need some assistance

[GMPoikl]

alright, well i got a '93 grand am gt. 3.1 obviously. its got a lotta miles on it and looking at a new motor. what would be a good idea to switch into it? granted im not a complete genius when it comes to this, but any assistance would be helpful. trying to keep it as inexpensive as possible.

[Identity Crisis]

3400 or beef up your top end of the 3.1. It did a 3.1 Top end build and gained almost 30HP at the Crank and 22 at the wheels.

[GMPoikl]

if i decided to add in a new transmission instead, would a 3.1l and a 5 speed work pretty well?

[darkfox]

not really, but it can be done.

if you can find a getrag tranny that has the v6 bolt pattern, it can be done. the axles from 92-95 grand ams w/ the 2.3 and the manual trans should work, along with a lot of the other parts, since the manual trans for the 2.3 was virtually identical with the one used in other gm cars for 60 degree v6's. v6 getrags are kind of rare, though, and there is no ECM reflash for the grand am with a 3.1 and a manual trans, so you will end up throwing some codes. and you will have to make your own mounts, and jury rig some of the engine wiring to get it to work right.

it may be easier to get a 3400 and drop it in. good running 3100's are getting rare. 3400's are still a little plentiful because there's still a few on the road and these cars are slowly making their way into salvage yards.

[antixx]

a supercharged 3800 fomd it in a yard out of a buick or olds

[darkfox]

a s/c 3800 could be done too, but is a lot of hassle... more than a manual swap.

easiest bet is throwing in a 3400. its basically plug and play.

[antixx]

but with a 3800 although the engine mounts and new drivetrain are a pain its worth running higher boost in a bigger engine

[sscavy]

I have a 3400 swapped cavalier. the swap is a breeze. as for the transmission issue.... check out car-part.com I just replaced my getrag for $200.00 from a local junkyard.

I paid 275 for an 83K 3400 for my car as well.

Computer issues!

Just use a cavalier computer 5-speed. IT should plug right in and you won't get any codes. The only direct bolt on transmissions for these cars to my knowledge are the cavalier's / sunbirds and the grand prix which is RARE and very expensive! However you get taller gears out of the deal!

The 3400 in my car is ridiculous compared to the 3.1. Stock 3.1 I ran a 16.1 at best at 81 mph then with the 3400 dropped in I ran a 14.5 @96 at best.

Add a 75 shot and I ran a 13.3 @109 mph... now that is fun!

Good luck with your build.

[GMPoikl]

so the cheaper one would be running a 3400? kinda tight on cash right now, and the 3300 in it right now is making a knocking sound (197k on it)

[GMPoikl]

*sigh* ok, so now it started having a different problem. ive been sick for the last week and couldnt figure out what it was. i knew i was running around a lot so we figured i was just out in the cold too much. well found out the other night while i was moving my car up to the front of my workplace, i saw a type of gas coming out from the vents into the cab. i walked into work choking and told my manager something was wrong with the car. i went back out to shut it off and pull my keys (left the door open when i went inside to see if it would air out) Ended up passing out in the snow after i shut it off. Sorry for the long story but curiousity, what could be the gas coming out of the car? it didnt smell like antifreeze or anything. but smell didnt go away. any ideas?