New F-body owner (need info)

[stoned_pimp420]

Well I went out and bought a 1992 RS with some sort of V6 in it, I bought it for 450 dollars and it comes with a 4 spd auto and some v6 both out of the car. The reason the engine and tranny were removed was because it spun a main. It's got charcoal interior,with T tops. I was wondering what motor it has sitting next to it. and what kind of gas mileage will I get out of it with the v6 and what can I do to hype some juice out of the motor like cams headers or whatnot. Basically I want to know does this car need to find it's way onto e-bay or my garage?

[CamarosRsweet94]

If it's the sock motor it is probably a 3.1L They don't have much for balls and I don't think they have much after market parts either. Stock you'll probably get 20 MPG and that will most likely decrease with any performance mods.

[blindeyed]

Originally Posted by stoned_pimp420

Well I went out and bought a 1992 RS with some sort of V6 in it, I bought it for 450 dollars and it comes with a 4 spd auto and some v6 both out of the car. The reason the engine and tranny were removed was because it spun a main. It's got charcoal interior,with T tops. I was wondering what motor it has sitting next to it. and what kind of gas mileage will I get out of it with the v6 and what can I do to hype some juice out of the motor like cams headers or whatnot. Basically I want to know does this car need to find it's way onto e-bay or my garage?

The motor is a 3.1L. Not a bad engine, but not the greatest. It's definately good for gas mileage. I get about 20 mpg on my 3.4, so if it's in good shape and has been taken care of, then you could expect anywhere around that much. Don't expect to try to get alot of power out of it without a TON of mods. I've put a cold air intake, headers, removed the cat, put on a Borla cat-back, and switched to an aluminum driveshaft and my car's still slow. Not that I'm complaining, it's a great car especially when it comes to constant driving in the city, the good gas mileage helps out my wallet. But I mean, you can get power out of it... I've seen guys get around 250 hp n/a at the wheels on their 3.4's, then throw on a turbo and/or nitrous and she'll be flyin. The 3.4 is part of the same engine family as the 3.1. GM made 2.8/3.1/3.4. Each is the same block, just a little more bored and stroked than the other.

If you're serious about wanting to mod it, then it'll take alot of time, research, hard work, and dedication to the project. If you want to just use it for a daily driver, then 2 things I would at least recommend you do would be to get a cold air intake, and a cat-back exhaust. That way she'll breathe a little better and give you a few extra mpg.

[blindeyed]

Originally Posted by CamarosRsweet94

If it's the sock motor it is probably a 3.1L They don't have much for balls and I don't think they have much after market parts either. Stock you'll probably get 20 MPG and that will most likely decrease with any performance mods.

On the contrary, almost every aftermarket part for the 3.4L will work for the 3.1's and 2.8's. And that's an aftermarket that's slowly growing bigger. Your cars gas mileage actually goes up with performance mods. When I first got my car and it was stock, I averaged around 16 mpg. Now after what mods I've done, I'm gettin around 20. And that's on regular. I get around 24 mpg on supreme.

I mean if you think about it, when you put an intake and exhaust on your car, you're freeing up the air flow making the engine not work as hard... so, that's not going to be a negative factor, but rather a positive thing. The less your engine has to work, the more hp and gas mileage you get.

[CamarosRsweet94]

Originally Posted by blindxeyed

On the contrary, almost every aftermarket part for the 3.4L will work for the 3.1's and 2.8's. And that's an aftermarket that's slowly growing bigger. Your cars gas mileage actually goes up with performance mods. When I first got my car and it was stock, I averaged around 16 mpg. Now after what mods I've done, I'm gettin around 20. And that's on regular. I get around 24 mpg on supreme.

I mean if you think about it, when you put an intake and exhaust on your car, you're freeing up the air flow making the engine not work as hard... so, that's not going to be a negative factor, but rather a positive thing. The less your engine has to work, the more hp and gas mileage you get.

That is precisely what I meant by it not having much of an aftermarket, currently. I have looked into the aftermarket for the 3.4 and it isn't too bright, not even close to the 3.8. And while I do agree that some mods will increase your gas mileage most of the high end ones that really gain you power will reduce your gas mileage by a lot. It is pretty common sense to realize that the more power the engine makes means it will need more gas and more air to make that power. Almost anyone you talk to will definately say that adding HP reduces fuel economy.

[blindeyed]

Originally Posted by CamarosRsweet94

That is precisely what I meant by it not having much of an aftermarket, currently. I have looked into the aftermarket for the 3.4 and it isn't too bright, not even close to the 3.8.

Well granted there isn't a large aftermarket when it comes to company's selling products for the RWD 3.4's. There is a good sized aftermarket when it comes to the FWD 3400's. You can find tons of parts for those, especially if you're dealing with converting your top end over to the 3400's. If you're that gung ho and into the project, then it will be hard not to find aftermarket parts. Guess I overlooked mentioning that since I tend to get ahead of myself and fail to mention details like that. As for the RWD aftermarket, yeah.. there's not much you can find for them. Namingly because the RWD 3.4 is a horrible setup and design and is completely restrictive. I dont know what GM had in mind when they designed it, but there's not much hope for it at all.. which brings people to do the 3400 top end swap. Especially since the FWD 3400 is rated at 185 hp, while the RWD 3.4 is rated at 160. That's a pretty good difference. That's one reason why I always tell people, there is hope for the 3.4.. but it requires time, patience, and a good sum of money. I will admit that it's pointless trying to mod a 3.4 when you can get more than double the power out of an LT1/LS1 with the same amount that you would be paying. But where's the fun in that? I find it more fun to tackle on different projects.

Originally Posted by CamarosRsweet94

And while I do agree that some mods will increase your gas mileage most of the high end ones that really gain you power will reduce your gas mileage by a lot. It is pretty common sense to realize that the more power the engine makes means it will need more gas and more air to make that power. Almost anyone you talk to will definately say that adding HP reduces fuel economy.

True, the high end mods can decrease your gas mileage. But, I was mainly referring to the basic bolt ons. Wasn't really referring to the high end mods like swapping in a new cam, upgrading the fuel injectors/fuel pressure regulator, and etc. Tried not to discourage the guy by telling him not to mod his car because he'll get worse gas mileage, when that would only be the case if he moved onto the internals and major components of the engine rather than just basic bolt ons

[Earlsfat]

Well... Cam, heads, rebuild... You could just get a crate motor and forget the nickel and dime mods that will cost you about as much as a decent 350. A 350 that is tuned right won't totally rape you on gas either. If you want gas mileage, keep what's there... if you want performance then go get it. But you're gonna hate yourself and the car if you try to mod it into a performer... (MY AF TYPE ANALOGY: I don't care how much money you throw at it, a steak-um will never be a philly cheesesetak, yeah a philly cheesesteak costs a little more, but not by much when you consider what you have to spend to turn that POS steak-um into something edible.)

Why scew with heads and cams, and all that stuff, buy an engine that's already done... believe you me, you'll still have plenty of work putting it in. Same with the trans... buy a new one and jam it in there. (Not as difficult as the motor). You have no idea what's happened to the one that's out of the car, and to put money and time into it just to make sure it's not toast... I'd spend the money on the new one.

Look you spent $500 buying the thing... you're way ahead of the cost / value game. You're not going to get much more than $500 selling it as a rolling chassis (at least not in MY area), you might if you part it out, if the parts are in good shape. If you spend $2000 on a trans and $2000 on a motor and then the important parts are brand new, and you're only into it for $4,500 - a CHEAP toy! You can play with the stupid shit later.

[Earlsfat]

Oh and hey Rockey... This ain't being a smartass... But if you're a self-employed mechanic, why are you asking us what you should do?

[wrightz28]

The real questions are:

1-Does it have to go through emissions?

2-Do you have the means and ability to go and install a crate motor and deal with the alteration/electronics end of it?

3-Would you be better off putting the 6 cyl back in it cleaning it up really nicely and unloading it for decent amount toward something with a little more go power.

[Earlsfat]

Originally Posted by wrightz28

The real questions are:

1-Does it have to go through emissions?

2-Do you have the means and ability to go and install a crate motor and deal with the alteration/electronics end of it?

3-Would you be better off putting the 6 cyl back in it cleaning it up really nicely and unloading it for decent amount toward something with a little more go power.

[cuda_dude]

Originally Posted by blindxeyed

Your cars gas mileage actually goes up with performance mods. When I first got my car and it was stock, I averaged around 16 mpg. Now after what mods I've done, I'm gettin around 20. And that's on regular. I get around 24 mpg on supreme.

I mean if you think about it, when you put an intake and exhaust on your car, you're freeing up the air flow making the engine not work as hard... so, that's not going to be a negative factor, but rather a positive thing. The less your engine has to work, the more hp and gas mileage you get.

I agree, and have proven it. Unless your talking about blowing a motor or chaning a cam etc... your gas mileage increases with every mod that makes the engine run easier... more free flow equals more power meaning more efficiency

[Earlsfat]

Originally Posted by cuda_dude

I agree, and have proven it. Unless your talking about blowing a motor or chaning a cam etc... your gas mileage increases with every mod that makes the engine run easier... more free flow equals more power meaning more efficiency

But that's what he said... he wants to know about changing the cam, etc. so I would say he's not going to get any increase in gas mileage, and as far as performance... well, he may get some but he's starting with the wrong base, imo.

BTW: I don't consider changing an exhaust system a "performance" mod. That's more like an efficiency mod because it's not changing anything on the engine. Cams, heads, CAI, Carb, Intake manifold, new chip, etc I would consider an honest performance mod. But I guess it's all the same in the end...

[stoned_pimp420]

no I already have a 350 but I'd kill myself if I put it in that car, it's a track engine, that and it would take a shitload of work to downtone the 350 to be streetable. The reason I was wondering about what I should do is because I love a v6 for some odd reason (we can thank a gnx for that) and I've thought it over, the engine is already torn apart for a bottom end job but it's been sitting around collecting dirtdobbers and shit for like four years so I've got to top to bottom rebuild the 3100 anyways. So I'm sort of in a hole, the 350 is too much for street and the 3100 is too pathatic for my driving style. I don't know I've got a spare 4.3 here thats got about 3,000 miles on a fresh rebuild and edelbrock cam and intake so I may put it in there. I don't have the money to buy a new 350 so I may just put the puny 3100 in it and drive it till it blows and then I'll be on my feet again with a license and a better paying job than working from my home garage (slow business) and then I may buy a stock 305 or 350. It's all in the money.

EDIT: Oh yeah it doesn't have to pass emissions or inspection.
The only reason I want this car to run so badly is because I drove one a few weeks ago around the block and it drove wonderfully, so now I got an itch so now it's time to scratch.

[Earlsfat]

With your abilities, you might be able to pick up a decent 3.8, or even a 305 out of a junkyard and freshsen it up... if you gotta do it to the 3.1 liter, and you can pick up a 3.8 or 305 for a couple hundred $, I'd say it'd be worth the money up front to have a decent daily driver that you're not going to have to redo in a year or so.

Just my opinion.

BUT, I'm sure you know the old saying: It's cheaper (and less annoying) to do it right the first time, then having to do the same goddamned thing all over two three or four fucking times. ***Note to self - don't skimp on trans next time and buy new one***

[blindeyed]

Originally Posted by stoned_pimp420

I don't know I've got a spare 4.3 here thats got about 3,000 miles on a fresh rebuild and edelbrock cam and intake so I may put it in there.

I think that would be the best thing you could do. That's something I've never seen, but have always wanted to see. I don't know why GM never used the 4.3's as the standard fbody V6 anyway.