I've been considering picking up a 3.1 V6 GM car, either 3.1 Second Gen J-Body Cavalier/Sunbird or 3.1 3rd Gen Firebird.

Do you know there is a LOT more goodies for the 3.1 J-Body than 3.1 F-body? Want headers? They got it. Want a convertible? They got it. Want to go turbo? They got it. I believe there is a a supercharger for the 3.1.

I'm trying to find out if it's possible to swap to a 3.4 DOHC!!!

In fact, GM just annouced a GM Dealer Installable Eaton Roots Supercharger for the 2.4 J-bodies (96-02).

 

arent the 3.1L the same engines though?

 

They shouldn't be... our 82-92 f-bodies used the Generation I 60-degree v6. The front wheel drive cars starting in '87 used the Gen II v6, with aluminum heads, splayed valves, and DIS.

Shame there's that much more out there for those front wheel drive platforms- they drive with the wrong wheels!

 

Glenn, FYI they made convertible V6 f-body's in 91 & 92


also FYI, the DOHC 3.4 is the biggest POS GM ever designed

ask around and i'm sure you will be told the same

 

Thanks for the "heads up" on the 3.4 DOHC. I am more leaning to a 3.1 (or 3.4 ohv) with a turbo running the 3.1 Turbo GTP calibration.

It's just that J-bodies seem to have just more available. Check out www.j-body.org , I think there is "synergy" between 3rd Gen F-body V6 owners and 2nd Gen J-body V6 owners.

And YES, those posts about "Burning Eproms" by "GM" is me. I finally found a 3.1 V6 Second Gen J-body owner in my local area that wants some "hands-on tuning" of his eprom. Once we optimizes his eprom, he will rebuild his engine or look at a swap. I want him to install a "good sized" cam and then use the "optimized eprom" as a base to "draft a new BIN" based on his modifications. I've been working on a methodology to make "drafting bins" for modified motors easy and close to optimal.

I might even be able to see if the FWD 3.1 V6 Calibration can work (or be converted) into a format useable for modified 3.1/3.4 F-bodies.

 

there actually isn't as many aftermarket performance parts for the fwd 2.8/3.1 as you may think. one of the reasons i sold my grand prix was because there was nothing, and my choice of engine swaps wasn't very good either! at least with the v6 fbody i have the option of a v8 if i ever wanted to go for more juice

 

Glenn, your scaring me . FWD? I know how to cure you of this disease, just drive one. If the torque steer doesn't want to make you leap from the car, well, I just hope it does. . . RWD forever!

They do make good donors for turbo parts.

RBob.

 

Well,

I'm V6 FWD owner.

I think the major "synergy" with F-Body are the L-Body : They are the Beretta and Corsica.

GM named the Beretta as: "the little Camaro" (then, the Corsica could be "the little 4 door Camaro").

And, ... yes, FWD ( named "transversal engine" here) is more difficult for some jobs like the valve adjustment, but some of this cars ('87......) have aluminum heads, larger intake valves, polished ports, Speed Density system and the famous 7730 ECM.


Denis V.

 

Yeh my GF has a 90 corsica with a 3.1, its actually pretty torquey for what it is and torque steer isn't bad. Of course if it was hopped up torque steer might become an issue. It looks like you can fit a turbo in there without too much work also. I bought her the 85 camaro so that she could sell the corsica, but the camaro has had too many probs so thats been put on the back burner.
Part of me hates that Corsica, I kinda want to turbo it and just see what breaks and then get rid of it

 

There are a lot of aftermarket availiblity for 2.8/3.1 J-Bodies.

Headers are not made for them by the way.

I told them about the headers the guy is making on this board, but they said they wouldnt bolt up cause they are genII with aluminaum heads.

www.jbodyperformance.com
http://www.mantapart.com/

They have lots of performance stuff for 2.8/3.1

2.8/3.1 Can/Have been built to 225hp N/A in the cavs/sunfire.

B.S. I have the fastest J-body that came off the production line.
2.0L Turbo charged engine.
165HP@5800rpm, 6500 redline.
175TRQ@3900rpm
2200lbs.

Needless to say, I hate the car. I am selling it to get another f-body.

 

Oh yeah, and a 50-75 shot of nitrous would put a 2.8/3.1 into the 15's.

A buy nitro'd his 2.8 3SPEED(Crap trans) with a 75 shot and went 15.X.

Just think, Cam/exhaust/headers/intake/tb/ignition and nitrous and u would be in the 14s somewhere.

 

RBob, are we "slumming now"? j/k

Actually, I owned a V6 FW car before (HO 2.8 X-body 4-speed manual). Great car in the snow (which is my main reason for considering one).

F-body + V8 + snow = not much fun driving (unless you're a spectator).

 

Here is some things for the 2.8/3.1 Some of these MIGHT be transferable to an fbody, u would have to research.
EVERYTHING IS IN CANADIAN COIN

Sealed Power High Revolution Lifters (2.8/3.1L) - $190 Canadian

Federal Mogul Sealed Power Cam Shaft (Profile 2) - $250 - JP0235 Buy
Dur: 208/208 Clift: 276/276 Vlift: 420/420
(Powerband - 1500-4000RPM)

Federal Mogul Sealed Power Cam Shaft (Profile 3) - $269 - JP0236 Buy
Dur: 278/288 Clift: 280/295 Vlift: 420/443
(Powerband - 1500-4000RPM)

Federal Mogul Sealed Power Cam Shaft (Profile 4) - $290 - JP0237 Buy
Dur: 228/298 Clift: 295/310 Vlift: 443/465
(Powerband - 2000-4500RPM)

Crane 2030 Cam Shaft - $309 - JP0147 Buy
Dur: 264/274 Clift: 278/278 Vlift: 423/423
(Powerband - 1500-4500RPM)

Crane 260 CamShaft w/Lifters - $230 - JP0253 Buy
Dur: 260/272 Clift: 280/299 Vlift: 427/454
(Powerband - 2000-4500RPM)

JBP Grind CamShaft (2.8/3.1L) - $405 - JP0148 Buy

JBP ReGrind Roller CamShaft (3100/3400) - $489 - JP0256 Buy

BOTTOM END~

Super Sport 981 Performance Nodular Forged Steel, Iron Cast, (Supports 350+HP, sustains high RPM, Melonite treated) $715 - JP0159 Buy

Race Prep'd Frictionless Bearings (H-type) Clevitte - $155


Super Sport treated SB Chevy Connecting Rods for 3.1L - $CALL JP0158 Buy
[Pic1 of JP0158] [Pic2 of JP0158]

Forged Steel Connecting Rod (set of 6) w/Bolts and brass bushing - $1300CDN - JP0173 Buy

All Federal Mogul Hypereutectic Pistons (3.1L/3x00 ONLY) - $52ea - JP0123 Buy

Federal Mogul High Strength Chrome Molley Piston Rings - $157 - JP0125 Buy

WiseCo Forged Pistons (3.1L/3x00) - $1190 - JP0156 Buy
Pic1 Pic2
Our WiseCo pistons arrive to your door ready to drop into your motor. These pistons include pins, piston rings, clips and all the ammenities. In other words, this is a complete forged piston kit. No hidden costs and possibly the best priced forged piston for the 3.1 available.


3.1L Performance Crate Motors
Mild Build Kit Crate
Details
Long Block - $4400CDN
Short Block - $3900CDN
JP0218 Buy

Forged Built Kit Crate
Details
Long Block - $5700CDN
Short Block - $5200CDN
JP0219 Buy

Wild Forged Build Kit Crate
Details - $CALL
JP0220 Buy

 

Ive got an 88 Cavy Z24, and I must say its pretty fun to drive, its so light, compared to the tank of a firebird

 

Thanks for the posts Mike on what is availbable for the V6 J-bodies and suggesting what may be transferrable to a V6 F-body.

I really think the "two camps" need to talk to each other. Yes, there are some unique situations due to the engine configuration (FWD vs RWD), but there are a lot of similarities too.