Any ideas? I know Crane makes some aftermarket cams for our motors, but I have no idea where to find a suitable set of cylinder heads.

 

There are no aftermarket heads for our cars. The best you will find, is a set of pre-ported heads - www.supersixmotorsports.com

The best flowing 60º heads are the 3400 heads, off the late model FWD blocks - but custom brackets, intake, and use of FWD pistons will be needed to use those heads.

 

Oh yeah... go with the 2030 cam, or if you want to save a couple of bucks, head to Autozone and order the Melling MTC-5 cam kit.

Replace your valve springs, though, with a cam of that size. Then, get a catback exhaust. The exhaust is the biggest kink in our cars!

 

Thanks for the info.

I think i'll start with exhaust first, actually. Who makes a good cat back system for this engine, and will it need any alteration to fit?

Then after exhaust, cam and heads will follow.

You know.. just so it can breathe better.

 

A lot of people like the Dynomax catback systems.

 

Yet another question:

Is it worth my while to go with a dual exhaust application on this motor? And does such a kit exist?

 

Doward,

You really think that the exhuast is that restrictive? I have intensions of doing my own wye pipe to the stock cat location, what are your views? So it'll be dual 2.5" to a 3" ish.

 

The 2030 cam used in an auto trans application may, no, WILL benefit from a 2200 stall converter to get best results out of it.

Eric

 

Actually, dual 2" into a 2.5" (mandrel bent, of course) would be more than sufficient.

The exhaust manifolds are the biggest restriction. The last cylinder on each side actually has to fight the other two to dump it's exhaust charge!

 

Can you say "hedders"??? We all need them, we all want them

 

I have a crazy feeling that anyone with a welder and a hack saw could take some 305 / 350 $75 headers, cut the flanges into pieces, lose one pipe, bend them around and it would fit.

 

I belive it's a different bolt pattern, that and it would be a pain.... lol.

 

Why you need a welder and some tools. Once the flanges are cut so each pipe has it own piece. You weld the old holes in and then drill new ones once you have the pipes bent around where needed. Even if it had the same bolt pattern it would not line up after you tweaked things.

Not really hard just a little fab work and a little imagination.

But for me really my 3rd gen is my econo car. I have a Buick 350 for speed. Never sure if I would ever get headers but I would most likely go the cheap route first.

[The little 350 Buick that could. 450 horsepower at 5400 rpm.
441 torque at 4300, 446 at 5000 rpm and is still over 400 at peak HP. And the new TA aluminum heads and intake are not even ready yet, still stock iron parts. ]

 

primaries would be a little large unless you've got one healthy v6. you would really have to butcher up a set of v8 headers to make them fit a 60* v6. also, what about the collectors? 3 primaries going into a 4 primary collector....?

 

So is exhaust a moot point unless I have headers?

 

No - a cat back is a GREAT start to a new exhaust setup!

 

Contact fgerle@pacesetterexhaust.com for this product.
It's street legal.
Heads, it's wisest to start with a 3.4 head as the valve spring pocket is larger than on the 2.8/3.1.
YET, there are better springs available for the 2.8/3.1 heads, too.
Dale recently upgraded his 3.4 heads with all new goodies (Crane parts & a 3 angle valve job).
I'd say go with the lowest milage used long block 3.4 ya can find. It already is beefed up with all the goodies ya seek. That factory issued 3.4 RWD mill uses the Crane 2030 cam. Add headers & frame suspension upgrades & have some fun! Don't forget to add ignition system upgrades, too.