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3.1 V6 "high output"

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Old Aug 13, 2012 | 11:46 PM
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3.1 V6 "high output"

.....does anything like this exist? My uncle says that the '90 firebird i'm lookibg at getting from his son is an HO and he says if you tromp down on it it will sit and spin out. My cousin, his son, says it was a 350 then somone blew that and put this 3.1 in. It would be great to have an answer, thank you. I plan to modify it heavily to learn how and if i start with more horses it wiuld be great thanks
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Old Aug 13, 2012 | 11:50 PM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

No such thing.

There was, however, back in the early '80s a 2.8L "H.O.", but not a "3.1L H.O."
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Old Aug 13, 2012 | 11:54 PM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Didn't think so. So i don't know what the heck they're talking about then. It is a 3.1 and its MTPF. In '90 i believe they increased the stroke slightly though. Maybe thats what he's talking about?
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 12:30 AM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

MPFI...

Yes, 1990 was the first year for the 3.1, which has a longer stroke than the 2.8L
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 12:48 AM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Yeah, sorry, i'm on perkaset for my wisdom teeth i just got took out i can't type. Which do you prefer? Should i carb the 3.1 maybe? What benefits would it reap if any?
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 12:51 AM
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Car: Base 91 'bird
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Don't think HO as "high output" was used on 3rd gens but it was in the past. It was an option back in the 70's at least. Maybe before and some time after.
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 12:54 AM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Right but i doubt they used an engine that old haha. I think hes calling it high output because he actually built part of it. He thinks it might have domed pistons in it or something. If it won't affect my insurance cost i want to turbo it. I would only be around $3,500 into it then after head porting, reground delta 260 grind cam, and some lifters from them, headers, exhaust system, and a col air intake. What else could i do to it? I have $7,600 i have earned and i am 15 years old. This will be the first car that is "mine" specifically. I won't be driving it until i'm used to dads 3.0 6 Camry on the highway and road first
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 08:04 AM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Don't get hung up on terms like "High Output", It's what's inside that counts.



If it's a good running car then get it and enjoy it for a while, then decide on what to do. Don't blow your money all at once.
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 08:11 AM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

3.1 HO
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 09:00 AM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

I know haha


$7,600 into this car.....theres no way lol. If i'm upgrading only whats inside, and leave the outside (semi) stock, as in right now he had big ugly blue tribal decals and tinted windows (ala drug dealer), would it be more confusing at the track?
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 09:30 AM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Originally Posted by jamesbond2285
Should i carb the 3.1 maybe?
No, don't do that...
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 09:33 AM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

I wasn't sure, i started a thread asking that ause nobody answered that originally. My uncle and somone else was talking about how they use carbs on dirt track engines and stuff, so i wasn't sure. I know carbureaters though, where fuel injection confuses me
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 09:41 AM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

I am the same way. I will ask a ton of questions in my own thread because I don't want to use the search option. (For all you guys that say "use the search" and for those of you who run this sight, that search option isn't worth ****.) But honestly you will learn more on what to do if you search it on here and read the information/useful section at the top of the sub forum pages.
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 09:45 AM
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Engine: Turbo 305 w/MS2
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Originally Posted by jamesbond2285
I wasn't sure, i started a thread asking that ause nobody answered that originally. My uncle and somone else was talking about how they use carbs on dirt track engines and stuff, so i wasn't sure. I know carbureaters though, where fuel injection confuses me...
It isn't difficult at all, just get your hands on an autoprom from Craig Moates, start with the stock bin from the stock chip, and gradually make changes as you make your modifications. I know it sounds difficult but it really isn't, and you have quite a few members on here like Six Shooter and such to help guide you through it. Just like a carb, we're tuning our fuel and spark to the amount of air that we're getting into the engine... just more efficiently.

You would buy yourself an autoprom...



Then use TunerPro RT as your software...

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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 10:06 AM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

I dont wanna mess with computer tuning. I'm gonna have my hands full enough with putting parts in and changing stuff
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 10:08 AM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Originally Posted by jamesbond2285
I dont wanna mess with computer tuning. I'm gonna have my hands full enough with putting parts in and changing stuff...
Gotcha, but whenever your ready to though, we'll all be here to help...
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 10:48 AM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Thanks man
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 04:16 PM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Originally Posted by jamesbond2285
I dont wanna mess with computer tuning. I'm gonna have my hands full enough with putting parts in and changing stuff
I understand completly, just know thats it is not as over whelming as you may think. Be thankfull you have a "speed density" system (MAP). I personally think its pertty easy to learn once you read a bit and start to actually work with the tuning equiptment.

When the time comes there are many people on here that will help you and guide you through tuning the car just like streetlethel said. Because to be honest, tuning is where its at when you start adding mods.
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 05:59 PM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

if i could go back....id start with tuning first
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 06:02 PM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Originally Posted by 34blazer
if i could go back....id start with tuning first
Back as in before you put anything in it at all?
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 06:09 PM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Originally Posted by jamesbond2285
Back as in before you put anything in it at all?
sure, i wouldnt have wasted as much money and time on unnecessary parts for the same gain as simple tuning.
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 09:27 PM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Well i'm wanting to get maximum efficiency and power out of this engine beause i believe the one i have is nearly new so turbo should not be a problem. All together the car will cost me around $3,000 with a turbo, cold air intake, porting the heads, new injectors, headers, catback exhaust system, and a little more for tuning the computer. Wiuld this be a waste of money do you think? I want to learn as much as i can about engines out of this and i have more than enough to buy everything and as i believe i said i'm 15 so i have plenty of time because i wont be driving for perhaps another year or two
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 10:15 PM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Originally Posted by jamesbond2285
Well i'm wanting to get maximum efficiency and power out of this engine beause i believe the one i have is nearly new so turbo should not be a problem. All together the car will cost me around $3,000 with a turbo, cold air intake, porting the heads, new injectors, headers, catback exhaust system, and a little more for tuning the computer. Wiuld this be a waste of money do you think? I want to learn as much as i can about engines out of this and i have more than enough to buy everything and as i believe i said i'm 15 so i have plenty of time because i wont be driving for perhaps another year or two
I suggest you save some of your money to beef up your suspension: good quality struts and shocks, a wonder bar, and bigger front and rear sway bars and end links. A good handling car will be much more fun to drive, especially if you increase the engine output.

Also, here is a link on increasing the power of a V6. I've done a tune up, removed the air filter snorkel and installed a high flow catalytic converter. Drilling off the snorkel and giving the engine more air made a big difference in power.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/v6/5...ost-power.html
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 10:24 PM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Originally Posted by Stewie
I suggest you save some of your money to beef up your suspension: good quality struts and shocks, a wonder bar, and bigger front and rear sway bars and end links. A good handling car will be much more fun to drive, especially if you increase the engine output.

Also, here is a link on increasing the power of a V6. I've done a tune up, removed the air filter snorkel and installed a high flow catalytic converter. Drilling off the snorkel and giving the engine more air made a big difference in power.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/v6/5...ost-power.html
I have $7,600. I will max the engine power output and go from there. Actually plan on making this a drag car/my daily driver (hence the reason for efficiency). Engines are what i know, and its going to be quite a learning experiance as it is just working on the engine on this. I plan on getting rid of the air filter box and putting in a cone K&N filter as a cold air intake. I know nothing about catalytic converters. And i mean NOTHING. Struts don't seem like they would be hard to put on, But i need to find some more info about the rest. I want this to be a project car that leads into me learning more later on. I want to be a mechanic eventually. I already work on small engines and such and i LOVE doing that, so i think cars will be even more fulfilling for me
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 10:28 PM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

The autoprom is neat but you can save some cash by just buying the Ostrich emulator and a G1 adapter along with either the moates ALDL cable.

I've had my Ostrich since 2007, never had a problem. I had a slight idle issue today, just pulled over, plugged in the laptop fixed it in about 30 seconds and then went on my way.


Tuning is something that is best to start on a stock engine, you can play around with different things and get a feel for how they work. Then when you start making larger changes like headers, cams and better heads you have an idea of what to do.


With some basic changes to the stock file you can gain some power, don't expect a miracle but 5, maybe 10 at the very most HP.
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 10:43 PM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Honestly, if you're only 15, what you should do, is not worry about increasing power, or performance yet, but learn how to maintain the car, once you do start driving it. Then after a while of driving it, start modifying it in a way that will benefit the way you drive.

I know I sound like a parent in saying this, but that's not where I'm coming from (and I'm not a parent), you'll be surprised just what it takes to keep a vehicle on the road, in both money and time.
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Old Aug 14, 2012 | 11:14 PM
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Re: 3.1 V6 "high output"

Originally Posted by Six_Shooter
Honestly, if you're only 15, what you should do, is not worry about increasing power, or performance yet, but learn how to maintain the car, once you do start driving it. Then after a while of driving it, start modifying it in a way that will benefit the way you drive.

I know I sound like a parent in saying this, but that's not where I'm coming from (and I'm not a parent), you'll be surprised just what it takes to keep a vehicle on the road, in both money and time.
I maintain my parents toyotas....Except when the dreaded carbon canister breaks and the entire car smells like gas. Then i let the machanic fix it. But honestly, the only people i have ever seen that don know how to maintain a car properly are 16 year old girls lol they're always like "where does te oil go again" at least my cousins and relatives are like that. And my mom doesn't een know how to put oil in and doesn't care to learn. I have changed oil on them and the air filters for 3 years, tgats not a big deal. This car needs all new fluids because its been sitting for 5, i understand that

Last edited by jamesbond2285; Aug 14, 2012 at 11:24 PM.
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