Well, I'm going off to school, and my Z can't come with me. I need somethign that can get em good gas mileage and look good. I saw a 1994 Camaro that looked decent, and was just wodnering a few things. What kind of exhaust systems are popular on the V6s? What about headers? Are there any problems that are typical in the V6s to look out for? (like the intake leak on the LT1s) Any info is greatly appreciated.

 

Mike!!! Oh man thought the cars were coming to Texas with you guys? Oh well, I'll still give you my $.02:

Get a '98+ V6, if you can afford it. Or just take Becky's '95 My little brothers '99 Firebird is a 3800 and although nothing like my LT1, it wouldn't be bad for a daily driver. Plus they look better IMO (both Firebirds/Camaros 98+).

On the other hand, I have heard bad bad stuff about 3.4 V6's. My sister's 3.4 in her Monte Carlo (DOHC though, don't know if F-body's have them?) has given her nothing but problems. No specifics, just heard they're junk.

NOTE: A 98+ V6 car can beat a '94-98 GT....

Hit me up on aim sometime--I got a new s/n-- CScheip (It's my name )

 

I have to vouch for the 3.4. I got mine with 82k on the clock, beat the hell out of it for three years, took it to Florida and back (from NJ), and it is still running strong as the day I got it. As for the trip to school in FL, I had that thing jammed with all my stuff. And I mean barely enough room for me to get in, and I still got over 30 miles to the gallon with just a CAI and exhaust. The only problems I had so far are alternator went at around 100k, water pump at maybe 105/110k and a few leaks here and there. But for an engine that has seen as much abuse as mine, I expected that.

The F-body 3.4 is a pushrod engine. My exhaust is from RKSport and it sounds great. You wouldn't believe how many times I catch the person behind me at a light or passing by in traffic looking for the Z28 badge. I recommend this exhaust to anyone thinking about one for a V6 F-body.

As for the 3.4 being junk, I disagree. The design has been around forever with the 2.8s (predecessor to 3.4, same basic design, just beefed up). If you take care of them, I don't see why you couldn't get 200k out of them without much more than expected things like alternator/water pump etc. I change the oil/filter religiously with full synthetic and Fram filter and haven't had any engine problems. For a daily driver I would take the 3.4 over the 3.8 (let the flaming begin). With just the intake and exhaust, my 3.4 has more get up and go than my buddy's 3.8 RS. Not to mention the 60 degree family of V6s sound so much better than those 90 degree ones. His 3.8 doesn't sound much better than a Civic.

Some common problems with the 3.4 that I have heard are:

1. Overheating - I hear about this all the time. Mine likes to get hot if its not moving, but once I start rolling it cools back down. Manual fan switch, 160 degree thermo, things like that usually take care of it.

2. Ignition problems - Theres another thread in this section that discusses it, so I won't go into detail. Basically, when it gets hot, the plug wires go. Aftermarket wires usually solves this one. Read the thread.

3. Sometimes I hear about transmission problems, but personally I have had none, and I beat the hell out of this car. Just lucky I guess.

Finally saying goodbye to it at about 120k. I know its hard to believe but I'm gonna miss that thing. Had some good times.

EDIT: Good site with some info on the 3.4 60degreev6.com

 

the DOCH 3.4L is related to the pushrod 3.4L , however its not at all the same motor

the DOCH motor is a lot less reliable than the pushrod motor

once again, ive never heard of a single case of the 3.4L overheating...

generally on the 3.4L f-bodies, the rear main seal will give way sometime after 100K , im at 130K and have had no troubles thus far (knocks on wood)

also its a common problem that the EGR valve will malfunction, however it is commonly thought to be a computer glitch, i passed emmissions 2 times with a "bad" EGR valve. (for the record i purchased a new one and it did threw the exact same code as the "bad" on)

 

FYI: DOHC, not DOCH

 

as for the 3.4L in an f-body vs. a 3.4L dohc, 2 different motors very big difference.

example, my dad has a 94 GTP with a dohc 3.4L in it, I had a 94 camaro with a 3.4L in it.

Sold the 3.4L with 130,000 miles on it and over 350 passes down the dragstrip, motor ran like a top.

Dad's GTP, popped the stock motor at 50k, new motor is burning a quart of oil every oil change and it has 60k on it.


v6 f-bodies are not speed demons and do have alot of similar problems with v8 brothers(power window motors, etc.) but honestly I am happy with it as a car, ok mileage, decent pep. and best parts still fun to drive like any other RWD manual tranny car.

 

as long as they are maintained, either the 3.4 or 3.8 should last well in to the 100k+ range. look for mainly the same things you do in your LT1 to go bad..... except the opti.

EKO, if you are outrunning your buddies 3.8 with just exhaust, he needs a major tune-up or driving lessons. exact same car, basically same weight engines, but the 3.8 has an additional 40HP. Maybe you have some stickers you havent told us about. I wouldnt rule out a 3.8 because of that one instance. Glad you are happy with your car though.

3.4's do sound a little better, but not so much you can call a 3.8 a civic.

 

how did you get 14.4 out of your 3.8 w/ no $$?

 

I've got a 3.4L 94. was my dad's, now mine. 215K on it. runs as good as it did that day in december in 93 when we got it.

the only thing that's gone wrong is the alternator. the only leak was caused by a striped oil pan plug.

it needs a waterpump now, and the rear diff just sprung a little bit of a leak. but that's it.

everything else is mint.

EDIT - WOW that was an OLD THREAD!