Sourcing iron head 3.4 parts

[Superdave]

Is there no way of going about using some '00 GA 3400 heads? Cause there's a member selling some on the forum here.

Yes, they'll work fine...


Since you are rebuilding the engine anyways, (and i forget if you said so) but instead of replacing the pistons with the same Iron head ones.. buy a set for a 3400 instead, it'll lower your SCR to around 9.5:1 and work great. You'll also need to use the slightly thicker 3400 headgaskets instead of the old Iron head ones.

[nfswift]

Ok, that is good news Dave, as soon as I have some aluminum heads on hand I will look into buying a set of Speed-Pros from Summit Racing, I'm assuming they should fit right on my stock con rods?

And then I'll go from there, time to discuss this change with my shop though.

[ForcedFirebird]

Yes the stock 3.4 rods will work, get some APR rod bolts while you are at it, for extra insurance.

[nfswift]

Yes the stock 3.4 rods will work, get some APR rod bolts while you are at it, for extra insurance.

It's just more overhead to my budget but it may be worth looking into.
It seems I have to decide on a decent flat-tappet cam/rocker set with some hydraulic lifters as my 3.4 doesn't have the provisions for a roller cam, only the heads (in theory).

http://www.engine-parts.com/GMV6/28camspecs.html

Do any of the in-house cams from the above ARI link look like they could substitute for the crane 272? Because they are cheap as hell.
What about those delta regrinds? Can you order a newly ground cam from them or do you have to send an original in?

[nfswift]

That said would there be any benefit, if getting a custom grind, to bump the specs to those of the Crane PowerMax F-228/3067-2-12 cam??

It's numbers are a bit more lumpy than the 272 but it would open the top end a bit more and is listed as operating from "2500-6000RPM" rather than "2000-5000RPM" on the 272. Is the Powermax F getting too radical?

The F has the following specs
duration@.050"-advertised duration-lift-lobe center
IN/EX|IN/EX|IN/EX|IN/EX
228/238| 290/300| .460/.480| 112/112

[SappySE107]

You will want those iron head pistons with that cam. I would use a smaller cam for 9.5:1.

[Superdave]

Yes, less duration..

the H272-2 should work very well with a 3400 top end and 9.5:1 SCR. I'd call Delta and see if they have any cores in stock for the flat tappet blocks. If so then they could grind you a copy for a good price.

Their advertised powerband is probably based on stock heads, the 3400 heads will flow tons more in the higher RPM's. Regardless it'll pull hard past 6K.

[nfswift]

Yeah I had a feeling that cam was a bit too radical, I'll stick with the 272 and try contacting Delta today, they are in WA state RIGHT below me too, so that's great..

[ForcedFirebird]

Yes, less duration..

the H272-2 should work very well with a 3400 top end and 9.5:1 SCR. I'd call Delta and see if they have any cores in stock for the flat tappet blocks. If so then they could grind you a copy for a good price.

Their advertised powerband is probably based on stock heads, the 3400 heads will flow tons more in the higher RPM's. Regardless it'll pull hard past 6K.

They told me a 262 was the biggest they could go with a re-grind (and .440 lift with 1.5 rockers).

[Superdave]

They told me a 262 was the biggest they could go with a re-grind (and .440 lift with 1.5 rockers).

Odd..

[geoffinbc]

Yeah I had a feeling that cam was a bit too radical, I'll stick with the 272 and try contacting Delta today, they are in WA state RIGHT below me too, so that's great..

Hey a local boy sweet. Just so your aware a new flat tappet cam with lifters hardly costs any more than a regrind. You can get the Crane sets for around $115. Lordco or Performance Parts center both have good prices. Don't waste your time at Mopac they are a ripoff.

Be aware of these guys telling you to go with aluminum heads. Yes they are great heads and are not badly priced. But all the supporting parts may put you well over your budget. Since this is your first build be cautious or you will get a case of the "While I'm At It's" and find your self way over budget. I work at Jellybean Hotrods here in Surrey and I see it all the time. Customers get up to $45,000 Before the body work is even finished. For example you don't need an entire ARP stud set for an engine that is not going to exceed its stock output by very much. Because if you ask around I don't think anyone here with a stock motor has ever broken a rod bolt. I doubt guys with modified motor have even broken them.

Just so you know Pick A Part in Chilliwack has killer prices on all engines in the yard. When they have an engine special they drop to $175.

[Superdave]

I'm running almost all original GM bolts and well over 300 crank HP.. headbolts are the Felpro brand iirc.. sold at Autozone.

Yes, beware of the "while i'm at it's" I started off with a stock 3500 swap and ended up dropping another 3 grand "while i was at it".

[nfswift]

I wish I was more "local" believe me. The island has BOLLOCKS for wreckers or good retailers. I will definitely check Lordco or MAYBE NAPA for the cam, but honestly, I try and stick to gaskets/bolts from those stores, Summit Racing will be seeing the majority of my budget from the looks of it.

I need to make a trip to the mainland and over to Mission some time once next season hits so I can nail down some track times.

[geoffinbc]

Summit racing is not cheep. The have OK pricing. But don't forget to add on shipping and brokerage unless you can get it across the border yourself. Lordco has competitive pricing on performance stuff. Just print a sheet with pricing from Summit Racing and they will match it. I have never found a price on Summit that I cannot beat locally. The performance market is very competitive. Even GM performance parts are hard to beat for pricing and thats all sold through dealerships.

[Superdave]

IIRC you can get the H260-2 cam through GM.. it was cheaper than Summit as well.. not sure about up in Canadaland though. Things tend to be more expencive up there...