3.4 performance

[skriFF]

So I was reading a post over at LS1.com in the V6 forum. There was a guy talking about making the 3.4l perform using stock parts off of the GM shelf. From the post he wrote, I got the following list of mods:

-Stock 3.4l RWD block
-Gen III Aluminum heads
-3100 Intake (1996 model)
-Fuel Rail/Larger Injectors
-Stock 3400 50mm TB
-RKSport headers
-Removed cutout plate

With these parts he get a new 170rwhp. He said he used heads from a 1999+ Grand Am GT which netted him even more whp.

Heres the link to the post: http://ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4706

Impressive stuff I think. The problem Im having is where did he get the parts and approx how much would that kind of stuff cost?

I am really considering buying a Z28, but if I can do this and still keep my car, I would almost prefer that due to better mileage and insurance.

[FunkZ]

If you want the power of a V8 and no hard work then buy the V8.

If you want to keep your car but make it perform better, then the 3400 conversion is one option but it involves a lot of work and it is not simple stuff. Tearing down their motor is not something that everyone can or wants to do. The good news is most of those parts you can get used for minimal cost.

[skriFF]

Well I do like the performance of the V8's and I would still like to buy a Z if the oppertunity arrises, but I like this idea too. I don't mind tearing up the top of the motor to replace the valvetrain/heads/intake/fuel all that much. I had to do it a couple months ago to replace the pushrods.

One question, I have to pull the motor to replace the camshaft correct? It almost seems like you would have to, to get to anything that far down.

What have N/A 3.4's with heads/cam/intake/fuel ran in the past? Is it even worth dumping the money into it for something that is gonna leave me in the low 15's?

[FunkZ]

Low 15's are possible without going into the motor.

There are no 3.4's in the 14's (other than FI) because nobody here has gone after it yet. The problem with the 3400 conversion is that the heads raise the compression ratio too high. So it isn't just a simple top end swap, you've got to replace the pistons.

There are several N/A 3.8's into the 13's so it only stands to reason that a 3.4 is capable of 14's.

[skriFF]

So in all reality gettin a 3.4l in the 14's is gonna take heads, cam, lower comp pistons, intake, exhaust, and tuning. That pretty much covers anything you could do to the motor short of going FI anyways. I guess it would be cool though, being one of, if not, the only 3.4l f-body in the 14's.

Damn, I guess this might be harder than I thought.

[FunkZ]

You need the lower compression pistons in order to use 3400 aluminum heads on the RWD block. If you're porting/polishing the iron heads you don't need to do anything with the pistons.

In the 15 second range, it only takes about 4 whp to drop .1 so it should be possible to get 14's without any of the major modifications.

[ChuckS]

On a 3.4 putting them aluminum heads on will increase your comp ratio out of this world. You have to change pistons, or you get somethign like 14:1. I think there is grinder work too on the exhaust as they dont match up 100 percent.

[ChuckS]

Originally posted by FunkZ:
Low 15's are possible without going into the motor.

There are no 3.4's in the 14's (other than FI) because nobody here has gone after it yet. The problem with the 3400 conversion is that the heads raise the compression ratio too high. So it isn't just a simple top end swap, you've got to replace the pistons.

There are several N/A 3.8's into the 13's so it only stands to reason that a 3.4 is capable of 14's.

Sorry, I didnt read on down...winks

[skriFF]

So what do you guys figure is the easiest recipe for gettin in the 14's then? I guess a better question would be, what do you consider major mods then? Ive always thought that gettin a 3.4 even barely into the 15's takes intake/exh, gears, dr's, and good driving. I suppose a good p&p job would help quite a bit.

[Rob Bell]

It really seems that the simplest and most economical way to get major power increases is with NOS or FI. Everything else is so involved and complex, tearing into or even removing the engine, that most of us don't have the time/money/knowledge to pull it off...and then you have to maintain it.

If you do have the means, it's great to build a N/A, hi-power engine. But for most of us, a few thousand for a turbo or SC will get us plenty of power. And if done correctly it does not seem to hurt the longevity of the engine.

[FunkZ]

Originally posted by skriFF:
So what do you guys figure is the easiest recipe for gettin in the 14's then?

Nitrous

[fast 3.4]

I'm not sure about 14's, but I think you can get over 170RWHP without a rebuild, via: CAI, Exhaust, Headers, PCM Tune, high flow cat, ignition, underdrive pulleys, a Stage 2 or Stage 3 port and polish job from Supersix motorsport, and a mild cam.

Although if you did all that, AND rebuilt your engine with better flowing parts from other GM cars...WOW, you'd have a killer 3.4.

[black34v6]

yea but can you get 170rwhp without a port and polish job? i did ;)

hes talkin bout me. i posted a whole bunch of articles around the boards for everyone to see. i may or may not have posted it here, i dont remember...

heres a link:
http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=399894 (first place i posted)

i posted it on a few other boards as well so i could reach all the 3.4L owners, cuase not all of them visit all the boards. i have reached quite a few with this posting and i am acheiving what i hoped for. to wake people up to the potential of this engine that gm neglected. the 3.4 RWD OHV V6 is a race bred engine and simply needs a little TLC to see its potential. i have gotten 170 documented rear wheel horsepower on 3.1L OHV FWD parts (the "3100") and then stepped up to 3400 parts (from a 2000 grand am gt...a design change with bigger runners and intake ports) and managed to keep a stock 1996 Z28 at bay while rowing through 4 gears.

if thats not impressive i dont know what is. its impressive to me at least, and i see more things in store for this engine. i have a few "toys" in the closet and ideas out the wazoo ;) rest assured that after this thing gets as far as it can n/a -- tiago may make a contribution in the design of the engines power production.

we'll see where all this goes.

[ December 08, 2005, 03:04 PM: Message edited by: Russell ]

[glen]

Hows it going one and all. I'm new to this forum.
I have a 94 v6 Bird, I love that car had for a little over a year now you know fixing up the inside and the front steering components and all now I'm ready to move to the engine. Funny thing is everyone i talk to tells me its a waste of time but I just blow them off. No matter where you look there is potential to be found and you my friend proved it. Could you email me a list of the parts and cars they came from Im at work and dont have time to read through everything and write down? Thankx for the info Driftinggrifter2@yahoo.com

[Alt space n]

Hey Russell I sent you an e-mail.