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3.4l crate engine FI and cams

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  • 3.4l crate engine FI and cams

    The back story:
    , I bought a basket case 93 camaro a few weeks ago. The kid selling it told me that he had put a crate engine in 4 years earlier, went off to college, then came back and drove it 3k miles. The car wouldn't start and he said it wasn't getting spark. He also thought it was a 3.1 and not a 3.4l.
    I did confirm that it was a 3.4. The block looked pretty clean and even if it wasn't a crate, the car only had 110k on the odometer. I figured for $750 it was a safe bet.


    current:
    I finally got to tear into her over the weekend. Turns out the problem was the flexplate which was completely broken. It wasn't turning the crank when trying to start. Replaced the flexplate with a junkyard donor and she started right up!!! I also got close and personal with the block and everything looks almost brand new which leads me to believe it really is a crate 3.4l.

    Now the worrying part:
    While pulling the trans, I noticed that all of the trans bolts were loose. The main didn't look scratched up which is a relief. The engine sounded strong, actually a lot stronger than I thought it should.
    However, there's other little things that are half assed. This is leading me to believe that the kid did the original swap and not a mechanic. Once I pull the engine, I plan to go over everything to be safe.

    And the question:
    I kind of doubt the kid would have taken the time to replace the cam to one that works with FI. Would a crate engine even run correctly if the crate cam is in it? If so, would it just run poorly, and or could it cause engine damage? I found the emissions test from last July in the glove box and it did pass with all the #'s in the middle of the range.

  • #2
    It should run and not cause any engine damage. It might not run as good as it could, but it should be alright and not hurt a thing.

    Welcome to the site
    -60v6's 2nd Jon M.
    91 Black Lumina Z34-5 speed
    92 Black Lumina Z34 5 speed (getting there, slowly... follow the progress here)
    94 Red Ford Ranger 2WD-5 speed
    Originally posted by Jay Leno
    Tires are cheap clutches...

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    • #3
      cool, good to know. The whole reason I bought the car was for the engine to transplant into my mgb. I'd be really pissed if the engine is trashed
      Once I get the engine out, I'll take a closer look at the cam and replace it if it's not the one needed for FI.

      Comment


      • #4
        I guess the question is - what crate motor did he put in? When most people talk about crate 3.4L's, they are talking about the actual GM crate 3.4, which was meant as a replacement for the 2.8Ls in the trucks. But, I bet it would have still be possible several years ago to get a NOS 3.4FI engine, in which case it would have the "correct" cam in it. But as pocket-rocket mentioned, it'll run, just not as well as it could.
        -Brad-
        89 Mustang : Future 60V6 Power
        sigpic
        Follow the build -> http://www.3x00swap.com/index.php?page=mustang-blog

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        • #5
          you can still get rebuilt 3.4's from parts stores, that may be what he was talking about.


          if it idles fairly smooth and doesn't throw a code for the cam sensor then it's very likely to have the stock cam in it.
          Past Builds;
          1991 Z24, 3500/5 Spd. 275WHP/259WTQ 13.07@108 MPH
          1989 Camaro RS, ITB-3500/700R4. 263WHP/263WTQ 13.52@99.2 MPH
          Current Project;
          1972 Nova 12.73@105.7 MPH

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          • #6
            I have almost 400 Engine Tear Down images of the GM 3.4L L-32 Motor fitted as stock in the 1993-1995 GM 4th gen F-Body vehicles. that might give you a mode of comparison to verify which block you actually have... I think somewhere around Page 8, I have some images of the sides of the engine block that might show you what casting markings to look for:

            Store your photos and videos online with secure storage from Photobucket. Available on iOS, Android and desktop. Securely backup your memories and sign up today!


            And If you later decide to go into the motor and require this information, the parts, pieces and part numbers can be seen here for the Engine Rebuild that followed on this project:

            Store your photos and videos online with secure storage from Photobucket. Available on iOS, Android and desktop. Securely backup your memories and sign up today!


            Oh... and as for your F-Body carcass... there are some people who make their entire livings on eBay...just parting out the 4th Gen F-Body parts down to the entire vehicle... so very little of that car would ever go to waste if you have the time and patience to break it down. Nothing goes to waste on the plains of the Camaro-Firebird "Serengetti"... :>}
            Last edited by 60dgrzbelow0; 11-15-2011, 09:27 PM.

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            • #7
              Yeah, I posted the same post over at mgbexperience and a couple of guys posted pics of the cam. The FI cam has a lobe for the cam sensor. I would think it would throw codes which alone would make it fail smog.

              @60degreesbelow0

              Thanks for the pics!! You're the guy who did a complete teardown and rebuild of the l32, aren't you?

              As for the carcass, I was thinking of selling the trans seperately and the shell for $500 on craigslist just to be done with it. I need to source a t5 for my project any ways so the quick cash would help. Ebay is an idea tho, I've sold a lot of oher things there, and bought car parts

              Lastly, very nice place here!! Thanks for the warm welcome !!

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              • #8
                Gary...

                Yes... That was me... Welcome to the Forum, Brother! About what Superdave was discussing on the lobed camshaft issue ... I cannot tell from your postings whether you NEED one with the 24X lobe cast in there, just behind the front journal or NOT. But... if you intend on using the FI capability of this motor and it turns out that you DO need that particular camshaft, look over the photos and part numbers and images of my entry above and you will see the images of the proper Melling camshaft (with lobe) and see the part numbers there too. Check with Sappy or Forced Firebird for their versions of some very nice performance camshafts that WILL work with the stock ECM /PCM for the 4th Gen F-Body care line Series. That lobe actually only affects micro-control of the engine below 2,000 RPM with the PCM playing games with it versus the 7X slots in the center journal of the Crankshaft to optimize low end performance in engine without Distributors/Carburettors, etc.

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                • #9
                  the cam sensor is a 1x.


                  you could always pull the sensor out, shine a flashlight down in the hole and turn the engine over with a breaker bar. You can't miss the lobe.
                  Past Builds;
                  1991 Z24, 3500/5 Spd. 275WHP/259WTQ 13.07@108 MPH
                  1989 Camaro RS, ITB-3500/700R4. 263WHP/263WTQ 13.52@99.2 MPH
                  Current Project;
                  1972 Nova 12.73@105.7 MPH

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Ouch... Dave...absolutely right (Caught from ambush... ) I've got that damned crankshaft 24X sensor w/ S/S Reluctor/Harmonic Balancer image out of place in my coconut. Isn't the LIM in the way, obstructing the immediate removal of that 1X beveled sensor?

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                    • #11
                      lol

                      Not sure on his, i bet the UIM is but it should clear the LIM.
                      Past Builds;
                      1991 Z24, 3500/5 Spd. 275WHP/259WTQ 13.07@108 MPH
                      1989 Camaro RS, ITB-3500/700R4. 263WHP/263WTQ 13.52@99.2 MPH
                      Current Project;
                      1972 Nova 12.73@105.7 MPH

                      Comment

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