Team Cyber Rider race car

[Cyber Rider]

Hi everybody. I represent Team Cyber Rider, and we have a race car with a 3.1 V6 in it. This engine has a T3/T4 turbo, and runs on propane. It has a special cam with lift and duration numbers that take advantage of the properties of propane. It makes approximately 300 horsepower, and has a great powerband. Please check out the following links to see what our unique race team is all about.

https://www.cyberrider.org

https://www.darpa.mil/grandchallenge/

We don't know the exact source of this motor, but apparently it is out of a '95 Olds. We are having some difficulties, such as identifying the upper intake manifold gaskets. They are a steel gasket, with silicone rings around the rectangular ports. When I went to the Chevy dealer and the AutoZone, all I found was a paper gasket for a different intake. The lower intake casting number is 10137027. Can someone help with this problem?

We would like to invite any SoCal 3.1 V6 experts to visit our race shop, and assist us in any way they can. We need your help with everything motor related, from a simple problem like the intake gaskets, to a complete engine rebuild. It runs fine as it is, but we may like to go through it before our big race. We welcome you to join us as a full team member, an associate member, advisor, or just an interested motorhead.

[Anonymous]

please don't double post

[Anonymous]

Welcome. I think that posting the same thing 4 times wasn't really needed, but that's no big deal. Fixed now.

Do you have a picture of the engine? Maybe we could give you a part number if we knew for sure which intake manifold it has. Assuming it's from a '95 Olds, it should be Fel Pro MS91481 according to the partsamerica.com website.

[Cyber Rider]

The Fel Pro MS91481 that I saw at AutoZone was a paper gasket with oval ports.

My intake looks the most like the one on the left:

http://www.60degreev6.com/images/Gallery/Pushrod/ManiComp/Image23.jpg

Can I post a picture to this site, or does it have to be hosted somewhere else?

[Anonymous]

You can attach a picture by clicking "post reply" at the bottom of the page, then on the next page selecting what file you want to upload as well as typing your post.

According to the site, that picture is of a 1999 3400 intake manifold... which would be found in Grand Ams, Aleros, and the FWD minivans. Try checking one of those vehicles for the upper intake gasket (plenum gasket). I looked on partsamerica and autozone's websites, but all they list for those is the entire manifold set.

[Anonymous]

Another thought... are the ports rectangular at one end, and kinda "D" shaped at the other? It could be an older engine.

[Cyber Rider]

Yes, that does sound like it.

I am hot on the trail now. I called some Chevy dealers with the intake casting number, and I got a Chevy part number 12507234 for 27-35 bucks. Since we are on a tight budget, I found the Fel Pro tech line number, and they cross referenced it to a MS94944, which is only 14 bucks down at AutoZone. I hope to score some gaskets in the next hour or so. Thanks for the help!

[v6h.o.]

the only steel gasket with rubber o rings on it for the plenum would be the old 3.1LMPFI GEN2 style engines

all GEN3 engines use a Paper gasket, and have oval shaped ports.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, now I think we're rolling... Colin, I didn't know what the Gen3 engines have... but when he said metal and silicone, that kinda rung a bell that it might be the Gen2 intake.

Keep us updated, I'd like to hear how the 3.1 fares in the race. Also, I'd like to know more about the vehicle itself, if/when you can disclose any such information. (ie, generally such a thing works)

[Anonymous]

Is it a series II (3.1) or series III 3.1 (3100)? Should say right on the intake plenum.. not that I can help out much here but just wondering what engine is in that beast.

[Cyber Rider]

Success! I got the Fel Pro #MS94944 at AutoZone. I still don't know exactly what year it is, but apparently it is the Gen II, 91-94?

"Are the ports rectangular at one end, and kinda "D" shaped at the other?

Yes, RR, you described it to a "D". Ask any questions you like about the vehicle. Now that we have been accepted into the DARPA race, we can freely discuss our technology.

[brian89gp]

Is it a variable fuel engine that you are using? I knew that some were made but have never run across one.

[robby1870]

You're using this motor the DARPA race?? Awesome. My school is doing a vehicle for the race. I was gonna be on the team, but I just dont have time. I've seen some of those variable fuel 3.1Ls on ebay every now and then

[Manitcor]

very nice, I read about this challenge about a month ago on Slashdot, good luck to you guys, nice to see a 60v6 on this event.

I would like to see pictures/specs of your turbo setup and just for curiositys sake some info on the propane setup as well. Where there any changes to the internals other than the cam? IE Stronger crank, modifcations to the heads, pistions, rods?

[Anonymous]

Success! I got the Fel Pro #MS94944 at AutoZone. I still don't know exactly what year it is, but apparently it is the Gen II, 91-94?

"Are the ports rectangular at one end, and kinda "D" shaped at the other?

Yes, RR, you described it to a "D". Ask any questions you like about the vehicle. Now that we have been accepted into the DARPA race, we can freely discuss our technology.

It'd be a 1989-1994 engine, so yes... GenII.

How exactly does it drive itself around without crashing into things? The technology for that is way beyond anything I could think up. I took a quick look at the rules, i have ideas but don't know how to integrate all these together, or if it'd even work:
A. Gyroscope, distance measuring equipment, and compass
B. GPS system
C. Autopilot from a aircraft or marine craft
D. Mapping/input interface