Xter

Finally got a good deal of parts and can start working on getting the top end prepped for install. Just couldn't wait any longer to repost and update my progress.

Have:
3400 UIM
3400 LIM
3400 TB
3400 Fuel Rail with injectors
3400 heads casting #487
3400 Thermostat Housing
New Radiator fans
38MM Wastegate
Intercooler

Need:
3400 Pistons
7730 ECM or better for tuning
Turbo
93-95 F-body 3.4l V6 (Will be getting in June, waiting on engine crane to arrive then off to the junkyard)
DIS System
New Springs for heads that can handle high lift
New custom grind camshaft (Think I'm going with Delta Cams, heard great things)

Along with the engine build, the Camaro (a 1987 LT hard top) will be getting "restored" and built up. This will be my complete build thread from start to finish.

Camaro needs:
Headliner
Better speakers and stereo, along with boost gauge and AFR gauge
Wideband O2
Beefed up suspension (New struts and shocks)
Ford 8.8" Rear from a Crown Victoria (Will be rebuilt with 31 spline posi, new axles, and GM bolt pattern conversion)
Rebuilt Transmission
Paint job

What I've done:
Replaced all the bulbs and cleaned the interior along with fixing some interior
Pulled Old junk headliner out
Fixed rust and temp paint job till full paint job
Replaced hatch struts (Amazing now that my hatch actually opens lol)
Fixed overheating issue
Cleaned LIM and prepped
Cleaned carbon deposits in UIM
Painted Hood louvers and Interior trim
Got mad at FedEx guy... Still happy with my UPS guy

I'm sure there's more to my lists but I'm getting to the pictures now.

Xter

Anyway to convert these Fiero GT Valve covers for the heads? I was thinking of making an adapter plate but the oil baffles get in the way and I don't think removing the oil baffles is a good idea.

project89

iTrader: (1)

that lim was glassbeaded , wash that thing 50 times , then power wash it then wash it 50 times more and then power wsh it again before u set that thing on the engine ur going to use.

one or 2 lil glass bleads is all it takes to destroy and engine , and they will be stuck in that aluminum and eventually come loose and go threw the engine

Six_Shooter

iTrader: (2)

Forget about those Fiero valve covers. not worth the effort to make an adapter to fit the aluminium heads. Sell them to an iron head guy.

What year is your car?

Xter

Indeed. No worries though. It'll be washed plenty before I put it on.

1987 Camaro LT with 2.8l V6 and 700r4.

I would really like to use them if possible. But the oil baffles hit the springs in the head. Can't raise them far enough and I'm pretty sure removing the baffles from the valve covers are a horrid idea.

Xter

Well unfortunately there is a change of plans. After looking in the junkyard for a 3.4 engine over the past 2 days, came up short handed. There was only one 3.4 engine there but the front end of the car was so smashed it was into the engine a good bit it seemed. Nothing I was willing to pull out, much less even attempt to use. So guess the 2.8 will be stroked and be a hybrid 3.1/3400...

Well onto progress then.

Made a 7x Crank trigger wheel at work with the plasma table. This isn't going to be the final one going on the engine, but the first one I test the DIS system with so I know what I need to make the final one too.



This is the DXF file for it pulled up. The slots are 1/4" deep and 3/16" wide. The slots are spaced 60* from the first one to create an even 360* loop as seen. The odd ball one is spaced 10* away.



The plasma doing it's business. Very bright. Dark safety glasses are a must, if you want to retain your sight at least.



All said and done, here is the part. Came out very nice and is made from 1/4" plate. Had to grind the slag off but all good.

Later at home...

The rockers came in finally. Stock 1.6 3400 rockers. Was waiting for the guy to ship them for forever.



Ground off the 3400 SFI logo tonight too.



Besides that, not much progress. Once I have the parts ready and the car ready to be starting to work on it'll be moving a lot faster.

fasteddi

iTrader: (2)

What is the diameter of the reluctor wheel you made??

Xter

This one is 4" so I can just test the DIS system with it. The final one will be 6 9/16s" made of stainless steel and CNC Milled to ensure a good quality wheel that will last.

fasteddi

iTrader: (2)

Stainless?? I dont think that will work right as its not very magnetic compared to mild steel, but i may be wrong.

Xter

Oops. Thanks for the call on that. Forgot the sensor uses a magnet to trigger the signals. Scratch the stainless part haha. Man that would of had me scratching my head for a long time wondering why the wheel wasn't working.

EDIT: UIM is painted now. Needs to be baked later to finish curing the paint.

Xter

LS6 Springs came today. Thursday I'll have the shims to start installing these into the heads.

williemcfly

That 3400 UIM looks amazing in red

willexoIX

Looks like its coming along pretty well Not a fan of red but that intake does look pretty good.

fasteddi

iTrader: (2)

Mines blue. And my fiance painted it along with the impala lives on, on my valve covers...lol

Are you planning on porting the heads at all? What kind of lift are you expecting as I almost went with ls1 yellow springs but didnt like the bind hight let alone having to change the seats...exc. I take it the ls6s are better for higher lift apps?

willexoIX

I thought that was pretty cool, lol

Xter

Thanks. It's the VHT Engine paint. I never used it till now but I have some friends who've used it and it comes out great.

Thanks, it's going slowly lol. I've been busy so no progress yet. I figure Wednesday or Thursday I'll have a bit more progress on it. After I get my new modified in and packed down I'll be moving the Camaro out into the lower yard and she'll be on jacks and the engine bay to the rear end will be gutted out for rebuilding time! I pulled some of the exhaust out with what I could reach. Idiot owner before me beat the pipes together and put exhaust clamps on. The clamps are not holding jack, they're just there.

Nice, I love it. Looks very nice.

Gonna polish the exhaust. Doubt I'll really touch the intake side much. Valve job will probably be in order after I get the heads apart. I really don't want to screw up something and ruin the flow for the heads.

The springs are rated for .550, going to install the springs and check my heights and that is gonna help me with my cam selection more later too. I'm thinking somewhere around .500-.520 for my lift. I'm weary at the moment on a camshaft till I get further along in the build. I think I want a LSA of 113 or 114, leaning more on 113 even though I know a lower LSA is bad for a FI engine for power, but I want a little lope and I'm not entirely after power. Then my problems comes with the turbo and making it as free flowing as possible. I think my durations will be around 218/224 @ .500.

fasteddi

iTrader: (2)

Im running a delta 260 grind cam still. It a pretty mild cam but does the job for me now. I really need to upgrade at some point to a 272 grind or custom one. But it got me 12.45@111Mph with 13psi of boost the other week on a very mellow tune. My lift is right around the .500 area with a LSA of 112 IIRC.

I really didn't port my heads very much either, I didn't wana screw them up since I was use to porting the iron gen 1 heads and not the alum gen 3s.

Xter

Needed one of these dandy old valve spring compressors. Paid 20 bucks for it brand new, worked like a charm.



Side by side comparison of the springs.



Half way through pulling everything.



The inside of the heads. It's actually really nasty with all the carbon build up... Needs cleaned.



Finished with both. All the valves need cleaned big time.



Still need to get carb cleaner and other stuff to do a mild port and polish. More polishing then porting though.


How's your Camaro's street manners? Still good?

That's pretty awesome, think you'll break into the elevens this year? I'd imagine you could do it with your setup.

Yeah, aluminum sucks grinding at. Grinds a lot easier and faster and I'm use to mild steel at work so I'm afraid myself to get in there and start taking metal out. I'd really hate to hurt the flow of the heads since the whole point of this head upgrade is for better flow lol.

fasteddi

iTrader: (2)

Its not to bad on the streets. The only time, is when it bucks hard. If im right on the lower boost threshold and raise the rpms up just enough, ill hit full boost almost instinanious. But thats always been like that with the gt3582. Turbo hits hard. Looking good on the heads man. Progress is always a good thing.

Xter

Thanks, hopefully I can get something done tomorrow with the heads and get the valve stem seals. Been kinda lazy on stopping at Autozone.

I also ordered my turbo last night. I think it will do nicely and spool at a good RPM range. Should be in next week. Might also have a 7730 ecm too, depends if the guy likes my offer.

Any tips on initial tuning? I've been reading a lot about it but still kinda weary on it. Don't want to ruin the engine on the first start up lol. Well, whenever I get to the point where I can start it up lol.

fasteddi

iTrader: (2)

If your using a 7730 ecm I would say use a $59 mask. the stock 7730 on a V6 was a $88 mask. Then you can use a 3 bar map sensor and even a boost controller sileniod down the road if you want. I love the $59 code and all the support it has.

Look for a wastegate that has a spring pressure of less then 8lbs or make sure that you have a boost controller that works good, if your spring is a stiffer one. Its best to start of on a very low boost level until you have the tuning at those levels licked. Also make sure you have your wideband hooked up and never let the afrs get higher then 12.5 under boost. Aim for 11.5 to 12.0 afrs under most boost levels for a safe area. Also the timing will be low. When you get farther along Ill show you some tables of what I have and you can use them to get a idea of what works well.

Xter

I was planning on using the $59 mask, I got the ECM. Bought for 40 bucks. I believe I'll need a specific GM 3 bar map sensor yes? I have the P/N# written down somewhere on it and it's around 60 bucks if I remember correctly.

Idk if I'll run a boost controller solenoid. I'll have to do some research into the benefits of one.

I believe my wastegates right now have 9 PSI springs in them. I'd have to look at the specs on the card again. Pretty sure they're nines.

Sounds good, thanks for the help. Tuning kinda scares me a bit. Just don't want to blow my engine up lol.

Got my valve stem seals ordered today, they'll be in Monday or Tuesday, so Wednesday I should be able to reinstall everything to the heads. Maybe Thursday. Depends how my cleaning and port and polish go. Then I just need to clean the LIM and everything there is ready.

After I get my modified in and pack it down, I'll move the Camaro and start pulling the engine and transmission.

And hows the 7 5/8" 10 bolt for you? I believe you're still using that size rear end? I really don't want to start the rear end this summer right away, but I don't want to grenade it ether. I know 28 spline axles and a posi are a must, figure I can pull a 4 gen rear end with that, get a disc brake conversion as a bonus and be good on that while I do a stronger rear end in the mean time. That'd be a nice winter project too.

willexoIX

I started tuning with the megasquirt ecm, though different its one in the same. I was really worried about blowing mine up too, but I started getting the hang of it. Though there is still much to learn for me. Im sure fasteddie wont steer you wrong, plus there is a whole tuning community here to help you out. Dont worry too much about it. If your unsure about something, do research on it and im sure there are plenty here to give you help. Also if im not mistaken, there is a whole forum on just code 59, so youll be good. Doesnt take much to pick up on.

fasteddi

iTrader: (2)

Heres the part # on the gm 3 bar map sensor.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-3-bar-Map-Sensor-Kit-TURBO-3bar-12223861-16040749-/180572251922?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a0af1e712&vxp=mtr
My 10 bolt rear end has held up well. Its got a alburn LSD, moser 28 spline axles, Richmond 3.73 gears, and c clip emimiators. I Was pushing 1.7xs 60 foot times last year and wasent too worried about the rear end breaking. Are you going to drag race this car or just drive it around the streets? I got a hellof a deal on my rear end for about 125 bucks off a friends but you can find ones that are somewhat build for decent prices when they ditch the 10 bolt for a Ford 9:inch(mainly drag racers)

Xter

Well bad news, my turbo I ordered wasn't in stock but they're giving me a refund on my money. So I'll still be looking for a turbo. Thinking a godspeed Gt35 like you fasteddi. But may I ask how it spools, and at what RPM do you hit full boost? I believe the turbo I ordered would of been a pinch smaller on the inducer and exducer then the GT35.

Got my valve stem seals today, so tomorrow comes the polishing and final cleaning, then they can be put back together with the LS6 springs

After they're installed, I can finally measure out exactly how much lift I'll have and can order a camshaft accordingly.

Besides that, the only new part I got was a blow off valve. I'll show pictures of it tomorrow when I get the heads done.

fasteddi

iTrader: (2)

The godspeed 3582 is a great turbo. Spools fast and hard. I would say im making boost as soon as i hit my stall converter flash rpm...3000rpm give or take 100 rpm. Full boost is shortly there after. Full boost arround 3500ish. Ill have to look at a datalog and will update you later but believe me if you get that turbo you wont regret it.

Xter

Hey sorry I haven't posted for a bit but been really busy lately. Unfortunately no progress yet as I haven't had time to get my new stone down to park it somewhere to work on.

I did get a 7730 ECM with the prom though. Just need tuning stuff.

The best news (for me) is I got a TH350 trans for 30 bucks (guy was swapping to a newer 4 speed and wanted it out of his garage). It's fine how it is (except a 6" housing) but I'm going to rebuild it (got the correct 9" housing from my mechanic for 15 bucks with output shaft, he didn't need it and it was laying around). I'll need to buy an adapter plate to fit the trans, and new mounts and a torque arm relocation bracket and that mega shifter.

The plans for the transmission is to rebuild it with the correct housing and shaft, dual feed it internally, lathe it out at work for 5 clutch packs, and drill out two holes in the separator plate to have a great lasting firm shifting transmission.

Besides that, nothing new has happened much besides I'm ready to pull the engine and put the 3400 top end on, fabricate my headers, and all the minor interior stuff I have to do yet.

In the next few weeks I should be ordering a turbo again. For now I'm going to try and find a little bit of time I can start putting the new stone in with the tractor and limp the camaro over and park it for work.

project89

iTrader: (1)

speedway motors has the trans adapter
u will be very pleased with the th350 specially with the much cheaper cost for a good converter

u dont have a turbo yet right , gt35 is a lil small let me find ya something

project89

iTrader: (1)

while the compressor is a touch smaller , the turbine wheels are larger

http://www.ebay.com/itm/T4-T04-TURBOCHARGER-TURBO-CHARGER-V-BAND-DOWNPIPE-A-R-70-64-TRIM-400-HP-PSI-/171386819880?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27e7735528&vxp=mtr
the t3 gt3582 will cause high backpresure , there is a t4 version of the gt3582 but i couldnt find it

ideal turbo for u would be in the 66mm range though

Xter

Unfortunately this project has died, I ended up finding a WC T5 V8 tranny with everything and got a free V8 from my parents old Yukon they're scrapping. So if anyone needs hybrid stuff just hit me up. But I will post pictures of the Camaro losing it's V6 and 700r4 still and try to post what I can for removing them. Unfortunately the last owner had the engine so bastardized up from what I found out tearing into that I can't offer anything of the usual help there, between the mess of the harness routed through everything (He even had part of the harness running through the power steering pump and other little nooks and crannies trying to tuck the wires, I ended up tearing almost all the accessories off to get them safely out of the way.)

The Camaro finally in the garage as of two days ago September 1st.



The Engine ready to pull minus the transmission stuff so I can combo deal it.



Passenger Side View



Driver Side View