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With my firebird now tuneable I'd like to start thinking about the next project for my motor. This is still a year or two off but as some of you know, once I have a project in mind it's only a matter of time and money until it gets accomplished. So that being said please do not take these seemingly vast inquiries as an indication of a lack of research or seriousness on the subjects but rather instead an initial choice that will determine in which path the research lies.
For those who want a refresh of my car/motor:
93 3.4 l32 (iron head) v6
ported heads/intakes, holley adj fpr, 19lb injectors, comp custom cam, all comp valvetrain, cloyes tru double roller timing chain, full intake/exhaust etc. & most importantly (which makes this thread even relevant) 7727 ecm obd-1 swap with $A1 tune.
I've heard John say many times that once you get tuning in order the other things "fall into place" and I can see why he says that now. The cam/heads setup that I'm running now would not be streetable if it weren't for Ben and his tuning expertise. Or plainly rather, the tune itself. This however has opened up my eyes (and soon to be pockets) to two options left for me to take. I could go the route of a turbo or the route of the infamous 3xoo swap. I'd like to hash out which one will be best for me. But besides that, other considerations are to be kept in mind so I will just go ahead and state them.
- Which will cost more in the end?
- Which will produce more power?
- Which will be easier to tune with my obd-1 computer?
As far as the tuning goes, I will have to wait for those of you who have obd-1 tuning experience both with the 3xoo swap or with a turbo to chime in because I have no idea how difficult (or easy) either is to tune. I'm assuming the 3xoo would be easier to tune because FI is not involved but that is more of a presumtion than anything.
As far as power is concerned I realize there are many different "packages" relating to the 3x00 swap and different Turbo's that will vary drastically as far as power is concerned so for the sake of ease let's assume I'm talking about a completely stock 3500 swap ( I don't want to change the pistons as I would likely be doing this work by myself) with a custom cam and full tune, and as far as a turbo is concerned, one of the lower end smaller one's.
The 3x00 swap I would instally by myself but the turbo I would have to take to a shop to have them customize.
Let's talk for a second about the 3x00 swap.
- I would have to go with 3500 heads because I refuse to change pistons.
- I would need to buy all the parts/adapters available to make the swap simple and straightforward.
- I would need to buy a custom cam/lifter set.
- I would like to have the heads cleaned/checked/painted/rebuilt with all necessary valvetrain parts prior to installation
- I could do all the work myself.
- I would need to tune this afterwards with my 7727 obd1 computer.
also, I could sell many of the iron head pieces that I have installed right now to help fund this project since most of them will be useless after the swap.
Now that seems like a good deal of work but I'm assuming it will be the cheaper option. Plus I enjoy getting my hands dirty (not that i'm very good at it) which is why we do this in the first place eh?
Now for the turbo...
- I would have to get one customized at a shop and installed there by them since nobody makes true 3.4 kits.
- I would have to pay out the ass for this.
- I would have to install bigger fuel injectors
- I would have to install a larger fuel pump (walbro 255)
- I would have to get this thing tuned (I'm assuming we would have to change masks to a turbo based tune?)
in summary:
3x00 pros:
-do the work myself
-Probably cheaper?
-I'm assuming not too hard to tune
- Will really produce some power
- get to sell lots of old parts to help fund
3x00 cons:
- Lots of work...
- Lots of parts/pieces to buy....
Turbo Pros:
- Not much modification on my own part (injectors, fuel pump)
- Easy to just take to a shop and throw tons of money at it til it turns into a turbo'd beast
- Who doesn't like that turbo whistle?
- Engine stays pretty much the same
Turbo Cons:
- Cost!
- I'm sure tuning isn't quite that simple..
- Turbo would need to be custom
Will you guys please give me some input here before I really start to dedicate some serious time researching one or the other?
Even it if it's a one word answer, let me know which route you would go if this were your car, keeping considerations in mind of cost/ease.
And again I realize lots of my points/questions sound stupid but I'm just trying to figure out which way to go so I can begin my research(savings) in earnest.
For those who want a refresh of my car/motor:
93 3.4 l32 (iron head) v6
ported heads/intakes, holley adj fpr, 19lb injectors, comp custom cam, all comp valvetrain, cloyes tru double roller timing chain, full intake/exhaust etc. & most importantly (which makes this thread even relevant) 7727 ecm obd-1 swap with $A1 tune.
I've heard John say many times that once you get tuning in order the other things "fall into place" and I can see why he says that now. The cam/heads setup that I'm running now would not be streetable if it weren't for Ben and his tuning expertise. Or plainly rather, the tune itself. This however has opened up my eyes (and soon to be pockets) to two options left for me to take. I could go the route of a turbo or the route of the infamous 3xoo swap. I'd like to hash out which one will be best for me. But besides that, other considerations are to be kept in mind so I will just go ahead and state them.
- Which will cost more in the end?
- Which will produce more power?
- Which will be easier to tune with my obd-1 computer?
As far as the tuning goes, I will have to wait for those of you who have obd-1 tuning experience both with the 3xoo swap or with a turbo to chime in because I have no idea how difficult (or easy) either is to tune. I'm assuming the 3xoo would be easier to tune because FI is not involved but that is more of a presumtion than anything.
As far as power is concerned I realize there are many different "packages" relating to the 3x00 swap and different Turbo's that will vary drastically as far as power is concerned so for the sake of ease let's assume I'm talking about a completely stock 3500 swap ( I don't want to change the pistons as I would likely be doing this work by myself) with a custom cam and full tune, and as far as a turbo is concerned, one of the lower end smaller one's.
The 3x00 swap I would instally by myself but the turbo I would have to take to a shop to have them customize.
Let's talk for a second about the 3x00 swap.
- I would have to go with 3500 heads because I refuse to change pistons.
- I would need to buy all the parts/adapters available to make the swap simple and straightforward.
- I would need to buy a custom cam/lifter set.
- I would like to have the heads cleaned/checked/painted/rebuilt with all necessary valvetrain parts prior to installation
- I could do all the work myself.
- I would need to tune this afterwards with my 7727 obd1 computer.
also, I could sell many of the iron head pieces that I have installed right now to help fund this project since most of them will be useless after the swap.
Now that seems like a good deal of work but I'm assuming it will be the cheaper option. Plus I enjoy getting my hands dirty (not that i'm very good at it) which is why we do this in the first place eh?
Now for the turbo...
- I would have to get one customized at a shop and installed there by them since nobody makes true 3.4 kits.
- I would have to pay out the ass for this.
- I would have to install bigger fuel injectors
- I would have to install a larger fuel pump (walbro 255)
- I would have to get this thing tuned (I'm assuming we would have to change masks to a turbo based tune?)
in summary:
3x00 pros:
-do the work myself
-Probably cheaper?
-I'm assuming not too hard to tune
- Will really produce some power
- get to sell lots of old parts to help fund
3x00 cons:
- Lots of work...
- Lots of parts/pieces to buy....
Turbo Pros:
- Not much modification on my own part (injectors, fuel pump)
- Easy to just take to a shop and throw tons of money at it til it turns into a turbo'd beast
- Who doesn't like that turbo whistle?
- Engine stays pretty much the same
Turbo Cons:
- Cost!
- I'm sure tuning isn't quite that simple..
- Turbo would need to be custom
Will you guys please give me some input here before I really start to dedicate some serious time researching one or the other?
Even it if it's a one word answer, let me know which route you would go if this were your car, keeping considerations in mind of cost/ease.
And again I realize lots of my points/questions sound stupid but I'm just trying to figure out which way to go so I can begin my research(savings) in earnest.
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