Need Opinions: 86 Camaro 2.8

[PowerTrike]

Hey Camaro/Chevy guys, I need your opinion on a car. Might be trading my jeep for it. Not sure if its worth it...Drove it today (only had time for a quick spin) Had to drive about 2 hrs to meet the owner who expected to trade on the spot, didn't shake his hand; told him I'd think about it and come back...

I think my Jeep XJ could fetch about $1500+ realistically. Planned to sell cuz I want something with better mpg (gas prices are kicking my arse and this thing is supposed to get about 20-25mpg) and a little more streetable (off roading is fun, but i never have time) Sounds like I'd be getting the car plus $300.

Pretty much the base '86 model w a few options like the little 2.8 TBI V6. 114K 5SPD These motors any good? I've been told by some they are great, last forever and others have had problems with them. Struts are shot and she kinda bouces off the bump stops. Runs and drives pretty good otherwise. Interior and body are overall a bit worn out in average conditon w average F-body bondo. Newer pant, nice rims and newer tires. Does look sharp from a distance. Supposedly it has a newer waterpump, clutch, alternator, and all fluids have been gone through. Newer deck/6x9s incl.

Also I would need to drive this car a short distance just about every day in MN this winter. I know its not the ideal car for this but will it work with sandbags and maybe snow tires, or just plain stupid?

I need to decide soon... Opinions? Comments on the car? :beer

[MTS]

I would only get it if a 305/350 swap is intended the 2.8's where CRAAAAAAP...

[corndawg]

2.8's are the worst motors gm ever made, very, very soft cranks, and the rod jurnouls are way too small, they are a good motor if you can keep them from slingin a rod. any camaro ive ever seen has gone nowhere in the snow, i guess with enough weight and the right tires it wouldnt be as bad but still deffinently not the ideal winter car

[wheelie king]

Doubt you'll get any 20+ miles to the gallon from a 100k mileage 2.8. I say DON'T do it!

[PowerTrike]

Thanks for the opinions. You guys rule. I'm still considering it. Would a 3.1/4.3 bolt right up? And would a V8 swap in an original V6 F-body be an easy swap? I think it has the T-5 trans. If I end up getting the car I'm sure eventually I would want to swap out the 2.8 when it gets really tired (or throws a rod... :( ) I do however know a guy who used to own a 2.8 S-10 that he claimed went over 260K (never rebuilt) and was still running ok when he sold it 2 years ago...

http://jupiter.walagata.com/w/fisher/car1.JPG

[OldSchoolin86]

Thanks for the opinions. You guys rule. I'm still considering it. Would a 3.1/4.3 bolt right up? And would a V8 swap in an original V6 F-body be an easy swap? I think it has the T-5 trans. If I end up getting the car I'm sure eventually I would want to swap out the 2.8 when it gets really tired (or throws a rod... :( ) I do however know a guy who used to own a 2.8 S-10 that he claimed went over 260K (never rebuilt) and was still running ok when he sold it 2 years ago...


Looks good. Those cars were designed for a V8 first and then the 2.8. The V8's slide right in.

[corndawg]

Thanks for the opinions. You guys rule. I'm still considering it. Would a 3.1/4.3 bolt right up? And would a V8 swap in an original V6 F-body be an easy swap? I think it has the T-5 trans. If I end up getting the car I'm sure eventually I would want to swap out the 2.8 when it gets really tired (or throws a rod... :( ) I do however know a guy who used to own a 2.8 S-10 that he claimed went over 260K (never rebuilt) and was still running ok when he sold it 2 years ago...

http://jupiter.walagata.com/w/fisher/car1.JPG
looks like a clean car, as far as the v-8 goes, you might have to slide the mounts forward on the sub frame( we put a v-8 in an '81 that did have a 3.8 and had to do that, should be somewhat similair even though its a different body). dont take my word for it, but i believe the bolt holes for the tranny on the 2.8 are the same as the 4cyl. i know for a fact the 3.8 and 4.3 are the same as a v-8. so you might need to get a different bell housing for the tranny.

[OldSchoolin86]

looks like a clean car, as far as the v-8 goes, you might have to slide the mounts forward on the sub frame( we put a v-8 in an '81 that did have a 3.8 and had to do that, should be somewhat similair even though its a different body). dont take my word for it, but i believe the bolt holes for the tranny on the 2.8 are the same as the 4cyl. i know for a fact the 3.8 and 4.3 are the same as a v-8. so you might need to get a different bell housing for the tranny.
Mounts on this body won't have to moved.

[Six Stroke]

You're gonna need a different bellhousing. Or the trans, for that matter. A stock 305 could destroy that T-5, so if you're going to do any hopping up, you may want to check out a different tranny like a tremec or something.

[ATC crazy]

2.8's suck...well...you know what. My friend has one in his Blazer. It can barely get out of its own way, much less gets over 13mpg. Ditch that POS and find another car/motor

[cliff2302]

they put that T5 behind 305's in those cars stock

[PowerTrike]

Decided against it. Thanks for all your helpful opinions guys. I think that it would definatly be a better Idea to wait for a nice V8 (preferably 350 TPI) car to come up. I've seen them go for reasonable prices. I also thought that insurance might not be so bad with the itty bitty six... I was wrong, was looking like $2,000 a year just for liability. I just love the way these cars look and have always wanted one but thats just too high! Maybe someday when the teenage driver/sports car insurance nazis leave me alone...

[MTS]

Decided against it. Thanks for all your helpful opinions guys. I think that it would definatly be a better Idea to wait for a nice V8 (preferably 350 TPI) car to come up. I've seen them go for reasonable prices. I also thought that insurance might not be so bad with the itty bitty six... I was wrong, was looking like $2,000 a year just for liability. I just love the way these cars look and have always wanted one but thats just too high! Maybe someday when the teenage driver/sports car insurance nazis leave me alone...
I know how it feel's i cant afford a 3rd gen cause of freikin insurance....and gas now too.. :lol:

[69HemiGTX]

Decided against it.

Probably the best choice. Then again, you probably didn't want my opinion anyway. Chevy = crusher bait. Especially a Camaro. Ugghh... vomit.

[dogger]

just for your info it's not a t-5 the tranny won't bolt up to a 4.3 or v-8. and your better off not buing it. if you want a camaro with good milage look at a lt1 six speed. get 19-23 around town drive conservable and close to 30 highway. and they can be had for less then 5k

[1984kxtTECATE]

just for your info it's not a t-5 the tranny won't bolt up to a 4.3 or v-8. and your better off not buing it. if you want a camaro with good milage look at a lt1 six speed. get 19-23 around town drive conservable and close to 30 highway. and they can be had for less then 5k


I dont know about chevy, but they have T-5 kits for the mustangs that bolt up to the 8's.

[Six Stroke]

they put that T5 behind 305's in those cars stock

That they did, but the 305 could annihilate it if you got abusive.

[EvilMooseofDoom]

Thanks for the opinions. You guys rule. I'm still considering it. Would a 3.1/4.3 bolt right up? And would a V8 swap in an original V6 F-body be an easy swap? I think it has the T-5 trans. If I end up getting the car I'm sure eventually I would want to swap out the 2.8 when it gets really tired (or throws a rod... :( ) I do however know a guy who used to own a 2.8 S-10 that he claimed went over 260K (never rebuilt) and was still running ok when he sold it 2 years ago...

http://jupiter.walagata.com/w/fisher/car1.JPG


260k Miles?
Yes, maybe if it was idled along for all that time, and had religious oil changes with good oil...otherwise, a complete pile of Doo-Doo for a motor.....and don't even get me started on the poopy ignition/EFI system, the first time you are having problems with it, and they keep popping up...Just find a nice Toyota 4-banger truck, or Camry....yes, they aren't as pretty, but pretty isn't getting you anywhere right now...

[3 weelin geezer]

so many FORD guys here, eh? I have one since 96 and it runs good. The way gas prices are right now I dion't miss not having a big v8 like in my dodge. However, that $2000 is waaay too much. Don't expect to pay less for a v8 since it can go faster therefore a greater liability. Thats why I got the anemic v6 and that was when gas was $1.45 or so.

[kernalklink]

i had a 92 camaro RS with the 305 and a 700r4 tranny and i consistently get 28-30 mpg but i drive 45 miles a day one way to work, but the 2.8 will get alot less because it really has insifficient power, it is really a piece if you ask me. My dad, on the other hand, had a 90 with the 3.1 v6, and it was about 30-34 mpg regularly; which i think is one of the best motors gm ever built!! also the idea of trading a jeep for a Camaro is just crazy!!, what kind of jeep did you say you had? and what year?

[225dx]

My grandma's 1984 s-10 has a 2.8 in it. It has got 410,000 miles on it. But my grandma has had the truck since 1987 and it barely ever sees over 1/4 throttle. It has also had religious oil changes. It has never been rebuilt. It's definitely showing its age though when it's running and you open the hood there's all kinds of clanking and rattling. If it was driven hard it surely would have blown up by now.