Hey. I know much about the v8/700r4 cars - I have 2.

BUT..... I know nothing about the 3.1 V6/5sp cars - and I have an 18 year old interested in a 1992 Bird with a 3.1 V6/5sp combo.

Tell me what you can about these cars and there motors and tranny's. What is in it for air/fuel delivery? What's the most PITA repair aspect of the motor and/or tranny.

I haven't looked at the car yet - All I know right now is that it's cheap - tell me what to look for (good or bad) when I go see it.

Any input greatly appreciated!

 

motors can last a while if taken care off.
Timing chains often go out.
Valvecovers often leak.
IF the EGR goes out, its 200 bux or a check engine light alot
It has MPFI, fuel injecton. 140hp/180tq
#1 spark plug is a bitch to get to.(right front)
Anything on the top half of the engine, expect to pull the intake.

Other then that, its the same as any other camaro/fbody.

 

Id say that the 5sp tranny is pretty durable, because my 92 has been through 3 high school drivers, and the only tranny related problems that have occured was replacing the clutch, and this was only done just recently. My car has 142,000 miles on it, and it is running better than it ever has, so like Dale said, the motor will last if taken good care of. But if the car was abused like mine was, it will cost a pretty penny to get it back into good shape.

My poor car has been so abused .

 

changing the top radiator hose required me to pull off the throttle body. Not as bad as the spark plugs though. The hose was a problem mainly b/c of the hose clamp, i replaced it with a screw-tighten one, should be easier if there is ever a next time.

 

i object. headers are the most pain in the ***. when i got my car it had a nasty exhaust leak.

(turns out the egr had about an inch of play in it but the passanger side header is also a bit loose. i say is because i have never been able to get a good angle to get it tight it still has a bit of a leak....

oh, i have a 2.8 though.. but i am sure somthing like that is pretty much the same

 

Some parts of the engine bay are alot tighter.

If it needs a clutch, get a centerforce 90% over. I had one, and it literally lasted for years upon years with -0- wear, none on the flywheel either when it was pulled. Engaugement was as easy at stock with no extra pedal effort. But yes, you do need to know how to shift if you go that route because when it engauges, it enguages, no if's and's or but's about it.

One of the worst things that all 60* cars have is the vacuum tubing leaks, and the need for a propper tune up. Nearly all 100K+ cars need new upper gaskets, valve covers up.

The engines can go forever, just like any other if taken care of.
The exhaust mani bolts break easy.

Suspension wise, nothing really different than a V8. All the same parts, all the same symptoms.

Power wise, Exhaust manifolds... Pacesetter does now make a real set of headers for cheap, well 200ish. There is still no real viable well priced option for an intake manifold that is legal.

Exhaust, most swear by 2.5" kit from dynomax. I am not going to get into the mufflers, but flowmasters resonate something aweful above 3k.

Brakes, V8 twins. Meaning everything a V8 can do, the V6 can do.

 

My 3.1L would get 34 to 35mpg on the highway right up until I lost the low end. Rod went at 134,000. Had a GM rebuilt put in it. Unfortunately, it only does about 31mpg with the rebuilt.

Watch the EGR valve. Mine is one of the electronic ones and a replacement only goes for about $350. A plugged CAT back pressured mine, blew the seals, melted some wiring and took out the EGR.

Have had a few clutch problems. Had some trouble with an aftermarket that just didn't fit right. Went back to a GM OEM part and it did fine up until the clutch disk came apart a few months back. It did get me home another 200 miles even on the broken clutch disk.

Overall been pretty reliable. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks all for the info - deal fell through - car was totally trashed and no clear title.