aluminum headed camaro motor for s10.

dusterbd13 · 11-29-2008, 09:20 PM

ok, im looking at motor options for the GRM challenge truck. ive heard tales of hybrid 60 degree v6 camaros running pretty good. im considering building a camaro motor hybrid from junkyard parts, and dropping it into my 87 S10. my questions are:
1. what heads? ive heard everything from 3500 series heads, to 3100 heads. its gotta run pump gas and use my S10 headers (with minimal mods to the headers)
2. what intake manifold? and will it clear the s10 accessory drives?
3. what cam?
4. what kind of power?
5. what computer and wiring harness?

im thinking that somewhere around 200 RWHP in my 5 speed, 3.42 geared, 2900LB truck should be good for autocrossing and daily driving. figure in the 20% loss for drivetrain, and that comes out to right around 250 at the crank, on pump gas. porting and polishing are easy for me, but im trying to use a low milage 3.4 camaro block form a 94 that i got at pull-a-part for cheap. ive only got about $500 left in the budget for the motor, so thats why it all has to be junkyard sourced. heads are only 40 for the pair, and the intake another 30. pushrods .50 ea. so that leaves me some coin for the gaskets, timing chain, cam, etc.

thanks for any help you can throw my way.
Michael

ForcedFirebird · 11-29-2008, 09:31 PM

Gonna be tough to do with $500, but

3.4 with stock RWD pistons, 3500 heads and a 272 cam should make you more than happy with the power output (11.5:1 or so compression, and can run on pump gas with a good tune) You can mod the stock accy brackets by re-drilling the holes larger, but if your alternator is in the same position as the 2.8/3.1 fbodies thre will be some clearance issues with the throttle linkage on the TB.

More than likely, you will have trouble finding a 3500 in the wrecker, so going with 3400 heads, pistons, 3.4 block, and a decent cam will get you near what you want.

Look for a '7730 ECM to control the MPFI, don't forget the injectors, fuel rail, valve covers, rockers, throttle body, throttle cable and upper manifold to add to your shopping list.

Your headers will work fine, just need to ream out the mounting bolt holes wider to fit the pattern on the FWD heads (the port location didn't change).

With that $500 budget are you including the gaskets, sealants, new bolts and bearings etc? My hybrid cost me closer to $1200 with all associated parts needed to do the swap, and that was a stock rebuild on the bottom end. All your gaskets kit will eat about 1/4 of that budget.

dusterbd13 · 11-29-2008, 10:47 PM

the wrecking yard i frequent considers valve covers part of the head, fuel rails and injectors and TB part of the manifold, and doesnt charge for bolts.

the bearings and rings look good in the short block, but i'll haveto plasti-gauge them before i start the build. just to be sure.

3500 heads started in 99, right?

also, will porting on the 3400 heads make them comprable to the 3500?

what will that computer be in?
and lastly, 11.5 on pump? ive always been told not to push it past 10.5, but thats with old v-8s, carbs, and aluminum aftermarket heads. never messed with a v-6 or 4 banger much other than repair or replace.

thanks for the help so far.
Michael

ForcedFirebird · 11-30-2008, 12:14 AM

A local friend has a 10.5:1 iron head TPI 327 running on 87 pump gas with a tune.

3500 started in '04.

If the bottom end looks to be in good shape, stock sized bearings are cheap

.

dusterbd13 · 11-30-2008, 07:40 PM

so, whats the computer out of?

also, since 3500 started in 04, i garuntee that i wont be able to dig one up at my favorate wrecker. any year 3400 heads better than any other? what compression ratio will i be at with the stock 3.4 pistons?

still go with the 272 cam?

lastly, i believe that the 3.4 is a standard flat tappet design. the 3x00 motors are supposedly roller cam. any difficulty in stepping up to a roller cam?

Michael

**bszopi** · 11-30-2008, 09:46 PM

Yes, there are difficulties, mainly with the lack of anti-rotation bars for the lifters. The 3x00 blocks have bosses in the oil galley for the anti-rotation blocks to mount to, whereas the 3.4L block does not have these provisions. So you would have to look for a way to keep the lifters from spinning in their holes.

Superdave · 11-30-2008, 11:28 PM

Something like the brackets used in the old 3800's would work.. but iirc the gen 1 and 2 blocks oiling system isn't good enough for the roller setup..

People have ran solid roller cams in them though, Crower and Crane make them.. not sure about lifters though.

http://members.shaw.ca/betterthanyou...haft_guide.htm excelent cam guide for the flat tappet engines.