Project 3400 Roller Cam Block (Page 9/82)
lou_dias NOV 12, 01:56 PM
Tachometer fix. Was missing the tach filter.
Got a chip from DarthFiero, car seems to run good.
I had some sticky lifters. I put an additive in the oil to loosen them up and I think it worked for one of them. Next oil change I may put an additive to fill them up if the slight ticking/tapping I still hear doesn't go away but one of them did with this additive. I'm amazed it made a difference at all. Now instead of running on 4.25 cylinders, I feel like it's running on 5.25 cylinders.

I need to put in my ported water separator/air silencer. I need to put a full 2.5" exhaust. Right now it's stock from the cat back.

So once again, Summit rockers do fit.

On the lifters, it's my fault for not replacing them. I had good luck with used lifters with more miles before. Again, they are probably just sticky. I think they have 58k miles on them. Yeah, yeah, after all the other things I replaced, I shouldn't have taken a chance with them. I want to put some miles on this motor before a dyno.

I got some pinging under load on the highway. I'll try backing off the timing a hair. Lots of lower and mid-range power. I think the air intake tube is holding me back as is the 2.5" exhaust. I got about 180 miles on the motor so far.
lou_dias DEC 06, 11:14 AM
It turns out I had a so-so plug wire and a cracked plug wire.
So I really was running on 4.75 cylinders.
I pick up the car today. Excited to see the real power of this monster.

I believe it will give my turbo 3.1 a run for it's money.

[This message has been edited by lou_dias (edited 12-06-2007).]

lou_dias JAN 10, 09:20 AM
After replacing the lifters and injectors...

Well, I am firing all 6 cylinders now.
I can accelerate in 6th gear no problem now.
The torgue is unbelievable.
No top end yet. I need to put a proper exhaust on there.
If I dynoed it now, I'd say 140hp/205tq.
With a full 2.5" exhaust, I can see 170/210.
I'm not even going to dyno it until I get a proper exhaust.

Stay tuned...
fierosound JAN 10, 09:52 AM

quote
Originally posted by 88 Silver Formula:

...and i also used 1.6 rockers..just not rollor..3.1Liter ones, same everything else as you tho..oh and the proper length pushrod is 5.98inches...not 5.85....but honestly either will work fine depending on rockers..i used 6 inch push rods cause im using stock rockers, alluminm as urs and fierosound are slightly bigger so 5.85 is needed to clear the valve cover..so no worries there..btw dont listen to fireosound....ive learned that the hard way,

i brought my mechanic a completed short block including heads and he said 1100$ will do it.....but that was before we got into an arguement and found out that there was A L O T of drilling, hellacooling, timeserting, welding, grinding that fierosound D I D N O T mention!!! so yes my mech is pissed!!! so had telling what the $$$ is up to know..thanks fierosound!!!



There's differences between the cars and engines and will therefore have some variance in the installs. The 5.85" long pushrod works fine - even you agree "but honestly either will work fine depending on rockers".

I did not mention all the items you are talking about because I did not do all the "extra" work your mechanic managed to find.

The 3400 block has 2 water pump bolts that are larger than on the 2.8 and I just drilled the 2 water pump and timing cover holes bigger. Not sure why your mechanic chose the more DIFFICULT and EXPENSIVE way to rectify this. I apologised for forgetting to mention that the bypass hole in the timing cover needs to be plugged.


On the 87, all that was required was a slight grinding of the front L-bracket motor mount to clear the corner of the aluminum oil pan. I believe I even sent this picture showing the circled area where this is. (not a pic of my engine, I used original 2-bolt rubber mount) The front motor mount on the 88 is obviously VERY different than the previous years. I had NO WAY to know that to tell you that your mechanic would need to build you a completely new motor mount.


Had you known more about your own car this could have been solved before taking your engine in. At least it's driving good now and you're happy with the power of the engine.

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 01-10-2008).]

lou_dias FEB 07, 03:24 PM
Well, it turns out most of the drivability issues I've been having with the car are due to a bad coolant temp sensor. The probes on the sensor were rusty tripping code 15. My plugs were constantly getting fouled and lately caused a code 13. I pulled 3 plugs, cleaned them and replaced the sensor then started it (on 3 cylinders) eventually the motor warmed up and the other 3 cylinders started to fire. Prior to this I had replaced the plugs 3 times since October.
Let's hope for the best from now on.
lou_dias FEB 25, 08:36 AM
well, 18 days later, I must say the car is running better and better...
I must note, thanks to my oversized wheels (255/55/16)..or are they 50 series..., I don't have the issues that people thought they'd have with the F40 6speed.
3rd gear goes to ~100mph @ 6000rpm instead of 90mph, in 4th gear, I am doing 45mph @ 2000rpm instead of 40mph with the getrag. 5th is about the same and in 6th, I am doing 69mph @ 2000rpm.

The car uses a dakota digital unit to run the speedometer with a signal from the transmission. It was calibrated with a gps so it's pretty accurate.
Short term plans for the car are to make the interior nicer. I might also have someone replace the outer dew wipes with some replacements I picked up from diy_stu a few months ago.
lou_dias MAY 01, 01:16 PM
Turns out I had a cracked ignition module and arcing wires at the cap. With all that replaced, the motor is much more stable. Didn't want to starrt after a rain with lots of moisture in the air.
I'm planning on moving the 2.5" exhaust I had on the yellow turbo GT onto this car since The Fiero Factory's 4.9 installation includes an exhaust. Now I just got to get Ed to ship me back the exhaust and motor.
lou_dias MAY 15, 10:25 AM
Since my soon to be 4.9'd yellow GT won't be back in time for the May 25th event at Seekonk Speedway, I am bringing this car to http://www.louscustomexhaust.com/ for a proper 2.5" exhaut.
They seem reasonably priced.
lou_dias JUL 05, 11:20 AM
Last month I put in a 2.5" exhaust and then spapped an axle. It took almost a month, between mechani'c shop time and turn around on the parts for the new one to finally be installed, however, now that I've driven the car with the exhaust for a few weeks, I must say, it was quite a power upgrade...

I have to get the driver's side front bearing replaced, until then I won't be driving the car much as I just got my yellow GT back with a fresh Ed Parks installation.
LZeppelin513 JUL 05, 06:30 PM
I am curious why you didn't just use an actual 3400 for your build? It seems like much more work to use fiero stuff on a 3400 block. All that to have less power and efficiency. Just curious, not trying to bad mouth at all, i am sure you have your reasons.