3400/3500 top end swap on a 2.8

[IsaacHayes]

Nope. hhehehe. Start with heads, work your way up.

[Tonglebeak]

Damn.

Any idea where I can buy all of the necessary gaskets without having to put a huge dent in my wallet

[IsaacHayes]

I'd recommend the Felpro problem solver's for the LIM gasket. They come with valve cover and upper and egr gaskets too. Then just grab some head and exhaust gaskets. The later year dealership ones are graphite. I think 2003+? But aftermarket might be just as good. My stock 94 head gaskets are still going strong.

I picked up the felpro problem solvers on ebay for a lot cheaper than local.
From this place but it seems the price has gone up.

You can get a whole top end kit though, but they have the plastic OEM style LIM gaskets that like to fail after a few years or whenever.

[ForcedFirebird]

I bought some of the Problem Solver gaskets right at Advance Discount for $88 IIRC. Just gave them part number MS 9800 3T and they were in stock. You'll still have to buy head gaskets as well, though.

[IsaacHayes]

When I got mine on ebay it was like $55 bucks or something.

[ForcedFirebird]

When I got mine on ebay it was like $55 bucks or something.

I'm impatient . $89 and drive down the street, or pay $81 and wait....


Should have waited and saved the $8 this time, they sat in the garage for a week or two before I started this 3400 top end

[Tonglebeak]

I couldn't help but notice this:

http://www.60degreev6.com/showpost.php?p=348304&postcount=4

Am I going to have to have grinding done as well?

[IsaacHayes]

Only if you use 94-95 3100 heads that don't have roller fulcrum rockers.

http://www.60degreev6.com/showpost.php?p=345056&postcount=39

http://www.60degreev6.com/showpost.php?p=345059&postcount=41

EDIT: Just saw the picture of your heads, they have roller rockers. You are good to go.

[Tonglebeak]

What about this gasket set?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/chevy-buick-olds-pont-3-4-head-gasket-set-1996-2005_W0QQitemZ260199269776QQihZ016QQcategoryZ46099QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Looks like it has _EVERYTHING_, or am I wrong? Or are these crappy gaskets?

[Superdave]

I'd avoid that set.. those are the old style LIM gaskets and they'll leak.

the problem solver from Felpro are very nice.

[3100 MPFI]

my only concern with those gaskets are the HEADGASKETS. The lower intake has the metal reinforcments.

You might not be able to use those headgaskets. You might have to get some that are for the 2.8 (I don't even know if 3100 gaskets will work). Otherwise, it has all the stuff you need.

I seem to remember something about QUENCH, but I can't remember the specifics. I think it had to do with using 2.8/3.1 headgaskets on a 3100 would cause the pistons to hit. Maybe since I just brought it up, someone else will remember.

[RedBird]

if he's keeping the stock 2.8 bottom end he'll be fine with 3100 head gaskets. he could actually run camaro 3.1 head gaskets(thinner) and raise compression a bit.

[Tonglebeak]

Eh, sorry, I'm just trying to findn an all-in-one kit.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33665&viewitem=&item=280188621433&_trksid=p3907.m29

Seller claims that these are graphite

Would the compression raise from using the camaro headgaskets give any noticeable difference?

Switching back to the cam topic, will I need custom length pushrods for it or will stock be fine?

[3100 MPFI]

I think if you use the camaro headgasket you will have a problem. I just cant remember the details. There was one setup, and I am pretty sure it was with the HYBRIDS ONLY that using the camaro headgaskets would cause the pistons to hit the head. The clearances are just too tight. I think it had to do with certain PISTONS though as well.

What I think it was is if you use the CAMARO pistons for the HIGH COMPRESSION, then you HAD to use the 3100 headgaskets. The GEN 1, or GEN 2 head gaskets would cause the pistons to hit the heads. I think a stock headgasket would be fine, or a 3100 one. I don't know about the CAMARO ones.

I think your best bet would be using a 3100 head gasket.

With the kit you posted, those are for the SMALL PORT manifold. If you have the large port manifold, then you will need the newer set. If you look at the upper intake gaskets, those have 6 bolt holes each. You need the ones with only 3 holes if you have the large port manifolds.

[RedBird]

there's always the chance that i'm wrong, but i'm almost certain that there's no problem with pistons vs heads on hybrids, with camaro HG's. The gen3 motors, 3x00's, the pistons pop out of the deck .020, so you have to shave the pistons to use the camaro HG's, but on Gen2 motors, the pistons stay flush, so, there's no interference problems, even with gen3 heads

like i said though i could be wrong, but i dont think i am