ok, i know the 3.4 block is nearly identical to the 2.8/3.1 blocks. I'm getting my engine replaced in about a week or so, but i've got to drop it off tomarrow, i'm gonna get a price quote on a 3.4 and if there isn't much difference in price i'll have it dropped in. Now, I need to know, and i mean need to know, not have an idea, but will a 3.4 drop directly into the engine bay, hook up correctly, and work directly with my existing computer? I want to know this, thatway i don't have them drop in an engine that doesn't work right, and then they'll have to pull it again, that'll equal monster cash. Thanx guys.

 

You will re-use all your 2.8's injectors/sensors/intake/etc. That means your stock computer will work. The only thing you're changing is the motor.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

 

are the 2.8 injectors the same as the 3.4 injectors as far as fuel flow is concerned??

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Dan
100% stock 1990 RS 3.1L
and VERY slow

 

well, looks like it'll never happen, well at least as long as i'm a resident of the state of missouri. I went to the Engine shop today, for my new 2.8, the guy said one of his workers was going to drop a 3.4 into his S-10, but quit when Missouri changed their emmesion laws, this happened just a little while ago, and i still wasn't sure about what they were. So, the new rule is, you can't put in any engine, that wasn't offered in your vehicle the same year of production. Which would limit me to a TPI 305, or a HO, 4bl 305, unless i wanted to drop down to the iron duke, or maybe put in a CFI 305. So, looks like it'll stay a 2.8L. Kinda sucks, but what the hell.

 

Actually there's up to 4 engine laws depending on the state you live in.

1 no truck motor in a car and visa versa
2 the engine can not be older then the car itself. i.e. an 88 motor in an 89 car.
3 all original emissions equipment must function properly
4 must pass the sniffer using original engine sniffer test rating

 

Anyone north of the Can/US border know what the "laws" are here? I could drop in an 82 305 if i wanted to. But the more I hang out here the less I want a V8

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Black 87 Camaro T-Top, V6, 5-speed, Loaded
see my car at: http://www.geocities.com/iCamaro1987/camaro.html

 

Are you serious???? What a crappy law!!! I mean, I really don't pay any attention to them (speeding, emissions, etc.) but still! That really sucks!! Maybe I will move to Kansas where there are no inspections and such! That is such a load of crap!
A Disgruntled Vman

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1989 Camaro RS
2.8 V6
K&N's
700R4 tranny
Cragar Street Pro rims (old Series 30)
Pioneer DEH-P3000

1969 Camaro SC
350 HO from a Vette
Turbo 350 tranny
In the process of being restored

 

On the bright side if your cars older then 89 you can still do a turbo trans am engine swap. Now that would rule.

oh and as for the 3.4 swap when you do it remember to swap over your coolant temp sensor on the side of the block before you install the new motor. It's something easily over looked. cough

 

sure u can do a t'd 3.8 swap...that is IFFF u can find the ****ing motor!! ive looked for ever and couldnt find one... *sigh*

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Tell me about it... that guy who has one in his 88 GTA is one lucky SOB.

 

I really cannot imagine that the McDonald's rejects that work in the IM shops would be able to tell a 3.4 from a 2.8. Its not like they check for block stampings, all they do is count the cylinders.

 

<snicker> Of course it's a 2.8. It's says so right on the intake. See!!

Seriously though... how are they going to know unless they check the block casting number?

 

Hah, Dobber, I like your reasoning... I doubt they'd check the block at all if the 2.8 is up there.

Hmmm.. could I drop a v8 in, and leave the 2.8 design on top?


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

 

you know guys, i thought about that too. But it'd be my luck that i'd have some chevy/pontiac enthusiast who would look at the block and say, "hell, it looks bigger than a 2.8 to me." But they'd never know as far as i'm concerned. The only issue is, that they test the engine on one of those dyno machines, and then record the ammount of emmesions it produced, but would the 3.4 put out more than my 2.8, cause if it did, then i'd be screwed anyway, cause they're testing a 2.8 with 3.4 emmesions.

 

Good point on the emissions.

In "theory", you should pass. Two of the exhaust gasses measured are HC (hydrocarbons) and NOx (single oxides of Nitrogen, not the same as N20 = nitrous oxide).

Hydrocarbons are a natural byproduct of combustion (gas explosion). In a perfect world, CO2 and H20 would be emitted, but this place isn't perfect. When a car fails for an increased level of HC, that means that the combustion cycle isn't completing- usually that means it's time for a checkup of the ignition system.

NOx's are produced from a high temperature/high pressure explosion. That sucks, because that's the kind of thing that gives us horsepower! We're trying to cram the biggest air/fuel chunk into the motor. NOx's are changed to N2 and O2 by the catalytic convertor. They're also reduced by the EGR system- the EGR allows some exhaust gas back into the intake, which believe it or not, lowers combustion temperature.

There's also the CO (carbon monoxide) measurement- if this is too high, the car is running rich- it's not getting enough oxygen. This is usually coupled with a high HC number.

Running lean (too much oxygen) gives a high HC number and a "normal" CO number.

Yeah, I'm learning a bit about this stuff, how could ya tell?

So, "in theory", if you get that 3.4 running properly with the "old" 2.8 intake, you could pass emissions. It'd be something to ask a mechanic that can get the specs for these motors.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

 

IF they say it *looks* bigger then a 2.8, so it must be a 3.4, it's walleye vision, because they're THE EXACT SAME BLOCK! So, of course, they look identical on the outsie, same dimensions, etc.

-Reno

 

Take it from a CA smog guy...We don't look that hard.

If a car comes in and it looks all original and is clean on the pipe there is no reason to doubt its a 2.8.

As long as everything is hooked up and functioning the smog guy will never know unless you tell them.



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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

 

Engineboy, do you think it would pass emissions as to what I said up above (as long as it's tuned up right)?


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

 

TomP: As far as passing smog if its running RIGHT, it should pass, I say SHOULD.

You seem to have the "smog" thing covered.

As you know, bad emmissions are a product of a engine not running efficiantly. If the engine can process everything you give it, it will be clean.

I have a +.030 350 in my truck with a performer intake, Holley, no smog (ehem!!), etc. and its REALLY clean.

As far as the original question, yes.

As long as everything is retained and in working order/running good, it should pass.

The key word is SHOULD

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

[This message has been edited by Engineboy (edited October 16, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Engineboy (edited October 16, 2000).]

 

Hey that's great to know! Thanks!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards