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MEGA '94 3.4L Build
Hey all! I'm looking for advice pertaining to a build I'd like to start within the next few months. In advance, I'd like to state that I am aware that:
1) I could buy a Corvette, and
2) None of this is practical or inexpensive in any way.
So anybody who wants to tell me those things can just keep it to themselves, because nobody buys a V6 Camaro because they want the best out of the box. As a mechanic, I want to see how much I can change this car and have it be personalized to my taste, and make a mean Street/Track machine while I'm at it.
Okay! Now that that's out of the way, I can break down what my plans are for this Ol' Beaut.
I'm planning for two major categories of modification:
1.) Engine
Basically, what I want to do is build an engine that can be switched between boost and a piggybacked fuel/timing controller to the stock PCM and 0 boost and still perform okay. All of the required components like fuel supply (injectors), PCM, exhaust routing, intake routing, and sensors used will be able to switch between a boosted and non-boosted running mode. It seems to me that this could be accomplished using one main switch, or one each for fuel controls and bypass valves. I don't think on the fly mode changes would be plausible. This may sound extremely ambitious but I think it can be done.
I'm going to build a 3.4 iron head that I can use for street and track, so all forged internals, a mean cam, and a compression ratio that's low enough for boost but can also handle running without a turbo good enough for smog. My plan is to have a bypass valve at two different locations;
One before the turbo in the exhaust, for when it's in non-boosted mode, and
one somewhere in the engine air intake tract to bypass pulling air through the turbo.
Also, I may have my machinist cousin fab me a custom fuel rail that can hold 2 sets of injectors to appease the smog gods.
There are a million other details to work out, (which I would greatly appreciate advice on) but that's the main jist of it.
2.)Independent Rear Suspension
My plan was to swap the componentry from a c4/c5 corvette. This one is a little less in depth, because I know it's been done. Not saying it's easy, because this will by far be the more technically in depth and untried aspect of the build, but there's certainly loads of information that's obtainable pertaining to this. The biggest choices I have are things like whether to use the c4 or c5 rear end, and whether to swap it over to coilovers once I have it installed. The biggest pain in the butt is going to be figuring out how to secure it to the chassis because I'm not at all sure where the strong/weak points are in the 4th gen camaro monocoque (Again, advice from any of you old wrenches would be pricelessly helpful).
So, after thinking about it a little more (Especially since I live in California), I've decided to start considering a K-member swap plan instead, and just swap the smog-ready K-member and engine in when it's time for Ruby's biennial checkup. Thoughts?
So, having said all that, what do you all think? any pointers, concerns, or tips anybody has from this sort of a build would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and where to buy a cheap Kia Rio for the interim, because this thing is obviously going to be down for a while! Kidding, but....maybe not.
Thanks in advance guys! :wavey:
1) I could buy a Corvette, and
2) None of this is practical or inexpensive in any way.
So anybody who wants to tell me those things can just keep it to themselves, because nobody buys a V6 Camaro because they want the best out of the box. As a mechanic, I want to see how much I can change this car and have it be personalized to my taste, and make a mean Street/Track machine while I'm at it.
Okay! Now that that's out of the way, I can break down what my plans are for this Ol' Beaut.
I'm planning for two major categories of modification:
1.) Engine
Basically, what I want to do is build an engine that can be switched between boost and a piggybacked fuel/timing controller to the stock PCM and 0 boost and still perform okay. All of the required components like fuel supply (injectors), PCM, exhaust routing, intake routing, and sensors used will be able to switch between a boosted and non-boosted running mode. It seems to me that this could be accomplished using one main switch, or one each for fuel controls and bypass valves. I don't think on the fly mode changes would be plausible. This may sound extremely ambitious but I think it can be done.
I'm going to build a 3.4 iron head that I can use for street and track, so all forged internals, a mean cam, and a compression ratio that's low enough for boost but can also handle running without a turbo good enough for smog. My plan is to have a bypass valve at two different locations;
One before the turbo in the exhaust, for when it's in non-boosted mode, and
one somewhere in the engine air intake tract to bypass pulling air through the turbo.
Also, I may have my machinist cousin fab me a custom fuel rail that can hold 2 sets of injectors to appease the smog gods.
There are a million other details to work out, (which I would greatly appreciate advice on) but that's the main jist of it.
2.)Independent Rear Suspension
My plan was to swap the componentry from a c4/c5 corvette. This one is a little less in depth, because I know it's been done. Not saying it's easy, because this will by far be the more technically in depth and untried aspect of the build, but there's certainly loads of information that's obtainable pertaining to this. The biggest choices I have are things like whether to use the c4 or c5 rear end, and whether to swap it over to coilovers once I have it installed. The biggest pain in the butt is going to be figuring out how to secure it to the chassis because I'm not at all sure where the strong/weak points are in the 4th gen camaro monocoque (Again, advice from any of you old wrenches would be pricelessly helpful).
So, after thinking about it a little more (Especially since I live in California), I've decided to start considering a K-member swap plan instead, and just swap the smog-ready K-member and engine in when it's time for Ruby's biennial checkup. Thoughts?
So, having said all that, what do you all think? any pointers, concerns, or tips anybody has from this sort of a build would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and where to buy a cheap Kia Rio for the interim, because this thing is obviously going to be down for a while! Kidding, but....maybe not.
Thanks in advance guys! :wavey:
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