Great info, any other tidbits on this?

 

The Truleo? I think that it does outflow the stock intake a little but not so much that it is worth the $600. It is made of steel too which is another downside.

 

You could easily get your 180hp goal with a 3x00 top end swap. You won't find any aluminum block cheap, but as far as iron blocks go (rwd that is) the 3.4 is a good choice. It's already set up for dis ignition if you choose to go the 3x00 route, the 3500 heads/induction are compatible (that's what firstfirebird is building) and completely compatible with your stock components. Just by swapping in the 3.4 block (stock heads and all) should get you about 160hp. You could have the stock heads ported, but why waste your money? Just sand out the casting marks and do a little polishing with a ~450 grit foam polishing wheel (dremel makes good ones) and you'll help out flow alot. $10 doing it yourself instead of $100. Stock cranks are well balanced from the factory, they're rated for 7500rpm continuous use. Just make sure to reinstall the rods/pistons in the same order.

 

Hah, tell me about it. I can sell a complete 3400 top end and 3100 pistons for the cost of the Truleo, *and* see a bigger improvement

 

This might seem like a dumb question b/c prices for this kind of stuff vary so much state to state, but what could I expect to pay for a 3.4 block and heads from the junkyard? Just a vague range. I would call the junkyards around here, but they don't have any 4th or third gen stuff. It's too popular. I've been to both of them looking for 4th gen seats, got the same story both places.

Q.2 - are the 3.4 block and heads all I need or should I get the computer too? My friend from the forum and I are doing this, so I want to make sure I get everything before this spring so I don't look like a noob before we start the build. He's driving to Lancaster, Ohio from Canton, Ohio.

 

You reuse the 2.8 computer and sensors.

 

Don't use the 3.4 ECM, it's OBD1.5 and the code hasn't been completely cracked.

You should have a '7730 ECM and can be used for DIS.

How soon are you looking? I'm doing a project soon where I'm replacing a low mile Jasper crate 3.4 for a 3500 and the owner will be looking to sell it, but it won't be happening for a couple of months.
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He's got a 3.1

 

Well in that case then reuse that.

 

Thanks for the correction firstfirebird. Boy would I love to have that 3.4. Let me know how much and I'll try and take it off his hands when the time comes. I'm waiting for spring b/c it's really cold in ohio right now and I don't have a garage, any work has to be done covertly in the parking lot of my apartment and on a weekend when the managment isn't around. LOL

 

You don't need to get the heads with the 3.4 (they're the exact same as your current heads) but you could port them in the meantime so your camaro isn't out of commision while you're doing it. Last time I checked my local yard quoted me $100 for a short block . Probably going to be more just about anywhere else.

 

oh my god.. I never thought i'd see such a debate over heads..


Bottom line, i'm making 315 crank HP all motor. People with similar built iron head engines are struggling to break 200 WHP.


firstfirebird, nice looking LIM.

 

 

I was look at old post. And saw this one, and got to thinking and there is one place the make aluminim heads with over size valve fully ported the hole bet, for 575 dollars, for gm v6 the 3.1 2.8 and so no.

 

I'm only 95% one this one but they also make aluminim blocks bare. But they also make aluminim will a stroker kit in it I'm 150% on the I just don't know if they sale the blocks bare.

 

I can beat that for the 3x00 top ends. I sell 3500 top ends for $500 with less than 40k miles on them. 3400 top ends are a little more scarse at the moment, but can be done for about the same price. Both flow far more than the iron heads - even with a Truleo intake.


Dave, that's not my LIM.

This is...




It's getting sandblasted before bolt-down like these...

 

But a 3500 top end does not fit on a 3100 block

 

It will bolt up but the combustion chamber size is larger than the 2.8/3.1 bore so the 3.4 is the only motor you can really use them on. Just get a 3400 top end, they still way outflow the ironheads.

 

Firstfirebird, that engine's better looking every time I see it. Can't wait to see it installed.

 

I know.. because the one in the pic is mine

 

3400 LIM w/ heads and 3500 plenum does
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Even the small port 3100 top end is an advantage!
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Ah, bragging again
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..

 

I got a some questions.
I have a 2.8l
I seen it mentioned to stroke the 2.8 by using the 3.1 crank?
How is this done the 2.8 has 2.493" mains and the 3.1 has 2.647" mains?
I am guessing that the 2.8 block would need to have the mains bored out the proper size to fit the larger mains of the 3.1 block. IS that whats done?
This brings up another question since the 3.1 stroke and the 3400 uses the same stroke, and the mains are the same diameter can i use a 3400 crank?

Then can i bored out my 2.8 block from 3.503" bore to the bore of the 3400
which is 3.62"


If all that is possible the only hurdle is to some how get crank sensor for the dis. But that shouldnt be to hard.

See i want to change my 2.8l dizzy into a 3.4 3400 hybrid dis.
Is this possible ?

 

This is true

Nope, the 1985.5+ 2.8 uses the same size journals as the 3.1.

They are the same crank, most are "981" casting.

No.


You can go as large as 3.2/3.3L hybrid with the 2.8 or 3.1 block. This block can not be safely bored to the 3.4 bore.

 

I have 02 3400 lined up for real cheap. Would it be a decent combo to put the heads and intakes from the 3400 onto the 2.8l converted to a 3.1? Or would it be better to find a 3100 and use those heads and intakes?

I just ran out and checked my production date is 5/85 so would that be considered 85.5 seeing how they start the production in like oct for the nest year.

Also i checked on all data and they list the crank as 2.49" on years 84 as the lowest i checked, and went all the way till 89 in which they list 2.64" so from 84 to 88. If you know for sure i would beleive you over alldata as i have found errors before.

 

It is better to get the 3400 heads but the 3400 and 3100 heads are the same after '99 IIRC. Get a 3.4 out of a 4th gen and put the heads on that.

 

whats the going rate for a good used 3.4, where can i get one and did they put them in anything else like an s10 or something ?

 

1993/1994/1995 Camaros had them.

 

i bet you could grab a Camaro 3.4 for around 3-400 bucks...

 

I picked mine up for $50 but that was only the block and some other parts and pieces. I could go to the local pick and pull and get one for $100, but I would have to pull it myself.

 

Ill give my hook up a call and see if he can get me a 3.4 along with that complete 3400. Which hes leting me steal it at 50 bucks. SO maby.....

 

.. quick noob question about the aluminum block does it have dis connections since its able to be used on fwd applications?

 

I believe so. Too bad it's worth more than my car.

 

I'm buyin one to increase the value of my car. Either that or I'll need the 4 bolt splayed mains...

 

4 bolt rear 2 mains will be available from Chevette_Boy on 60*v6