Help for '94 Firebird 3.4l v6 auto

[Ted F.]

I'm getting ready for my spring blitz of work and was hoping for some feedback. Last fall I added a KN cold air intake, underdrive pulleys, Jet pcm, and Flowmaster 2 into 1 into 2 exhaust with a new Dynomax cat. I want better midrange (passing) and quicker hole times. My mechanic wants to put 3.73's in the rearend. I wonder if it will bog down? I've seen that Crane cams has a cam/ hydraulic lifter combo for my application ( it also fits 2.8l, 3.1l) . Has anybody had experience with these mods? Just to define my "rules of engagement" I have to be able to pass N.Y state insp. and I don't want to spend more than a couple grand. Best, T.

[Ted F.]

Well, so much for a cam:( . Called Cranes techline, their cam will only work with a distributer engine, this lets me out. Stillwondering about the 3.73's.

[Forced_Firebird]

Originally Posted by Ted F.

Well, so much for a cam:( . Called Cranes techline, their cam will only work with a distributer engine, this lets me out. Stillwondering about the 3.73's.

Call Delta Camshafts and just let them know you are using it in an SFI engine and need the timing lobe. You can actually use any cam from a 2.8 all the way to the 3.4 (flat tappets), but you will lose the SFI and the ECM will revert back to MPFI and possbly flash the SES light at you, if that lobe is absent. It will not affect the performance or mileage mcuh to speak of.

I suggest you get the 260 grind, Delta sells re-grinds in this size and it won't bother your ECM that bad since you have no way of tuning the OBD1.5. You could even go to 1.6 ratio rockers with this cam and still be OK. Make sure you replcae the springs and lifters while you are in there.

[Ted F.]

Thanks for the info. I'm gonna have to blow this by my mech. 'cause to be honest you are way over my head. I'm just a carpenter and have to pound a lot of nails to pay for my need for speed.

[Forced_Firebird]

Originally Posted by Ted F.

Thanks for the info. I'm gonna have to blow this by my mech. 'cause to be honest you are way over my head. I'm just a carpenter and have to pound a lot of nails to pay for my need for speed.

Delta charged me $100 for the lifters and re-ground cam. A mechanic will charge you anywhere from $4-800 to install it.

BTW, I'm a GC and am a partner in a CNC machine shop in the evenings. Having four kids makes you work that much harder, both to pay bills and pay for my toy :D

[Ted F.]

Wish I was down in your neck of the woods; I'd propose a barter for traded work. When I say I'm a carpenter what I really mean is I'm a master finish/trimmer. Years ago I did a little 'oilfield' work in Tx. (welding, lathe, mill, CNC??? lol). Up here,Western N.Y., everyone tells me I should just sell this 'bird and get an 8. Btw, what do you think of 3:73 instead of the stock 3:23's.

[Forced_Firebird]

3.73 will wake it up even more. The low 1st gear makes the little six jump out of the hole as it is. I have some old time slips with the 60' times when the car was stock, and was impressed that 140hp and one-wheel drive could pull them with the 3.23's.

Could probably use your skills in both depts, let me know if you are ever in FL, lol. I don't have any employees at the moment because of the housing industry being slack. My partner and I do all the work ourselves. We do mostly insurance restorations (guarenteed money :D). I too have done some nice carpentry jobs -- how do you enjoy coping crown molding, haha. My garage is fill of all the tools, truck too - everything from router tables, planers, and the like.