93 lumina

[IanSzgatti]

just bought a 93 Lumina, 3.1 MPFI... are these motors paper wieght? I know they're wicked reliable, but whats commonly done to them. Cars in nice shape, scored it for 350, 180 kilometers on it (100k miles or so)

[3100 MPFI]

in stock form, the 3.1 is slow, but they have pretty aggressive grunt off the line.

The thing is, there is a LOT of mod options availible. You can get some decent power out of them with not that much work. Most common mods are cam, and replacing the heads, lower intake, and upper intake with newer 3100, or 3400 stuff. They breath better.

If you don't want to tear into the motor, I recommend redoing the complete exhaust (including the downpipe). That is probably the BIGGEST restriction in the whole system.

[85_305]

hell ya they have potential! My wife has a 91 or 92 Lumina. Only like 117k miles. I run new civics into the GROUND with it. The high schoolers do NOT like when I do this.
But anyways yes they are very reliable. Very quick. Very good on gas. And there is a large aftermarket for them.
Though, a heavy Lumina wouldn't personally be my first choice for a base car in regards to performance, but they are very nice cars

[IanSzgatti]

yeah... it's a four door... i always end up with the family cars, but then, i do have a family.... so exhaust eh? noted then....

[3100 MPFI]

yeah. The exhaust is REALLY restrictive on these cars. They are small, and some even have the krinkle bends (disrupts flow). They are normally UNDER 2 inches. My 1996 Grand Prix was 1 7/8 ID

This is a pic of the STOCK downpipe that was in my 1996 Grand Prix.



Now, the older setup does not have the heat shield like that one does, but still..... That is a REALLY SMALL pipe.

There was an exhaust shop in Long Island (when I lived there) that I could bring the pipe in, and they would custom bend one to be the same shape, and then weld on the flange. They were cheap to do it, but I have not been able to find a shop here in Texas that will do it for cheap like them.

Back then, I shopped around until I found a shop that said they would attempt to do it, then I removed the pipe, and took it too them.

I had them make it in 2.5 inches. 3 inches will NOT fit.

[IanSzgatti]

in stock form, the 3.1 is slow, but they have pretty aggressive grunt off the line.

the 3.1 mpfi has like 140 hp, but 180 ftlb torque... the 3100 (like my malibu) has like 175hp and 195 ftlbs torque...

horsepower is only a measurement of how fast an engine makes torque, so I look then at the torque values and i think... only a difference of 15ftlbs? not really that much... i guess the changes in design allowed the 3100 to make it's power a little quicker... but anyways, 180ftlbs explains why the 3.1 grunts good off the line

[1meanz]

the first thing i would do to that thing is get an under drive pully, it makes alot of difference on how fast it revs. and saves on your mpgs.

[IanSzgatti]

the first thing i would do to that thing is get an under drive pully, it makes alot of difference on how fast it revs. and saves on your mpgs.

hmmm, where would i get something like that for this engine (1993). you know i'd also like to know what size the throttle body is on it... and what might go in it's place. I know upsizing on my 97 3100 was worth it...

[85_305]

the first thing i would do to that thing is get an under drive pully, it makes alot of difference on how fast it revs. and saves on your mpgs.

It will give you better mpgs? Hmm..
I am also interested in which pulley system you are talking about. Any links? Besides the $225 one from mantapart?


But I am also gonna do a full exhaust on my 3.1. Different heads as well.

With your 3.1, you can put 2000+ heads/intake on the car and there will be worlds of difference.

My wife had a '99 Malibu. 3100. That thing would RAPE cars. And got great gas mileage. I loved it

[85_305]

After some minor research, it appears as though 1meanz is correct. Somebody from this GAGT forum says he went from 19 mpgs, to 23, while stepping into the gas a little more even. Check it out

http://www.grandamgt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30881

mantapart, UDP, and FFP has a nice pulley system.

[IanSzgatti]

what about throttle bodies though? whats the size on these older 3.1s? and what can go in its place?

[85_305]

Dunno what size they are, but I know that getting a larger one can help a bit. I'd get a 3100 intake/heads and a bigger TB. Someone on here will know what size to go with

[1meanz]

get on v6z24.com and search mrz, or maybe someone from over there will chime in. im not sure of anyone else that makes them. i know ffp use to but i dont think they do any more, i just sold mine and it made a WORLD of a difference going back to stock.as far as WOT it doesent make that much of a difference untill about 5 grand, but just regular driving theres a WORLD of difference. and it brought my mpgs up about 6 or so

[85_305]

get on v6z24.com and search mrz, or maybe someone from over there will chime in. im not sure of anyone else that makes them. i know ffp use to but i dont think they do any more, i just sold mine and it made a WORLD of a difference going back to stock.as far as WOT it doesent make that much of a difference untill about 5 grand, but just regular driving theres a WORLD of difference. and it brought my mpgs up about 6 or so

ya i hear mrz has a decent one. FFP was my first choice, but those losers went outta business
Does the car rev quicker after 5grand? You got about 6mpg's better overall or what?

[1meanz]

what i was saying is that at regular driving it makes a WORLD of difference, with the udp at WOT its about the same as stock untill about 4grand, from 4 grand up it makes a big difference, stedys the power out it seems.

and i went from 19 or 20 to about 25 - 27 with the udp