2000 Monte Carlo 3.4 convert to carb

[pfournier]

Hi, I have a 2000 Monte Carlo 3.4l v6 I came across that I want to put in my kit car to replace the 2.8 I currently have. The 3.4 mates up fine with the tranny and hits the mounts good enough to just need a little adjustment. My two issues are: 1) The oil pan rubs the frame; 2) It is computer controlled and I know nothing about setting that up.

Anyone know of a good source for aftermarket oil pans where I might find one that can reduce the clearance by about an inch or two?

Also, anyone know if I can convert this engine to get rid of the computer controlled injection and go to a carb? It looks like it may, the block appears to have a hole for the distributor, but I am not sure.

Thanks,

[pocket-rocket]

What chassis are you using? Betterthanyou would probably be the best one to chime in on this thread.

[bszopi]

No aftermarket oil pans for a 3400, and it's cast aluminum, so cutting and welding it up may be a bitch as well. And no, the older steel pans will not bolt up due to different bolt patterns.

As far as carb, it'll have to be custom, as there is no carb intake that is compatible with the aluminum heads. You could swap to the iron heads, but your compression would go down tremendously and the iron heads flow like crap. You'd basically be at or lower than the power you are at now with the 2.8, unless you tore into the engine and replaced pistons and stuff. But then you are still stuck with heads that flow like crap.

Oh yeah, and welcome to the site!

[Erich]

That kit is mostly for the Jeeps and S10 and F bodies with the old 2.8. The heads won't work with the manifolds. your heads won't work on the block. You also need to put a distributor in there. Isn't there a problem with the starter bolt up though?
Your best bet is to swap the car over to a basic multiport distributorLESS EFI setup using a junkyard harness from a list of older cars and getting a PROM burned for it. Yes its more work but you have most of what you need already on that engine.

You also need to make some allowances with the exhaust manifolds. Those older 2.8's have much smaller exhaust manifolds...regardless of the platform. And there were some changes in bolting up.

[pfournier]

Maybe I am stuck with the 2.8

Rocket, my kit is a Manta Montage, it is the custom tubular steel frame, not the VW version. Mine is setup for the v6. I have some pictures at http://www.peterfournier.com/Persona...a/Welcome.html

From the sounds of it I may be out of luck with the 3400, if I am not able to lessen the height of the pan it is not going to fit. Plus, if I might not be able to find an appropriate intake manifold, what's the point.

Any suggestions for getting the most out of the 2.8 if I end up going that route?

Thanks for the replies, appreciate the input.

[Erich]

you can use a 3.4 out of a Camaro/Firebird

[Firehawk94]

you can use a 3.4 out of a Camaro/Firebird

And put a 3500 top end on it

[IsaacHayes]

If he puts a 3500 top end on a RWD 3.4L, then he will have to go with EFI and not with a carb...

The real power lies with the EFI and aluminum heads...........

[60dgrzbelow0]

Rocket, my kit is a Manta Montage, it is the custom tubular steel frame, not the VW version. Mine is setup for the v6. I have some pictures at http://www.peterfournier.com/Persona...a/Welcome.html

From the sounds of it I may be out of luck with the 3400, if I am not able to lessen the height of the pan it is not going to fit. Plus, if I might not be able to find an appropriate intake manifold, what's the point.

Any suggestions for getting the most out of the 2.8 if I end up going that route?

Thanks for the replies, appreciate the input.

More photos of the present engine setup and engine bay shots of the Manta Montage (top to bottom)...? YES, PLEASE!

[IsaacHayes]

Really he should look into an OBDI swap. He could run the underhood PCM and then he would just mount it in the engine compartment and not have to run the wires inside the car. Then just drop a 3400 5spd chip that several people (such as WOTTECH) offer in there and be ready to rock and roll.

And no more fighting the damn carb!!! (read the pages)

185hp (actually more with headers) would be great in a 2100lb car!! You'd be running deep in the 13's instead of in the 16's!!! You really should look into getting the 3400 mounted in there and running on an OBDI PCM. It would be reliable, fast and responsive. Could you modify the frame to clear the oil pan more? I don't see why not.

[robertisaar]

there would probably be less than a dozen wires going in the cabin in that method... ECU related anyway.

[IsaacHayes]

Yup and most of those are probably already ran.... Just need to run some stuff like check engine light, etc. I'm guessing it's a cable driven speedo?

[pfournier]

Here are some pics off my site that show the engine bay with the engine removed. The shot facing the tranny shows the frame member that the 3400 oil pan rubbed on when I test fitted it. http://www.peterfournier.com/Personal/Manta/20050117 I'll see if I can spot some other photos that show that area better. Also, the front of the engine tucks right up to the passenger side frame, maybe three inches clearance pulley to frame.