3.4L/3500 hybrid build advice

[Xceler8]

I finally started assembling parts. Here is what I have so far:

1985 Fiero
1995 camaro 3.4 liter engine (I intend to only use the short block)
2004 3500 heads
2004 3500 upper and lower intake

it is not much but it is a start. Here is the rough plan so far.

I am planning on running a 7730 ECM, a non-electronic 4t60 that i still must purchase, put the 3500 top end on the 3.4l short block. I am going to put in a new cam and lifters but am not sure what dirrection to go there. I plan on doing nitrous and possibly boost down the road but not right off the bat.

questions:

#1: 3.4l block has a crank trigger wheel inside. will that be good enough for the ignition or do i need something else.

#2: what cam and lifters should I use, flat tappet or roller? I know thw newer motors are roller but can i put roller lifters in the older block and if so what is involved in that. I would rather use roller stuff but don want too much hassle.

#3: does the 7730 do only batch fire injectors or true sequential or does it depend on the wiring and prom chip?

#4: what am i supposed to do for tuning. I know there are chips in them but what should i use? I guess i need to ask some of the tuning places around here what to do on that question though.

I am trying to stay on the cheap as much as possible here. I have gotten the stuff I have now for next to nothing.

that is all i can think of for now but i am sure more will come up.

edit: I know i will need custom pushrods, and I do have the stock rockers for the 3500 heads which i was planning on keeping.

[robertisaar]

1: yes, that has the correct reluctor wheel for a 7730.

2: you have a 3.4RWD block, you cannot put roller lifters/cam in it.

3: 7730 are batch fire only. depending on the required pulse width, the ECU may spread the pulses into multiple shots instead of one big shot of fuel. SFI is overrated anyways.

4: there are quite a few tuners on this board, at least one of them will be able to hook you up with what you need.

[Xceler8]

Alright that confirms most everything I thought but wasn't sure of. okay here go some more questions:

#5 What head gaskets should i use? I am assuming the camaro ones right?

I think my pistons are pretty loose and I am planning on sending the block to a machine shop to be checked out and all the tolerances measured.

#6: If i need new pistons what is my best option? I found some oversized federal mogul pistons for the camaro on summits website. is that my best bet?

#7: I am also going to have the heads checked over, should i have them install new springs for higher rpm? I think I read that LS6 springs are the best for that or am i mistaken.

#8 this one is important,, the heads dont quite line up with the valley sealing surface on the back (flywheel side) of the block. what is up with that. what do i need to do to ensure it seals correctly? Or can I not use these heads on this block all together.

I know these are all newbie questions but I would rather ask and be sure on everything and findng all the answers to so many questions takes sooo much time for my bad searching skills. thanks for all the help!

[robertisaar]

john(forcedfirebird) would know all of those, i believe he did the same build that you're talking about.

and i just read that roller cams HAVE been put in the gen1 and 2 blocks but its more work. not sure if you want to go that route, but it is possible, sorry about the misinformation above.

[Xceler8]

I will search to see what is needed to be done to put a roller cam in thank you for the info.

[Xceler8]

this question goes to the guys with fieros that have done this or a similar swap.

What about cooling? I am planning on using the fiero accesory drive setup, and the fiero timing cover and water pump. but what about the thermostat? where should i put it. the stock fiero has that weird setup with the t-stat.

#9 Should I try to use the fiero setup or the 3500 setup?

#10 What about throttle body? what will fit that intake with a cable operated setup and have all the tps and iac stuff i need, I would rather not buy the expensive billet one but what are my options?

[IsaacHayes]

#10 65mm one from an 3.5L DOHC Olds Intrigue. The WOTTECH store is out of adapters right now and Forced_Firebird said it would be a little bit longer before he can make more. I *think* the 96+ 3.4DOHC TB might be the same or mount the same as the 3.5L Olds Intrigue one.. Just waiting for verification on that. I'm running one on my 3100.

[Xceler8]

I will start looking for one of those, thanks

[bszopi]

The issue with using roller rockers in a Gen1/2 block is a mounting point for a lifter anti-rotation device. The bore spacing is different than standard, therefore regular bar type roller rockers will not fit. The 3x00s have an anti-rotation bar that gets bolted to the block, but the Gen1/2 blocks lack a spot to drill/tap for this bar. I have seen people come up with other ideas (someone just mentioned in the past day or 2 about welding studs to the block for the bars to attach to), but its not going to be something just anyone can do.

[Xceler8]

Yeah i grabbed the anti rotation bars out of the 3500 I go the heads off of but I see what you mean about there not being a place to attach them.

I was thinking more along the lines of using aftermarket roller lifters with the link bars between each pair of two.

None the less I will simple use a flat tappet cam that is no big deal. I just need to figure out which. I am thinking of having John (forcedfirebird) design and grind one for me since they dont seem that much more than aftermarket cams.

I need to figure my compression ration though and decide if i am going to put and power adders on before i have him design one for me.

[WrathOfSocrus]

#5 Use the head gaskets that match the pistons used to ensure proper quench. Iron head pistons don't protrude from the block like the aluminum head pistons do, so using the iron head gaskets with iron head pistons should work well.

#6 You probably don't want to overbore the engine any more than it has to, so you may want to have the block checked before ordering the pistons. Northern Auto parts (check out their ebay store) and WOT-Tech (banner above)are also a couple places to look for pistons.

#7 The proper spring would be based on the cam used. I'm certain Forced Firebird would be knowledgeable in that area.

#8 The gap there is the thickness of the stock LIM (lower intake manifold) gasket. As long as the alignment dowels were in place when the heads were installed the heads should be in the proper location.

#9 The thermostat sits inside the LIM. Probably easiest to use the 3500 setup.

None the less I will simple use a flat tappet cam that is no big deal. I just need to figure out which. I am thinking of having John (forcedfirebird) design and grind one for me since they dont seem that much more than aftermarket cams.

I need to figure my compression ration though and decide if i am going to put and power adders on before i have him design one for me.

That's the best way to go for a flat tappet cam.