First off, let me say that I know there's a sticky, and I've definitely read through it, but I'm just a bit confused about it. I'm working on a turbo setup for my 3.1, and it's actually almost done, but, as everyone knows, the 3.1 heads flow absolutely terribly, and are going to be a huge bottleneck.

So, basically what I've gathered is that I can use the aluminum heads from another car, provided I get the upper and lower intake manifolds. My question is, what engines, more specifically, from what cars, can I use the heads/manifolds from? For example, from the 3x00 series of engines, could I use the heads/manifold from a 3.4 on my 3.1 (I doubt it, but I want to be sure) or do I have to use the aluminum heads and manifold from a 3100?

Sorry if it's in the sticky anywhere, chances are I missed it, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

 

they all bolt up, the only problem you have is youve prolly got a dizzy at the mo and the front drive intakes dont allow for that, unless you convert to dis, in which case you will want to pull the whole engine and wiring loom,ecu out as the block will be drilled for the dis sensor and you will have everything you need.

 

To use the aluminum heads youll also have to get the 3x00 or custom pistons.

Drilling into the block on the 3.1/2.8 is not advisable. the best way to deal with the dis is making an external DIS wheel.

 

i meant if he pulled the block as well it would already be done. no i wouldnt advise drilling your self :-)

 

i wouldn't advise drilling at all on these blocks...it doesn't have the proper webbing in the block. you're just asking for problems if you do that IMO

 

gen 2 intakes will clear the distributor with miniaml grinding. and can be used with gen 3 cyl heads



i had to remove less then 1/16th of material to get the dizzy to fit

 

Ugh. I'd had such high hopes for doing a turbo-6 project. I've already got my new cam, new injectors/fuel pump, and forged internals, but I'm really not sure I want to go through with it anymore. It'd be cool, but for the amount of work I've already put in, and may put in, I don't know that the gains are worth it.

lol, it's a copout, but maybe I should just go back to a 350. My car was originally a 350 car, but the previous owner didn't balance the internals correctly when he replaced the crank and cam, so it threw a rod. I got this running 3.1/tranny for $200, with the intention of building it, but the more research I do, the less worth it it seems.

 

Wrong!

The dizzy will not clear the UIM.

The genII intake does not match the genIII heads, and will have possible vacuum leaks, or at best very turbulent transition between the genII LIM and the genIII heads.

The fuel rail IIRC will also get in the way of the dizzy. It does for sure with the genIII fuel rail, and I believe the genII fuel rail also hangs a little bit over the end of the LIM.


All FWD top end swaps require the swap to DIS (not as difficult as people think), or a custom intake (and related parts) to allow the use of a dizzy or a third option of a custom dizzy.

I'm actually working on proofing a possible easy to find and adapt DIS system to the GM ECM, and will know better if it will work or not by the end of the winter, I'm hoping before. The GM DIS is not hard to swap in, but the needed reluctor wheel is not readily available in a way that is easily adapted to the RWD 660. The DIS system I'm looking at has plenty of aftermarket support for easy to find parts.

 

the gen 2 manif9ld with gen 3 heads shouldnt leak but it would be turbulent at the port entrys unless ome work was done.

im not 100% sure on the uim though i could have sworn when i mocked it all up it cleared ill have to dig threw all my pics and look again, but i also know i did not have a fuel rail to test fit it

 

would it be possible to use a modded balancer already in place on the front of the engine ? surley it just needs marking in the right place then a mount for a sensor. if someone could make a bolt on system like that so you just replace the balancer that would be sweet, shouldnt cost much either ?

id go ahead with the turbo set up on the standard intake - or custom make an UIM to help. get a mild cam, it will still make some nice power :-)
oh and port the heads to ease the flow a bit

 

Alright so...New question. If I swap to the 3.4 bottom end, do I still have to do all that extra work to swap to aluminum heads?

 

yeah get the 3.4 bottom as they ran DIS from the factory and the ally heads top end slot in nicely
read this :-)
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/v6/4...ghlight=hybrid

 

Thanks guys, you've been a huge help. I think I'm gonna go for the 3.4 bottom end swap. I can get a 3.4 engine with 26,000 miles for $800, so...yesplz. That'll make the head swap much easier, and my block has 150k miles on it right now, and has probably seen a lot of abuse in it's days.

Also, a big-*** cam will be going into the 3.4 lol. The turbo plans will be put on hold, but I figure starting with a 3.4 that's already got cam/heads done to it will be better anyways.

To be just a bit more of a pain, anyone know what kind of numbers, just a general guesstimate, I can expect from the 3.4 with aluminum heads, and say a 212 duration, .440 lift cam?

 

im only after 200hp na 2.8 iron heads. 3.4 ally heads somewhere 250 - 300 hp depending - read that hybrid link i gave you that'l give you some numbers.
i live in the united kingdom so i cant just pop to a junk yard and pick these blocks up - wish i could, then id do a hybrid as well.
think you should get a bigger cam :-)

 

I'd like to get a bigger cam, but the bigger cams that I've found have sub 110* LSA's, which is no good for a turbo setup, which I still plan on doing. Of course, there's always custom grind.

 

All of them? I have found more with greater that 110 LSA. Look at Crane and Comp. I have used the Crane 260-2 in a turbo application, myself.