engine problem

[Bob k]

My son has an 89 S10 that looks pretty good, but has a lot of miles on 2.5 engine. (Quit running) We have a 1988 Cutlass Supreme with 2.8 v6 engine that runs good, but is wrecked. How bad would it be to put in the v6? We have the emission test to pass here in St. Louis, Mo. metro area.

Need an opinion or two.


thanks,
Bob K.

[whitebowtie]

I think it might work Bob, however you will probably have to change exhaust and or intake manifolds and various sensors to make everything plug and play.

[StevesTahoe]

The old Iron 4 gave it up hmmm....I had one of those 87 model S-10 blazer, put in a 5.0 V8 with the 700R4 transy in place of it....needed a new wiring harness headers and such....but you could pull the harness from the donor....I'm not much of a fan of the 2.8 liter though....weak crank and will break on you.....I think I would just go with a newer vortec V-6 with transy from a wreck.....get all the parts and just do a complete change over....more horses and you have the room in the compartment to change the plugs.....

[932500]

Originally Posted by StevesTahoe

The old Iron 4 gave it up hmmm....I had one of those 87 model S-10 blazer, put in a 5.0 V8 with the 700R4 transy in place of it....needed a new wiring harness headers and such....but you could pull the harness from the donor....I'm not much of a fan of the 2.8 liter though....weak crank and will break on you.....I think I would just go with a newer vortec V-6 with transy from a wreck.....get all the parts and just do a complete change over....more horses and you have the room in the compartment to change the plugs.....

I dont htink this helps answer his question at all???Congrats on your swap, but I dont think this info is relevant at all here..

[DodgeChick]

Bob asked for opinions. Steve gave his and his advice on some other things.
It is ok to pull up older threads on here and give your advice on the topic because it is a bit slow here, but please do not do so simply to say you dont think somebody was helpful.

[932500]

O.K.no it is not an easy swap as it is a different block. Not recommending you install a v8, just answering your question.

[jobberone]

A small block Chevy would be great and a good project for you both. Not hard to build, a zillion around, and it'll fit without too much trouble. If you can get a pull out with the harness and computer from a recent vehicle then you can get good gas mileage as well. A 5.3 pullout would be good, not too powerful for a teenager and dependable. Of course they are more trouble with all the FI, wiring and such. You'll have to deal with return lines yada.

If you want to keep it easy just go with a 350.

[chevyguy]

Everyone keeps recommending a small block and that has nothing to do with the origional question. As mentioned earlier in the question,no the motors in question are not the same block. if you are interested in a small block swap post that. everyone and their brother has done it and there is alot of info out there as well as kits.

[jobberone]

Well a swap is a swap and some have more problems than others. If you're going to all that trouble to swap engines then it's a good idea to think about how you are going to use the vehicle then find the right motor and drivetrain to fit your use. There's no need to put a motor into a vehicle just because you happen to have it when it will not fit your needs or be a poor choice.

If the motor you have runs well and it's an easy swap and you'll end up with a vehicle that fits your needs then do it. But there is a lot more information on swaps of other motors. I think you should look at the recent 4.3 chevy which is affectionately called the 350 without two cylinders or either a 5.0 or 5.3 newer Gen which is computer controlled as well. You will have a very economical vehicle with enough power. But that's just me. You need to do what you want. I'm sure someone has done that swap and I would suggest trying to find that swap somewhere on the net if you're determined to do it.

Otherwise go a different way.