Need Final Thoughts

[Sidewinder]

Alrighty, after giving it some thought I've decided what route I'm going to take engine wise with my car, and I just wanted some final thoughts about it.

I'm still debating on a 3500 top swap, the only way I'll do that is if I can find a 3400 shortblock and the rest of the parts for a decent price. As it stands now, I'm going to look for a full 3400 to swap instead of the hybrid. Part of the reason for doing it that way is cost (this way I will have more money left over for suspension mods), and selling parts around here is difficult.

Here is what I am planning on doing:

- Complete 3400 swap
- Some sort of tuner to tune
- 60* Performance Cam
- Custom Ported Upper (Ported for 65mm TB) and Lower Intake Manifolds
- Custom Ported and Rebuild Heads
- LS6 Valves Springs (I believe I need these for the cam)
- 60* Custom Length Pushrods
- TCE 65mm TB
- S&S Headers with full performance exhaust

1) What do you guys think?

2) Anything else I should look into?

3) What kind of horsepower do you think this setup will produce?

One thing I would like to note, I am not looking for a 12 second or even 13 second car. I'm looking for something to work on a put effort into and call mine, and I'm looking for something a little bit faster than what I have now and that I will enjoy driving.

[MY91GT(Z)]

sound pretty good cant give u hp #s cause it depends on the cam u plan on choosin from ben and the only other thing to look into is 3500 parts as that would be a big benefit to the cam

[IanSzgatti]

where in Canada are you? saw your f-quick site, thats a nice clean lumina

[SappySE107]

Depends on which cam and what porting on the heads. The 1280 grind and street/strip ported heads were what Colin had on his 222whp Malibu. Larger injectors need to be on the list though. 222 wasn't with my manifolds and with a 62mm bored out stock TB.

Those are the only numbers I have so far but it was a streetable setup. It was also tuned, which is important.

[Sidewinder]

where in Canada are you? saw your f-quick site, thats a nice clean lumina

I'm in Ontario, two places really depending on the time of year. Right now I'm in the Oshawa area. Thanks for the compliment

Depends on which cam and what porting on the heads. The 1280 grind and street/strip ported heads were what Colin had on his 222whp Malibu. Larger injectors need to be on the list though. 222 wasn't with my manifolds and with a 62mm bored out stock TB.

Those are the only numbers I have so far but it was a streetable setup. It was also tuned, which is important.

I was thinking either stage 1 or stage 2 cam. I'm not sure about the porting on the heads at the moment, have to look into it now that I've decided. I'm looking into a way of tuning it. I'm trying to find a used or possibly new DHP, but if not I'll probably go with HPTuners.

What kind of injectors work? I know of a few people on here who have 3.4 DOHC injectors, and I've seen topics about it but I never really asked.

I wasn't looking for any concrete numbers, just a rough estimate, I would be perfectly happy with 222whp

[SappySE107]

L67 injectors are what he is using, but you don't need that much injector. 4.2 trailblazer injectors are fine. 3.4 DOHC aren't enough.

Stage 2 is a good cam but LS6 springs will give you less than .030 before coilbind. Its been done, and you can do it but I can't recommend it. Easy enough to take care of though if the heads get redone. Cut the seats down .030 and its good to go.

[Monzsta]

Here's what a 3400 with a FAFB converter does in a Lumina. It's stock, saved for ported heads, intake and exhaust manifolds, 2 1/2" exhaust and a DHP tune written by me. Launch rpm is around 3600 rpm and I had to pedal it a bit in 1st to not blow the tires away.

[Sidewinder]

L67 injectors are what he is using, but you don't need that much injector. 4.2 trailblazer injectors are fine. 3.4 DOHC aren't enough.

Stage 2 is a good cam but LS6 springs will give you less than .030 before coilbind. Its been done, and you can do it but I can't recommend it. Easy enough to take care of though if the heads get redone. Cut the seats down .030 and its good to go.

Alrighty, L67 injectors shouldn't be too hard to come by, I'll add them to my list. Actually, I think my brother in law has a blazer sitting out with my Monte Carlo parts car, I'll find out if it has a 4.2.

Can you explain what coilbind is, because I have no clue? I've been learning alot about engines and how they work, but one thing I'm still a bit baffled about if the valvetrain. Guess I should do some more research

Here's what a 3400 with a FAFB converter does in a Lumina. It's stock, saved for ported heads, intake and exhaust manifolds, 2 1/2" exhaust and a DHP tune written by me. Launch rpm is around 3600 rpm and I had to pedal it a bit in 1st to not blow the tires away.

NICE! That is a bloody sweet sound. That makes me even more excited to get this done, thanks for the video.

I have a few more questions now:

1) Can a 4T60E handle that engine?

2) Where can a get a shift kit for it?

3) Could I use a 4T60E from a 3.4DOHC on a 3400?

[Monzsta]

1) Yes. If it's healthy, it'll hold. I feel I'm at it's limits, tho. When I go into it to change the chain/sprockets, I'll up the line pressure by shimming the pressure regulator spring.

2) I made mine. You drop the pan and take out the accumulator assembly. Then open it up and shim and/or replace the springs with stronger ones. Old engine valve springs work great here. Search the GTP 4T65E, it's the same in this area.

3) I'm sure, if it's the same. All the GM FWD V6's and pushrod 4 cylinders (except 2.5 pontiac) had the same pattern. It might be better to have a run of the mill 4T60E beefed by a competant tranny man. Dig around and you can find a deal. (I build 'em for $400.) The key is to find a guy to do it on the side. Think bribes. And beer. Tell him you want red or blue clutches, and higher line pressure.

[Sidewinder]

Ok, because the last thing I need is a mauled tranny when I need to drive the car and I'm not sure what the 4T60Es can take.

Well I know the 3.4DOHC tranny can be used with other engines that have the 4T60E, I think just the gearing is different. The reason why I asked if it can be used is that will give me a tranny to rebuild while working on the engine, and I won't need to get another transmission (since I have the DOHC and tranny). I'm not sure what can be done or even if it can work.

[SappySE107]

Coilbind is when the valve springs can't compress anymore. You don't want to push the limits for longevity.

[Sidewinder]

Ah ok, I figured thats what it meant, but I wasn't sure. What kind of valve springs should I get with the cam then?

[SappySE107]

Depends on the cam and the heads. Stage 2 cam will work with either the 26986 comp springs, or the heads can have the spring pockets cut down .030 and use LS6 springs.

[Sidewinder]

Alright, so I've compiled a final list for the spring of what I need to get. Hopefully I won't need anything else, but if you see something I missed let me know.

Critical Item:

- DHP Powrtuner or similar tuner

Engine

- Complete low mileage 3400 (not all accessories needed)
- Engine Cleaner
- Various Grades of Sandpaper
- High Temp Paint
- Various Engine Fluids
- Gaskets
- Bolts or any other small items I need as research progresses
- TCE 65MM Throttle Body

Transmission

1) 4T60E currently connected to the 3100.
2) 4T60E from the DOHC I have, rebuilt and gearing changed.
3) 4T65E from a donor car.

Exhaust

1) Dual exhaust from my Monte parts car, cut at the downpipe. Welded on with new downpipe for better flow. Paired with either 3400 manis or '05 3400 manis with 3500 port sizes.

2) Eventually I would like to get S&S headers and do a full custom exhaust, I'm going to hold off on this for a little while though.

Possible Items (Still deciding whether I want them or if they are needed)

1) New valves
2) Comp or LS6 Valvesprings
3) 60* Performance Cam
4) 60* Custom Length Pushrods
5) '05 Impala 3400 Exhaust Manifolds

I'm now debating on whether I want to get the Cam or not, as it will add about $300 to 500 on to the swap. I just figured since I was going to have the engine apart I may as well get it done instead of doing it twice. I need to work out a budget for this thing and figure out whether I can add it in.

Anything you guys think I will need or should look into aside from what I have listed here?