Moron needs help!

[1995 Gold Ciera]

Okay, first off I'm new to this site so hello.

Now that the formalities are done, I am here to admit I am a 60 degree V6 moron.

*Hello, moron*

So here goes. I've been a Ford guy all my life. Not that I don't like GM's at all but I'm a Mustang guy and I just never got into anything below a 281 cu in. V8.

After trying to deduce what to start with I must admit I am still at a loss. I have a 1995 Cutlass Ciera with the 3100 V6 (L82?). I would like to give myself a bit more power. I know I have the OBD 1 system and I have conversed briefly with Ben (thank you, sir) about possible upgrades. I understand there aren't any chips for my OBD 1 (which sucks) and I really don't have the time to upgrade to OBD 2.

Right now, I have about $300-500 to spend on bolt-ons. I really can't afford to have the car down for more than a day, maybe the weekend at most, since it's my daily driver.

So to put my rambling into two succinct questions....

What can I do to begin mods?

and....

What can I realistically expect from them?

Btw, premium fuel is not a big deal, so any mods requiring them are fine.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Andy

[SappySE107]

I would consider the large port manifold set with the metal gasket set. Maintenance and performance at the same time, within your budget, and could be done in 1 day if you started early. Its not that time consuming but if you haven't worked on one before it wouldn't hurt to take your time.

You will need the EGR adapter and exhaust manifold to EGR tube from a 2000+ vehicle. 00+ manifolds flow better and are more consistent between cylinders.

Premium not required and you can get away without tuning, but it won't be optimal. You will have to use your stock injectors, which limits how much you should modify the engine.

[pocket-rocket]

Okay, first off I'm new to this site so hello.

Now that the formalities are done, I am here to admit I am a 60 degree V6 moron.

*Hello, moron*

That made me lol. Welcome to the site!

[1995 Gold Ciera]

That made me lol. Welcome to the site!

Thank you!

I would consider the large port manifold set with the metal gasket set. Maintenance and performance at the same time, within your budget, and could be done in 1 day if you started early. Its not that time consuming but if you haven't worked on one before it wouldn't hurt to take your time.

Great! Okay so that's step one, finding the info. This is something that I can find in your store, right?

Also, considering I have very little knowledge of doing this, would I be able to read up on this and do it myself with the help of my father or would you take this to a mechanic to do it?

As far as the EGR adapter and exhaust manifold, if you can point me in the right direction of where to purchase some, that would be great.

One last thing, I am guessing this will make a noticeable difference, like maybe 10 hp tops without compromising reliability?

I apologize for all of the questions and appreciate all of the help. Remember, after all I'm a when it comes to all of this.

[SappySE107]

http://wot-tech.com/shop/3400/2000-heads-and-manifolds/ported-manifold-set/prod_107.html

http://wot-tech.com/shop/3400/90-95-egr-to-2000-manifold-adapter/prod_75.html

With the core charge on the manifold set, its another $160. I recommend finding them to send me as its cheaper since you have small port manifolds. Honestly though, even using stock manifolds would be a great upgrade compared to what you have stock. Just depends on budget. 10hp is quite possible from this mod. Reliability with the new gaskets will be better than stock.

I don't have the part number for the EGR to manifold tube. As far as labor goes, there are enough people here who have done it and posted about it that I am sure you could do some reading and go at it.

[IsaacHayes]

Make sure you have roller fulcrum rockers, or can swap to them, or you'll have to grind the LIM to clear the ball/pivot style.

[1995 Gold Ciera]

Make sure you have roller fulcrum rockers, or can swap to them, or you'll have to grind the LIM to clear the ball/pivot style.

I'm sorry, you lost me there. Can you explain for the 'tard?

[SappySE107]

oh yeah, the 94-95 rocker arms hit the large port style manifolds. Either the manifold needs to be ground to clear it, or newer heads with the roller rockers can be used. That won't make your budget or time frame (can be done but I would say 2 days would be better).

I have a set of rocker arms like you have there and need to take pics for an article on here.

[1995 Gold Ciera]

If I do this, I'm thinking it may be easier just to take the core charge and know that I'm getting a good part from you, Ben. Yeah, it's an extra $160 but hey, I know where it's coming from.

That is unless anyone wants to sell me an upper and lower 3400 manifold.

So let's see, I'm definitely going to need the phenolic spacers. So add those in. Is jumping to a larger TB worth it (62mm or 65mm) worth it at this time or is that something that should wait?

Now I just have to find an EGR to exhaust manifold tube.

[SappySE107]

Without tuning, I would be hesitant to add the TB. 56mm 3400 TB wouldn't hurt but I think 62 or 65 may be enough to screw with your stock ECM. Perhaps someone that has installed one on a stock tune can share.

[1995 Gold Ciera]

oh yeah, the 94-95 rocker arms hit the large port style manifolds. Either the manifold needs to be ground to clear it, or newer heads with the roller rockers can be used. That won't make your budget or time frame (can be done but I would say 2 days would be better).

I have a set of rocker arms like you have there and need to take pics for an article on here.

Damn... that throws a monkey wrench into things. If this weren't my daily driver it wouldn't be such a big deal, but it is.

Okay, back to the drawing board. Any other ideas?

I guess I could try to do a non-ported 3400 swap right? Or is that just not even worth the effort.

[IsaacHayes]

Give me a few weeks maybe a month and I'll let you know how a 65mm TB on stock tune works with 3400 lower intake manifold, and 3500 upper intake manifold.

EDIT: Brad had a 3400 w/62mm TB in his 94 Beretta, so I guess it didn't mess with it enough to not be driveable...

[1995 Gold Ciera]

Give me a few weeks maybe a month and I'll let you know how a 65mm TB on stock tune works with 3400 lower intake manifold, and 3500 upper intake manifold.

EDIT: Brad had a 3400 w/62mm TB in his 94 Beretta, so I guess it didn't mess with it enough to not be driveable...

Sounds good. Are your upper and lower ported or stock?

This may be the way for me to go. Maybe do exactly what you did with the 3400/3500 or maybe a 3400/3400 and when I'm ready to do the heads down the road, then have the intakes ported.

Just out of curiosity, I wonder how much power the car would make with ported 3400 upper and lower intakes, ported heads, and a more aggressive cam? Could be interesting.

[1995 Gold Ciera]

Ben, is there anyway possible that you can get your hands on non-ported 3400 manifolds and anything else I would need. I'd be willing to pay a finders fee.

Thanks to everyone for all of the help

Right now, the limits of this car are startin' to piss me off

[IsaacHayes]

My lower's upper ports are gasket matched (didn't have to do much to match it) to the upper intake gasket. The lower ports are left stock since I didn't remove the heads. The 3500 plenum is gasket matched to the 3400 upper gasket, and bell-mouthed on the inside to aid in flow. I have a great top end, and some lower gained, but I need to do exhaust next to reach the full potential. And a tune would help too. lol

Here is a video of my car accelerating.

EDIT, thats with the stock 52mm TB, modified air box with K&N, stock exhaust minus the resonator and muffler is replaced with a dynomax ultraflo. But the exhaust manifolds and downpipe are two major restrictions (as well as the old probably clogged cat lol)