Preparing for Spring project

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[Pabz]

I wondered where all the smart and capable people went  

So I need some help finding information to make sweet and usable setup. The main reason i am doing this project is to get more experience working with the powertrain, thus if i make mistakes it wont cost to much.

I want to use the 3.1 block with the 3400 topend. I know all i need are the heads, LIM and UIM.

I want to get the 3.4 heads shaved a little to lower compression. What compression should i be after if i want to throw on an after market turbo (is this possible).
Where can i find a selection of aftermarket turbo's?
Where can i find a selection of chips to run the turbo setup?
I want to get new valve train/cam shaft, should I go with stock or are there other options?
I will be adding a Getrag 282 (auto to manual swap), whats a good clutch that would work if i tossed on that turbo?

I plan to do a sweet writeup before i get started on the project. I plan to get the 3.1 pulled in march. At which point i will be taking it apart and getting the clutch pedal installed.

If you know any websites please post em. I need to start pricing out the project. I know i have asked these questions before to some of you but i decided to dedicate a thread to this project.

[pat]

shaving heads raises compression

[Dstanic]

Both Invasion1 and Turbosedan (possibly others on the forum, not sure) have swapped in the Turbo Grand Prix engine into their Cutlass', along with the 282 tranny.  Hopefully they'll chime in here.

[Pabz]

shaving heads raises compression

Oops  

[mfewtrail]

I wondered where all the smart and capable people went  
Where can i find a selection of aftermarket turbo's?

http://www.honda-tech.com/  
Join the forum there and browse the "forced induction" section in the Sponsor's Marketplace part of the forum there, they usually have pretty good sales on a lot of different turbochargers there. Credit for that link goes to TimG, he posted it before.  

Where can i find a selection of chips to run the turbo setup?

Kenny(TGPilot) or Davis(Invasion1) should be able to make you a chip

I want to get new valve train/cam shaft, should I go with stock or are there other options?

The stock camshaft is alright depending on what you're going for. Kuntzie here made 300whp on a stock LG5 w/ just a turbo upgrade basically(that's with the shitty flowing Gen II 3.1 MPFI top end ). Also, Josh & Kenny are both making around 300hp @ the crank on stock 3.1 engines w/ the small ass T-25 turbocharger. I would upgrade to LS1/LS6  valve springs while you're at it, they're a cheap upgrade. They can be had for the same price or cheaper than our crappy stock springs.

Part #'s/info can be found in this thread here. You should search the 60* board for info on installing these though, I believe a little more work is required to install them on 3X00 style heads.
http://www.tgpforums.com/index.php?topic=3476.msg22465

[TurboSedan]

I want to use the 3.1 block with the 3400 topend. I know all i need are the heads, LIM and UIM.

I want to get the 3.4 heads shaved a little to lower compression. What compression should i be after if i want to throw on an after market turbo (is this possible).
Where can i find a selection of aftermarket turbo's?
Where can i find a selection of chips to run the turbo setup?
I want to get new valve train/cam shaft, should I go with stock or are there other options?
I will be adding a Getrag 282 (auto to manual swap), whats a good clutch that would work if i tossed on that turbo?

sounds alot like what i would like to do.  using a turbo on a 3400 requires alot more work than just adding a TGP setup to a regular 3.1 like i did.  first there's the exhaust manifolds.  the TGP exhaust manifolds will actually bolt onto the 3400 heads but the port shape is different.  exhuast gas would run into a "wall" when exiting the exhaust port into a TGP exhaust manifold.  you can try to grind the exhaust ports out bigger to help the problem but i've heard there is not much clearance left after grinding away enough material that sealing becomes an issue.  the other option is of course custom made log manifolds or headers or you could use an early '94/'95 3100 rear exhaust manifold and block off the downpipe opening.  that would require custom made or at least a modified TGP crossover pipe.

i wouldn't use anything TGP on a Turbo 3400.  i would probably just use an early 3100 rear log manifold and block off the dowpipe opening, then modify a TGP crossover pipe with the right length, correct 3x00 exhaust manifold flanges, and of course get rid of the T25 flange and put a T3 flange on there.  either way you are more than likely going to need a custom downpipe.  ATPturbo.com has some nice 5-bolt T3 flanged 3" V-band stainless steel modular pipe that would really help in making a custom dowpipe.  you can get them in mandrel bent 45*, 90*, straight etc.

one advantage of retaining the GEN-II 3.1 block would be more cam choices, although they are not a roller cam like the 3400 has.  personally i would go with a complete 3400 and turbocharge that using a 3500 plenum (3100/3400 plenum is ugly IMO).  roller cam & roller fulcrum rockers (a 3.1 GEN-II block with 3x00 topend would require using stamped non-roller fulcrum rocker arms & custom length pushrods from what i've read), better oiling system, larger displacement etc.  there are also now lower CR 9:1 forged Wiseco pistons available for the 3400 thanks to a group buy that 89jyturbo on v6z24.com started (at least i think that's who started it).  you can get them available in the stock CR as well (9.5:1).  last i knew they were around $675/set and included piston pins and rings IIRC.  well worth it IMO.  as far as the turbo goes i guess that's more of a preference thing.  i tend to like smaller turbos that don't have much lag.  maybe a .63 A/R T3 turbine with a T04E 60-trim compressor?  or a maybe a BB Garrett GT30R?  valvetrain all depens on which block/heads you go with, but the LS1/LS6 valve springs would be a good idea either way.

i would definately get with either TGPilot of Invasion1 for your chip needs

i'm not really sure on clutch.  i would ask over on v6z24.com.  some people like the Bully clutches, Spec, etc.  i myself am still using a stock Luk RepSet that seems to be holding fine even with close to ~400 ft/lbs at the crank.  i don't do any hard launches though, and have never had it to the track.  it doesn't slip at full boost in 3rd, 4th or 5th gear though.  1st and 2nd the tires just spin.

[Pabz]

If I go with an entire 3400 then what electronics should i be using?

What manual trannies came with the 3400, if any?

It would be sweet to build a 3400 5-speed Turbo. That way I can start now.

[TurboSedan]

If I go with a 3400 then I would be wasting the HM282 i have, no?. My main goal is to have a 5 speed.

What options does the 3400 have for a manual tranny?

the Getrag 282 will bolt right onto a 3400 no problem.  you could also use the Getrag 284.

[Pabz]

If I go with a 3400 then I would be wasting the HM282 i have, no?. My main goal is to have a 5 speed.

What options does the 3400 have for a manual tranny?

the Getrag 282 will bolt right onto a 3400 no problem.  you could also use the Getrag 284.

So if i started today, I should start looking for a 3400, what years? what makes?

For the 3500 top end swap on a 3400, is it just the UIM or LIM and heads as well?

Will i be using the 3.1 ECM with a modded chip, or are other electronics available?

[TurboSedan]

If I go with a 3400 then what electronics should i be using?

i would use a regular NA 3.1 MPFI LH0 engine wiring harness (it doesn't need to be a TGP wiring harness if you use a manual boost controller) with the 1227727 ECM and a modified TGP chip.  the best wiring harness IMO would be from a regular NA 3.1/5-speed W-body; then you wouldn't have to modify a 3.1/auto engine wiring harness for use with the 5-speed.

you'd be running a 3400 on batch fired electronics so it would not be SFI anymore; but it is a factory based 2-bar calibration that has aftermarket tuning & datalogging support.  SFI is mostly for better emmisions and fuel economy anyway.  IIRC it's batch fired @ WOT.  if your car were '96 or newer OBD-2 i'd look into DHP.

[TurboSedan]

For the 3500 top end swap on a 3400, is it just the UIM or LIM and heads as well?

i know there's alot of info on that over on www.60degreev6.com but i've never done it.  i think it bolts right onto the 3400 plenum but longer bolts are needed, and it needs to be cut for clearance for the FPR.  i'm not sure what happens with the coilpacks & bracket?

[TurboSedan]

So if i started today, I should start looking for a 3400, what years? what makes?

basically the newer the better.  if 3400 then '96+.  if 3100 then i'd only go with the '00+.  the 3400 'LA1' started in '96 and was in lots of GM vehicles from minivans to Impalas.  there is also the '00+ 3100 'LG8' which can be found in Century's and base model Grand Prixs, Malibus etc.  it has the same bigger intake valve as the 3400 as well as the same large port intake manifolds (unlike the '94-'99 3100 'L82').  as far as i know, besides the bigger pistons the 3400 'LA1' is basically identical to the 3100 'LG8'.

[Robby1870]

If I go with a 3400 then what electronics should i be using?

you'd be running a 3400 on batch fired electronics so it would not be SFI anymore; but it is a factory based 2-bar calibration that has aftermarket tuning & datalogging support.  SFI is mostly for better emmisions and fuel economy anyway.  IIRC it's batch fired @ WOT.  if your car were '96 or newer OBD-2 i'd look into DHP.

Just for future reference, SFI in these cars reverts to batch fired at 3000rpms, from what I remember reading.  

This sounds like a big, but fun project.  What Josh has said covers the basics.

[pat]

megasquirt!

look into it. megasquirt.info

i'm thinking i should go that way with the black pile.  the megasquirt II has controls for gm stepped IAC motors, GM DIS ignitions,  built in nitrous controller, built in MAP sensor...  good stuff.

[Pabz]

Looks like i got alot of reading to do.

Here are some options for 3400's in my city

2004 Engine Chevy Impala   05-04,3.4L,AC
16,055 miles/25,853 km

2004 Engine Chevy Impala   01-04,3.4L,AC,50KMS
31,670 miles/50,998 Km

2004 Engine Chevy Impala   11-03,3400,32KMS      
19,872 miles/32,000 Km

2004 Engine Chevy Venture   02-04,3.4L,AC      
13,940 miles/22,448 Km   

2004 Engine Chevy Venture   9KM      
5,589 miles/9,000 KM

2004 Engine Pontiac Van Montana   11-03,3.4L,AC      
12,648 miles/20,367 Km