noob needs help on engine build

[mjc79]

just like the title says im a noob to this engine lol. well, performance wise, i've torn into quite a few of these 3.1's and 3.4's when i worked for a friend at his shop. the car in question for the build is my 95 achieva. i want to keep the engine thats in it for now and just buy a j/y motor to build on. i've read quite a few threads on how to swap parts from different motors but im still unclear as to what years and what models to get stuff from and which parts fit on what. my car dont have mass air, so would that cause a problem with swapping parts into this car? i read the 3.4 swap on 3400.com but it just basically showed how to swap the motor itself in and not upgrading it. i found a low mile 3.4 from a 03 grand am for 375 bucks locally. was just wondering what all i can put in or on the motor to make it achieve atleast 275 flywheel hp without any power adders. the motor can be made to handle power adders also, like nitrous but i'd rather have it n/a. sorry for the book here, just confused is all. if you need any more info on the car let me know.

Edit: forgot to say also it will be a daily driver. more highway driving than city.

thanks

mike

[IsaacHayes]

You'll have to look into a way of tuning if you want to achieve 275 crank HP. The 94-95 3100 cars are un-tuneable.

Piggyback megasquirt seems like a good cheap option, check the thread on that.

You could do a 3500 LX9 non-vvt and build it up with a cam and some custom headers or modded ones to fit, and get pretty close.

Or a 3400 bottom with 3500 top end, high compression pistons (camaro 3.4 perhaps) and cam, headers and be there probably.

But you'll need a way to tune or you'll not have a smooth running car, and it won't make full power.

[mjc79]

You'll have to look into a way of tuning if you want to achieve 275 crank HP. The 94-95 3100 cars are un-tuneable.

Piggyback megasquirt seems like a good cheap option, check the thread on that.

You could do a 3500 LX9 non-vvt and build it up with a cam and some custom headers or modded ones to fit, and get pretty close.

Or a 3400 bottom with 3500 top end, high compression pistons (camaro 3.4 perhaps) and cam, headers and be there probably.

But you'll need a way to tune or you'll not have a smooth running car, and it won't make full power.

wish the car was a 96 , be better being an obd2.

the basics i was wondering if the ports would match up when swapping these parts. like if i need to port match and such. i can do the stuff which isnt no biggie. but my main concerns is the heart of the motor. would like to have all forged internals if possible, like rods, crank and pistons. im not too familiar on which engines in other vehicles had better stuff than others. i always thought a 3100 was a 3100 and a 3400 was a 3400 lol.

thanks

mike

[mjc79]

ok, i found a 3500 from a 04 malibu for 600 bucks. has almost 6K miles on it and is complete with all accessories. would that be a better route and just build the internals up on that motor than getting the 3400?

[Superdave]

i'm getting 316 crank HP from a 3500 with a stock bottom end and no power adders...


Yes, the LX9 3500 is the way to go for performance.

a decent cam, larger injectors and even using the stock 3500 "header" exhaust manifolds with a good crossover/exhaust would put you very close to the 275 mark with tuning..

Keep in mind, you'll have to buy an external crankshaft trigger for the 3500, and also a few other random parts.. but the end result is worth it.

there is some good 3500 swap info here: http://www.v6z24.com/jbodyforum/3500...ls-t98567.html

that's more centered around swapping to a Jbody but there is still alot of info.

[IsaacHayes]

Grab that LX9. 200hp to start with. Do what Dave said and you're on your way.

No need for forged parts, hell there are lots of people with stock 3400's and 9-10psi of boost and putting down 300+ whp.

[mjc79]

Grab that LX9. 200hp to start with. Do what Dave said and you're on your way.

No need for forged parts, hell there are lots of people with stock 3400's and 9-10psi of boost and putting down 300+ whp.

cool deal. would the stage 3 n/a cam from WOT be ok for a daily driver or should i go with the stage 2 grind? when i do all of this the car may see some highway but for right now the plans are mainly for the street.

[Barry]

If you need help with the 3500 swap, shoot me a pm. Im doing to right now and its still fresh in my head.

[3400-95-Modified]

I have a more agressive exhaust lobe than the stage 3 cam, actually I have the intake lobe from stage 3 and exhaust from the 1331 and I could easily daily drive my car... gas mileage sucks tho because that damn gas pedal is so heavy...

[mjc79]

If you need help with the 3500 swap, shoot me a pm. Im doing to right now and its still fresh in my head.

thanks for the heads up man. i probly wont tackle this project until late feb., but i'll keep it in mind if i need some help.

[mjc79]

I have a more agressive exhaust lobe than the stage 3 cam, actually I have the intake lobe from stage 3 and exhaust from the 1331 and I could easily daily drive my car... gas mileage sucks tho because that damn gas pedal is so heavy...

lol i hear ya on the heavy foot deal.

as far as ptv clearance is connerned i should'nt have any problems there should i ? say i wont have to notch the pistons for the valves to clear with a bigger cam?