Streetiron85

Well, I've been reading up a bit, but there are still some questions regarding a FWD engine swap.
So here's what I'm gathering so far, correct me if I'm wrong.

The swap is possible, but the starter is located on the opposite side.
And the problem with the starter can be corrected with just some mods to the wiring.

Something about custom engine mount fabrication also... not sure about that.

An intake from an iron head V6 won't fit on the alum head V6, so I'd be stuck with that lopsided one, unless there's an aftermarket intake made for the alum heads. Any info on that? Carbed or EFI, I'd like more info on A/M intakes, couldn't find much out there.

The iron head V6 headers wouldn't work either on the alum heads.

Thanks for helping out.

crazyjim

WTF...


you're going to put a v6 into an IROC? Did I miss something? And wtf is up with the FWD

Quick_Trans_Am

iTrader: (2)

I think he means a 3.1 out of a cavalier or similar FWD vehicle.

Six_Shooter

iTrader: (2)

Using a complete FWD V6, would put the starter on the wrong side, but simple wiring changes will not fix that.

If you want to retain the existing tranny, you will need to drill and tap the block on the opposite side, to move the starter, to do it properly would also require welding a wedge to the block, due to the shape of the ear on the FWD version, that is there to clear part of the automatic trannies.
You could get a dual pocket bellhousing though, unfortunatly they are quite rare.
Another option would be using a '98+ 2.2 tranny from an S-series truck, since they use the "FWD" starter location.

A custom left side mount would be needed, due to the FWD block, not having the same bolt bosses that the RWd has.

The headers will not bolt on the FWD heads, due to bolt spacing.

The only aftermarket intakes are from Ryan Falconer Racing Engines, but they were in limited supply, and quite expensive.

It sounds like you are talking about the genII 660, with teh mention of "the lop sided intake", do yourself a favour and skip th egenII and go straight to the large port genIII parts.

daves12secV6

iTrader: (3)

i got a set of aluminum head brand new,they were supposed to be gen 3 heads but they were gen 2's,i looked up the flow numbers on them seems the gen 3's outflow the gen2's by around 20 cfm on the intake side,but dont seem to flow as well at lower lifts on the ex side losing about 6-8 cfm at lower lifts
----------
iron heads

gen2 aluminum heads

and gen 3 aluminum


mid lift numbers are more important then max lift since the valve passes mid lift 2x

Streetiron85

Thanks for all the info guys.
It sounds like swapping a FWD 3.1 into a thirdgen is a bit complicated.

So, first off... My 3.1 FWD engine is a 2nd gen 60deg, correct?

And supposedly a 3rd gen V6 (not to be confused with thirdgen) would be preferred for the purpose of a swap, also correct?

Would a set of 3rd gen V6 heads bolt onto a RWD V6 block that came from a camaro?

My feeling was that the splayed valve alum heads on my FWD engine might offer some advantage performance wise.
Basically, I'm trying to figure out what would be a good route to follow for swapping a 60deg V6 that has some better heads than the original iron ones.

Also what year/models feature the 3rd gen V6?

Thanks in advance

drdave88

iTrader: (3)

there are some detailed posts on www.fullthrottlev6.com. theyre stickied. the overall decision ive seen is to go with the 3.4 RWD block, and the 3400 heads/intake/pistons/ whatever else is needed in the swap. the stickys will give you some really good info as to what you want to know. and there is a guy whos already done the swap and is researching going further, hes the one who made one or two of the stickys.

daves12secV6

iTrader: (3)

what i dont get is why they use the gen 3 heads they may flow more on the intake but only at .500+ lift,and the ex side actually flows worse then the gen 2,even with having the d port ex port

Streetiron85

Thanks for the link - good stuff

Streetiron85

[QUOTE=daves12secV6]i got a set of aluminum head brand new,they were supposed to be gen 3 heads but they were gen 2's,i looked up the flow numbers on them seems the gen 3's outflow the gen2's by around 20 cfm on the intake side,but dont seem to flow as well at lower lifts on the ex side losing about 6-8 cfm at lower lifts

So you ordered a set of GenIII heads and got GenII instead??
What did you end up doing with them?

daves12secV6

iTrader: (3)

im gonna use the gen2 heads on my 3.4 engine im building.the gen2 heads seem to be a better choice then the gen3 heads anyway

Streetiron85

Hmmm...
Thanks Dave

So let's say I picked up a 3.1 RWD block (or a 2.8) and I wanted to use my Gen2 heads on there.
It's my understanding that the Gen1 intake won't work with those heads.
What intake would be the best choice for an F-Body with a V6 that has Gen2 heads?

daves12secV6

iTrader: (3)

using a fwd set of heads on a the rwd motor isnt easy,u need to also use fwd pistions or the cr ratio will be like 14.8-1,and u cannot use a distributor.u either have to make a custom manifold,or swap to a 4thgen ecm and hrness to use the dis ign system

Streetiron85

Are the FWD gen2 heads different from the RWD gen2 heads?

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

There are not RWD genII heads. The 3.4 uses the same heads the rest of us sixers do, along with the lower intake plenum and fuel rail, IIRC... When the base engine was changed mid '95, GM slapped in a 90* V6, the 3800 Series II, and that's a whole different ball of wax. Speaking of the S-truck, GM swapped out it's 2.8 straight to a 4.3 (same as the 3800, 90* V6), don't know what year that happened, though.

Streetiron85

Okay, so using the FWD heads won't be easy.

So let's say I find a 3.4 block and I'm going to have some custom pistons made to get the CR right for those smaller chamber heads.
The 3.4 block will bolt in with no mods, right?
And if I use the intake and the ECM and DIS that originally came with the FWD engine, what other obstacles would there be?

Thanks

drdave88

iTrader: (3)

if you mean the 3400 FWD block, youre still looking at about as much fabbing and custom/hard work. a 3.4 from a 93-95 4th gen is an easy drop in long block. externally (for all intents and purposes) the 3.4 is exactly the same as a 2.8/3.1.

Six_Shooter

iTrader: (2)

Dave, I don't know where you're getting your info from, but the genIII exhaust flows much better than the genII exhaust and MUCH better than the genI exhaust ports.

Same comparison can be used for the intake, especially at lower lifts, where they actually flow best, hence why EVERYONE that swaps to the genIII heads sees an improvment in overall performance, usually dramatic, oh and everyone that I know that has done the swap uses cams that have less lift than .500".

Streetiron85

Where I'm at right now, is I'm trying to figure out if these heads have gen2 FWD heads are going to be of any use to me in a swap.
Is there a difference between the intake used on the gen3 heads and the gen2 heads?
I already have a gen2 engine, and it seems like these heads have more potential than the iron heads, and I'm interested in using them on a different block if possible.
It seems like I've read in other posts that some guys are using 3.4 blocks for RWD. And if so, I'd just get one of those blocks and rebuild that.

daves12secV6

iTrader: (3)

i got the info from 60degreev6.com.acording to the flow sheets they have the gen 2's outflowed gen 3 at lower lifts

Six_Shooter

iTrader: (2)

The intake ports are very different between genII and genIII. You have to use matching heads to intake, and vise versa.

Dave, look at the sheets you posted again, by my count, the genIII outflows the genII at just about everypoint.