3100 Performance

[Sidewinder]

Well I've been thinking about what I want to get done. Although swaps are still a possibility (mainly the 3500 or the 3800SC), I really don't think those are viable options. I have never done a swap and I don't really want to pay someone to do a swap. I also don't see how the added expense of buying another engine makes sense when mine just got rebuilt.

Anyway, that aside in my decision making, I was curious about some things:

I want to get some more horsepower, as with everyone else here, but I'm trying to decide how I want to do it. Now as I understand it, the best way for me to get decent horsepower is with a turbo, so I'm seriously considering this route. I was wondering if:

- 3400 Heads or Ported Heads
- 3500 Upper and Lower Intakes Manis Ported
- 65 mm TB
- New Cam (I think)
- CAI (In the works)
- PCM tune

...would be good supporting mods for a turbo to start off with.

As for the turbo itself, I'm not looking for anything insane, just something to get me up to maybe 240 crank horse, maybe a bit more. I need to do some more research on turbos, but I'm looking for a smaller turbo, nothing incredible. Any ideas would be appreciated, as well as anyone who would know the cost of the turbo, and/or what kind of mods and system I would need. Thanks all.

[IsaacHayes]

You have a 96, so you can at least tune with a DHP. Good.

3400 heads and intakes would make your 3100 like a 2000+ one.

3500 LIM only bolts to 3500 heads. IIRC 3500 head bore is too big on a 3100, but will work on a 3400. You could however use a 3400 lower and a 3500 upper like I am.

I'd hold off on a cam, as the better bang for the buck is to just go to turbo. 3400 heads and intakes and a turbo would run well without having to pull the engine. Or just turbo it, tune it, and then later swap in a 3400 with your turbo stuff if you need more power. That would be the best route to take I would think as far as cost. Boost for the win.

[Sidewinder]

Awesome....I think I may get the 3400 heads and the upper and lower manifold ported first to give me some extra horse while I try to find someone to do up a turbo system for me. I do have one person nearby who can but he wants $4000, although its because he is using parts for 500-700 wheel horse.

[IsaacHayes]

The 3500 upper is a little work to get it going, but does have a nice power increase over the 3400 upper. Honestly I'd look into doing the turbo yourself, read up and get a welder. Once you've got the knowledge/etc then do it yourself.

[Sidewinder]

Do the 3400 heads and the 3400 Upper and Lower fit stock? I'm curious because if I do eventually swap a 3400 I don't want to port them...seems kind of a waste (we shall see though).

[SappySE107]

Why does porting the 3400 heads seem like a waste?

[IsaacHayes]

3400 heads and intake will bolt up to a 3100 block no problem. That's basically what a 2000+ 3100 is. (only the plenum says 3100 not 3400).

[Sidewinder]

Why does porting the 3400 heads seem like a waste?

If I swap in a full 3500 it would be a waste to do that, but I think I'm going to stick with the 3100/3400 hybrid. Do I need to get a 3400 TB as well?

[Azrael]

It'd be a good idea. The older 3100's had a 52mm TB while the newer 3100/3400's had 56mm ones. At most, it'll require the throttle cable linkage to be swapped. There's a how-to for it somewhere on this forum.

[IsaacHayes]

http://www.bstuff.com/index.php?showtopic=20001

and

http://60degreev6.com/showthread.php?t=32520

[Sidewinder]

Awesome, thanks for the help guys!

[Sidewinder]

Out of curiosity, for the top swap, would I need to replace all my gaskets? (Well what in general would be needed for the swap?)

Also, for the heads, does it need to be ported to support the UIM and LIM? If so can I send in my heads for the work?

[IsaacHayes]

Yes new gaskets. Exhaust, head, intake, injector o-rings, etc. I don't know about head bolts/studs if they can be re-used or not???

Porting is always good, but what do you mean to support the UIM/LIM? Are you thinking now of just swapping intake manifolds only?

[Sidewinder]

Well maybe I am confused, I do know the the opening of the UIM needs to be modified to support a bigger TB. When you port them does the opening increase in size?

[SappySE107]

Porting refers to the intake runners/ports in the manifolds. The TB opening can be ported as well but unless you get a larger throttle body, that does nothing. Since the majority have the stock TB, its considered "default" to not open the TB port up on the upper intake.

With a 3500 upper intake, there is no need to open this up unless you want to go bigger than 66mm.