Leaderboard

If you want to find out the real problem, you have to start by doing a compression test. An educated guess would be that your head gasket is gone, and if you're mechanically inclined, wouldn't be too hard to do on an MPFI. Now the thing is that in order to make sure it's not a piston ring or valve seal, you're going to have to also do a leakdown test when you do the compression test. That would give you a better idea to what's going on. I know someone stated you might need a new head but if you can salvage the engine, it would be the cheapest option.

3400 would be the easiest swap, no need to change the harness. 3500 is a little more work than the 3400. I have some information on the swap in one of my old post approximately 6-8years ago now.

Use the trans that is in the 88 and the ecm from the 2.8 as well. If the 95 doesn't have the coolant temp sensor for the Guage/light in the rear head you will have to install a 3 wire temp sensor where the 2 wire is. The throttle cable from the 95 is needed as well. If your '88 has a 3spd you will have to rig up a kick down cable linkage on the throttle body some how. I welded a bracket to the throttle body myself, wasn't perfect but it made it drivable. Sure there may be some other things that I'm missing since it has been about 6 years since I swapped my old lumina!

I have the TV cable adjusted the best I can right now, 47-4800 is the best that I can do with the kick down set up that I have right now. A tune is going to be done in the next few months when the cash flow will allow. it also needs some 2.5" exhaust and the tall tires are not helping it off the line... lol