GM 3100 V6

Are you one of those confused people who can't make up their mind?
User avatar
GS guy
Posts: 909
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2002 12:01 am

GM 3100 V6

Post by GS guy »

Hello,
I'm looking for information on the GM 3100 series V6 engine, 2000 and newer. I've come across several web sites on these engines, but I'm looking for information geared towards engine swapping which these sites don't typically go into.
More specifically, looking for weight figures, overall engine dimensions - that type of thing.

If anyone has any links or info they could provide it would be much appreciated!

Thanks, Jeff
RACER H-4
Posts: 204
Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2003 12:01 am

Post by RACER H-4 »

cant help with links but i can say this, dont waist ur time on a 3.1, its better the go with the 3.4. it revs higher, faster, and makes more tq and hp

look as some fiero forums, u can get gm help there
Guest

Post by Guest »

try gm60degreev6.com and if you don't allready have the motor i second the 3.4 idea
Baja Wes
Posts: 239
Joined: Wed Jun 05, 2002 12:01 am

Post by Baja Wes »

http://offroadvw.net/bajawes/V6_baja/V6 ... 0Baja.html

I could dig up this guys email for you...
Wes - http://www.offroadvw.net - 200HP Quad Cam V6 in a VW Baja - with climate control... :)
User avatar
GS guy
Posts: 909
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2002 12:01 am

Post by GS guy »

Baja Wes - that would be great if I could contact the owner of that Baja in the link you posted. I gathered from his comments (on your site) that he is fairly familiar with these engines. Very nice site of your's I might add!

As for going with the 3.4L - I agree that bigger is generally better but... in my case I'll be putting the power through a swingaxle trans, albeit a fully "built" trans. It'll be constructed about as strong as one of these can be made, save using an Autocraft case (I'm using a new Rhino). FTC 1/2 gears, superdiff, side covers, etc. - basically all the tricks. Despite this, I'm a little leery about just dumping a huge amount of torque through it. I think even a 2.8L would be adequate, but I really want the later model engine feature like the roller valvetrain and 180 or so HP of the 3.1L. I'm pretty early on the learning curve on these engines though, so I'm all ears.

What I really need are some accurate weight numbers, plus external dimension and pictures of the engine by itself. My chassis has several constraints, which already pretty much shot down using a Honda V6.

Thanks!
Jeff
RACER H-4
Posts: 204
Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2003 12:01 am

Post by RACER H-4 »

the 2.8 wouldnt be a bad idea, my bro has a pontiac fieroGT with a 2.8 and they screwed up the heads "it was rebuilt and they jacked the compresson up to about 10:1 when they flycut the heads" if u can get them the fiero heads have bigger valves and give more tq then the 3.1

some guys will put fiero heads on they're s-10 2.8 and itl perk it up real nice

is weight an issue if it is then u should think about the fiero 4cyl, after a few mods u end up with the superduty 4 which is 3l with almost 300hp and close to 310tq and itll last about 100-150k miles
Busguy71
Posts: 129
Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2003 12:45 pm

4.3

Post by Busguy71 »

any of your guys ever do a chevy 4.3 conversion? how about any chevy v6 in a mid-engine configuration?
Baja Wes
Posts: 239
Joined: Wed Jun 05, 2002 12:01 am

Post by Baja Wes »

John's email address is [email protected] (the guy with the 3.1 GM V6 baja)
Wes - http://www.offroadvw.net - 200HP Quad Cam V6 in a VW Baja - with climate control... :)
Guest

Post by Guest »

Thanks Wes!

I'll drop John a line, it sounds like he's pretty familiar with the 60 degree V6 package. He must have also figured out the details about adapting the wiring harness.

Back to the 3.4L, while it does put out more powere and torque, it's only available (from what I can tell) in an all Iron version - Iron block and heads. I'm trying to stay near or below 350lbs for the package, the Iron top end puts it out of my weight range. From what I've gathered so far, only the front wheel drive engines used aluminum heads and intake, making them significantly lighter. Even the Fiero is all iron.
Trying to stay as light as possible, even to the point of rebuilding a used 3.1L into a Bowtie aluminum block.

Jeff
Baja Wes
Posts: 239
Joined: Wed Jun 05, 2002 12:01 am

Post by Baja Wes »

Have you thought about the 2.5lt 200HP KLZE that's in my car? It's a beautiful motor, revs happily to ~8,000rpm, has good torque through the whole range due to the variable resonance intake.

The KLZE weighs 176kg or 388lbs with absolutely everything on it. 10kg or 22lbs of that was the flywheel. I wonder how much the cast iron headers weigh. Be sceptical of most weight figure you find, I think most of them are the bare engine. Although I haven't weighed it, I think the bare KLZE is more like 250lbs (no intake, exhaust or accessories).


Image Image
Wes - http://www.offroadvw.net - 200HP Quad Cam V6 in a VW Baja - with climate control... :)
jmillheiser
Posts: 724
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2001 12:01 am

Post by jmillheiser »

the 2.8, 3.1, and 3.4 are the same basic engine save for bore/stroke differences.

get a 3.4 if you can afford it (the best/only donor for an RWD 3.4 is a 93-95 v6 camaro/firebird). the FWD 3.4 mounts a bit differently than the RWD and is probably harder to adapt.

GM also makes a 3.4l crate motor for RWD apps(designed as a drop in upgrade for 2.8L s-series trucks).

the 2.8 has the highest RPM potential with the right cam (bigger valves are not an option and there isn't much to be gained from porting) due to its shorter stroke. a 3.1 is simply a stroked 2.8 and a 3.4 is a 3.1 with a bigger bore. a 60* GM v6 can easily be built to handle 7500RPM and build well over 200hp with the right setup(valvetrain components are very close to a small block v8 so upgrading springs/rockers is easy).

ive seen NA 60* engines produce 230-250hp without stressing too much. 275-280 is possible but pushing it on pump gas. and there is a supercharger available for this engine and a turbo is always an option (low compression pistons are readily available)
jmillheiser
Posts: 724
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2001 12:01 am

Post by jmillheiser »

oh and the 60* GM v6 is quite light too.

block only weighs 105lbs in iron or 55lbs in aluminum
danfromsyr
Posts: 220
Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2002 12:01 am

Post by danfromsyr »

I've just recetnly acquired a V6 to bug adapter PLATE, just the motor bolting part not the flywheel/clutch parts or flexplate adapter.

I was wondering if anyone with a V6 adapter plate and parts could provide some information/pics to the clutch/flywheel parts?
I am likely to make it an automatic adapter if I can't find information on having a flywheel machined and which one to start with or use as a base..

any info would be a great help.. Thank you much..
jmillheiser
Posts: 724
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2001 12:01 am

Post by jmillheiser »

i dont know too much about the process of installing one in an ACVW.

definately isn't going to fit under the decklid. more of an option for a baja.

all of my 60* v6 experience has come from my truck which has a 2.8 in it.

will say one thing. VERY smooth running engine and well balanced (another reason for the high RPM potential).

a 60* would make a great baja engine (ive seen a few 60* powered bajas and quite a few buggies in the off road racing world)
User avatar
Mike T
Posts: 102
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2001 12:01 am

Post by Mike T »

danfromsyr wrote:I've just recetnly acquired a V6 to bug adapter PLATE, just the motor bolting part not the flywheel/clutch parts or flexplate adapter.

I was wondering if anyone with a V6 adapter plate and parts could provide some information/pics to the clutch/flywheel parts?
I am likely to make it an automatic adapter if I can't find information on having a flywheel machined and which one to start with or use as a base..

any info would be a great help.. Thank you much..
Here is a link to some pictures of my 2.8 V6- 60° powered Porsche 914. There are some pictures of the adapter on the engine and a couple pictures of the flywheel. No measurements though.

http://community.webshots.com/album/30205598AbclNndoCp

Mike T
Post Reply