V6 Chevette Swap 3.1L Questions

[Airbubba32]

3.1L Questions!
I’m going to do a V6 swap on my Son’s 86 Chevette I got a 3.1 V6 w/ Auto Trans out of a 1992 Camaro. The crank has a 3.1 cast number on it but the bore measures the size of a 3.4L. Is this common to bore out a 3.1L to a 3.4L? Are there any numbers marked on the block to tell what it is?

The next thing is the distributor, what do I need to use there? I was thinking about using one out of an early S-10. Any suggestions on what would be the easiest to set up in the Chevette?

Thanks,
AirBubba

[3400-95-Modified]

Are you sure the camaro wasn't 3.4L swapped? The 3.1 crank is used all the way up to a 2000+ 3400 IIRC so that never changed. The only time it changed to my knowledge was when they stroked the motor from 2.8L to 3.1L, after that the blocks did just vary on bore size. As far as making a 3.1L bore a 3.4... I've never heard of someone doing that.

[bszopi]

Are you sure the camaro wasn't 3.4L swapped? The 3.1 crank is used all the way up to a 2000+ 3400 IIRC so that never changed. The only time it changed to my knowledge was when they stroked the motor from 2.8L to 3.1L, after that the blocks did just vary on bore size. As far as making a 3.1L bore a 3.4... I've never heard of someone doing that.

Agreed. As far as I know, you can't bore the 3.1 to 3.4 because there isn't enough meat in the cylinder walls to allow it. The 3.4L blocks have more meat around the cylinders to account for the increased bore size. Try to find a casting number or a HUGE letter on the block and let us know what it is.

[Airbubba32]

Thanks for Your Help!

The engine was supposed to be out of a 92 Camaro, it very well could have come out of a 93. I'll look for some numbers on the block and post them.

Here is another thing I’m thinking about, let me know what you think. Again this Chevette is for my son so I’m not going all out; I just want to be a good runner so he can surprise some of the kids with their rice burners. More of a learning project for him. I’m getting rid of the Fuel injection and am going to carb it. I have bought a Cam for a 1981 Citation X-11 (2.8 V6) and am thinking of getting a set of heads for that same engine. I know that the intake off of this engine will not work so I have a standard (2) Barrel manifold, I have not decided on a carb yet. I was thinking of adapting a Holley (2) barrel from a Big Block V-8 Chrysler, only because I have it on hand and it came off a good running car. The ignition is really where I’m struggling I think if I use the distributor out of an 80’s v6 car or truck, I’m not sure if I can use the distributor out of the Camaro. So if you guys have any suggestion on that I would appreciate it.

I plan on using the 700R4 tranny out of the Camaro I just hope the Chevette rear end will hold up.
Thanks again for your help.

[bob442]

personally, fuel injection is the way to go, and is better in so many ways. if the drive line was out of a f-body, swapping the harness is as easy as hooking up 4 wires i believe. if you wanted to use a different trans, you could just get a chip burned for a standard trans and be good to go.