I bought an 89 RS with a 95 camaro 3.4L engine. From what i have read it's a basic swap with alot of the 2.8 peices just bolting right up, it still has the 89 tranny on it though. It runs fine, and is inspected. But i am only getting about 9.5 MPG city, and about 12 MPG highway.

The car has virtually NO "get up and go" taking about 8 seconds to get to 45-50 mph at about 4 - 4500 RPMs, but from 50 on it's REAL smooth and just crusies. Someone told me that is just how the 89s are geared. I have driven both 89s AND 95s (both stock) and they BOTH have ALOT MORE get up and go AND get better MPG.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what i can do to give my car more MPG. AND/OR can anyone give me some anwsers Why it LITTERALLY takes FOREVER to get it up to 45-50mph (i am thinking that is where my mpg are suffering the greatest) Cuz she REALLY works to get up to speed... even if that speed is 30-40mph.

Thanks for taking the time to read and makeing your

 

Maybe your timing is off? or a really bad fuel filter.

 

Recent tune up?? Start with the basics plugs, wires, cap, rotor, air filter, fuel filter.

 

Probably the wrong initial timing. After I got my 3.4 running a few weeks ago, I finally had to lift the dizzy out and move it one tooth. But the difference was immediate and dramatic!

 

Yeah, a new fuel filter would prob help...I was thinking the timing as well. Finding the "sweet spot" as i call it can be QUITE time consuming though...but that's good news for me i guess...MORE TINKERING...always fun (YAY).

I'll just have to take the time and widdle a unique animal out of this chunk of wood i bought...HA HA HA...Thanks for the advise you guys. I'll definalty keep you all posted. THANKS AGAIN...hope the best for all

 

Ok...Now How would i go about moving the dizzy that one tooth...I bought the Haynes manual so i have the idea on how to take it off and what not. But i am not sure now to go about moving it. AND if the move is clockwise OR counter-clockwise. AND IF the pistons have to be in a certain position...Anyone help me out with this one. ANYTHING will be helpful...thanks a bunch

 

WOW...i just read ALOT of sh*t on this...I am more confused now than i was at the begining...So when you pull the dizzy...do the pistions stay in their spot or do they kind of "reset" theirselves.? Does it matter how the pistons are positioned when you turn the engine off as to how many teeth you turn the dizzy.? I am told I have to turn the dizzy one tooth...i agree that it DOES matter...one tooth CAN make a difference. I need some help on this one...

Don't really wanna take it to a garage, ALL the garages in this small town overcharge AND take their SWEET *** time. i had a dead short in my fuel pump wire somewhere, and my car sat at the garage for a week and ahalf before i just towed it home and took the time to find it myself.

so can you all give me a little more insight to this problem...cuz i don't want to attempt this procedure if it can totally mess things up. THANKS

 

Do you have a timing light? If not, stop now and go buy one.

If you do, post up and we'll go from there.

 

Ok...I have the timing light...what's next...

 

Use the timing light to set the timing.

The "one-tooth-off" stuff is complete .

 

Like five7kid said, check the timing. Basically it involves hooking the timing light up to the spark plug wire on cyl 1 (which is on the passenger side of the car on the V6), disconnecting the tan wire over by the heater box, and see what your base timing is set at before you touch anything else.

Here is a video I found on setting the timing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYGU7mTwsZc

 

Sorry for the bothering, I thank you all for the insight, and the video. Not a whole lot of knowledge on engine swapping in my head.

My step-father came over to give me a hand in this process...he is a FIRM believer that "One Tooth" is "an old wives tale"...he is actually a mech. I believe it's perfectaly and logicaly possiable...any matter he wanted me to ask what the timing is suppose to be...he also said that i NEED to buy a new dist cap and rotor. So before undertaking the timing i am gonna just get new plugs, wires, cap and rotor...the ones on there are a little beat.

SO...the last thing i need (FOR NOW) is what is the timing suppose to be for this 3.4L.
I'll keep you all posted...thanks again

 

Timing should be set to what it is stock, which should be 10 degrees BTDC as I recall. It's listed on the hood with the belt routing and emissions stuff. Since the 3.4 has basically the same heads as the 2.8/3.1 you should be safe with that.