3.4 Update

[Scottie1LE]

I have a 1994 Camaro, with the 3.4 liter engine. And before some says, well why dont you go out and buy a z28 I have an idea to get horse power out of the 60 degree v6 with out spending the massive amounts of money on gas and insurance that a z28 would cost me. But anyway, ive been thinking, and running prices latley and is it possible to take the Intake Manifold and heads off of a 2000+ 3400, and just bolt it on to my 3.4liter? Because i've been looking at this website for a while and all of the details are here, i just want to get some more information on it, and to see if anyone else has done the same.

[geoffinbc]

Yea you can do it. Your gonna need new pistons and alot more minor stuff.

I would take what you have however and boost it. Then you can compete with a V8 and keep your V6.

[sharkey]

you could pretty well bolt it on without changing pistons, but you will end up with around 12:1 compression, wich means premium fuel. you could use 3400 pistons in it and then you would have the stock 3400 9.6:1 compression. it will all bolt.

[StudlyCamaro]

12:1 compression + premium fuel + stock tune = no good, and with the lack of tuning choices other than standalone systems for that motor a piston swap is pretty much required

but yes it all bolts on, only one guy has done it that any of us are aware of .. http://www.camarov6.com/cgi-bin/ulti...&f=16&t=000765

[Scottie1LE]

Wow, Russell that was an awesome swap. Most of my questions were answered with that whole thread. Yet some still remain. Like I saw that you had Tubular Headers in those pics. What company and where and how much? Can I just use regular pistons from a 3400, or do i have to use Ross Racing pistons...thats ironic my last name is Ross. What did you make the Alternator Braket out of. And was there a major diffrence in 1/4 mile time? I think one of my major questions is do you have a whole entire parts list of things to do the swap with? I already plan to put an SLP Cold Air Intake, and an underdrive pully setup but Im trying to add the whole list up but new things keep comming up and i figured you went through it all so you should have a good idea of a complete parts list for a swap.

[bszopi]

He isn't Russell... And Russell doesn't come by here much anymore. Maybe I can get him to stop by and answer some of your questions.

[StudlyCamaro]

Wow, Russell that was an awesome swap. Most of my questions were answered with that whole thread. Yet some still remain. Like I saw that you had Tubular Headers in those pics. What company and where and how much? Can I just use regular pistons from a 3400, or do i have to use Ross Racing pistons...thats ironic my last name is Ross. What did you make the Alternator Braket out of. And was there a major diffrence in 1/4 mile time? I think one of my major questions is do you have a whole entire parts list of things to do the swap with? I already plan to put an SLP Cold Air Intake, and an underdrive pully setup but Im trying to add the whole list up but new things keep comming up and i figured you went through it all so you should have a good idea of a complete parts list for a swap.

yeah im not russ, however i do know a fair share about his car, and just sent him a link to this thread in an E-mail

we have the same headers, they are RK sport headers, your best bet if you want them new is probably www.ftpp.com . i dont remember how much they are new, i got mine used for 200

he is running stock 3400 pistons, and for the record, there are many other companies that can make a piston for these motors (dont believe much of what you read from camarov6.com)

what you will need: pistons, gaskets, heads, manifolds, throttle body, a longer throttle cable, a different upper radiator hose (the thermostat housing outlet is in a different place), a bracket to adjust the alternator position, and im pretty sure he changed the location of the p/s pump slightly also

im not sure what he did about the EGR, i havnt had one on my car for a while so i never asked about it

[94Camaro]

alright so...i started writing a response to this...and it took me 45 minutes. so instead of responding to everyones questions 1000x over. im going to this.

im going to write up a guide to swapping the topend of the 3400 onto the 3.4L RWD.
this is a work in progress, i will get on it asap and post it here when done.

mind you there are a few things to consider before you undertake this:

1) you will have to "modify" or custom-make 70% of the stuff on the car.
2) if you have any kind of smog check in your state or city, your car will fail visual inspection. the 3400 motor is 100% different on the top from the 3.4L RWD.
3) this is not an easy modification, as the engine sits so far under the cowl, its difficult to get to the back of the lower intake manifold (there are two screws in the very very back that can only be gotten to once the intake is on the engine).
4) the most important -- the minute you touch your engine, GM will no longer work on your car should any problems arise, nor will any mechanic that is not a performance oriented speed shop, and even then, good luck.

there are other considerations but those are the ones that stick out in my mind the most. i will still do the writeup, and if you are interested in doing it then more power to those that do. i have to warn you however, in doing this writeup i am absolutely not responsible for you messing up your car. if you think that halfway through this you have done something wrong and it is my fault, then you are gravely mistaken. im not trying to be a jerk, i jsut dont have any money and can't afford to be sued because someone decided to do this and can't finish it and then doesn't have a car. i hope you all understand me covering my ass :-p

let me finish by explaining that this little undertaking, while relatively "easy" -- if i were to rate this on a scale of 1-10 (1 = easy; 10 = professional only) it would fall somewhere around a 7 or 8. i know that a lot of you are going to read this and be like comeon..please... but im serious. a lot of people on here have a lot of knowhow. i did a LOT of research into this, and i just want to make you understand what you are getting into before you undertake it.

since i have done this swap, the SOTP feel has been amazing. i had a friend of mine -- who owns a ls1 -- drive the car, and hes convinced (while i havent gotten a good run at the track) that the car could easily get a 14.5-14.7. mind you all the parts are as they came from the factory, and there have been no modifications to the cam or ecm programming. its a stock t5 transmission as well, but backed by a spec stage iii clutch set.

anyhow. if this doesnt deter you and you still want to go through with it, keep checking back here often for when i finish this writeup and post it. i will try my best to get it up asap and i will take pictures (new) of the car in its current state with items detailed and storyboarded.

until then if you have any questions post them in this thread. i will check back here from time to time.

o yea -- one last thing.

engine before aluminum head swap:

1994 3.4L OHV (207ci)
stock internals, stock heads, stock manifolds, ported throttle body, k&N FIPK, Flowmaster 3" catback exhaust, stock PCM program.
dyno results: 140.2 rwhp / 182.75 rwtq (164hp/215tq)

engine after aluminum head swap:

3.4L/3100/3400 "hybrid" (207ci)
stock internals for a 1994 3.4L RWD motor, gen III Aluminum heads, 3x00 fuel system, 3400 throttle body, 3100(1996 grand am) plenum and lower intake manifold, 3400 pistons(9.6:1 CR), rksport headers, cutout(after the bend over the axle), gutted cat, stock PCM program -- all parts added or changed are GM "shelf" stock - meaning that they are complete with all casting flaws, no porting or polishing or gasketmatching.
dyno results: 170 rwhp / 207 rwtq (200hp/245tq)

edit - added this section, revised above - edit

3.4L/3400 "hybrid" (207ci)
stock internals for a 1994 3.4L RWD motor, gen III Aluminum heads, 3x00 fuel system, 3400 throttle body, 3400(2000+ grand am) plenum and lower intake manifold, 3400 pistons(9.6:1 CR), rksport headers, cutout(after the bend over the axle), gutted cat, stock PCM program -- all parts added or changed are GM "shelf" stock - meaning that they are complete with all casting flaws, no porting or polishing or gasketmatching.
dyno results: xxx rwhp / xxx rwtq (xxxhp/xxxtq)

end edit -- end edit

im sure i left things out, but thats the gist of it.

anyway. im off to bed, ill do a writeup asap and post it on here.
did i give everyone enough suspense?

ttyl.

-R

[Scottie1LE]

Im still going to do the swap. The thing is my dad owns a mechanic shop, so i have lifts, engine stands, people with know how, stuff like that around. Ive taken apart small block chevys before. Even though a 3.4 is a more complicated, i have my trusty Manuals around. Even though they might not help the installation of the top end. My car has not been to a dealer in years. Its a 94 so its only subject to visual emissions test. PA law. But thanks for all the information guys, now i just have to save up some money and get the parts. Hopefully i can get this car done by the fall.

[94Camaro]

thats cool. well ill do my best to make a detailed explanation of how to swap everything for ya. just might take me a day or two.