new guy, 3.4L hibred build

[dimentd]

Hey eveyone, been readin around here for a while gain information on the 60deg stuff, now im gonna build a 3.4 to replace my 2.8 in my little S-10.
Picked up a complete 3.4 from a donor camaro minus wiring. originally was gonna just stick with the 2.8 tbi set up and build the short block from the 3.4. but as time progressed and i started about this build and am now leaning towards the 3400 hybred...although not 100% on this build yet but still stoked about it.
I went to the wrecking yard this weekend for some misc crap and stumbled upon a late 90's lumina with a 3100 sfi, it was kool, somebody needed the heads and left all the roller rockers and roller lifters behind sitn on the cowl. couldnt beat the price for the find, so there now mine.
this is the correct gm upgrade stuff id want if goin roller is the way im thinkn, right? They should fit into the 3100/3400 heads yeah?
heres some pics of the rollers next to the older 3.4 stuff.
Hey im sorry for the long first thread, just wanted to let you guys know whats all in the mixing bowl...thanks!

[IsaacHayes]

Those will fit 96+ heads if they have the notches in the heads to locate the rockers. SOME 95's had them, but that's rare.

best to use 3400 heads, or 2000+ 3100 heads and top end (2000+3100 same as 3400).

2000+ had the best castings. 2003+ I think was when they went to 8mm vs 10mm rocker studs though.

Those rockers should be 10mm.

I'd go gen3 (3x00) top end. Hell you can even go 3500 LX9 top end on that 3.4 block. That'd get you 11.5:1 compression, better heads and you could put in a cam an headers and have one heck of a fast ride. You have room since it's a truck to do the gen3 top end no problem.

[Superdave]

Yep, 3500 top end on your 3.4 with a good cam and you'll be set.

No, you can't use those roller lifters in your 3.4. There are oiling issues and the lack of the anti-rotation bar/mounts. You'll have to stick with a flat tappet cam or a solid roller.


Check for bearing slop in those roller rockers, after 60K or so they start wearing out and get noisy.

[dimentd]

hey thanks for the info, the price was right at te wrecking yard, so i thought it be better to have a set than not, i can always get rid of em.
Okay i have to be stupid and ask this, please forgive me but...3500 LX9? 3rd gen?
when does 2nd gen end and 3rd gen start on these cars? im i gonna hunt down the top end of an impala 2003 and newer?
If the roller lifters wont work in the 3.4 iron block id still be able to pick up a set of roller rocker arms yea? just match them up with a good cam/lifter set and get custom pushrods made?
Ive also read that some internal stuff from the LS engines are inner changable...what and why?

[bszopi]

3500 is venturing into the Gen4 stuff...

Anything that is a 3x00 (ie, it says 3100 or 3400 on the plenum) is considered Gen3. Anything that is 3.1, 3.4, etc, is Gen 2 IF it has aluminum heads. All iron heads are Gen 1.

And yes, as long as you have the heads for the roller rockers, you can use them on the iron head block.

[dimentd]

Awsome! Thank you! so which gm vehicles entering the gen4 would i find bearing the 3500?
and these parts are interchangable with my short block as well?
Is the performance that much better than just doin the gen2 swap?

[Superdave]

the LX9 3500 (non-VVT) is a gen3.. 2004-2006 Malibu/Malibu maxx and some other cars had them.

there is another 3500 that has VVT, it's a gen4 engine and stuff isn't compatible with the older blocks.

Gen3 stuff is like night and day VS the gen1 and 2. Tons more flow.

[ForcedFirebird]

Yup. Don't forget that you will need 3400 pistons if you want mild compresion. They are a direct fit in the 3.4.

What are you going to do as far as tuning/ECM?

[dimentd]

well for the computer i was going to use the 95 camaro pcm and wiring harness, which i never did get yet, but now im wondering if i shouldnt find a pcm and harness for a gen3 engine and dial it in.

[dimentd]

hey is it true that LS1 LSX engine components are being used in these builds? ive seen alot of people stating that the ls pistons will work and the same going for the lifter springs and etc...can anyone shed some light on this subject please.
And thanks for bein kool with the questions, theres alot goin on with this little platform obviously and just cant afford dumping money when it just wont work.

[Superdave]

the piston thing had to do with the gen4 3900.

we use LSx style valve springs, retainers and locks. I have the Comp 26915 springs, hardened steel LS1 locks and retainers on my 3500 heads.

95 Camaro computer is not tunable (OBD 1.5), your best bet is get an engine harness from a V6 Cavalier (88-94)/Beretta (88-93) along with the 1227730 ECM. This will allow you to tune the engine for the best performance. You'll need the Tunerpro software (free), a memcal adapter and a Ostrich Emulator (both from Moates.net) to make the tuning as painless as possible.

There are alot of people here that can help you tune it.

[IsaacHayes]

Another option is to megasquirt it especially if it's a manual. There is already a pdf write-up how to for that out there.

[dimentd]

huh, interesting. you guys amaze me as far s what s bein done those cars, such as the 1st gen cavi's and berretas, working on them in the shops and just doing general maintence, never would of thought id rear about any of those "throw away" (no disrespect) cars running 12's and 13's...lol!
What front cover/pulley set up am i lookin at to run my accessories in the little truck? oh and im running an 700r4 auto, built will all corvette guts, just in the narrow housing.

[3400-95-Modified]

It's amazing what us crazy guys will do with a Beretta

[dimentd]

hey would i be able to use an aluminum oil pan from another engine that would work in my s10 or am i stuck with the steel pan only?
also, what type of accessory and or pulley drive setup will i have to convert to?