Help! Another 3.1 V6 for my 1991 Camaro RS

[madmax]

Hi, I need help, I am from republic Georgia, and I brought 1991 Camaro RS (the one and only third gen camaro in whole Georgia), but its cylinder block is craked, I have found 1991 Chevrolet Lumina apv 3.1 engine, i plan to put this engine in my camaro and use on it cylinder heads and fuel injection from my engine, But i don't know will Lumina Apv engine fit Camaro or not, and what modifications will have to be done. Plees Help me somebody, Help to keep alive last Thirdgen Camaro in Georgia!

Thanks and sorry for my bad english

[cardot33]

you'll need an engine from a rear wheel drive car. fieros and S10s have the same engines, but basically, the van engine won't work without some creativity. mine came out of an S10. a 2.8 or 3.1 will work as long as its a rear wheel drive block. the blocks are different between the front and rear wheel drives because of the way the engines sit. here's a link to my camaro. page 3 is about my engine swap. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3126381

[madmax]

you'll need an engine from a rear wheel drive car. fieros and S10s have the same engines, but basically, the van engine won't work without some creativity. mine came out of an S10. a 2.8 or 3.1 will work as long as its a rear wheel drive block. the blocks are different between the front and rear wheel drives because of the way the engines sit. here's a link to my camaro. page 3 is about my engine swap. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3126381

Thanks for your reply Cardot, Bad thing is that there is only one fiero in Georgia, and i am sure that its owner wont sell the engine, as for Chevrolet s10, this is also wery rare in georgia. can you tell me exactly what differences are between rear wheel drive block and front wheel drive block and what creativity will have to be used, maybe it is something that's not too hard. maybe you know some sources that wil give me some aditional info.
Thanks again, i wish you luck with your camaro , bytheway mine is red too )

[923.4v6]

Are you 5-speed or automatic?

[cardot33]

you like red? i like red. everyone likes red.
I don't know the exact differences between the blocks, besides front wheel drive being aluminum. the front wheel drive engine is altogether a better motor in my opinion. if you want the block, you should put the entire engine in. it's that much better. the way the engine mounts in a front wheel drive car is sideways to a rear wheel drive car. you would have to figure out a way to mount the engine in a different position. if you look at your engine mounts and the fwd engine mounts, they aren't even close to each other. this requires a lot of fabricating. I haven't heard of a way to mount a fwd engine in a rwd car.

of course the other option would be buying an engine off ebay or something. what are some common GM engines in your area?

[carbon]

The early Lumina APV 3.1 is a Gen 1 IRON head not Gen 2 aluminum, and it is the worst breathing V6 GM ever produced. Do not use that engine as is. The only difference is the side the starter is mounted to, but there should be holes on the opposite side to mount one correctly for RWD, you just need to tap the holes. Swap your top end over and slap it in your Camaro.

Cardot... so why do so many Fiero owners swap Camarobird engines into thier cars with stock mounts if the blocks aren't the same?

[923.4v6]

The fwd motor mounts bolts in a different location than the rwd mounts. There isn't enough material on the opposite side of a fwd block to just drill and tap for the starter. As far as the fiero they may use a rwd block but not for sure. I thought about a fwd motor for my camaro, the starter can be used on the driver side with the 5-speed, would have to make a motor mount and modify a oil pan to fit a fwd.

[cardot33]

i didn't know he was refering to a gen I. all the front wheel drive 60*s i've seen have been gen II. a gen I will fit without to much modification. like carbon stated.

[923.4v6]

Not sure the years for the fwd gen1 but I believe his 91 lumina engine would be the gen2.

[no_doz]

ive been looking & the only gen I 3.1 i can find is the RWD-the FWD's were 2.8s-then in 1990 they switched to gen II fwd-and no the fiero isnt a rwd block-its transverse according to wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_60-Degree_V6_engine#L44

[geoffinbc]

If you trying to get a 3.1L you in for some nasty surprises.

The engine mounts are VERY DIFFERENT on the block. The 3.1L van motor has the same mounting bosses as a Gen II motor. Trust me I have seen it and have pics. Also the starter is on the driver side of the block and relocation is not possible on a 3.1L/2.8L FWD block because there is not enough material on the passenger side to support the starter or drill the outboard hole.

You need to find a RWD block and thats the only practical answer. Otherwise your into custom mounts and finding a bellhousing or modifying a stock one for a drivers side starter. If you are already into a rebuild consider just upgrading to the GM HT 3.4L Crate motor. It will cost you less than a rebuild if there are any dealers that can supply one or consider an online purchase. I am not sure what shipping will run you or if you will be able to find any one to ship internationally.

Do you have any clue how the block was cracked? Its rare for one to crack unless it is left to freeze or severely overheated

[madmax]

The early Lumina APV 3.1 is a Gen 1 IRON head not Gen 2 aluminum, and it is the worst breathing V6 GM ever produced. Do not use that engine as is. The only difference is the side the starter is mounted to, but there should be holes on the opposite side to mount one correctly for RWD, you just need to tap the holes. Swap your top end over and slap it in your Camaro.

Cardot... so why do so many Fiero owners swap Camarobird engines into thier cars with stock mounts if the blocks aren't the same?

and what about engine mounts? are they the same?

[madmax]

Are you 5-speed or automatic?

mine is automatic

[madmax]

i didn't know he was refering to a gen I. all the front wheel drive 60*s i've seen have been gen II. a gen I will fit without to much modification. like carbon stated.

but how can i know is it gen I or gen II? any tips?

[madmax]

Do you have any clue how the block was cracked? Its rare for one to crack unless it is left to freeze or severely overheated

I left my car in the car shop, and was sure that my brother filled radiator with antifrees liquid, but unfortunately he did not, it was winter engine block freezed and cracked