Complete 3400 swap

[poormansvette]

I read the mini van swap.I have a couple of questionss. Clearance issue on the altenator. [i have no heating unit can I stick with the 3400 altenator setup.P/Steering can I stick with th 3400 unit and just change the lines. Thanks PMV

[v6h.o.]

i'd just use the 3.1L alternator and bracket.

you need the p/s pump. just buy the steel hard line that goes between the p/s pump to the rubber line for the Pressure hose
you need one from a 94 Grand Am 3100. this steel pressure line fits perfectly around everthing.

[JohnyG]

i'd just use the 3.1L alternator and bracket.

you need the p/s pump. just buy the steel hard line that goes between the p/s pump to the rubber line for the Pressure hose
you need one from a 94 Grand Am 3100. this steel pressure line fits perfectly around everthing.

I agree with everything except that you need the p/s steel pressure line. . just re-bend the 3.1L one, its really simple.

-John

[v6h.o.]

for the $5 it costs for that steel line, its worth it not to bend and kink the factory 3.1L mpfi line,

i had to bend the line on that guys beretta swap i did for him, it worked like ass. its not worth it to bother bending the stocker. not saying it cant be done. but its just simpler to buy the new steel line to get that nice "factory fit" look.

working for GM i know all to easy how a wrong kink or bend in a P/S hose/line can affect steering feel and noise. its funny to say it but some systems are "tuned" hoses to reduce slow turn noise and have proper feel...
not that the Jbody is a high class car but.. you get the point.

[1QUICKHATCH]

Re: Complete 3400 swap

I read the mini van swap.I have a couple of questionss. Clearance issue on the altenator. [i have no heating unit can I stick with the 3400 altenator setup.P/Steering can I stick with th 3400 unit and just change the lines. Thanks PMV

If I where you I would just get a manual rack to get some more weight out off the car BTW did you get your car to the scales yet?

[JohnyG]

for the $5 it costs for that steel line, its worth it not to bend and kink the factory 3.1L mpfi line,

i had to bend the line on that guys beretta swap i did for him, it worked like ass. its not worth it to bother bending the stocker. not saying it cant be done. but its just simpler to buy the new steel line to get that nice "factory fit" look.

working for GM i know all to easy how a wrong kink or bend in a P/S hose/line can affect steering feel and noise. its funny to say it but some systems are "tuned" hoses to reduce slow turn noise and have proper feel...
not that the Jbody is a high class car but.. you get the point.

Didnt realize it was that cheap, after pricing out a new steel pressure line that the line pressure sensor attaches to ($140cnd ), I didnt want to know how much they wanted for the short one, lol.
-John

[RidgeRunner]

I tell ya what, I'd about buy a manual rack during an engine swap... they're cheap on ebay and it takes one big variable out! I wonder how hard it would be to turn the PS pump housing into an idler pulley? Or make one from scratch?

[TurboZ24]

Well, I'm actually trying this right now. I used a 3100 solid line from an L Body, but it will not correctly hook up to the stock 3.1 pipe/hose on the rack. You have to severly bend the hose and even then it really isn't going to fit....

So, I can either bend the stock 3.1 line, modify the 3100 line to fit, or replace the hose/pipe on the rack itself with the 3100 one.

Just have to decide which one to do....

[CNCguy]

I tell ya what, I'd about buy a manual rack during an engine swap... they're cheap on ebay and it takes one big variable out! I wonder how hard it would be to turn the PS pump housing into an idler pulley? Or make one from scratch?

I made a pulley to eliminate the PS pump and AC compressor.

Marc

[SappySE107]

I dont know if there is a major price difference between the W and J body PS lines alrady, but I got both of mine from NAPA for less than 50 US total. I was shocked to say the least.

What does that pulley bolt to? I believe one of the DOHC owners/Fiero made one and said that mounting it to the timing chain cover was a bad idea because the pressure will break the cheaper metal used. This could just be a DOHC factor from the angles and whatnot, but I figured it could be addressed all the same. There is a mount now that bolts up using more than just the single bolt.

[CNCguy]

What does that pulley bolt to? I believe one of the DOHC owners/Fiero made one and said that mounting it to the timing chain cover was a bad idea because the pressure will break the cheaper metal used. This could just be a DOHC factor from the angles and whatnot, but I figured it could be addressed all the same. There is a mount now that bolts up using more than just the single bolt.

Currently it is only mounted with one bolt but I plan to make a triangular shaped plate that utilizes all three of the PS pump mounting holes. I would imagine that it would be as strong as the PS if all three are used. Eventually I plan on switching to a RWD type set-up if possible. Space is not a big factor on my application. I made an oversized WP pulley to slow it down a little and am in the process of designing one for my alternator. I thought this was a decent alterative to switching to a small lower damper/pulley which can lead to engine damage or so I've been told. Plus they look kinda cool.

Marc

[Cliff8928]

Well, I'm actually trying this right now. I used a 3100 solid line from an L Body, but it will not correctly hook up to the stock 3.1 pipe/hose on the rack. You have to severly bend the hose and even then it really isn't going to fit....

So, I can either bend the stock 3.1 line, modify the 3100 line to fit, or replace the hose/pipe on the rack itself with the 3100 one.

Just have to decide which one to do....

the hose/pipe on the rack side is the same no matter whether it's a 3100 or a 3.1, etc...

Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT <-all 3100 power steering lines
89 Volvo740

[TurboZ24]

It called for a different part number, but that might be because it didn't appear to have a pressure sensor for it, like the 3.1 does.

[Cliff8928]

Yeah, the aftermarket part is the same, it just includes a plug for that pressure sensor hole if you don't need it..

Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740

[Impetuousracer]

CNC guy, where did you get the water pump pulley? I got a pulley set from mantapart, and all i got was alternator and Crankshaft pulley. Perhaps with the name CNC guy, you made all of them. How much for a full set for the 3100?