? about building a 94 RWD 3.4

[taijiguy]

I'm in the process of some major changes to my 85 Fiero GT and want to do a partial 3.4 swap. As it stands, I have a pretty strong 2.8- just a short-list of the current build:
.040 over
Heads ported, polished, gasket matched
Sealed Power cs-192r cam (no longer available, but it was the most radical cam I could find for the 60* V6, much more radical than any of the currently available off-the shelf grinds)
1.6:1 rockers w/ dual springs
headers and Ocelot exhaust
Edelbrock intake w/ Holley 390
Late 80's Blazer distributor
Etc....

What I'm planning (based on feedback from those here more knowledgeable then me in these matters) is to move all my 2.8 performance parts into a 3.4 block from a 94 Camaro. Based on what I've read this appears to be completely possible, correct? I've seen a great deal of info the eludes to that fact, but haven't seen anywhere that someone actually comes right out and says it can be done. Also, I've seen some references to using 3.1 heads which have a smaller chamber. Did I also see where I need to use a different head gasket set in order to bring the compression back down to something reasonable, yet still better than the 2.8 or 3.4 heads?

Thanks for any info

[candychevy87]

put all the goodies in the 3.4, then fully port it, it works smooth as butter, i though of the aluminium heads flowed better than the 3.1 but o well build away !!!

[taijiguy]

I saw some info on how well the aluminum heads flow as compared to the iron heads and thought about that. However, if I've accurately pieced together the various bits of info I've found around, I can't use my Edelbrock intake with the aluminum heads, is that correct?

[Superdave]

no, you'll have to use the entire aluminium top end. but you'll gain 50 or more HP by switching...

[taijiguy]

Hoo boy. I swear, I've been working on cars for over 30 years, and trying to figure out all this 60* stuff makes me feel like a newb all over again.
So I can use the aluminum heads on the cast block, and they flow better, significant gains. Great! So what year(s) would I be looking for if I were to go for those heads, AND, I'd have to pick up the intake setup as well. So did any of the vehicles that used the aluminum heads come with TBI that I could alter to take the Holley, or is there an aftermarket intake that will match up to them? Also, do they take the same rocker arms as the cast heads, or would I need to replace my roller rockers as well?
Thanks for all the info so far guys.

[geoffinbc]

Your are restricted to the stock intake manifolds that came with the Aluminum head motors. None were TBI or Carb'd, they all used SFI

[taijiguy]

I figured as much but thought I'd ask anyways.
So I've been seeking answers on the Fiero Forum as well as here, and it was suggested over there that I might consider the non-VVT 3.5 FWD, and use 3.6L pistons to bring up the CR. Thoughts? How do the engine and trans mounts compare to the 2.8/3.1/3.4?
BTW, the transmission isn't the stock 4 speed, it's a 5 speed from a Baretta. Don't know if that makes any difference in the physical installation or not.

[ForcedFirebird]

Use a 3.4 with the stock dished pistons and 3500 heads and you'll have 11.5:1, that's how my motor is built. The 3.4 block already has provisions for the DIS ignition since a distributor won't work with the lower manifold because it covers the distributor mounting location.

You could always use the complete 3500, Dave is getting close to 300whp with his

[taijiguy]

That's what I was wondering about. The problem for me is that I gutted the ECM from the car about 7 years ago when I rebuilt the motor and went "old school" with the Edelbrock Performer and Holley 390 4 bbl. It appears the 3.5 heads aren't compatible with the intake I have, and since I have no ECM, I can't really run a DIS. And I don't really want to go back to F/I. I really like my carb setup. Well, except that I need to customize the intake to rotate the carb 90*, but that's a different subject.
I'm starting to think the best way to go is to just use the 3.4 with my goodies in it and be happy with what I got. My 2.8 "shark-fin" heads are ported pretty well, and with a little work should polish up nicely. I imagine they'll flow well enough to get me more tickets than I could ever pay anyway.

[ForcedFirebird]

Ortie666 made a manifold for aluminum heads that has a carb on it. I don't know if you have the access to the fabrication needed.

[taijiguy]

...he must have maintained the DIS? I bet that's interesting.
Actually, it wouldn't be a bad thing to have a custom-built intake. The Edelbrock on the transverse mounted motor puts the carb basically sideways. Not bad until you go balls-out into a hard left and slosh all the fuel to the outside of the right side (would-be front) bowl.
I could get behind that idea if I could work out the ignition system.

[3400CaMaRo]

does any one have advice about the hump in the intake runners of the 3.4 camaro heads

[ForcedFirebird]

does any one have advice about the hump in the intake runners of the 3.4 camaro heads

What hump? On the inside of the intake ports of the heads?

[3400CaMaRo]

yeah

[taijiguy]

That "shark fin" should stay in place. It supposedly helps the heads to flow a bit better. It's OK to smooth them out and polish them, but don't remove them.