineShowcase/index.jsp?engId=HT34V6&engine=HT%203.4%20V6&sku=12363230&engCat=rpo

Here's what it costs:
http://paceperformance.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=133

Yah, as Mudawg pointed out, the 2.8L is externally balanced, and IIRC the 3.4L is a zero balance engine.

... and no, I do not believe the 3800 series III listed below it is a direct bolt in
IIRC, it is a different block series. I you really want to pursue that as a mental excersize, advanced adapters may have something.

Ron

 

[MudDawg]

There is a whole series of GM engines that can be made to fit....some involve serious fab work and other mods....I saw a write up somewhere where a Caddy Northstar was put in a S-10 in place of a 2.8...and another one where they tried a Northstar and it turned out too long so they used a Shortstar instead...the bellhousing pattern on a 2.8 is generically known as "chevy 6 cyl pattern" but even in that series there are variables like where the starter is mounted and in some cases one or more of the bellhousing bolts won't line up, requireing redrilling at a minimum or in some cases serious welding and fab work..

But by miles the cheapest and easiest is still the 3.4 and it will give decent power compared to the 2.8.

 

[1985xjlaredo]

You can build your 2.8 to perform well for you. Yes If you have 2wd the drivetrain will hold up to a good 350hp and 300ftlbs of torque. You have a TC904 for a transmission, It was used behind chrysler V8's in the 60's so it can handle it. The weakest link will be the d35 in the rear of the Jeep. You could swap a D44 and then you would have no problems at all. The bolt pattern that is on the 2.8 is called the GM small corprate pattern. The engine code that you have is the LR2. You have the older LR2 design, it changed in mid 85 with a one piece rear main and bigger valves for the fuel injection engines. In 86 the bigger main Journals the one piece and the bigger valves were used on all engines. Check out this site: http://wiki.60degreev6.com/index.php?title=60DegreeV6.com
I built one and punched it out to a 3.1L used the newer heads and put roller rockers stiffer springs and a compitioion cams 252H cam. Its kinda loopy but I can hardly tell at all unless is listen for it and it really make it pull hard from 1200RPM to 3700RPM and I can rev to just over 7000RPM with out any valve lift or chatter. But I haven't wanted to go any higher than that. Oh I also got some better pistons at this place http://www.engine-parts.com/GMV6/gm28stroker.html I wouldn't try to put any pressure behind this engine, it can be built to make a good 300 ponies if thats what you want.