I'm seriously thinking about doin the 3.4 long block swap boogie since my 3.1 is on the verge of death, its got 165k miles on it. The questions i have for you are, How much should i expect to pay for a 3.4? A junk yard tranny(since mine is going out)? How much did it cost you to get it swapped, or did you do it yourself? and, Would i need to change the computer or not?

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91 Blue RS with ASCD SS hood w/hood pins, Flowmaster 80 series w/3 inch dual exhaust, K&N, Hypertech Power Chip, Bosch Platinum wires and plugs

 

For starters read, this thread.
https://www.thirdgen.org/messagboard...ML/001462.html

The tranny guy is rebuilding my 700R4 for $650. I do not know or expect any HI=Po stuff in it. I'll watch him & see. This is the way I will learn how to rebuild my other 700R4 tranny in my S-10 Blazer. I only have first & third gears.

Read the thread for the tips on swapping electronics (ALL AREAS, including your question).

It is so worth it.

Plan ahead.
Wish I had these answers before I did the swap. I would have saved alot of time & effort.
Ask any questions.
You'll be number 15 doing this swap.
Plan on doing ANY component rebuilding now. Especially distibutor.
IT IS SO EASY!
Rebuild the tranny now, too!
Let the engine (long block) be the last part.
Also rebuild the fuel injection system. Vacuum hoses, clean passages/throttel bodies.

You may be able to coax a little bit more milage outta what ya got.
And that's good!
When it's all right, then you just swap all the stuff, you know is in excellent shape onto the 3.4 long block. No guessing what's the matter, you just turn the key & go, like I did.
NONE of your effort will be wasted.
NONE


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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

yeah

my camaro has 170,000 on it, so i gotta start my swap ASAP

i'm gonna do the whole thing myself, because i'm starting mechanic school in September

what i need to find are pistons that will give me 11.00 compression, cuz i want a nice powerful motor

then i have to research the cam i want a little more and hopefully get the roller rockers that will fit

then i guess i can build the engine
cuz all the other stuff i want to do can wait a lil while.......porting, pulleys, MSD, nitrous, etc

anybody know where i can get those pistons from???? preferably forged so they can hold nitrous

 

My whole 3.4 swap cost me about 800 dollars or so.....I would not really use nitros if I was you...you are asking for something to go wrong.....ya know what I mean.....I found a supercharger for the 3.4...but we have aluminum head.....and you have to have iron or something like that.

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Sgt Panther

89 Firebird..2.8/3.4 conversion

 

Finding forged off the shelf pistons for the 3.4L can be a challenge especially if you want to configure for a specified compression ratio. There are Hypereutectic pistons available but I wouldn't recommend them for Nitrous. I had mine specially ordered thru Race engineering:
http://www.raceeng.com/

Heres a sample of the order form:
http://users.spec.net/home/emxjc/JE_piston_form.jpg

You must know somethings about the bore size, stroke, and the chamber CC. For cast iron it is approx. 50cc. Race engineering will give you this form to fill out. Your machinest should help you with filling the blanks. Plan on spending $$ though if you want to this route.

 

The whole Idea of the swap is to keep it simple, add horsepower & torque & get going for miminal cost.
If ya want to go so overboard, sell the car & buy a V-8.
The beauty of these V-6's is no one cares about them, so the parts are cheap. Going fast is fun, but, up to a certain point you are wasting money & time.
I mean, if ya just won the $141 million in San Jose CA lottery (I'll move there to claim the ticket!), enjoy yourself. But, most of us are on real world budgets.

Hey Sgt. Panther, How did you swap on the FWD aluminum heads? You never mentioned that detail!

Did you see the news story about the idiots Drag racing in New York?
A 90's Corvette & Ferrari.
They wrecked each others cars and they killed someone.
Stupids.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

I live on Long Island, and that happenned a few towns west of me. Oh, and 2 people were killed, and the surviving driver is charged with 2 counts of manslaughter. Check out http://www.newsday.com . They may have more info there.

That whole thing was a shame and sheer stupidity. Wives without husbands, kids without dads. Such a shame.




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86 Sport Coupe, 2.8 V6, dead stock, but not for long!

Daily driver:
2000 Pontiac Grand Am SE2

"Little girls play with ponies!"
www.geocities.com/camman86

 

...so anyways, since i dont really know enough to rebuild the parts myself i was thinking about buying the 3.4 and the tranny from a junk yard and letting somebody do it for me, i know it might cost more but hey, at least it will be done right, how much should i expect to pay for that?

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91 Blue RS with ASCD SS hood w/hood pins, Flowmaster 80 series w/3 inch dual exhaust, K&N, Hypertech Power Chip, Bosch Platinum wires and plugs

 

oh and that link you gave to that thread doesnt work

 

Are you refering to my links :confused

I just clicked on and it went right to the site.

Anyway have you tried Carparts.com to get an idea of what a 3.4 costs? Mine was from a 95 Camaro that had about 25,000 miles, and cost $350. Cost will depend on what shape it's in.

Since you're from Tx, the site managed to pull up several motors so he'res a few for around $400:

1995 Chevy Camaro Engine 3.4,AT,S $400 9B1019 Grimes Auto Parts 1-800-643-5811 E-mail USA-TX

1994 Pontiac Firebird Engine 7-94,3.4,FACT,250565 $400 9K1020 Grimes Auto Parts 1-800-643-5811 E-mail USA-TX

1995 Chevy Camaro Engine 3.4,FACT,169051,S,IN TAKE BROKEN $400 8I1005 Grimes Auto Parts 1-800-643-5811 E-mail USA-TX

1994 Chevy Camaro Engine A150-150 OP.30 3.4L- AOTFS [300 $384 00005715 Johnny Franks Auto Parts 1-800-553-3810 E-mail USA-TX

1995 Pontiac Firebird Engine $375 LL0787 Hi-Way Auto Parts Inc. 1-800-447-0611 E-mail USA-TX

1993 Chevy Camaro Engine (3.4L, VIN "S")- FFN -K $350.03 E148-5 Westex Auto Parts Inc. 1-800-622-1888 E-mail USA-TX

 

Nope. If you want to go overboard, keep the car, put a worked up 3.4L in it, run a turbo/SC to about 16psi for over 400hp and go like mad

If your hobby is working on cars, $$ is not an issue, otherwise take the shortest path to quick and cheap.

Any bonehead can put a 350 in a Camaro and blend in a like a lemming. Open your hood to anybody that knows Camaros and you'll get a "Ho-humm, another V8..."

 

thnx, i'll have to look into buying one of those next time i get paid. Does anybody here live in tx? if so could you tell me if the 3.4 will pass emissions if i dont tell the guy its a 3.4 and he assumes its a 3.1 and tests it on 3.1 emissions? It should pass right, its only .3L bigger so it shouldnt be that big of a deal, i dont know the emissions laws in tx so thats why i'm askin, and your right x55cam i like working on sports cars thats why i'm doing this otherwise i would just junk it and buy a new one. (and i was reffering to KED's link, sorry)

[This message has been edited by mAjInRS (edited June 26, 2001).]

 

Ked85 just passed California emissions and I hear they are really strict. If you follow his instructions on the other link you will wind up putting the top of your 3.1 on the 3.4 so by looking everyone will think you havve a 3.1

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86 Sport Coupe, 2.8 V6, dead stock, but not for long!
Coming soon: paint job, new interior, MSD-6A, MSD GM Blaster Coil, MSD 8mm Helicore wires, Catco Hi-Flo cat, Dynomax Cat-Back
Daily driver:
2000 Pontiac Grand Am SE2

"Drivers beware, rice boys are everywhere!"
www.geocities.com/camman86

[This message has been edited by Mikes86SC (edited June 26, 2001).]

 

well, cashola won't be that big of an issue cuz my kind folks are gonna lemme live at home for a few more years

i mean, thats even what i've been thinking.....why bother for an 8 when most camaros have them already

a performer 6 would be a cool idea

i honestly wanna do it my way and build it maxxed out

 

Yo Main...we have no emissions. Only a FEW counties do here. BTW Ked. I'm going to ask you 3 questions and I want 3 Simple Solid Answers.

1. How much OTHER THAN THE ENGINE would I spend doing this?

2. How long would it take 2 fairly knowledgable people to do it?

3. Is this swap really worth it? I mean, yes, I know "pulls like a freight train" but I mean, seriously will it even put this car in the 15's????

 

Hi everyone.
I was missed !

Let's see.
IF you follow exactly as I did, what I did, you will pass smog.
VISUALLY it is IDENTICAL.
The NUMBER ONE TIP IS THAT YOU ARE RECREATING EXACTLY WHAT YOU STARTED WITH (the "same" engine under the hood).
IF YOU STICK TO THAT SIMPLE PLAN, you will WIN!
I did.
Again, why did I do this?
In CA, it would have cost me $300 for SMOG RECERTIFICATION.
What does that mean,
I would have to go to a CA State place and let them say, it's ok & pay them $300 for that privlidge.
So, I bypassed that detail by saying NOTHING!
And you open the hood and YOU CANNOT TELL.
I even had another smog guy look at my work and he was impressed.
Then he thinks, "it's legal, it's illegal (the swap according to CA smog laws). Then he goes, "don't a say a thing".
I didn't.

NOW what else.
What else will ya spend.
Honest, that is up to you...
BUT..
How to help ya
800-831-0884 - Northern Auto Parts
Suggested
Timing chain
water pump

As I mentioned, rebuild ANYTHING you can now, swap it over later on. You win with that plan, big time! I suggested what you rebuild, also.

Obvious parts are-
A COMPLETE ENGINE GASKET SET FOR THE ENGINE YOU ALREADY HAVE, NOT the one you are getting!!
I have a 1985 car, I got a 1985 gasket kit.
NOT the 1995 3.4 gasket kit. I "recreated" a 1985 2.8, right?

Time, it took me about less than a month, dealing with a guy coming back from a heroin addiction.

Will it put ya in the 15's?
I WISH I could give that a 100% answer.
I do not know.
WHY?
Haven't been to the drag strip, yet.
Lack of a place to run it & lack of cash & lack of a TRANNY, now!!
I can say that, it peels out atleast 50 feet on leg. Never did that before!

A new Porsche & I had some fun (I REALLY held back as my tires are not new, I like living & the road was quite clear-for those that know, Sepulveda pass. going south).
My gas milage has increased.
It's a wonderful solution to rebuilding a "little engine"
And it costs less than a rebuild.
One wins all around.
The link.
I will hunt for it & post it up top for your assistance.

I'm trying to give ALL any pros & cons I ran into.
My plan was as stated, not extreme HP (turbos etc).
I have old 1974 Corvette & my (to be running again) 1967 Camaro with the 1970 LT-1 engine I'm building for that car.
I have other cars for real fast.
I needed a simple solution, cost effective & making the 1985 Firebird a long time lasting car. I accomplished that goal, big time! So, I am following this 3.4 game plan on my 1985 S-10 Blazer, too. I was gonna stick in a V-8 swap, but, why? Deal with smog, no thanks! I sneak it under & win big time.

Cost for tranny, shop around. ASK FOR RECOMMENDATIONS!!
Go visit the Tranny part on this forum, too!
BUT, you have to deal with vendors in your neighborhood, remember that one detail. ALL other answers may not be what the tranny shop says.

Ask again, anytime.


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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

[This message has been edited by KED85 (edited June 26, 2001).]

 

well KED,

i mean, i guess i have to be honest, i don't care about emissions cuz i got someone here to pass me,

as for doing the swap, I'm not planning on doing it as just a swap but a motor buildup

i mean i should have a good idea of what i'm doing cuz i'm going to mechanic school in 2 short monthes

no hard feelings or nuthin, I just dont like having a camaro that does 0-60 in 10 seconds

 

PLEASE......
hard Feelings.....
None!!
It is your game plan!
What you can do to keep your costs down is take your current heads, upgrade them as has been mentioned (springs & rockers for 6500 rpms).
Get yourself a 3.4 short block and have at it!
Make yourself a solid foundation.
Get it running and add what ever ya wnat.

My clues/tips/etc are for others that need reliability & emmissions compliance, like myself .

My combo worked out great (except taking out the tranny cuase of the more power).

Hopefully yours will to.
Remove everything behind the front bumper for the lighter weight transfer and strengthen the subframe and unibody.
Let us know what your et's at Englishtown are!

PS, there are not alot of piston combo's out there for superchargers or turbos.
BUT... Look at the Ford 4 cylinder turbo block (Mustang SVO) or the 3.8 turbo block for replacement pistons, off the shelf. Find out the bore of this 3.4 & get searching. Paxton & Vortec has merged, so you have one shop stopping for the supercharger idea. The turbo may be the better idea, lots of left over turbos in the yards.

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

well believe it or not i found a place that says i can get custom forged pistons made from Federal Mogul and they even said i can get them for a 60 degree 6. So, once i pay off my dear granny for the tranny rebuild, i'm gonna start buying the parts to build the engine

i cant wait to go Mustang GT hunting...........heheheheheheehhehehehe