3500 in malibu

[Rootie524]

yes im sure this is like the 20th identical thread that someone else has started already..but its much easier to just ask my questions in a new one..

what are the major benefits going from 3100 to 3500? like hp difference? supercharging options?

how difficult is it? are the mounts the same? do i need to upgrade fuel pump? would i need to use the 3500 PCM? does it bolt up to stock 4t40e tranny? etc...

i was going to build the crap out of a 3400 and put it in..but idk if a 3500 would be worth the time, effort, money. if i fully built a 3400 (pistons, heads, springs, valves, intakes, throttle bodies, headers..everything) and fully build a 3500 the same way. what would the average wheel horsepower difference be?

trying to justify such a swap..bare with me..thanks

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[95Grand-Am]

The major diferance is that the 3400 is @13ci bigger than the 3100 and the 3500 is an additional 10ci over the 3400. The 3500 has a beefier crank. I dont know for sure but I have heard that the brace that goes between the engine block and the tail of the transmission will need modified. You might need to change the timming cover and you'll need a crank trigger. The ect sensor is allso a small problem that you'll have to figure out. Your AC compresser won't line up to the 3500 oil pan's mounting boss. But it will mount to your transmission, you should use you PCM just have it tuned. Your feul pump should be fine. But if you are trying to decide between a 3400 and a 3500 the only major price differance would be the crank trigger.

[Rootie524]

well im not getting a full 3400 if i go that route. i'd only be getting a used block and building the block up with pistons, rods, bearing, crank etc then i already have plenty of spare 3100/3400 parts that i'd put on top of that in addition to whats in my car now. if i went the 3500 route i would have to buy block, heads, manifold, throttle body adapter, crank trigger, and many other things. so sure its alittle bigger but in your personal opinion is it worth it? would i be content with a built 3400 or would it be drastically better with a built 3500?

[pocket-rocket]

Stock for stock, 3500 heads out flow 3400 by a decent bit (which is why 3500 on a 3400 is a popular upgrade for 3400 guys). From what I've read, the intake on a 3500 is an improvement over the 3400 intake as well, unless you go with boost (then the 3400 reigns, IIRC).

[Rootie524]

i cant really justify going all 3500..ill probably just go 3400/3500 hybrid build. i read somewhere the pros and cons to the 3500 heads up and i think it was better for upper end power but lower end would suffer IIRC

[pocket-rocket]

But you don't race off of idle. If the 3500 were a bad place to start, I doubt Dave's Camaro would be getting a 3500, along with countless others who have made the 3500 move.

[Rootie524]

that's understandable. but for me i think it will be easier and cheaper and just as beneficial to get the LA1 block, build it up and slap that in there so i wont have to worry about mounts and where im going to put my AC stuff. then either just power ported 3400 heads on it or go the hybrid build route and put 3500 top end on it. sure it doesn't sound difficult to go full 3500 but its also not plug and play. i just wanted to see if the benefits far surpassed that of a 3400..which it doesnt really seem to..so i cant justify the extra cash/time. get what im saying?

UNLESS..im not sure of this but did any car with a 3500 ever have a manual transmission. if so then i'd definitely go 3500 cuz then it would be easier for my 5spd swap.

[Rootie524]

bump..can anyone help me out..manual in a 3500?

[bszopi]

Hooking a manual up to a 3500 is the same as hooking it up to a 3400 and a 3100. So what is your question?

[Rootie524]

i didnt know if GM ever had a manual transmission on the 3500..i was just wondering cuz then it have been easier probably. just get the 3500 engine and the tranny to go with it and put them both in.