2.8L horsepower?

[CortxVortx]

My son was curious about how much horsepower his '89 Regal has. One of the faqs says the 2.8L has 130 hp. Is this correct?

 

Say it ain't so!

 

(Or confirm it, so's I can rag him about it -- my ZX2 gets 146 hp from a 4-banger.)

[luminator94]

Well, if its and 89 it would have the 3.1L rated @ 140HP. After 88 the Regals got the 3.1L and the 3.8L was an option later on. I wouldn't rag on your son to much. Even though you have 146HP under your hood, I'm willing to bet that the Regal puts out more torque. What did you do to your ZX2 to get it up to 146HP? I know that all stock ZX2's are 130HP.

[NORBI]

Yes i believe that in 89 2.8 had a 130Hp and i think 160 lb of torque, i wouldnt say that its that bad, may not be the most powerful but its a very reliable engine.

[nerfbars]

I will agree to the reliability... mine has over 300,000 miles and still going strong!!!

[CortxVortx]

I'm not denigrating the 2.8L. It does indeed get off a stop light with no problem. (My son even admits to squealing the tires "accidentally.") That's why I was surprised at the 130 hp figure.

 

My ZX2 is the limited edition S/R (Street Racer) model, exclusive to the 2000 model year. It came factory-equipped with an Iceman cold air intake, Centerforce performance clutch, Borla exhaust, 4-wheel disc brakes, performance suspension (including Eibach lowering springs and Tokico struts), B&M short-throw shifter, and 146 hp and 150 ftp torque. And a 6-CD changer. Only 2000 were made in the 2000 model year. Needless to say, I love it.

 

It's the opposite end of the spectrum from my previous Escort: a 1987 Pony (bottom of the line model).

 

In between the Escorts, the Regal was my daily car. Now it's my son's main motivator. Let's see how it holds up.

[Jeorge]

 

My ZX2 is the limited edition S/R (Street Racer) model, exclusive to the 2000 model year. It came factory-equipped with an Iceman cold air intake, Centerforce performance clutch, Borla exhaust, 4-wheel disc brakes, performance suspension (including Eibach lowering springs and Tokico struts), B&M short-throw shifter, and 146 hp and 150 ftp torque. And a 6-CD changer. Only 2000 were made in the 2000 model year. Needless to say, I love it.

 

Just because I have to start Trouble LOL

 

 

I'll Take your SR zx2 against my Little old Family sedan its only a 3.1L

1990.5 Model year

 

BTY have you taken it to the Track?? whats the 1/4 time.

 

of course you have to look at it this way how much was your car new?? Mine was over $30,000 back then.....would be about 55,000 in todays standards

 

so I'll Let you take the bang for the buck Defence...

 

and as for your SON there is someone on the boards here that makes a Chip for his car. and its not to expencive either. and that would give him more power that and a K&N filter. or a CAI and k&N

 

then I would say he may see about a 5-8hp increase or posibly more.

[gpse3200]

'88-'89 2.8 MPFI W-Car

130HP @4800 170Lbs FT @3600

[CortxVortx]

Thanks, GPSE, for the hard numbers.

 

And thanks, Jeorge, for the horsepower-hopping tips. (I haven't timed or dyno'd my ZX2.)

[Guest]

My 1988 Cutlass with the 2.8 has been slightly modified, but despite the low HP numbers, I personally think that GM might have lied about them. My car has 310,000 on it, and most of it is original. All I have changed is the cam, and the timing set, the exhaust to 2 1/4in y pipe with flowmasters, and a free flowing, smaller catallyst, and updated the ECM to the 1989 programming with the 1989 airbox (originally if had a MAF sensor and did not run off of the air temp/speed density programming).

 

My car will EASILY spin the tires, and it is real strong on the take off, and the upper end (mostly because of the cam, and the tires are getting worn).

 

taylor