Cavalier 3400 hybrid or 3500 swap?

[Cav_attack]

Greetings all, I just joined up recently and this I guess is my first post, and thread here. Since the motor is just about caved in my 1996 Sunfire, I've been thinking of doing a swap, and I'm already doing a 2.3 Quad 4 swap in my other car, so I thought this would be a good opportunity for a V6 swap in my J car. Also, the quad 4 is an all motor project, so I was kinda thinking on the lines of this V6 project being a turbo project as well (though after watching a vid on youtube of the 3500z, going all motor is tempting as well).
Anyways, I guess I'm mainly on here looking for some input on what motor I should look at doing this project with. I was originally thinking on a 3400/3500 hybrid, but now I've been doing some reading and am also considering just going with a straight 3500.
If I'm looking to turbo one of these, which one would be a better choice? My thinking is that the 3400 is an older engine so there might be better support in the aftermarket industry (pistons, rods, etc.), though I could be wrong in this regard.
As for the power output I'm looking for, 300 - 400 hp or slightly better would be great. Since traction is kinda an issue, I'm not looking to build some 800hp monster or anything crazy like that.
If I could get some input and opinions on this project, that would be great, especially from some that may have done this in a 3rd gen J-car. Thanks!

ps. I hope I posted this in the right section, if not, sorry in advance

[Cav_attack]

Also, if this has been covered before, can you post a link to the thread. I used the search, and filed through 3 or more pages, but didn't really find anything pertaining to what I'm looking for.

[Superdave]

Glad you liked the vids


I'd start off with a 3500, the top end flows amazing. 300 HP N/A is easy, 400 with boost won't take much effort either. With a good tune you won't have to worry about the stock pistons or rods.


One popular combo is to use the 3400 bottom end with the 3500 top end. That way you can get the forged pistons from wot-tech and you don't have to use the external crankshaft trigger.


Each way has it's advantages, with the 3400 you can get forged pistons, use aftermarket SBC rods but you are stuck with the cast iron crank (which is still very strong). With the 3500 you can find them with a forged steel crank, the stock rods are pretty good (forged powdered metal like the LS1's) but forged pistons will be a custom order.


Good Luck!

[Cav_attack]

You say "you can find" some 3500 with forged cranks, do you know what vehicles came with a forged crank?

[Superdave]

Both 2004 3500's i have came from Malibu's with the forged steel crank. Not sure on the rest...

[ForcedFirebird]

I have always ordered 2004 and 2005 lx9's and they all had the 7484 steel crank.

If you have the means and the money, full 3500 is the way to go.

Like Dave mentioned, there are a few more items that you will need for the 3500 to work vs a hybrid.

[gar70614]

just for some support on the third gen j-body swaps i just put a 3500 in my 99 z24. fired it up yesterday for the firtst time. ive never personally done a 3400 swap but i dont think the 3500 could have been that much harder. for a 3500 u will however need to source some 3400 parts. i needed 3400 water neck, coil packs, fuel rail/injectors, exhaust manifolds (i belive 3500 manis could work but was gonna be a lota fab) p/s pump, crank position sensors, pcm, wiring harness, and prob a few other little things. but def possible and tho i havent drivin the car yet im sure worth it.

[gar70614]

these should help a lil

http://60degreev6.com/forum/f96/3500-swap-questions-t36647

http://www.j-body.org/forums/read.php?f=30&i=40670&t=40670

[Cav_attack]

Wow, thanks for the input guys. Yeah, the more I read, the more I'm kinda leaning toward a full 3500 swap. Now the real problem I have to figure out is, boost or NA lol.
As for NA, anyone have a rough idea what power could be made from it? Say a 3500 with a high performance cam, ported and polished cylinder heads, ported intake manifolds, larger throttle body, higher compression say 11:1 to 12:1 (somewhere in that range, still want to run on 92 octane), header with high flow cat and mandrel exhaust, all with a good tune.
Thanks again!

[bszopi]

Wow, thanks for the input guys. Yeah, the more I read, the more I'm kinda leaning toward a full 3500 swap. Now the real problem I have to figure out is, boost or NA lol.
As for NA, anyone have a rough idea what power could be made from it? Say a 3500 with a high performance cam, ported and polished cylinder heads, ported intake manifolds, larger throttle body, higher compression say 11:1 to 12:1 (somewhere in that range, still want to run on 92 octane), header with high flow cat and mandrel exhaust, all with a good tune.
Thanks again!

Read Dave's signature... http://60degreev6.com/forum/showpost...73&postcount=5