3500 Steel Crank a NO-GO

[RebelGT]

Yep, that's right... found out yesterday that the new steel crank that is going into the 3500 with NOT fit into the old style blocks...

The answer is no as we had to make
modifications to the block for the 3.5 L. The large pin crank made the
rods bigger which required the block to be modified.

Nick Richards
GM Powertrain

This doesn't mean that an older block can't be modified to fit the new crank though. But until someone gets their hands on one, we will never know...

[RacerX11]

I guess that means I will have to use the entire 3500 short-block for my next build-up. Darn.

Do we know how much bigger the rods are? It would be nice if they made them the same size as later small block chevy rods. It would widen the selection of aftermarket parts.

Marty

[RebelGT]

I'll see if I can't get that info out of Nick. I was trying to get a Promotion Package from him (similar to the 3.6 DOHC one), but he said GM never produced one for the 3500. It would have been nice to see a few cutaway views of the engine... Oh well, guess we'll just have to wait! :?

[Sorin]

Would any of this information be useful?

Oh, and just because I think it's kinda neat, here is the engine actually sitting in the Malibu. That engine-alone picture originally posted over at GMF is handy too, but this here could be useful maybe. I dunno. Or at least raise more questions/issues. Such as WTF they decided to setup the airbox the way they did, with the electronics or whatever that is where the airbox normally is on the 3100/3400. Oh, and since the airbox is where it is, the coolant recovery/overflow/whatever is apparently moved. Is that it, between the coils and throttle body, with the brake cylinder to the right of it (right as in driver's side of engine bay)?



And here is the actual engine, all by itself, the mysteriously floating disembodied 3500.

[SappySE107]

You should see if we can get a crank to do testing with brad Id like to know what kind of block mods it would take to work, if it would even be possible. I was hoping that sucker would fit in a DOHC.

[Sorin]

What I want to know is why they changed the top of the intake manifold. It looks like a miniature of our freeways here in L.A. (grooved). Is that purely for aesthetic reasons, or is that functional in some weird ass way?

[Rhedalert]

Looks like gen 2 and gen 3 had a kid

[SappySE107]

If anyone remembers the beretta indy car, that plenum looks a lot like it.

[v6h.o.]

Looks like gen 2 and gen 3 had a kid

doesnt it..

damn i want one of those blocks.

[Anonymous]

If anyone remembers the beretta indy car, that plenum looks a lot like it.

Uhh... not really..... The INDY plenum had a L98 throttlebody on it, and was a bit different... I have a picture of it somewhere around here that i took... I saw the 2 INDY convertible pace cars up close and in person at the INDY2K camaro/indy pace car gathering... they had all the pace cars on display and the chevrolet people there let us thoroughly look under the hood...

that 3500 plenum looks like it attaches just like the 3400 one does (6 bolts)... Infact the lower intake looks exactly the same (when i saw it at the autoshow on a stand)

Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740

[SappySE107]

All i remember from the indy was it was a box type plenum look, which is what the 3500 reminds me of. I didnt say it was identical.

[3100 MPFI]

nobody has said anything about the exhaust manifolds yet. I am the only one to notice that GM actually put a decent manifold on there?

Also, where is the POWER STEERING PUMP????? I see the mounting holes for it, but why did they not put it in the picture? Does the new car have an ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RACK?????

[RebelGT]

Yes... all 3500 equipped cars come with electric power steering. As far as the exhaust manifolds go, I didn't pay too much attention to them other than seeing an O2 sensor mounted on the front set.

[Rhedalert]

nobody has said anything about the exhaust manifolds yet. I am the only one to notice that GM actually put a decent manifold on there?

looks a lot like the design of the 3.8's exh manifolds....non-handrail?

Also, where is the POWER STEERING PUMP????? I see the mounting holes for it, but why did they not put it in the picture? Does the new car have an ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RACK?????

yeah....

[brian89gp]

Also, where is the POWER STEERING PUMP????? I see the mounting holes for it, but why did they not put it in the picture? Does the new car have an ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RACK?????

yeah....

I wonder how swappable that is?