I EAT T/A

Mine is at 166K miles and runs like a top, but I was just wondering on how long I should expect it to run.

Mike Harvey

Man there is no telling. I have 130k on mine and runs like a champ. If you keep up w/ the maintenance and oil changes they will last a hell of a long time. My buddy had an '85 Camaro w/ the 2.8L and it finally gave up at 257,189 miles. That is awesome. It's like any engine you either get a Friday car that was slapped together and has a crap load of problems or you get a good one. It sounds like we got the good ones. I wouldn't be suprised that our engines last to AT LEAST 200k miles. Hope I helped

- Mike Harvey -

FAST RS

Leme put it like this i wana blow my engine but cant cuz i want a 3.4=) but durnign the summer my fan broke i went past the 260 mark and my headgaskets and every thing was fine jsut had burnt oil.... im at 168,000 for a 91 RS and my moms 3.1 cutless supreme has 144,000 no problems at all

Jason E

Apologies to Tom P if I'm wrecking his thunder by answering this, but he's got 207k on his, and I think another guy (85 F-bird??) had 233k before he blew his.

A guy I met on another site had an '85 2.8 that he got 260k out of.

With 86k on mine, I guess I got awhile

------------------
Jason E
'89 Camaro RS 2.8
Hypertech chip/K&N filters/Accel 8.8 wires/RapidFires
Eclipse CD and 100x4 amp/Boston plates and 6x9s
Alpine Alarm w/ Keyless entry
IROC tailights/tinted windows

85f-bird

well jason, you got to it before i could, and i'm impressed that you got the miles right.

jason86/2.8

I sure hope mine lasts 200k miles. It's got 130k on it now and I don't see any reason why it shouldn't last till 200 at least. I've heard of many 2.8s lasting a long, long time. Just change the oil every 2500-3000 miles and everything should be just fine.

------------------
1986 Berlinetta, 2.8L, newly rebuilt 700R4, 3.42 Posi. 130K miles and counting, K&N air filters.
Wins:
1996 Mustang
1994ish Olds Acheiva
1994ish Saturn SC1
Losses:
1999 Grand Am SE
1996ish Honda Accord (twice)
1990ish Vette (never should have been dumb enough to race a vette in the V6)
Late model ZX2, five speed (3 friggin stoplights in a row)

CaliCamaroRS

dude, if an engine is taken care of and serviced properly through out its entire life, you can get 300,000 miles easy. i had an automotive teacher who owned a bunch of american cars and he's gotten 400,000 miles out of all of them with no MAJOR repairs. also, look at taxi companies. they sevice their cabs every week regardless of miles driven because their goal is to get 500,000 miles out of a taxi. if they have to buy cars every 200,000 miles they will go out of business. anyway, any engine can reach any mileage....it all depends on the owner.

------------------
Dan
100% stock 1990 RS 3.1L
and VERY slow

Brian K

I have over 180,000 and run a nice 1/4 with no cam or rockers or gear or NOS... All I have done is tune ups every year and new fuel filters.. I also replace worn parts before things happen...

TomP

Aw man, my thunder's gone! Hey my dad coaxed 250,000 miles out of our old Ford LTD, with a 351M block, until the timing chain snapped.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

KNGHTRYDR

Mine is holding at about 170,000 and except for some minor electrical problems it's been great, especially after a tune-up and cleaning. Talk to your car, believe me it works..

------------------
'89 Camaro RS Black
2.8L Fuel Injected V6 Engine
Automatic
"Love the car, learning more about it"

85f-bird

here in St. Louis last year there was a car that went for, get this 1 million miles. It was an old 70's Volkswagon. And the car still started, i remember seeing it on the news and stuff, could you imagine a car that could actually go as long as a K&N filtercharger's warranty?

I EAT T/A

Thanks for all of your replies guys, I'll keep up the maintenance and hopefully it will surpass the 250K mark.

Jim 86 Bird

Just adding my 2 cents: my 2.8's at 124,000 right now and runnin' strong. Its not the car, its how u take care of it. I hope one day i'll be able to announce it turning the 200K mark. good luck to us all

Jason E

I agree...but even these 2.8s/3.1s seem to welcome abuse. My friend's '86 Sport Coupe 2.8 has 138k HARD miles, and the thing runs as good as mine!! This car has been redlined from day one, and it keeps plugging along....

1BADAZTA

Well guys I am living proof of the over 200,000 club. My other F-Body, an 85' camaro has right now 221,789 and it still runs fairly well. I just did the compression chk and had 155psi across the board. I do have some mods done to it, but just like you guys said, keep up the maintanance and it should give you good mileage. Hell, I even use Walmart 10-30 oil, brand really doesn't matter.

CaliCamaroRS

i really hate when people list their mods and they include MOBIL 1 or something like that.like is magic oil or something. if you look at the back of that walmart oil you will see that it is certified by both the Automotive Petroleum Institute and the Society of Automotive Engineers and as long as it has that, walmart oil is no lesser quality than Mobil 1.
also, people say racing teams use Mobil 1 so it MUST be superior....but it is pretty obvious that Mobil 1 pays a lot of money to have their oil used by race teams.
oh, you know what always makes me laugh, i work for toyota and people come in and say they want to buy "authentic toyota motor oil" and they proceed to pay about $3 a quart for a bottle that says TOYOTA on the outside but has MOBIL 1(it used to be quaker state)on the inside.
anyway, just griping


------------------
Dan
100% stock 1990 RS 3.1L
and VERY slow

Jason E

I agree that as long as you change your oil every 3000 miles, do tuneups, change your trans fluid, etc...youre car will last a long time (assuming you don't beat the living **** out of it)

But I DO think there is somewhat of an advantage to using a synthetic motor oil. Like Mobil and some car mags stated when the stuff debuted, when you start with a clean sheet of paper, you can take away a lot of the disadvantages of petroleum-based oils. While I agree Wal Mart oil is probably as good as Pennzoil, Exxon, etc (probably made by one of them!!), I think there is an increase in protection when moving to a full synthetic.

Just my 2 cents

TomP

Dan, ya know what drives me nuts about "real racers" endorsing products? Their mechanics are always rebuilding the motors! Do consumers really think that Dale Earnhardt (sp?) is running on a 200,000+ mile motor? Or a 100,000+? Hell, I doubt he's got over 10,000 on a motor. They don't -need- Zmax or Motor-up or Slick 50 or any of that junk.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

Jason E

Good point Tom And yes, Earnhardt is spelled correct lol.

CaliCamaroRS

yes, good point TomP. also Jason....you will notice that i didn't mention synthetics in my post for the simple fact that i really don't know too much about synthetics. but i would hope that for $4 a quart, it BETTER be good stuff.

------------------
Dan
100% stock 1990 RS 3.1L
and VERY slow

mhugo

If my 3.1 Lasts to 200k ill be a very happy person. How long do the 3.1s typically last for. I try not to drive it hard and it had an easier life before me(some older lady in Cali).

------------------
1992 RS 3.1L
Mods:
K&N Drop-in filter

Mods to come:
New Plugs and wires(need advice on types)
Dynomax Cat Back
MSD GM Blaster Coil
Cold air intake
NEED OTHERS HELP ME!!!!

1BADAZTA

To mhugo, your 3.1 should last as long as any 2.8 that's taken care of. And to everyone else here's alittle insider hint about synthetic oil. Synthetic oils only work if you use it from day 1 that the engine has been built. And after 30,000 -40,000 miles it doesn't help engine wear anymore, due to the fact that the engine has already begun it's wear pattern at around this point, so it's useless to use the synthetic oil past this point. And as far as professional car drivers promoting a certain brand, It's all a hoax, they don't all use what thay say ther're using although it's on the outside of the bottle. Inside info on that.

SS

I have an 86 2.8 Camaro with 200,017 miles. It's still strong with only having the timing chain being the only major engine part to be replaced.

Jason E

I disagree with the statement about not using synthetic oil past 30-40k miles. It will continue to help all the way along, even after the wear patterns have developed.

It is true though that it is more beneficial to use it right from the start. But, it will also help later as well (meaning if you buy the car used, it didn't have synthetic, and now you use it.)

The only time you shouldn't use it is if your engine is worn enough that its burning oil. Not only will synthetic not help you, you're burning expensive oil, PLUS you'll burn more oil than you would with regular oil. Supposedly it slips past piston rings easier (is this the real reason?)

CHCKLS

I would NEVER put a synthetic oil in after a rebuild. At least not untill after 30,000 to 40,000 miles. How are you going to let the parts seat with a synthetic protectant?
Change the freaking oil every 3,000 miles using a brand from wal-mart or k-mart at a discount and go on to enjoy your car over 200,000 miles.
Geez!

1BADAZTA

Ok guys, all you who disagree about synthetic oil read this. Not to brag, but I went to school for automotive studies and at this school we did a project, just on this case. We rebuild a GM 350 stock, and used Castrol Syntec for the oil. Put it on a dyno for 8 hrs. Then drained all the oil! Ran it for 8hrs without any oil at all. Broke down the engine piece by piece and measured every bearing, piston, ring valve, cam, crank, everything and not 1 item had any wear on it, hows that for synthetic oil at break in! Furthermore, we disassembled an engine that had 33,000miles on it that used synthetic oil al its days and it showed wear patterns had already developed on all parts, so therefore we deemed it pretty much useless to use it synthetic oils after this point, granted no oil manufacturer would disclose this info, but I'm just a fellow f-Body guy, trying to help out you other F-body guys. if you don't believe this, that's fine, your entitled to your opinion, but I know the facts and thats more money in my pocket for more mods. See ya

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88'TA 305TPI 330HP, NATURALLY ASPIRATED, PASSES N.J. EMMISIONS. "I AM JUST THAT GOOD"

TomP

Everywhere I read says that an engine should never be broken in with synthetics.

Did you know that a normal engine can also run without oil for a while? 8 hours seems damn steep to me; I don't believe it. And with no wear? That's impossible. The crank by nature "flings" oil off of it. Ignoring the main bearings (which take a good brunt of abuse), the connecting rod-to-crank bearings would've melted away.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

1984-Firebird-SC

I got me a LONG way to go before I hit 200k miles. My conversion from kilometers gives me about 84000 miles on mine. It runs very reliably, even if it is a little gutless

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1984 Pontiac Firebird SC
2.8L V6
Camaro Z28 mag rims
Kenwood KDC-215 CD receiver
"Oh I've seen better days
The pain of these memories I cannot drive away" - Econoline Crush "Nowhere Now"

elder

My dad has an 87 Camaro SC 2.8 that has over 215,000 and seems like it'll be around for a long time. Mostly highway miles.

You don't want to see what the thing looks like now, though.

------------------
- elder
1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula

CanadianCamaro

my 87 camaro has over 158,000 miles and is still going strong. Never changed the timing chain (thinking about doing it soon though) On the otherhand my Cousins '84 camaro had 95,000mi and blew a head gasket, unfortunatly her dad figured that it wasn't worth fixing and sold it cheap (bonus for the guy who bought it, it was in perfect shape) she now owns a 4cyl Rustang :P

------------------
Black 87 Camaro T-Top, V6, 5-speed, Loaded
see my car at: http://www.geocities.com/iCamaro1987/camaro.html

CaliCamaroRS

canadian camaro.....please take my advice if you decide to replace the timing chain. you MUST replace the tensioner. replacing the timing chain is a fairly easy job. it can be done in 4-5 hours. i just changed mine at 143,000 (see my post under TIMING CHAIN)and i found out that my tensioner had broken and the chain was flopping around and hitting all the broken pieces.

------------------
Dan
100% stock 1990 RS 3.1L
and VERY slow

CaMIRO

Keys to long engine life: regular oil and PCV changes, regular check of sensors, one driver, and <u>take it easy when cold!</u>

Amazing how you can lend your car to people and it'll come back acting up. Worse yet, if you bought a car used, you're playing to the tune that was cast when the engine earned its grooves in the first few thousand miles. Drive it too differently, and watch the smoke just billow behind you.

As for taking it easy when cold, I'm not kidding, until that gauge is climbing up to normal, you shouldn't let that engine see even close to 3000 rpm. And a slow cool-down helps.

You guys seen the morons that start their cars, stand on the gas, then stand on it again before shutting it off...

Oil pressure is high when the engine is cold. By standing on the gas, you're asking the engine to pump sludge around - already difficult - at high speeds. Can you say... BOOM?

Birmass

About the synthetics - You know the brand new firebirds and camaros are shipped full of Mobile 1 synthetic don't you...

------------------
88 firebird formula
350 Vortec TBI
214int/224exh, .471int/.491exh
Edelbrock headers
SIX-speed
open 3.73's
2 1/4 stock catback
I love pissing those LS1's off
My Formula

All your base are belong to us.

El_Douche_86

yea i can't believe the strength of my 2.8 either. 52k and still goin strong.

TomP

Birmass, do they break the engine in on a dyno (running 1/2 hour at about 3000 RPM) before they put them in the new F-bodies?

As an update, I just turned 212,000 miles...

------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

CaliCamaroRS

jeez, who brought this post back from the dead??? well, i'm at 148,000 and still climbing.

------------------
Dan
1990 3.1L RS
80 Series Flowmaster
It's fast(er than a 3 cyl metro)

KED85

I have 211,500 on my 1985 S-10 Blazer.
It finally went. Head gasket.
Now, I just start it to move side to side of street for street cleaning.
Changing timing chain is a super big must do mission. Best thing you can do for these engines.
Changing oil every 3-4K miles is great, I have done that to all my cars.
The 60 degree V-6 last such along time, because the piston side load angle is so slight, compared to a 90 degree engine, (more push on cylinder side walls, creating more wear in the bore) requiring a more necessary/sooner rebuild.
I use any oil for $.99 cents or less and always AC oil filters (PF51 or 52).
Give these things the best spark possible and help them breathe (in more air, out, less restrictive exhaust system) and that helps them labor less with the engine size that it is.
I am not sure what to do with my S-10, tho.
I have left over gaskets, from my 3.4 swap mission, may fix the truck, may not.
I use it for storage now.
I've been able to change my oil & get a new filter for the cost of 1 synthetic oil can.
Synthetics are very very good, but, not for my usage of a vehicle.
I don't own race car that demands that extra protection.

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

Mikes86SC

I know this isn't about a 2.8, or even a 6, but another example of GM's strong motors.

I had a 87 Grand Am with a 2.5 4 cyl. When it was totalled (women drivers!) it had about 194,000 on it. After the car was major overheated once, we're talkin temp gauge PEGGED, all I had to do was change the valve cover gasket. For its size, that was one hell of an engine.

And when I totalled the car by spinning into a steel divider, no damage at all to the motor. The body, that's another story.

Oh, and my 86 Sport Coupe has about 106k on it.

------------------
86 Sport Coupe, 2.8 V6, dead stock, but not for long!

Daily driver:
2000 Pontiac Grand Am SE2

"Little girls play with ponies!"
www.geocities.com/camman86

bub

yea you never break in a rebuild with synthetic oils always reg oils then you can switch over to synthetic and i dont believe
you can run an engine for 8 hours with no oil
my friend just blew his motor 4.3 tbi s-10
blazer because his oil line leaked and when it blew up there was still some oil in the engine so theres no way you could run an engine for 8 hours on a dyno with no oil

Joe_L

244,000 Km on mine(150,000 miles) Before that I had an Oldsmobile 2.8 with over 350,000km on it(215,000 miles). But I am talking regular Oil changes done on these cars, and the Olds took about a litre every 2000Km.



------------------
1987 Firebird
2.8L Auto
T-Tops
New Paint last Fall
No mods yet...

1BADAZTA

Ok guys you can get off the synthetic oil kick already. Some of you THINK you know all about synthics and how to break in an engine w/o it.(I'm living proof that it does work on breakins on engines I have used it with no problems)I said it before and I'll say it again, I know what I know and keep doing things my way, as they work for me. By the way does your 2.8 have 227145mi on it? Probably not even close, and still running. And my 88T/A has over 200,000 on the bottom end, oh no I used synthetic oil to break it in on the top half rebuild! Still outruns new camaros and transams!

------------------
88'TA 305TPI 330HP, NATURALLY ASPIRATED, PASSES N.J. EMMISIONS. "I AM JUST THAT GOOD"

TomP

Not even close? 212,000 on mine isn't close? Hm. And I never claimed to "know it all" regarding break-in's with synthetic, however, I remember reading how some of the "big" names in race-engine building don't use synth for break-in. It's probably one of those things that doesn't matter either way; just whichever a person feels better doing. Like, when I rebuild my 2.8, I'd use dinosaur oil for the break-in, and maybe go to synthetic. That 212k miles of mine was all done on the dino stuff.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

import'sdread

My '94 Grand Prix has over 100,000 miles on the 3.1 v-6. It'll probally beat most v-6 F-bodies!

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1989 Trans Am, 305 TPI 5-speed, T-Tops(love 'em),4-wheel disc, 3.73 posi

KED85

My 211,500 in my S-10 Blazer is done on the Dino Oil. That Dino Oil is now mixed with water (head gasket leak) and it still runs great.

Like I said, one complete oil change for cost of one quart of synthetic oil is fine by me.

Incidentially, emissions is spelled wrong.

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

jjstealth2000

Mine had 213k on it before i intentionally Blew it up while drag racing a 94 z28 LT1

I ran it with no accesory belt and no aircleaner and a 500hp nitrous Shot....

Well I kicked my friends *** but i cant say much for the 2.8 any more she threw a main rod rite through the crank case

michael

iTrader: (1)

HAHA LOOKS LIKE I'M STILL ON THA TOP
463,000 AND STILL RUNNING UP TO AND AROUND 125-135MPH ;-)
keep it up guys you'll catch up
all i've done is a new trans last january ;-)
Castrol GTX 10W40
;-)
every 2500 3000 miles
and youll be fine along with injectors being cleaned


------------------
1987 Chevrolet Camaro
2.8 Ltr HO Cut air boxes K&N Filters Gutted Cat (Did I say gutted opps don't tell the officer)
Duel catback Exhaust With Flowmaster series 80 dual 5"X24" MONSTER Echos
225/60/R16 Mounted on 97 Firebird 16X8" Rims

3.1 firebird

hey you should start a mileage thread in general engine, to see if any one else has a over 450k

Denis.V

Nothing like this:

In the 80's, we had (my brother and I) a 4 cyl Ford model A 1930 with UNKNOWN mileage and 50 years in it (no rebuilt, no restored). We ran that car until 100 km/hr (62 MPH)! The spark was advanced manually at these cars (with a small lever at turn signal lever location).

FAST RS

WOW this is a old post i replied to it back in 2000 when i only had 168,000 miles now im at 215,000 lol

TomP

Haha, yeah, this is a really old message! Wow! Last time I posted on this message was in March of 2001, with 212,000 miles, now I'm at 241,000 miles.