Hey all,

Been awhile since I've posted here! My sister's Firebird is still alive and kicking, kinda. She purchased a more reliable car, while she saves up money to restore it.

While my dad was looking over the car, he mentioned that we'll start restoring it completely by the end of the summer. New everything, including a new motor. My sister really wants me to research parts for it, but I can't find anything solid on the engine.

Now for my questions:

I've been trying to find a motor for this car, but can't find anything concrete. The car has the 3.1, but is it the 189 or 191. I've read on here and other places that it's the 191, but when I start looking for new motors on SummitRacing, the search results look for a 189 motor. So, which is it?

Is there a website/place that you guys would recommend that I can pick up a 3.1? I can't find a website that is dedicated to Third Gens, but I could have totally missed it.

Any information would be helpful!

 

Any rwd 60 degree v6 will bolt into the car. The c.i.d. Doesn't really matter as long as the motor is for a rwd application. If your looking into a crate motor look into a 3.4 for 93-95 camaros or firebirds. It's a direct bolt in and a decent power increase over a 3.1

Edit: i know summit or jegs sells crate 3.4s advertised for s10s but it will work in an f body.

 

Why not rebuild the original motor?

 

Thanks for the information. Good to know that they are a direct replacement. I'm sure she wouldn't mind a bump up in power. I'll look into them.

Rebuilding the motor is not out of the question. Right now, I'm going on a worst case scenario. I'm sure when we pull the motor, we'll determine which is the better option.

 

If you determine that the engine in the car needs a rebuild, my thoughts would be that you either rebuild that 3.1L or go get a 3.4L from a early forthgen fbody and rebuild that. It would cost alot less then a crate engine.


Also, for the cost and time to go get a 3.4L engine you could put that time and money into the 3.1L and be close to the same HP anyways. Its not too hard to squeeze 20 hp from the 3.1L with the right combonation of parts.

But if your looking at crate engines then a 3.4L will be a RWD applicaiton. Make sure not to look at one that is for a FWD app. It will fit right in there with minor changes. Most of which would be using parts off your 3.1L.

Keep in mind that swaping out a 3.1 for a 3.4L or modding up the 3.1L, will require you to do some ecm tuning. That can either be done by yourself if you buy the tools to do so, or there is a few places and people on here that can get you a decent tune.

 

Our engines are classed as a 191 IIRC. Hense that is my sportsman permanent number at the racetrack...lol But in any case as long as its a RWD 3.1L you will be on the right page. You can always check on summit by looking in the applications area and it will tell you what car/trucks the part fits.

 

Thanks fasteddi!

I've been looking for the past couple of days, and can't find a crate engine for this specific year. If I were to buy a crate engine, i'd want it to be with the LH0 RPO code.

Rebuilding the motor is looking like it's the better option. Not to mention, it would still be the original block. I think the only reason why I would consider getting an engine out of a newer car would be that she could have R134a instead of the R12. I'm honestly not worried about upgrading the 3.1 (or any motor that we drop in) yet. I'd rather have everything running like brand new before I worry about modifications.

There's still a ways to go before we start on this project. We won't get around to it until the next few months. I'm mainly doing the research now that way i'm prepared.

 

You can put the 134a in a older R12 system (Id rather have the R12 myself tho)

 

Rebuilding the current motor would be the easiest and most affordable route to go. No sourcing for parts, modifying anything, or tuning needed. Just pull it out, rebuild, and put it back just as you pulled it out.

As TTOP350 said, you can convert her car to 134a easily with the current motor if you wanted.

 

Had no idea you could do that. I looked at a few videos. These guys were draining all the R12 out, getting all the oil out of the system, putting new oil in it and then refilling with R134a after changing a few couplings. Is it easy as that? I figured you had to change the entire system.

Why would you rather have R12?