4 bolt mains

[94Camaro]

Also Superdave, here's a pic of the passenger side block on my 3100, it's not flat at all to mount a starter. The best option I can think of doing for a RWD trans swap is using a 2.2 L Chevy bellhousing to a T5 b/c the IronDukes had a driver's side starter and the bellhousing pattern is the same.

the funny thing about GM is that they use pretty much whatever they have lying around when they build stuff. You can also use the 3.8L (1995+) F-body (camaro/firebird) bellhousing for a T-5 because it is identical to the 60* v6 bellhousing (yes i know its a 90* motor) and has the starter on the opposite side as the 3.4L RWD.

I know this because i bought a tranny/bellhousing to replace my worn out T5 just a little while ago from a 2000 3.8L Camaro. I have the bellhousing sitting in my "garage" rite now - along with my old tranny (might hav eto build it up )

[TurboProject]

3.4L RWD head gasket(1994 camaro 3.4L):

http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/img/fel/9105pt.jpg

3100 head gasket(2000 malibu 3.1L):

http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/img/fel/9071pt.jpg

Looks like the 3100 gaskets are missing two holes on the outboard edge of the gaskets on either corner, when compared to the RWD 3.4L.

The 3400 (2003 Impala 3.4L) comes up with the same part number for the head gasket as the 3100.

[ForcedFirebird]

I personally know a one off machine/prototype shop supervisor who has done many things very reasonably for me in the past. If you're willing send my your specs and etc and I'll see what he says. BTW, they got some badass equipment there!

What kind? I have a MoriSeiki lathe with dual terrets, and 12" chuck - capable of 20" diameter and 36" length, and a Kitamura MyCenter2 mill - and some various manual machines.

That's why I asked

[fieromadman]

I personally know a one off machine/prototype shop supervisor who has done many things very reasonably for me in the past. If you're willing send my your specs and etc and I'll see what he says. BTW, they got some badass equipment there!

[chevette_boy]

$400/pr max for the first set and after that if i do a run of 30 ish sets ild like to see a price of $200/pr. not sure what this shop had for equip all i know its it would be don on a cnc mill

[ForcedFirebird]

What is a feasable price? I'll see if we can meet it here at the shop.

What kind of machines does the guy have?

[chevette_boy]

Just to mellow my curiosity, how difficult is it to modify the block for the 4 bolt mains? Not that I would think the engine shop I plan on taking my engine to would have any trouble, I personally would just like to know what their going to have to go through.

drill two holes, fit she caps and line hone. first quote i got back was $600 labor plus Mat. for one pair it would be less if i were to make more but i would like to try them before first. so it looks like it wont be cost effective because i can buy 6+ blocks for that price, cheaper to run em till they blow

[fieromadman]

Just to mellow my curiosity, how difficult is it to modify the block for the 4 bolt mains? Not that I would think the engine shop I plan on taking my engine to would have any trouble, I personally would just like to know what their going to have to go through.

[chevette_boy]

Yeah I love any kind of 4130-40 steel, good stuff for the strength/weight ratio vs mild steel. I also like heat treating but now that I think about it, heat treating it after align-honed would make it out of spec. And heat treating before align-honing would pose a problem b/c the machine shop would probably have trouble cutting on the mains to align them up. I've seen broken carbide bits after people trying to machine heat treated 4130. So yeah I would take back my comment. Chrome-moly splayed 4-bolt caps would hold way longer than the block would.

exactly the 4130 modified is a very workable and strong material. heat treating would make line honing and proper intallation impossible, and would make the brittle and suseptible to cracking under high load. that and there already over 4 times stronger than stock.

[Wiz85]

Yeah I love any kind of 4130-40 steel, good stuff for the strength/weight ratio vs mild steel. I also like heat treating but now that I think about it, heat treating it after align-honed would make it out of spec. And heat treating before align-honing would pose a problem b/c the machine shop would probably have trouble cutting on the mains to align them up. I've seen broken carbide bits after people trying to machine heat treated 4130. So yeah I would take back my comment. Chrome-moly splayed 4-bolt caps would hold way longer than the block would.

[ForcedFirebird]

Are you going to heat treat them at all?

Don't need it on 4140

We just made a cable cutter at the CNC shop that was a casting (and kept breaking), so we made it out of 4142 (twice the tinsle strangth of a casting), the last 2 numbers is the C-scale via Rockwell and both 40 and 42 are VERY strong in raw form. I would be worried if treated that perhaps you could snap/chip a cap too easily with over torque on the bolts, or a mis-hap.

chivette_boy, I'm anxoiusly awaiting a price. We have machines that could easily make them within .0002", so get those on there and lets test 'em out!

[Wiz85]

Are you going to heat treat them at all?

[chevette_boy]

I'd be in for the 4 bolt mains... as long as they aren't outragously priced. What material/process are you planning?

gonna be made on a cnc mill out of a 4130 modified alloy so its at least twice as strong as stock and still machineable and honeable. should have a quote back anytime.
heres stock vs proposed:

[grandsport3.4]

love to have some 4 bolt main caps for my block.

[fieromadman]

I'd be in for the 4 bolt mains... as long as they aren't outragously priced. What material/process are you planning?