I'm startng my 3.4 project soon, its going to be on an auto formula. the 3.4 is already built strong but I'm going to rebuild my heads to make it have around 200 hp. I'm porting the exhaust, I already have all new accerorsies that I put on the 2.8, I'm going to buy a new water pump just to be on the safe side. I have to order the new mount and rent the drill press thingamajig. what other cheap things could I do to build it up to over 200 hp. most people tel me to port the intake, change cams. etc.. I'm just looking for cheap ods and ends like shaving the heads for increased compression, those little electric superchargers that someone on here swears by.... I'd appreciate some tips from the pros here!!!
btw..I got a whole new set of pics for my car and some works in progress of dans.
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09:28 AM
PFF
System Bot
88formula Member
Posts: 2361 From: Worcester, MA Registered: Oct 1999
You won't get 200 horsepower with that motor unless you port the heads, get real headers like the FOCOA headers, change the camshaft, and a few other things like SI stainless steel valves with a performance valve job.
With ported exhaust manifolds, a camshaft like the Crane 2030 or GM 12363220, and ported heads like the ones from Norris Racing you will get about 178 horsepower.
I have to agree with 88Formula. To have a shot at 200 ponies, you need a big cam (like the Crane CompuCam or GM hipo cam), pocket port the heads (both intake and exhaust), maybe mill the heads just enough to straighten them (don't take too much off), good multi-angle valve job, and most important... headers with a free flowing exhaust system is a MUST! Everything has to flow good for that engine to truly come alive, both in and out.
You definately need to bore out your t-body and upper plenum,since you're already rebuil- ding them port the heads, add 1.6 roller rockers, headers, and most important port and gasket match the lower intake manifold. The lower intake is the most restrictive part of the intake and is much more important to get right than the heads since the heads already flow pretty well anyway. Be carful porting the heads!! Some of the things in there should not be removed!
------------------ Dave Gunsul N.I.F.E. member 86 GT modified 85 SE daily driver
I agree with the last post about being careful what you remove when porting. Leave that little "vane" because that helps with air/fuel flow. But, I disagree about the 1.6:1 rockers. Just put the proper cam in and you don't need the higher ratio rockers. They will throw off your valve train geometry and cause problems down the road.
On my next 3.4 I am using the alum. Gen 3 heads. The old cast iron heads just can't do the job. I would recommend trying to use them. 3400's nowadays are rated at 185. Might be a little tough but it can be done.
------------------ Jeff '88 GT t-top 3.4 Baltimore, MD - MAFOA "Once you go black, you never go back..." "The Customer Can Have Any Color He Wants So Long As It's Black" -Henry Ford
The engine in question is currently carb'ed, Big ass cam, ported heads, balanced, bluprinted and capable of smoking the tires in the Blazer it was in. Had to be the meanest sounding V6 I've ever heard. Too bad the guy wrecked the Blazer and wants to sell the engine....Yeah right. I think it will be right at home in the Formula.
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10:08 PM
Apr 16th, 2001
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
Originally posted by Black88GT: On my next 3.4 I am using the alum. Gen 3 heads. The old cast iron heads just can't do the job. I would recommend trying to use them. 3400's nowadays are rated at 185. Might be a little tough but it can be done.
A '2000 and newer 3400 would be cool. My only reason to want to go with the 3.4 is to keep it looking stock. If I'm gonna change the appearance of the engine, why not just put in a 3.4TDC or 3800? Still, the 3400 is a sweet engine (My 99 Grand Am has one). And Mantapart now offers replacement roller cams, but I'm not sure of the profile. It's definatley a good swap to consider. That engine has about 200 ft-lbs of torque from off idle all the way to redline. It's one of the flattest torque curves I've ever seen. Make sure you get a 2000 or newer engne. They redesigned the lifter valley because the '99s had a problem with lifter clatter until the engine came up to operating temp. They say it's normal and no problem, but they did fix it for the next year. My '99 has about '70000 miles on it and still runs great, and yes it still clatters until the engine warms up. It sounds like a light valve click, but it's hardly as loud as my Fieros injectors.
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08:59 AM
WKDFIRO Member
Posts: 1637 From: Cerritos, California, USA Registered: Nov 1999
I've used 1.6:1 roller rocker arms with a modified cam and have never had any problems with them in over 40,000 miles. I couldn't tell you if there was any difference since I only had the engine 2 weeks before it spun a bearing and I had so many other modifications on it that I couldn't really compare it to how the engine was running before - because it wasn't.
Are you refering to just putting in the rocker arms on the regular cam that have problems? What kind of problems should I be looking for?
The ALUM. HEADS will NOT work!! Sorry, had to get everyones attention. :-) The heads can only be used if you switch to the injection system from a Barretta, Z24,etc and DIS ignition. The Fiero's induction system won't bolt up and the Z24 plenum will hit the Fiero's dist. BTW the injection system from these other cars doesn't make as much power as the Fieros so you'd lose what ever you gained unless you do some porting.
As for the 1.6 rockers; it is better to use a bigger cam but the change in geometry is very small and I have many friends that have thousands of miles running these with no probs.
------------------ Dave Gunsul N.I.F.E. member 86 GT modified 85 SE daily driver
