3.1L performance mods

[Thurbien]

Hi, I have a 96 GA SE 3.1L and was wondering if it was even worth it to try and upgrade its performance. I don't see many mods for it, and it looks like the 3.1L version is crap compared to the 2.4L. Should I keep it and upgrade it or get another car?

[Peyman]

i say its not worth it... thats why when i had my 96...i went all show and NO GO !!!

[CraiGT]

The motor is not worth it. Another car or motor swap.

[1998PGA-SE]

Why are they not any better then the 2.4. Is it because you cant supercharge them.

[CraiGT]

In my opinion, the 3.1 motor is crap. They get a lot of problems.

The 3.1 has 155 horespower. The 2.4 has 150 horsepower.

The 3.1 only comes automatic. Yes you can make it a stick shift, have fun with that lol.

No the 2.4 is not better cuz you can supercharge it. Its better because you bought a car with a motor that has 5 less horsepower yet saves more gas, and has a lot more potential.

[1998PGA-SE]

but that means to me at least my car is worth less because it has a 3.1

[randizzle]

but that means to me at least my car is worth less because it has a 3.1
it's not worthless it's just not worth doing performance mods to it.

[1998PGA-SE]

well what could i do to beat a grand prix gt with WAI and Stright pipes

[Thurbien]

Where can I get a 2.4L GT motor with low mileage? Would it drop right in?

[sammybammy]

Where can I get a 2.4L GT motor with low mileage? Would it drop right in?

check craigslist or see if you can't find a crashed car that you can pull the whole engine setup over.

[boomboomgrandam]

i don't see why everyone says the 3.1L is Crap..... I had a 96 Gt with the 3.1, and my sister had a 97 2.4L....... my car spanked that car all around the block and back handled better, looked better hands down. unless u plan on doing MASSIVE engine work to either motor. i think the 3.1 would suit u fine. u can still do, intake and exhaust not sure what else on the top my head. the only thing i see is the 2.4L has going for it is it's easy to boost.
0-60mph the cars are pretty close performance wise, but the v6 shines above that (stock vs stock we never modded the cars) both of us drive retarded and have tested many of times and i always left her behind once were above 60.
as far as reliability goes i have seen both motors go over 200k with proper maint. when i was working at a oil change place.
unless there is something wrong with ur car or u got money to blow, i would just stick with the 3.1L

-Shawn

btw, if ur gonna argue about mpg between the cars why are u modding them ??

[mikekanzler]

i personally think you should sell me this car and buy a new one :)

but if you decide to keep it you could always do exhaust intake and spray it for a little extra go go

[dallas]

i dunno about how many miles a 2.4 is usually good for, but i've owned alot of 3.1s/2.8s (same engine) and one 2.8 had 320k or something like that on it, all original miles. then it
blew a head gasket. I would've kept it but the rest of the car was falling apart around the motor haha. my current 3.1L GA GT has 163k on it...runs good. i know a guy with an 89 celebrity that had 446k on it on the original bottom end..still running to this day...beyond
me on how, but it's still runnin.

[dallas]

But I agree, without a custom turbo setup, nitrous and some heavy heavy crazy expensive motor building..the 3.1 isn't really a "make 500hp" motor...if you wanna
get really serious..get an eco-tec and put it in. lol. Those will SLAUGHTER any 2.4 quad 4. You can get turnkey 600hp eco's ...they cost a pretty penny, but tell me how you'll get 500hp out of a Quad 4 cheaply?

BTW...I'm not knocking anyones motor choice, build decision, favoring one motor
over the other...They are all GM..so they are all better than any other in my eyes. lol..I do kinda wish I would've gotten a 2.4 though. lol.

[randizzle]

But I agree, without a custom turbo setup, nitrous and some heavy heavy crazy expensive motor building..the 3.1 isn't really a "make 500hp" motor...if you wanna
get really serious..get an eco-tec and put it in. lol. Those will SLAUGHTER any 2.4 quad 4. You can get turnkey 600hp eco's ...they cost a pretty penny, but tell me how you'll get 500hp out of a Quad 4 cheaply?

BTW...I'm not knocking anyones motor choice, build decision, favoring one motor
over the other...They are all GM..so they are all better than any other in my eyes. lol..I do kinda wish I would've gotten a 2.4 though. lol.
you can't get 500 hp out of ANY engine cheaply.

[mikekanzler]

^ x2 ^ but it would be easier with a gm 4 banger because of aftermarket support

[boomboomgrandam]

^ x2 ^ but it would be easier with a gm 4 banger because of aftermarket support

agreed, that is one of the best things the I-4 got going for it. the extra room in the engine compartment is also very nice.
I also agree with dallas, my family is a GM family out of the 13 GM cars/trucks we owned/own only one had engine failure (88 bonneville series 1 3.8L, spun bearings at 167k)

[SappySE107]

WOT-Tech.com (http://wot-tech.com/shop)
60DegreeV6.com (http://60degreev6.com)

[mikekanzler]

n/m i had a duh minute

[SappySE107]

What computer?

[Korbendallas68]

All the incompetent 'facts' about the 3100's made me "lol"

[CeeMatt]

I don't know about upgrading a 3.1L to race or anything. I know I put a 3400 top end, 2 1/4" piping, and a WAI and it hauls @$$ now. The only thing I feel holds it back is the transmission. An adjustable vacuum modulator helps but why didn't they make 5 speed automatics back then?:(

[Korbendallas68]

5-Speed Auto?

[CeeMatt]

5-Speed Auto?

I don't know how to drive stick...I figured I make it easy on myself. :p

[1998PGA-SE]

Ok so sense they dont make a chip for a 96 to 98 how do u tune your car because you have to be able to get more out of them then stock tune

[Korbendallas68]

Just like any other car that can't be tuned. You go after-market engine management.

[1998PGA-SE]

so where can i find an aftermarket engine managment type setup

[Ralph]

http://www.diyautotune.com/

[1998PGA-SE]

Ok i dont know what kit i need or even how they work a little insight would help cus after looking at all the circut boards and stuff i dont know exactly what i need i figured it would be a tunner that i plugged into the computer on my car

[1998PGA-SE]

Ok any body who has used one of these tuners know what i will need

[Korbendallas68]

http://60degreev6.com/forum/

[1998PGA-SE]

Ok so i guy last night was telling me about a gm performance chip you can buy for a 3.1 but he had it in a cutless with obd 1 so i dont know if i can even get one he said his was 1600 dallors but he could beat most 3.8 5 speed mustangs with it.

[SappySE107]

Wow, 1600 bucks for a chip. I sell OBD1 performance chips for 3.1 cutlasses, which gain about 5hp. Its 100 bucks and I doubt it will make a 3.1 cutlass beat a V6 5 speed mustang. No way a chip will give you more hp than that on a stock car, and I couldn't tell you what it would take to make a chip worth 1600 bucks for an OBD1 60V6. Platinum connectors and diamond inlays.

[gt00]

I doubt it will make a 3.1 cutlass beat a V6 5 speed mustang.I doubt it either ... ;)

[_SHLEE_]

Vagina ... how bout that for an answer.

[Nitr0Racing21]

Dude trust me here keep your car stock put ur cash in the bank, then buy a faster car laterdown the road


NO TURBOS NO SC's GET A NEW CAR! these 98's suck trust me I know I drive one everyday. You will not be fast with it sorry to tell you that if you want fast go get a new car.


Truth hurts.

[_SHLEE_]

I Concure........ sorry to say but its true. well theres always a 2004 SC/T
I have tried everything i could even dropped in a new trans. waste of money and time.
"The things we own end up owning us"

[1998PGA-SE]

Your right but if i wanted a fast car i would just buy a new one but i like my ga its different i hang out with alot of car people and most have mustangs or grand prix's or dodge stealth's so its not as fun to beat a mustang with another mustang right now i can hold my own against my friends 3.8 mustang automatic so my goal is to beat him but i need ideas

[sammybammy]

http://www.z-spec.com/catalog.htm

there are some parts if you want to check it out

[1998PGA-SE]

cool at least there are some things out there what about shift kits are they worth it or dont they do anything

[1998PGA-SE]

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1317033&parttype=8532&a=FRc1317033k64793
What do u think about that shift kit

[sammybammy]

i don't think it will do much of anything. unless you have a 5spd don't waste the money

[1998PGA-SE]

Well according to the internet articles they help firm up shifts and some change shift points and thats a good seller for me because i have the mustang up until i shift then i lose it cus it shifts to early

[SappySE107]

swap the 3400 manifolds and at least a 56mm TB on there.

[1998PGA-SE]

ok so swap just tha manifolds or the whole top end didnt somebody on here do the whole top end swap

[SappySE107]

The 3400 heads are a better casting quality and have 1.76" intake valves. They would match up to the manifolds a little better but that isn't really a concern compared to how crappy your 3100 manifolds are. Just manifolds would be enough.

[1998PGA-SE]

ok so lower and upper intake manifolds and im assuming the TB or aftermarket witch is what u sugested

[SappySE107]

Yes, just swap the lower and upper and you can keep your stock TB for now. The 3400 throttle bodies bolt right on but you may want to swap the linkage out. (http://60degreev6.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32520) You don't need to use a dremel as that thread is for the DIY install of the billet throttle body. Its a simple procedure to upgrade from your stock 52mm to a 56mm TB. I have core TBs for that matter if you wanted to swap your parts into it. I have the plates and TB, no linkage, or sensors. Actually I have sensors galore but untested:P