'03 3400...I want to bring her to its max power NA style

[Cino]

I currently have a 03 Grand Am GT with a 3400 motor in her. I really can't do anything to the motor for the next 4 years or 100k, which ever comes sooner. So I have 4 years to buy parts before I do anything to her. I don't know much about v6 engie building, even v8 at that. Is there a computer sim program out there that can help blueprint this motor for the most HP? I would like to get her around 250-300 HP( wheel would be nice but i don't think this motor can do that) before I add a S/C or turbo to her. I know the tranny will need to be redone and the computer also.

Here is a list of stuff I know would need to be done

Reworked Heads( any ideas on the specs?)
cam ( would need help on the specs)
posions ( specs any?)
crank ( i heard i don't need to do anything there but what to check)
rods ( somthing really really strong)
headers ( prob TOG or turbo headers if i go with a trubo)
62mm TB, bigger injetors
crank pulley ( don't know if I should touch it or not)

Turbo or RSM S/C ( I'm thinking of the RSM S/C, what do u guys think?)

Should I have the motor bored?

I know this is going to cost alot... But if I buy a part every other month or so..it wouldn't hurt till its time to install

Has anyone else worked a 3400 to its fullest yet?

[geoffinbc]

You do not need to change the crank, rods or pistons. They are plenty strong. Making 300 at the crank while naturally aspirated wont be easy if you want your car to idle. The 3400 head and intake combination is great as is. Maybe some slight porting would be nice. Currentally there is no cam avalible for teh 3400. Header are good if they are avalible then get them.

Putting a supercharger on a totally stock motor would be just fine. They are well built as is.

[v6h.o.]

the problem is if your going to build it for 250-300 NA hp then you cant just go and add a supercharger or turbo on afterwards.

if you intend on building a large HP Naturally asperated engine, then your looking at High Compression ratio's (10.5:1-12:1 range). which then to add a power adder on afterwards wont work as you want a lower 8.5:1 to 9.5:1 compression ratio for boost applications.

plan to build one or the other. unless you dont mind doing it twice.

[geoffinbc]

Well 4 years of saving might aquire lotsa bling to do several builds

[Cino]

I was afraid of that it would one or the other. From your exp, would u throw a s/c on or go NA? Would it be worth putting money into the motor or throwing a s/c on with mid work heads/headers/ported tb/intake.

Thanks

[RebelGT]

get a spare engine off ebay or a junkyard, and just rebuild it.... 4 years is a long time to wait to have any fun....

[Cino]

get a spare engine off ebay or a junkyard, and just rebuild it.... 4 years is a long time to wait to have any fun....

I don;t really have to wait 4 years, but I want to get the most out of my warranty. Maybe I will look for a 3400 block.

[geoffinbc]

Use boost. It is more fun!

[dbtk2]

get a spare engine off ebay or a junkyard, and just rebuild it.... 4 years is a long time to wait to have any fun....

I don;t really have to wait 4 years, but I want to get the most out of my warranty. Maybe I will look for a 3400 block.

Also remember that mods don't void you whole warranty. Just whatever parts that effects. I don't know this for sure, but from what I've heard they have to prove that the mod caused the damage. Like for instance, if you build the piss out of your motor with P&P'ed heads, cam, different pistons, etc... and then your seat heater quits working they still have to fix the seat heater because obviously your mods didn't have anything to do with the seat heater breaking.

And legally they can't void your warranty because of an aftermarket air intake or exhaust. So you could do minor stuff like that for now.

Shawn

[kubiache]

Why can't you do anything for 4 years?

More importantly, if you're not going to do anything to it until then, what makes you think you'll still want that car in 4 years? What if in 4 years you come across something better? Then you've got this completely built 3400 sitting there ready to go on ebay I guess.

[xxrollin]

Build one or the other is right. N/A can get you only so far. Higher compression is needed to get well into the 200hp range and if you do decide to boost it then you'll be only capable of running 4-6psi at most on 11:1. Stick with the stock bottom end and you'll be fine in the 300-350hp range, but the pistons are gonna hurt you before anything else. Get ahold of some new pistons and keep the 9.6:1 comp and later you can boost it.

Heres an idea to get around your warrenty issues. Get a used 3400, build it for whatever, boost, N/A, then when an issue comes up like the tranny is pukin its guts up, swap the stock motor back in. Warrenty will cover your problems......

[Cino]

Heres an idea to get around your warrenty issues. Get a used 3400, build it for whatever, boost, N/A, then when an issue comes up like the tranny is pukin its guts up, swap the stock motor back in. Warrenty will cover your problems......

I was thinking of the same thing. I may just save my money and go with a S/C. I can always rip it out if I have motor/tranny problems.

Stephen

[Manitcor]

Heres an idea to get around your warrenty issues. Get a used 3400, build it for whatever, boost, N/A, then when an issue comes up like the tranny is pukin its guts up, swap the stock motor back in. Warrenty will cover your problems......

I was thinking of the same thing. I may just save my money and go with a S/C. I can always rip it out if I have motor/tranny problems.

Stephen

boost is lots more fun and youll reach your goal much easier, thats my plan been boosted before and I want it back

[ikessky]

been boosted before and I want it back

Why didn't you ever swap your turbo system over to your 3400?