1989 Corsica 2.8L

[FoRn420]

So that's what I drive. I was wondering what could be done to it. I would like to upgrade engine to a 3.1, but seems like more work than its worth. What about turbo or something like that?

[Barnes]

in the end it probably wouldn't be worth it. even with a bigger engine, you'd most likely want to do everything else. i'd just put the money towards a new car

[QuasarCav]

If you think a 3.1 swap is too much work, than a turbo is not for you.

little aftermarket support and shitty flowing heads killed the 2.8!

You can put a CAI and a free flowing exhaust but anything else will get pricey.

If you have a truckload of cash and alot of time nothing is out of reach!

[hjr]

unfortunately there isnt much to do. the car is not a great platform for mods unless you want to do all the r & D yourself. wait until you can afford a car with power IMO.

[FoRn420]

perhaps the 3.1 swap would be the best choice ...coz ive heard alot of bad stuff about the 2.8
any suggestions for price/where to get it?

[FoRn420]

I'm just trying to work with what I've got...
I've never seen anyone mod up a corsica, so i might as well be the first, thats what i think

[hyperwhite]

i suggest upgrading to a beretta 3.1. if you wanna go turbo there was a 3.1 turbo for the grandprix. but i dont reccomend putting too much money into a corsica

[4DoorGTZ]

A corsica of that age really isnt of any use for an upgrade. A 92+ Corsica could be an almost direct swap from 3.1L --> 3400 from a newer grand am. Plus there's lots of stuff for the 3400 (relative to the 2.8 or 3.1)

If you are serious about doing something with that Corsica, check out www.corsicas.com or sites for the beretta (2 door platform brother) like www.beretta.net and www.berettastuff.com

Been there man, still have an 87 corsica sitting, made the switch over to beretta's and love em.

[GTS Jeff]

instead of swapping, itll be easier to sell your 2.8 and buy a 3.1.

but if ure gona do that, u might as well buy a better car

[Spyderman_MaryJ]

I'll trade you my '90 3.1L Pontiac Tempest (same car) for your 2.8 corsica!?

[QuasarCav]

Originally posted by GTS Jeff
instead of swapping, itll be easier to sell your 2.8 and buy a 3.1.

but if ure gona do that, u might as well buy a better car

That is about the only thing you can do, unless you really love your corsica the amount of time and money to get 15hp and 20tq will not be worth it.

Drive the corsica, save some money and buy a car that has some decent power and aftermarket support!

swapping an engine is not like changing your oil, there is a lot of little things you have to do to make it work correctly.

But if you love that corsica then all the power to you, as long as we can say "i told you so"

[barmanjay]

yup,.... I have to agree with quazar.

How much do you love that car?

I have the 3.1,.... there are things you can do,... but not cheap,... that's for sure.
I've been doing a lot of R&D, experimenting,..... so far no total success,... some partial positive notes to keep in mind, but no real success as of yet.

If you can afford a different platform with a better availability of cost effective performance mods,... go that route (obviously and import - first off in mind,... honda).

You can research more on the type of motor you have, instead of swapping in a different motor,.. you can do a 3x00 hybrid swap,... essentiall taking the top end of a 3400 and practically bolting it on the block. Make sure you do the research, and have all the nesseccary parts, and this isn't a weekend thing either. Keep in mind this would only boost your hp by approx 10-15,.... Is it really worth it, but if you open up your exhaust (instead of a single 2.25", go duel 2.5), with headers, you may gain an additional 10-15,... and you'd want to port and polish your intake and etc,...bling, bling,...for another,..say,..5 hp,...., CAI for 2-3hp,..., new cam, springs and lifters.

so from stock,... what 140hp maybe if it was running smooth,...
drop about,...hmmmm
top end - used from wreckers - $100?
exhaust - with cat and muff - $800?
headers - ordered - $1200 (homemade custom - 700)
port 'n'polish,.... who knows who does it here for these cars,... maybe $300
Cam, springs, lifter,.... let say $400
CAI, cheapest thing out there - $100

total cost for upgrade - from $2400 - 2900, to gain 40-50 hp? And a lot of time wasted.
Is it worth it? May as well look for a 3.8 and squeeze it in there, mind you, no power steering.
Whats your car worth? $1000? 1500?, plus say 2600?
What can you get that will do about 16.5 on the 1/4 or better for $3500 - 4000,..... there are some decent talons out there for that price,... just something to think about.

And as for swapping in a 3.1 for the 2.8,.... no real difference,... 2.8 is an iron block and has a shorter stroke, where as the 3.1, I believe is aluminum (never checked into it), but has a longer stroke on the crank,... thats it. Not worth the swap in my eyes. No real HP gain, just different rpm where you hp is max.

How much do you love that car?

[HTN SWCHS]

cut your air filter housing

[QuasarCav]

I've got a air filter assembly for an 89 cavalier, it will probably bolt right in and it comes with a K&N filter.

That will help, PM me if interested

[barmanjay]

If you really want I could hook you up with a CAI system

[Chadxton]

If not a 3.1, get a 3.8. Not too much more work for the extra power they put out, especially the supercharged ones.

[HTN SWCHS]

buy my 3.1 celebrity station wagon for 200,

[barmanjay]

Originally posted by Chadxton
If not a 3.1, get a 3.8. Not too much more work for the extra power they put out, especially the supercharged ones.

Unfortunately,... with a 3800,... you'd have to remove your power steering and possibly move your brake master cylinder,... Other than that,... should be a straight drop in,... as long as you have the ECU and wiring harness,.... and maybe fabricate a front mount.

[Blacura]

Man I used to have one of those cars! Its a pretty nice car for a first car to learn to drive on.

As for what can be done to it..

Look after it, keep up with maitanence and save your money for something thats a bit more... modable. But keep the corsica as a winter beater!