3.4 to 3500 Hybrid

[rcf4]

I have a '95 Camaro 3.4L w/5 sp in my '72 MGB. I've pulled the motor to restore the engine bay and to ceramic coat my headers. I will be pulling the heads to check the internals out. Your site got me thinking about upgrading to the 3500. Assuming I can get the top end pieces at a reasonable price, are the pistons and headers the only other parts I need to replace?

Another idea I've had is to turbo the 3.4. I was given a Buick GN Turbo (not sure which model) and had entertained the idea of mounting it remotely. Understanding that the turbo will need to be overhauled, and the rest of the system created from scratch, would I be better off with the 3500 conversion?

[IsaacHayes]

IIRC with the camaro pistons and 3500 heads the compression will be in the 11's somewhere. With 3400 pistons and 3500 heads the compression is like 9.1-1 or so. Headers would need new flange and moving the primaries to line up with the ports if they don't already.

Then you'd need the heads, 3500 lower intake. 3500 upper intake or a 3400 upper intake (both bolt up). 3500 upper will need a TB adapter, or a mustang 65mm throttle body (but that has no IAC valve). 3400 upper can use a 3400 TB. The 3500 upper has 65mm opening stock. 3400 has 56mm opening.

Also, fuel rails, FPR and misc vacuum tubes etc. Most from any 3x00 will work.

What are you running as far as a ECM? If the 94-95 Fbody ECM then you can't tune that. You'll want something you can tune to get full potential out of the motor.

You can build a very powerful motor out of a 3500 or 3500 hybrid. With a reground cam and headers they are pretty potent, especially over the iron head 3.4L. But you gotta be able to tune and run larger injectors to take advantage of the higher flowing heads/intakes.

Boost may be an easier route for you unless you have access to a full 3500 or 3400 with the needed accessories. But you will still need to be able to tune to add additional fuel under boost, and to pull timing when under boost. It's all what you feel comfortable with and are willing to do.

Here is a thread with a 3500 in a Fiero. It has some videos in it to show you how powerful they can be. The 3500 has headers, reground cam, and 70mm throttle body.

Also, check this out if you haven't already: http://www.tcemotorsports.com/

[rcf4]

3.4 to 3500

I am familiar with TCE Motorsports, as he has been doing the FWD conversions in MGBs for years. I would go to him for the headers, if I decide to continue the project.

I already have a Megasquirt kit for this engine. So, tuning won't be a problem, no matter which way I go. The reason for this question is I have been thinking of using the turbo in my other car, after I saw the Milzy Motorsports site.

[Fiero11]

You just said something interesting. Can 3.4L RWD pistons be put in any 3.4L FWD engine? Do they have the same pin size, etc.? What do they cost versus after market pistons?

[IsaacHayes]

I believe they will fit, its just the iron head 3.4 pistons in a 3400 would have very high compression. IIRC the 3.4 TDC (DOHC) pistons can fit as well.

[johnnymossville]

The 3.4 iron head Camaro/Firebird pistons will work in a 3400 as this is what I am putting in my build. With the 3500 heads and head gaskets the CR will be 11.5:1. I believe that Ben said the 3.4 DOHC pistons will work also but the CR would be around 12.5:1. New 3.4 iron head Camaro pistons are available from Summit and these are very good quality pistons;

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=STL%2DH800P&autoview=sku