3.4 high rpm performance?

[Nikos95]

Okay I just picked up my first personal 3.4 95 Camaro, got it running smooth and clean finally, but I am unsure if I am having an issue here. I kick it down and she goes like a rape date, but when im around 4500+ rpm i start losing power very quickly, and might as well let up so it will shift. Not sure if this is common with this engine, or if i am having a fuel pressure issue.

Also I am trying to find a 1 piece aluminum driveshaft and a strut tower connector bar. This is a 1995 V6 3.4L, and possibly even a programmer for the transmission to change my shift points. Any ideas of where I can dig up some of these parts, I have looked around and only find for the '96 and newer with 3.8's and lt1's ls1's :-/

Any help would be appreciated thanks.

[jason2369blackfirebird]

sounds like there is a problem mine pulls through around 5500 when it finaly shifts also for mod look at the modification encyclopedia and the ultimate v6 giude
good luck in your search and have fun

[lambo101]

how about fuel injectors?

[ January 19, 2006, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: lambo101 ]

[FunkZ]

It does pull above 4500, just not as hard. Mostly you are going to hear it's poor head and intake design that just doesn't allow good flow at high rpm's. Look at a dyno sheet for a stock motor and you'll see it start to drop off early. Especially compared to the 3400 aluminum head motor, which makes more peak power higher in the rev range. There are lots of good discussions on this topic, just do a little searching. For myself, I find I get the best times at the strip by shifting at only 5000rpm.

B&M makes a shift improver, there are also companies that make shift kits. As for the strut tower bar, the 3.8 3.4 and Camaro SS all use the same bar I believe, at least according to BMR. The LT1/LS1 bars aren't compatible.

[93slomaro3.4]

the 3.4's are slow in stock form they have good low end and ok mid range power and take lots of money and mods to make them quick. the 3.8 is a much better motor i wish i would have known myself becouse i would have gotten one now i am stuck with a great looking but verrrry slow car can't wait to pay it off or trade it in ;)

[Fbody3400]

It doesn't take a lot of money and mods to make them fast. Shenanigans got his 3.4 into the 15s with only a few mods. Its not a bad engine, its that people choose not to work with it. If the 3.4s aftermarket was actually in any companies mind, it might be a whole different ballgame.

[lambo101]

Originally posted by Fbody3400:
It doesn't take a lot of money and mods to make them fast. Shenanigans got his 3.4 into the 15s with only a few mods. Its not a bad engine, its that people choose not to work with it. If the 3.4s aftermarket was actually in any companies mind, it might be a whole different ballgame.

I agree. if you're a person who just wants a really cool looking sports car that's an everyday driver, and that's not a v8, then the 3.8 would probably be better. but if you plan on modding the car, i personally think the 3.4 is just as good as the 3.8 because the engine is only slightly smaller, and 40hp isn't that much. especially since some people do a better job than others. just because the 3.4 is (slightly) smaller, if someone has hired a better tuner than someone with a 3.8 has hired, then that will most likely make up for it in the long run. plus, 40hp is something that any decent sized turbo can make up for with an extra pound or two of boost, so no argument there. we're not comparing a v8 to a 4 cylinder here people. i've driven my 3.4 camaro, another 3.4 camaro, my mom's 94 buick regal gs, and 3 3.8 camaros, and i did not see a major performance improvement in the 3.8's. don't get me wrong, the 3.8 is a good engine, but if you're looking for a car to mod, i see them as equally as good. sure, you're gonna need to go a little more custom on the 3.4, but that's the whole point. Lingenfelter took a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier with a 2.2l 4 cylinder, which originally had 130hp, and made it into a 1080hp engine. how good do you think it would feel to say "I did that to the 3.4 engine"? so plz, if you plan on modding the car, consider the 3.4 just as good. it won't be as fast as a 3.8 stock, but that's why they call it "stock".

[lambo101]

also, the 3.4 has a better power to torque ratio, and sounds beter. gotta love torque :D

[95 camaro]

I have a Brand new Red Hotchkis strut bar on my 1995 camaro that I would sell. It was 212.00 when i bought it so if u want make an offer. It was only on the car for 2 weeks. No damage. I also have a K&n cold air intake, and euro diamond cut clear corners I would think about selling.

[93slomaro3.4]

i agree with u all the 3.4 is not a bad motor it does make torque but with stock internals and intake manafold they dont do good on top end. it is sad that you can beat most 4 cyl. off the line but they catch up to you and pass you by the end of 2nd gear and that stock vs stock the 3.8 with a good driver runs mid to high 15s stock and the 3.4 runs high 16s to low 17s stock do to the lack of topend power and i also agree that the 3.4 sound a lot better than the 3.8 becouse of the fireing order i just think dollar for dollar the 3.8 is the way to go they smoke me every time i race them

[lambo101]

Originally posted by 93slomaro3.4:
i agree with u all the 3.4 is not a bad motor it does make torque but with stock internals and intake manafold they dont do good on top end. it is sad that you can beat most 4 cyl. off the line but they catch up to you and pass you by the end of 2nd gear and that stock vs stock the 3.8 with a good driver runs mid to high 15s stock and the 3.4 runs high 16s to low 17s stock do to the lack of topend power and i also agree that the 3.4 sound a lot better than the 3.8 becouse of the fireing order i just think dollar for dollar the 3.8 is the way to go they smoke me every time i race them

the 3.8 is the way to go if you don't plan on modding the car. if you plan on modding the car, IMO, either one would be a good choice because 40hp can be made up for with the proper work. whether it's because you hired someone who's a true expert at car engines(i'm talking about a person who knows the "science" behind the engine, e.g. Lingenfelter, not just someone who has happened to do work on cars as far as performance), or by adding another pound or two of boost from a good turbo. i think people exaggerate when they compare the 3.8 to the 3.4. i've driven them both. each time i was driving the 3.8's, and i would floor it, no way in hell would i see that car "smoking" my 3.4 camaro. i had started looking at 3.8's after i got my 3.4, and after i had test driven 3 of them, and knew that no matter which car i had i was going to mod, the 3.8 just seemed like a waist of time and money for me to get knowing that i had a measly 40 extra hp. nothing a CAI, headers, and exhaust can't do to run with a 3.8. next, add an intake manifold and throttle body, and there you go, you start pulling in front.

[ January 20, 2006, 01:08 AM: Message edited by: lambo101 ]

[Nikos95]

Well as far as V6 selections. With all due respect for the 3.8L, its still a Buick Motor, and the 3.4L is Gm's Premier V6 Racing Engine. I have seen built 3.4s in older camaros and firebirds, setup for dirttrack racing in the super 6 clasees, rippen out around 500hp and relining around 8-9000 rpm off of premium gasoline. naturaly aspirated. The serious draw back I did know I was going to have in picking up the 3.4 version is that the performance parts are extremely hard to find when you want a serious kick in the ***.

So from what I am seeing here, its probably just the drop off I am noticing, probably mixed with a little worn rings and cam.. So as for that, I will probably be ordering 23lb injectors, relocating my IAT, adding the cold air intake, high flow fuel filter, pull my intake off, and clean it up and polish it, pickup a programmer or chip w/e the case may be for this vehicle, and get the B/M shift improver plug. I'll just have to remeber up around 5000 rpm or so, to let off quick and let it shift.

I will let you know on that strut bar and intake, I am going to have to see what this funny knock I have going on is too. Lol sounds like the idiot who put the new transmission in didn't tighten the bolts on the flexplate enough, I am just praying it hasn't started eating up my starter. Now to buy a lightweight aluminum flexplate from slp? or just buy a oem replacement...

[lambo101]

Originally posted by Nikos95:
Well as far as V6 selections. With all due respect for the 3.8L, its still a Buick Motor, and the 3.4L is Gm's Premier V6 Racing Engine. I have seen built 3.4s in older camaros and firebirds, setup for dirttrack racing in the super 6 clasees, rippen out around 500hp and relining around 8-9000 rpm off of premium gasoline. naturaly aspirated. The serious draw back I did know I was going to have in picking up the 3.4 version is that the performance parts are extremely hard to find when you want a serious kick in the ***.

So from what I am seeing here, its probably just the drop off I am noticing, probably mixed with a little worn rings and cam.. So as for that, I will probably be ordering 23lb injectors, relocating my IAT, adding the cold air intake, high flow fuel filter, pull my intake off, and clean it up and polish it, pickup a programmer or chip w/e the case may be for this vehicle, and get the B/M shift improver plug. I'll just have to remeber up around 5000 rpm or so, to let off quick and let it shift.

I will let you know on that strut bar and intake, I am going to have to see what this funny knock I have going on is too. Lol sounds like the idiot who put the new transmission in didn't tighten the bolts on the flexplate enough, I am just praying it hasn't started eating up my starter. Now to buy a lightweight aluminum flexplate from slp? or just buy a oem replacement...

yep. that extra 40 hp that you get when you get a 3.8, is 40 extra "stock" hp, which isn't much(i know). a lot of the new sedans have 250+ hp, do you think someone with a stock 3.8 would be upset getting pulled by one of those sedans? it's all about being unique to me. i want a car like no other, and that's built to the extreme. hopefully someday i'll be able to go to Lingenfelter and have them work their magic on my car. instead of hiring someone who's done some import tuning make my car into a 500hp beast, i'd much rather go to Lingenfelter and make it a 1000hp monster! with a 3.4! that's what i'm talking about! how many of you know of a 3.4 that can wave goodbye to Corvettes, Lamborghinis, Ferraris,..........McLaren F1's(lol, just had to say that) through they're rear window? that's what i want, and i think it can be done.

[95 camaro]

I will let you know on that strut bar and intake,

If you want I can give you a package deal. I would sell my Hotchkis strut bar, K&N FIPK, Euro diamond cut clear corners, and chrome oil cap for around $350 shipped.

[Fbody3400]

Also forgot to note that the 3.4 was a very good beginner car. Off the line it ripped, and i didn't need to be speeding much above 70 if i was street racing. The car suprised a lot of other cars, most people don't believe that its that quick