WTB: Complete, running 3400 near Portland, OR

[Nashco]

I'm looking for a 3400 for the AWD Fiero hybrid I built for the $2009 challenge. My budget is extremely tight, so the more complete the engine is the better. U-Pull prices are about right, $200 or less for a complete engine will work but of course cheaper is even better, cost is my most important variable. If any of you guys in the NW see a usable 3400 in the U-pull yards, craigslist, etc. you'd be doing me a big favor if you passed it on. I can travel a few hundred miles in any direction for the right deal, I've got friends and family all over so I don't mind road trips.

The 140 hp 2.anchor just isn't cutting it for this car anymore, I think the 3400 is a good balance of performance and cost for this thing:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/west-coast-2009-challenger-awd-fiero-hybrid/10519/page1/

Thanks!

Bryce

[asylummotorsports]

https://www.car-parts.com

[Nashco]

www.car-parts.com

That's not really helpful to me, as car-part.com doesn't have any inventory of U-Pull yards. Since these are all pre-pulled engines, they go for more than the U-Pull yards charge. I thought it might be helpful if other 60 degree enthusiasts kept an eye open at the local U-Pull yards....although there doesn't seem to be many NW folks on this board, it's worth a shot.

Bryce

[Nashco]

Bump.

[2.8-350TBI]

Hey, bud, a yard down here in eugene has a 3400 as well as a couple other 3x00's.
I could get the number if you want

[Nashco]

Hey, bud, a yard down here in eugene has a 3400 as well as a couple other 3x00's.
I could get the number if you want

Yeah, definitely. Are they U-Pulls or regular yards? Either way, if you let me know who to call I'll follow up on the rest. Thanks!

Bryce

[pocket-rocket]

Wow man, I just clicked your link there. I'm impressed and seriously hope you pull this off. That would be one heck of a car after you are done. Best of luck finding a good cheap engine!

[2.8-350TBI]

This is a u pull yard, but they pull all running engines and sell them separately though.
Last I went was 2 weeks ago, they had a nice 3400.
Here is the number (541) 689-2800 their name is B&R auto wrecking.
Good Luck!

[Nashco]

Wow man, I just clicked your link there. I'm impressed and seriously hope you pull this off. That would be one heck of a car after you are done. Best of luck finding a good cheap engine!

Thanks. I'm not sure how far you read into it, but I am done and already did pull off the hybrid AWD part. The car has competed already, both in San Diego and in Gainesville, Florida. This year I'm hoping to get a different engine in the ass end and get the suspension dialed in better. Just going from the 2.anchor to the 3400 will earn me 50 hp and lose some weight at very little cost, so it seemed like a good step in the right direction.

Bryce

[Nashco]

Bump.

[WrathOfSocrus]

Well this may be of no use to you but just a few ideas that might help you get a good motor more quickly. For starters I understand the concept of trying to do work in exchange for saving money but a $500 motor that is a dozen miles away may be cheaper than a $400 motor over 200 miles away after figuring in added expenses.

Also, have you considered a 3500? Car-part shows a dozen or more of them under $500 right in the Portland area. With a 3400 the chances are you will pay more because there is more demand for it since more vehicles came with them stock than LX9 3500's. I know in my area there is a major premium for 3400's but 3500's can be had for 1/2 the price or less. Plus being a newer motor it could have less mileage and would have the revised LIM gaskets where as some 3400's (pre-2003?) might be more likely to have coolant leaks in its past or current state. There will be custom work to fit either motor in so that option shouldn't be out of the question.

[Nashco]

I completely agree with everything you posted Wrath, my issue is that I'm looking for an engine for $200 or less because I have a strict budget limit ($2010) for the competition.

Bryce

[WrathOfSocrus]

Well i see listed prices for 3500's close to u for $350. Perhaps one of the unlisted ones could be cheaper. I regularly see them around $250 over the past year which I can't believe. I bought a short block a while back for more than that and dumped a ton more into getting heads. First set of heads i was sceptical of some marks on the headgasket surface so I bought another set. And of course now I can find whole engines for the price i paid for one set of heads lol. It isn't even worth me selling the heads since I cant recoup half of my money back.

If you get really lucky you might find a 3100 or 3500 for $200 but I wouldn't 'expect' a deal like that to drop in your lap in less than a years time without a magic wand. In which case I need to borrow that because my Cutlass could really use some gaskets, emergency brake cables, and a nice paint job. Oh and some rear coil overs to match the front. But seriously, I would check out car-part regularly so you can jump on that deal should it come around.

[Nashco]

Bump. Still no luck with the U-Pulls, I appreciate you guys keeping your eyes peeled. I've found a few that were cash for clunkers cars......what a waste!

Bryce

[Nashco]

I'm getting closer...found a 3400 in the yard this weekend that wasn't clunkerized (on a sale weekend even!) but some jackass had broken a few parts tearing into it to get injectors and I wasn't very confident with what was left. I don't understand why people break (METAL ENGINE!!) parts at U-Pull yards, it just drives prices up because fewer things can be sold.

Oh well...still on the hunt. I saw two Northstars in pretty good shape, I'm debating if I should skip the 3400 and go to the dark side. Is 32 valves better or worse than 12?

Bryce