I am having a hard time finding out info between these engines. I get confused when I see a cam that is for 2.8's and 3.1's then I read about another cam that is for all three. If they are practically the same engine, why are the intake manifolds different? What heads work with what engine and what manifolds? I went scouring around 4 salvage yards today for about 2 and a half hours, found about 15 3800's, 5 3.1's, 5 2.8's, 1 3300, but no 3.4's. were there any 3.4's installed in any FWD cars? And when I say 3.4 I mean the pushrod engine not the TDC.
Ive heard of people using the stock fiero heads and intake setup on a 3.4, will this raise the compression ratio?
Lets talk performance, say hypothetically, I build 3 engines a 2.8 a 3.1 and a 3.4, all 3 have the same cam, same compression ratio, same exhaust system, same intake system, all parts exactly the same, just displacement difference, what kind of difference in hp vs torque will I have? (naturally asperated)
Now lets say we put a turbo (10 psi and intercooled) on all three, what kind of difference can I expect? I found 5 turbos today 2 from 2.0 liter 4's, 2 from 2.3 liter t-bird supercoupes and one from a volvo or something. I can get a good one from one of the supercoupes for $50. Is this a good deal? How well would this turbo work with a 2.8? I still dont know alot about turbos. I can never get straight info. there is always abreviations in the info, that I dont understand. .60 AR and that kind of stuff. I feel so lost and undereducated. Im wanting to start building something up, but cant seem to find the info so I can jump into it. Someone please help me out. thanks.

All things being equal more displacement means more power.

And I don't have a clue as to building engines. Which is why I have some one who does do the work.

Hey Pontiacs4U!
The confusion is normal, many engines can share internal components...
External components, however, can be drasticly different!
Why did you leave out the 3800? I am planning on dropping one into my 2M4...
The engine/trans mounting is the same on the 3800...
I wish I could give you better answers for the differences of the 2.8, 3.1, and 3.4, but the best answer I can give, the more volume, the higher power (normally!)...
It would seem that if there are 15 3800's in the yard, you should be able to get it cheeper too!

By the way, turbos are a good way of building power, especially at higher altitudes, but the down side is they can toast an engine quickly!
Another thing bad about turbos, if the intake and exhaust manifolds aren't available, then they have to be made...

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crash... The Fierowrecker

[This message has been edited by Fierowrecker (edited 08-29-2001).]

I know 2.8 heads and intake fit 3.1, I got one with IRM turbo.

I dont know much about turbos myself, so if I was you, Id pay out and buy the whole kit made for the engine, or have someone whos done it already do it for you (test drive theres in advance). believe me, theres lots more to it than just bolting a turbo into the exhaust.

[This message has been edited by rogergarrison (edited 08-29-2001).]

the engines im gonna talk about are the gm 60 degree v6 with iron heads..there was 2 different versions of the head meaning one having bigger valves..these were used on fieros,injected s10's,camaro and firebird with multiport injection,fwd mini vans from 90-95,some 86 cavaliers and z code 2.8 celebrtiy and 6000 with a carburator..oh and lets not forget citation x11.both heads fit a 2.8/3.1/3.4 so long as it has the correct piston for the ironhead setup..lets talk short blocks...take a 2.8 and give it a stroker crank and you got a 3.1..same bore size as a 2.8 but more stroke..you cant bore a 2.8/3.1 to get a 3.4 so they need thier own special block with more metal in the bore area..take a 3.1 and give it a bigger bore and you got a 3.4.the only ironhead 3.1 that will work with fiero induction is out of a mini van and only certain year models will bolt in..as far as 3.4 and fiero induction its 93-95 camaro/firebird with a relocated starter...hope i cleared a few things up for everyone and if there are any questions please feel free to e mail me...keith...oh btw..all 2.8's after 88 and all 3.1/3.4's are internally balanced..everything else is external

[This message has been edited by ironhedno3 (edited 08-29-2001).]

quote Originally posted by Fierowrecker: Why did you leave out the 3800?

I wanted to stick to a 60* v6 so I can use the stock intake and have every thing look stock, so anyone checking it out wont have any idea why the car is so fast. Of course 99% of people dont know anything about fieros anyway, so I probably could drop a 3800 in there paint the intake red, put a fiero sticker on there and nobody will know any different. How will a 3800 hold up with a turbo? Does anybody make any high performance cams and pistons for 3800's? I remember searching around for 3800 parts awhile back, when I wanted one of them, but I couldnt find much of anything. So I decided on a 3.4. Has anybody done a buildup on a 86 or 87 3800? My mom used to have a 86 buick century with a 3800 and that car was fast. I raced a friend of mine with his 90 camaro rs 5 speed, and I pulled a car legnth on him within 3 seconds off the line. I will use a 4t60 transmission (rebuilt by a friend of mine), and a t3/t4 hybrid turbo. I will most likely make my own headers, since 3800 headers are really expensive, and a friend of mine has a milling machine, where we can make flanges. Ill order some mandrel tubing, and Im a damn good welder. any more opinions?

WOW! In one paragraph you went from absolutly wanting only a 3.4 to designing a turbocharged 3800. You are confused, aren't you? Sorry, I'm not much help but couldn't resist busting your chops a little. One thing, I've seen a 3.4 turbo and heard about a few more. I've never heard of a completed 3800 turbo. Not that it can't be done, I've just never heard of it.

I suppose that if you wanted to, you could use all the internal components of the 3800SC motor. If it holds up to a supercharger it should work for a turbo. Just a thought.

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Roy :D
87 GT

Check out West Coast Fiero, http://www.cwestco.com . They do lots of custom swaps, including 3800 turbos, I believe.