I'm looking to rebuild the 2.8 liter in my 86' S10 Blazer. I would like to convert it over to injected LPG and I'm wondering what the maximum compression ratio I can use would be? I plan on operating in the 1500-4500 rpm range and am looking for maximum torque in lieu of horsepower. I'll be using a modified 700R4 with a limited slip rear axle with 3.08 rear gears. My vehicle is the 2 wheel drive model. I was considering running 11.5 to 1 compression due to the fact that LPG has an octane level of 108 which is what my 72' Eldorado required with its 11.25 compression ratio from the factory. I'm not expecting that type of power, just more bang for my buck without going nuts on engine mods.

 

IMO it would be a lot cheaper and easier to get a 4.3l to swap in. The old 2.8L is generally regarded to be a poorly designed POS. I've owned a couple of 2.8L s-10's and ran the **** out of them even had to rebuild the lower end of one. However, I would never waste money on building one up. The 4.3L is just a much better engine and is capable of a lot of power, for a V6.

 

why not skip all the nonsense and see about retro-fitting the 5.3l v8 to accommodate for the horsepower you want?

5.3 long blocks are cheap and easy to come by as well..

 

I've run into just as many problems with the 4.3 as with the 2.8. I'm looking for mileage as well as power and the 5 liter doesn't do it for me. Besides, why spend as much for a swap as a rebuild. It's all being based on an economy of scale.

 

Why waste money on a 2.8L when they weren't built well enough to handle the power they make stock, and you can easily get as good or better mileage and more power with 4.3L or a 5.3L

 

I hear there are some big boats on the great lakes looking for anchors, maybe you could get rid of it there?

a late model MPI 4.3 with a tune will get much better mileage than that POS 2.8 that you cant do anything with.

 

Alright everyone, be nice or Santa won't bring you anything .

Ronald, you would probably get better information from an S-10 specific forum. This forum deals mostly with full-sized trucks and the "hot-rodding" of them. It's not that your idea is necessarily bad (I don't know because I know absolutely zero about the 2.8L engine) but it is unlikely anyone here could answer your question as it is pretty much out of our scope.

BTW: I realize that this is actually PM material but the PM option does not appear for him (maybe because he is new?).