3400 questions

[TurboGt]

I am looking at puting a 3400 into my 83 s10 blazer 4x4. I realize that I will have to make custom motor mounts and fix the starter problem but I am not worried about that right now.

Can the intake be rotated 180* and still bolt up?

What timing covers will fit the 3400? I want to be able to use all of the accessories off the 2.8 that is in there now. I am also looking at puting one in my fiero and was told that you can get a timing cover off a 88' 2.8 and then you can use all the fiero accessories, will this also work for the s10?

Does anyone know if I will have oil pan clearance problems?

Thanks for your help

Marq

[Guest]

The intake can be tuned 180* to have the TB at the right end.

A few custom mounts and such will need to be made to adapt the alternator, tensioner and power steering pump, due to the very different bolt pattern in the end of the heads, as compared to the iron head.

You're going to have issues with the oil pan clearance, it won't. A modified pan will be needed.

You'd also be better off using the Serpintine belt set-up including front cover. I believe the '87+ front cover will seal to the front of the 3400 oil pan, but I don't remember for sure, sinec it hasn't been completed yet.

There is quite the difference in FWD and RWD front covers.

Take a look at my Jimmy, I built a hybrid, RWD 2.8 block, stroked, with a 3100 top end (being changed to a 3400 top end.

https://www.domesticcrew.com/raven/James

[TurboGt]

You're going to have issues with the oil pan clearance, it won't. A modified pan will be needed.

Do you know where the pan hits?

How much of a mod are we talking here. I have assess to a tig and equiptment to cut it up, but will the mod mess with the oil pump and pick up?

Can I cut up the blazer to make the pan clear?

Going with the older front cover I was hoping to get away form having to midify the PS, and AC, but if I have to build a bunch of brackets I dont think it would be worth my time, and just upgrade to the newer stuff.

If I use the newer setup, does the newer water pump dump in a different location?

Any thing else you can think of??

The engine in the blazer was locked up because it was ran out of oil. I dont want to try to salvage the block. I am hoping to buy a 3400 and just make things work.

P.S. I like the turbo setup

[Guest]

You're going to have issues with the oil pan clearance, it won't. A modified pan will be needed.

Do you know where the pan hits?

Yeah, the crossmember.

How much of a mod are we talking here. I have assess to a tig and equiptment to cut it up, but will the mod mess with the oil pump and pick up?

Off the top of my head, I believe there is a length of about 6 to 8 inches length wise and 2.5 to 3.5" of hight that needs to be removed and filled with new material. Be forewarned GM uses shit Aluminium, so welding to the OEM pan will probably be a PITA, just like the EGR mount on my intake was.

Can I cut up the blazer to make the pan clear?

See above

Going with the older front cover I was hoping to get away form having to midify the PS, and AC, but if I have to build a bunch of brackets I dont think it would be worth my time, and just upgrade to the newer stuff.

It's just brackets and adaptors that need to be modified. I made a 1/2" plate to bolt to the front of the driver side head and machined 1/4" off the back of the P/S bracket, to make it bolt in and line up. The other 1/4" was taken up by the spacing for the crank trigger.
You also will NOT be able to use a pre '87 front cover anyway, with the 3400 oil pan, due to the flange at the front. Pre '87 uses an angled flange that the oil pan bolts to, the 3400 does not.

If I use the newer setup, does the newer water pump dump in a differen location?

The '87+ S-sieres pump mounts in the same location, just turns backwards, as compared to the older water pump.

Any thing else you can think of??

Not that I can think of right now

The engine in the blazer was locked up because it was ran out of oil. I dont want to try to salvage the block. I am hoping to buy a 3400 and just make things work.

P.S. I like the turbo setup

Thanks, I like it too.

I'm upgrading it and the top end, but not doing much else, since this truck will become a daily driver again, that includes the winters.

[TurboGt]

here are some pics of someone using a 88+ timing cover and the factory fiero brackets. He says:

This is what I did to get it to fit the gen 3 setup. This is if you are going to use the 87-88 timign cover from a fiero on a gen 3 motor.

If you do decide to go this route and want brackets I can modify them for you, or use my pics as a guide to do them yourself.

2 holes on each head for the brackets line up. 1 doesn't. So you can just use two and leave one empty or you would have to drill a hole in the head and install a stud.

So the set up might work with what I want to do, I will let you know when the time gets closer.

Thanks again Raven.

[TurboGt]

I totaly spaced having these pics. I took these of my brothers 02' grand am when I was doing a brake job on his car. I dont know if they will be any use to anyone but might as well share.

[TurboGt]

Raven, do you know how hard it is to lower the front diff, so the pan clears?

Does anyone know if can you interchange the aluminum pan out for a steel one? I was thinking, if some people have gotten away with swapping out the timing cover you might be able to interchange the pan. This way I could mod the pan alot easier.

I was looking around on s-series.org and found some pics and you can see where the pan hits.


Here is a pic of a 350 pan modified to fit

[Guest]

Quickly, since I'm on my way out the door....

No you can't swap the pan for anything but a genIII pan, I''l explain later.

The diff would have to be dropped probably about 10" to clear the genIII oil pan.

I'll get pics later.

[Guest]

3400 pan on a 3400, those bolts in the side of the pan go into the mains.


Shot of the bottom of the pan


Inside the 3400 pan.


GenII pan on 3.1.



GenI 2.8L block.


Now the reasons why you can't swap the genI/II pan onto a genIII block are as follows:
-The genIII is crossbolted through the pan, as mentioned and you can see in the pics.
-The bolt patterns on the block are VERY different.

[TurboGt]

Raven you kick ass, if we ever meet I will have to buy you a round

GenI 2.8L block.

Would you happen to have a pic of the 3400 just like the above. I am wondering how hard it is going to be to fab up some motor mounts and want to see how many bolt holes I have to work with.

[Guest]

Sorry mang, I don't and unfortunatly the only 3400 block I can use to get that picture is semi installed in a car right now (using for test fitting).
Once I get it back out, I'll take a pic for you.

[Superdave]

I can get you any angle shot of a 3400 block you want, i have one sitting on my garage floor right now...

So you want a bottom shot like that, and pics of the mounting boss's ?

[TurboGt]

If you could take some pics it would be nice. No hurry though.

Raven thanks for all your help.

I did some number crunching and found that putting a turbo on a 3400 and putting it in my fiero was cheeper and will be a lot funner.

If anyone wants I have a 83 blazer sitting on the side of my parents house, located in Utah. You can have it for FREE? Is has a locked up 2.8 and a 5 speed trans with a new clutch. It also needs new tires but has aluminum rims. Sorry I dont have time to part it out right now.

[Guest]

If you could take some pics it would be nice. No hurry though.

Raven thanks for all your help.

I did some number crunching and found that putting a turbo on a 3400 and putting it in my fiero was cheeper and will be a lot funner.

If anyone wants I have a 83 blazer sitting on the side of my parents house, located in Utah. You can have it for FREE? Is has a locked up 2.8 and a 5 speed trans with a new clutch. It also needs new tires but has aluminum rims. Sorry I dont have time to part it out right now.

No problem, and I'd have to say good choice.

The Fiero is much lighter and will be a lot more fun than the S-series, which ride like lumber wagons, unless you rebuild the suspension completly.

I'm still debating on what chassis to use for my next build.
I have a chance to grab a 4cyl 5-speed P-body, for like next to nothing, but would then be into the same issues I was in with my J-body, finding a tranny that will hold 700 HP, and not cost me an arm, leg, couple ears and possibly my first born.
My leading idea is an H-body, '76 or '77 Sunbird to be more specific, but seem to be quite difficult to find, and parts even harder to find.
My newest idea and one that I have always wanted is an '80s or '90s Volvo 740.

[TurboGt]

I think by the time my car starts to develop enough power to snap the trans, I will swap it out for a 4l80e and use Mega Squirt to control it with paddle shifters. Then I will have a solid trans that is the best of both worlds, it will be like having a manual, but all the advanages of an auto.