New member...3100 potential

[94CuttySL]

I recently purchased a 94 Cutlass Supreme SL which at the time had 48,300 miles. I have since added about 5,000 miles and I love the car. It runs great, looks great, and has a lot of potential. I have become pretty well acquainted with RSM Racing, and took a visit to their Mississauga, ON location. So far I have their intake (and front STB) but am planning on getting the larger 62mm TB, and most likely the ported intake plenums and heads, and a Magnaflow catback exhaust system. Idealy, I would like to get the RSM Vortech supercharger kit for it as well, and after visiting them, I felt even more comfortable about eventually getting it and having them do the install.

A couple questions I had were:

1. Could my 4T60-E handle all the torque these mods will add, especially the SC? (I have many doubts that it will handle it, without beefing it up quite a bit). So I guess the real question is...How much of these mods can I do without having to beef up the tranny, and What should I do to beef it up..or should I swap it? I don't want to have to spend 1000s more on the tranny if that's what a lot of mods will do, but the SC really would be nice

2. Is there anyone out there who has done a lot of modifying to their 3100? If so, do you have any guidelines as to how to go about my plans, suggestions, tips, etc...

Help/Advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[rudefyet]

The tranny question is a tricky one...

many people have had no problems whatsoever witht they're 4T60-E while other tons of issues

GM limited the torque on the Turbo Grand Prix to 225 lb/ft, although this was on the old vacuum controlled 4t60, it's probably safe to say the 4T60-E shares similar charateristics

IMO, if you are going for over 250hp i'd say you NEED to have the tranny modified, I know there are places that will do it, but other forum memebers will have to clue you in

As for the 3100 mods, sounds like a nice list, you could score yourself a set of ported 3400 heads since they have larger intake valves, but the supercharges main issue is mounting...

On top of the engine your probably going to have clearance issues with the hood and need a custom intake manifold.

Theres some one around the inter net with a supercharged 3400 that has the supercharger placed in front of the engine, this would be your best bet, although it will still require some custom fabrication. I'll see if i can find his cardomain site real quick...found http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/227319/1

Anyone can correct me if i got any details wrong

[94CuttySL]

This SC would replace the aftermarket intake. It's probably the same SC as the one on the 3400 you're talking about. The battery and washer fluid tank would have to be relocated I'm sure of. I've seen a pic of a Grand Am that RSM did and it's pretty nice under that hood.

EDIT: saw that link...nice! The SC I am looking at getting is here: (Vortech SC from RSM)



While getting roughly 270hp out of this car is something that I would love to do, I may not do the SC. If I get this car to 200hp I would be completely satisfied honestly..and if that wouldn't require tranny modifications, that would be even better. My previous car had the 4T60-E with 225lb/ft stock, and I modified that with no problems (maybe some minor quirks). If money wasn't a factor I would put about 10gs under the hood no problem, and I'd have one hell of a Cutty too.

In general, what do you think a CAI, 62mm TB, catback exhaust, and ported upper/lower intake/heads get me?.. I'm guessing that would get me to 200 no problem.

Thanks for the help!

[SappySE107]

They are overpriced and I hate their customer service. Wish you luck dealing with them.

[bszopi]

As far as the tranny issue... All of the SC kits that have been developed for this engine (well, the 3400, but same difference) have been mainly for the GA. The GA comes with a 4T45-E (some with the 4T40-E), which actually has a lower torque rating than the 4T60-E. I know there are guys out there running the SC kits without tranny mods and haven't experiences any major problems.