camaro 3.4 question ????

[b3master]

the compression ratio is 9:1 if im not mistaken, and its a SOH cam with 16v

can anything be done to make that higher compression like 10:1 and DOH cam and maybe 24 v???????????????????????

or is that too much for asking? i think i rather mess with the car (put half its price hype it up) rather than sell it and get somthing higher compression 24valve V6 DOH cam

[Christopherrr]

whoa kemo...the 3.4 is a OHV, most of GM's engines are over head valves (one cam right down the middle of the engine)...you're right about compression being 9:1

no way to make it DOHC or even SOHC for that matter, you'll need new heads and valvetrain...a new engine.

Why increase compression, you'll just kill you engine...but if you want you'll need new pistons and rings...a whole lots of stuff.

[b3master]

yes i didnt know there is difference between OHV and SOHC dam im such anewbie i dont know the differnce or anything for that matter....

just want it to be like 24 valve and higher compression, but im guessing the cam and valves are proportional anting a 24valve would need a dohc or sohc right?

wouldnt it still be cheaper than a 3.8 engine and its computer change right?

i would "like" to have a 220-230 HP V6 motor naturaly aspirated

[b3master]

k well look i used to have a Thunderbird 95 LS that was sohc V8 with like 205 HP well its bigger cousin the lincoln mark VIII had the same engine 4.6L but DOHC wioth 32 valve vs the 16 and that bumped it to 280HP

so this is somewhat the point im coming from

[Ryan98T/A]

Do all the bolt ons and then throw a shot of NAWZ on it. That ought to get you over the hump!!!

[b3master]

Why increase compression, you'll just kill you engine

most 1990s and up german cars are 10:1 and over, they dont have any break down problems or killing problems why would it be too much to ask for?

honestly i do realy realy WANT an american made car i WANT my american engine to perform or outperform the german one (naturaly aspirated), but when i see a mercades 260e sohc 12V V6 do 168HP with 9.20:1 compression ratio, it realy pisses me off and this is JUST a lousy 260e crap, lets not talk about the 300 or the 320 24valve dohc easily doing 220-230HP (and that is still a 3.0 and 3.2 compared to a 3.4) why does my 3.4L do LESS i think its because its an ohv with 12v and 9:1 compresion ratio. maybe i can fit in the mark VIII engine in it?

u cant convince me that the higher compression german motors dont outlast the american regular compression one, there should be a way to make my 3.4 have higher compression and last just as much

i do love my f-body but im thinking i want a german motor under the hood

[b3master]

uhmm did i say somthing wrong?????

bump bump

[Joe 1320]

Originally posted by b3master


u cant convince me that the higher compression german motors dont outlast the american regular compression one, there should be a way to make my 3.4 have higher compression and last just as much

i do love my f-body but im thinking i want a german motor under the hood

There is no way a german motor will outlast anything else provided all maintainance is equal. The main reason a german motor appears to last is due to the initial expense, those folks tend to provide more regular maintainance and they are also less likely to be abusing it at the dragstrip or similar. A motor is a motor, regardless (with some exceptions of course) of who make it. Some are more effecient, some are less. My Cadillac 4.5 just turned 200K miles and doesn't burn any oil, idles smooth as silk and get me close to 30 mpg on the highway. Regular oil changes, that's it!

Now that the previous BS has been cleared, you can drop it whatever you want if you want to throw enough cash into it. Personally, I know a 3.4 can be made to run low 15s at about 90 mph in the quarter without getting too expensive. That is enough to keep with most stuff out there that isn't made to be a stoplight burner. Port the heads, add a cold air intake, exhaust, rear swap, a few free mods and you're there. Besides, the job is 10 times easier to stick with GM stuff than play around with non compatable equipment. You know that it's just not as simple as swapping engines.... then the transmission, accessories like power steering, a/c, alternator and the list goes on and on. In short, stay with what's there or buy another car already done like a Z28. Less money, less time, less aggrivation, less tech help needed too. As much as I engineer motor swaps and motor upgrades, I wouldn't even touch what you are thinking about doing!

[N20LT4Bird]

B3master, what I think Joe is trying to say is that, as a beginner, you're better off doing some simple mods to the 3.4 and living with a 15 sec quarter mile time, or just sell and upgrade. An LT1 in that camaro will give you 13's bone stock and you will wipe the floor with that German crap.

Nothing is impossible. If you want to turn your 3.4 L engine into a DOHC, 24 V fire breathing monster, it is POSSIBLE. BUT HIGHLY UNLIKELY FOR THE BEGINNER, or even the experienced hotrodder. Even then, its very impracticle. The problem is that they dont make the parts youre looking for. So, as long as you have access to some nice chunks of billet alluminum, a CNC mill, a good casting setup, a metal lathe, a nice CADD program for the engineering, and A LOT of time. - you MAY be able to do it.

You see, youre expecting to compete with German sports cars and the car you've chosen is not meant to do that. The v-8 version is. Its like saying "why doesnt my Ford taurus outrun this Jaguar?" It wasnt meant to do that. Now dont get offended any V-6 guys - The V6 camaro and firebird are great cars, but they were marketed to the person who likes the flashy looks of the F-body, but doesnt have the interest, or money to go with the V-8. Now, im not saying this is the case for EVERY v-6 owner, but the majority are happy to cruise around with a little pep under the pedal and look good doing it - and thats O.K. To each his own.

You have to decide what you want.

Oh.....and Joe is absolutely right about the German cars. They DO NOT last any longer given equal maintenence. In fact, some of those Mercedes you speak of have more problems than anything. My uncle just broke down (overheated) in his brand new 70,000 dollar benz last week.

[FormulaSlickG94]

Amen to what N20 just said. Prior to owning my formula I had a 94 3.4 Bird and I loved that car...great gas mileage too! Mainly it was the first car I bought on my own. Basically you are better off with the bolt ons to start with. Open up the exhaust, get yourself a CAI and let her breath a little...you'll also get a bit of a growl too...that helps a lot with making your car faster when you hear it, it feels a heck of a lot faster...

There are many options you can do to bolster up that engine but you are definately better off going the bolt on route. If you are truly aiming at a major performance upgrade go with a nice N20 setup...it's probably the best option with the 3.4...I've done a lot of research on that car. I loved the car so much that I had to get a 94 V8 Bird...I feel after owning the 3.4 version of the same car I can truly appreciate the V8 now.

I still love that 3.4 Bird...I still miss it, I probably spent more of my time on that car than on any car I had it became an attachment.

Enjoy your 3.4...that is truly one of the greatest cars I have ever driven!


My old bird with the new

[b3master]

can we buy ported heads or do i need to find somoen to do it, or better yet how do i go about doing that?

about incompatibility i was just messing arround, im not gonna go through hell for it, but i just love the DOHC N/A power

my car is the 1995 3.4 camaro, if i get that reprogramer how much would that help me? or would it just take off teh speed governer and increase the rpm limit a tad? would the change of gas/air ratio affect it much? bottom line iis it worth the $300 or how much ever it costs? and does it work ONLY on my 94 3.4 i cant try to make some money back by reprograming other f-bodys in the neighborhood?

after the mods Joe mentioned would it mainly help take off performance or would that also have some good effect on 60-120MPH racing from a roll....

An LT1 in that camaro will give you 13's bone stock and you will wipe the floor with that German crap.

u mean to swap out the 3.4 motor to an lt1 motor and keep everythign else stock? i dont need to change the computer?

[b3master]

oh btw im not running any cats at all, ill be looking for V8 cats... and i do have k&n air filter but not a cold air intake i wanna MAKE one.... will this make me closer to 170HP now? i did bypass the TB i just switched the hoses the top ones (on the TB) to go to each other nothing in them and the bottoms ones to each other i belive that is coolant in and out, i didnt need to find any diff diameter plugs or anything... maybe i did it wrong ?? or maybe it was that easy? tommorow ill take pics to make sure i did it correctly

[TraceZ]

Originally posted by b3master

u mean to swap out the 3.4 motor to an lt1 motor and keep everythign else stock? i dont need to change the computer?

He meant sell your car and buy a LT1 car. The engine swap would cost more, and be a huge PITA.

You have to replace nearly the entire car to convert a v6 to a v8. Engine, tranny, driveshaft, computer, radiator, exhaust, front suspension springs, motor mounts, crossmember... etc..

Unless you have a v8 parts car it is not really practical.

[cbrr_mike]

etc...rear...brakes...etc

[b3master]

what is the stock diff gear 3.23? 3.42?