Very true :) I would have done the same..

obviously not a good subject on this forum. maybe try a v6 camero forum? or some forum that deals with chevy motors. almost evry one here is guna be die hard 4.0s. i am

Got an 88 S15 Jimmy, same engine.,
its impossible to kill, but its a dog, flat 100hp.
Junkyard items...
Compare headers from a 3.4 Camaro or Firebird.
I would think a cam out of a 3.4 would be worth changing too, move the power band up but its a sacrifice to the low end power.
Next is aftermarket.
If you do the cam swap.
http://www.race-mart.com/items/produ...789-detail.htm
http://www.catalograck.com/ImgVD/EDE/3785-89.jpg
they're cheap enough.
The next step is pricey.
Holley 390 CFM vacuum secondary.
http://www.atlanticspeed.com/product...4&idcategory=7
http://www.atlanticspeed.com/product...20_general.jpg
Don't let someone talk tell you that it will run fine with a Holley 600 or 650 on it. Because it won't. it will run, but it will loose all port velocity and be a pure dog.


With the cam/intake/carb/header swap, I whould guesstimate your little v6 will be close to the 160HP mark.
Remember to use new lifters on the cam, even if its a used cam.

I see where your coming from to a point. I have yet to have a problem out of the FI on anything I own...I have 3 cars and 2 4wheelers that are FI...My buddy was acting the same way about is carbed 4wheeler until he rode mine and the smoothness combined with better MPG and we both race them and he has spent days trying to jet for his mods and all I have to do is plug a power commander up to a laptop and get a map and I am done spot on and ready to ride.

Is your 88 carburated? If so whats the cfm on it?

No its Fuel Injected, but I remember you posting your was carb'd.
I wouldn't have bought the S15 if it was carb'd. I hate that POS GM used on the 2.8's. they was troublesome and impossible to tune. :hang:

One side note if you use a cam out of a 3.4, make sure you use the 3.4 firing order if its not the same as the 2.8.

Good Luck with it. :thumbsup:

Junkyards are full of Chevy small blocks to help make that 2.8 faster. Fuel injection is far more reliable than any feedback carb ever produced. You can't polish a turd, hopping up a 2.8 is like putting lipstick on a pig.

is one related to the queen of uk as she calls her self one alot lol only teasing sorry, but the ecu and setup on the 4l is fairly robust and gives little probs with the correct mantanace

U can polish a turd- seen it on mythbusters. But on the 2.8 its hard to do anything to it. Put an electric fan on it and maybe a bottle to spray it. They makes very limited stuff for go fast parts for that motor. Wish ya luck. Could do a 4.3 swap.

why dont you get hp in other ways?

like a good cat back exhaust
cold air intake
throttle body spacer
etc

simple bolt-ons can accomplish a lot

sell it and buy a 4.0???....IMO

OP - I would go to S10forum.com - they're pretty helpful there and have lots of info on the 2.8. I had an 83 S15 with a carb'd 2.8.... worst engine ever, IMO. Everything I've owned has been faster, got better MPG, and all around better performing. Like everyone else says, ditch it for a better engine, it's not worth modding. A CAI will get you a few ponies...it did a little on mine.

I know how to suck hp out of an engine, even this one, I was just hoping that maybe there were some oem parts from other vehicles that were better than whats on my hunk of crap.

I for those who suggested a new cherokee altogether, I agree. But unless you want to buy mine, I can't afford it. Or unless you wanna buy my 1990 integra or my 64 baja bug project car.

how far along is the baja bug project?

Not far. It's got aftermarket adjustable suspension and a wide eye baja body kit and the rear bumper has been cut off. And I have the engine cage and a ton of other crap for it. Of course like pretty much all bugs it needs new floor pans.