Hello all i am new here and a proud new owner of my late father's 86 firebird. It only has 99K miles on it and was garage kept and it has the anemic 2.8 liter V6. What i am interested in is swapping in a 3.4 from say a 95 camaro. I have done enough research to know that the block will be a direct bolt in. What i wish to know is can i use the aluminum heads and intake from say the 96+ grand am GT for a power boost? I have also read that using the injectors from a 2.9 liter ranger will provide adequate fuel requirements. Will my stock ECM be able to run this engine well? I am going for a cam change as well. Yes i could put a tune port in but i really dont want to have to change alot of stuff over to do it and in staying with the V6, i can get similar performance and better gas milage. Let me know what you all think. I have been over to 60degreev6 got one response so im hoping for better help here. I am aware that the camaro 3.4 intake is extremely restrictive so by changing the heads and intake from the FWD car could get a gain of about 30 HP or so. This is just a theory but if true i need to know what i need to make it work. I would like to make this car a rolling memorial to my dad who loved it as i do. Oh ya should i keep my stock ECM or use the one from the 95+ camaro? Theres a bunch of little technical stuff i need to know before hitting the go button on the swap. I have considered a 3800 II supercharged swap but as i said i really dont want to get into beating up the car to get the engine in. I can post pics if anyone wishes to see. For being as old as it is its in remarkable condition.

 

If you want the 3400 heads, you need to buy both V6s before starting. Partly because you'll need to run the 3400 pistons in the 3.4 block to keep the compression ratio tolerable. This may require swapping cranks, or you may have to get the 3.4 crank re-balanced. On to ignition. IIRC, the 3400 is DIS, so you'll need the 3400 computer as well. 3400s were only used in FWD applications, so the starter is on the wrong side for you, but you can sell that block to some Fiero enthusiasts. Same for the 3.4 parts you don't use. You're creating more problems with this approach than with the Supercharged 3800 Series 2, which would require an aftermarket hood, and have an issue with the mounts, but otherwise is more performance for less money and far less hassle. Your approach is unique, and slightly less weight on the front of the car, but those aren't good enough reasons to offset the other considerations.

 

I did briefly look into the 3800 series 2 supercharged swap but could not find enough info on how to get it done without either beating up the car(firewall, and possibly frame clearance issues), or wiring needs. I know i would most likely need the PCM from the donor car, but this is an 86 firebird not a FWD riviera so some issues might arise there as far as making it work. Lastly is mounting it properly as well as mating it up to my existing tranny which might puke anyway under the 3800's grunt lol. So i have thought about this alot and came up with the 3.4 swap with some other goodies found on other cars for more power.

 

It sounds like you want a little more power, with the least amount of hassle.
Here's what I would do....

3.4L from '93 - '95 Camaro
2.8 or 3.1 intake manifold (better for porting)
street cam
headers
gears

If you just want to bolt stuff on (no porting), this should take you from 140 hp up to about 180. Do head and intake porting, get a dyno tune and you should be at ~200. With a gear swap that would be a night & day difference compared to stock, without being a PIA like a different engine swap. You can even re-use your current trans.

 

Yup Jensen you hit the nail on the head there. I do plan on getting the stuff you mentioned as well as porting. Probably not a radical port job maybe just port matching the intake to the heads etc. I have looked at the 2.8 stock intake and it looks as though it would flow well. Will the 3.1 intake drop right on? if so then that might be what ill look into. So i should just keep the 3.4 heads that came on the camaro engine then? This car wont be a dragster but id still like to whoop the occasional honda equipped with fart cannon and shopping cart handle spoiler :P

 

no need to touch the 3.4 heads, they have newer parts on em & the 2.8/3/1 intake(s) just bolt up.

 

if he wants to use the intake from a 3100 he has to use those heads too dosent he?

I would go 3.4L block heads and intake from a 3400 or 3500 FWD engine and then turbo.

as to the 3800 the intake for the supercharged version would backwards.. its not rotable like the 60* engines is. the supercharger is the intake on those engines. GM had to be stupid like that.. for used the same charger on their 3.8 and did it remote style.. made more sense to me.

 

http://www.firebirdgt.com/SC%20Firebirds.htm if only it showed the induction route on the black bird.......

eatons can be had w/different intake tracks, also a better swap package for power would be teh L67short block, early angled intake w/heads & turbo(s) (so it will clear a bird hood.

 

wow some good replies. Yes i was considering using the 3400 heads from the FWD but had a few questions like piston to valve clearance and compression ratio and if the intake from the same engine would allow the use of a distributor. Now that project mentioned it, eaton huffers do come in a variety of configurations. My only other issue is the stock 86 PCM if i would need to have a chip burned. I am assuming so. But thanks for everyones input so far. Hope im not being a pest lol

 

what did you end up doing im in the same situation.