over40driver Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 A local mechanic was in my shop today and I pointed out my new 97 Cutlass with a 3.1, and mentioned Id like to have a 3.4 He said they have a timing chain and also something belt driven inside the engine, and it would be a mistake. I said I would find a low mileage one and he still didnt care. Is a 3.4 really that much trouble? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 If you are going to swap an engine there are much better choices than upgrading to a 3.4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Fury Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 3500/3900 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 3500/3900 That's not a real good bang for the buck swap either when compared to other options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Fury Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 That's not a real good bang for the buck swap either when compared to other options. Like what, fail67? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 Like what, fail67? The cost vs hp / ease of an l67 swap cannot be argued. Sure it is common, and some consider it played out but so many people have done it for a reason. This board is full of 60* slappies that would rather tell you to "be different" and spend more money/time/effort on a 60* engine swap and still be much slower than the l67. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
over40driver Posted April 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 No there were a lot of 2-door Cutlass supreme detective cars in Indiana, that had the 3.4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteCarloDude Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 Well i guess it depends on what you are after, myself, i would try and be at least somewhat unique and go with a newer 3rd gen 60* V6. (3500/3900) I perfer 60's over 90's anyway's, but that's just me. If it's just speed you want and you want it dirt cheap, go for the L67, put a few bolt on's on it, call it a day. Just my .02. Good luck with whatever you decide to do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 No there were a lot of 2-door Cutlass supreme detective cars in Indiana, that had the 3.4. Not '97s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonpro03 Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 3900s are still a little too difficult to swap right now. With variable valve timing and intake timing, weird cam sensor and crank sensor and electronic throttle, it's not a very swap friendly motor. A 3500 is much more realistic as long as it is an LX9 and not the VVT motor. L67 swaps are good too, if you don't mind swapping a trans at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
over40driver Posted April 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 I had the chance to buy 2 96s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
over40driver Posted April 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 Back to my orig. question, is a low mileage 96 3.4 Cutlass supreme worth the effert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 Back to my orig. question, is a low mileage 96 3.4 Cutlass supreme worth the effert. To swap into your '97, no...not worth the effort Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonpro03 Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 Honestly, I'm afraid of a 3.4DOHC. It's an interference engine, so if the timing belt goes, the valvetrain goes with it. I will likely never own one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
over40driver Posted April 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 Probably a 99 2-door G.P. gtp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 Honestly, I'm afraid of a 3.4DOHC. It's an interference engine, so if the timing belt goes, the valvetrain goes with it. I will likely never own one. It's a good motor, just not worth an engine swap imho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonpro03 Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 If you buy one of those, I would go through the top end of the motor with some new gaskets and a new coolant elbow. I would also do the ignition saver mod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
over40driver Posted April 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 Im getting the vibe the 3.4 isnt worth the trouble. Who wants to vote for the 3.8 supercharged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
over40driver Posted April 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 Jeremy, Thanks man but I was never thinking of doing a swap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonpro03 Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 If I had to choose between a 99GTP or a 3.4DOHC car, I'd choose the GTP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
over40driver Posted April 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 My 97 Cutlass is ex. cond. and I wouldnt change a thing. Id get another car with a factory set-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Fury Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 If I had to choose between a 99GTP or a 3.4DOHC car, I'd choose the GTP. Pending 3.4 car, it'd be a tough choice for me. I'f we're talking 284 GTP or similar, I'd take that. If we're talking 4 door cutty/prix..... well duh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 Jeremy, Thanks man but I was never thinking of doing a swap. I guess I misread the post then...i though you were telling your mechanic you wanted a 3.4 in your car ......I would have no hesitation buying a factory 3.4 car. The motor is fun for what it is and will last if properly maintained. I have had four w-bodies with the 3.4 (92 Euro, 95GTP, 97 Z34, 95 Cutlass vert) and they all were properly maintained and ran great. Especially my '97 Z34 that I got rid of at ~170k.... I would have driven any of them anywhere in the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
over40driver Posted April 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 Thats why I say a 99, 2-door for the win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted April 20, 2011 Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 Well i guess it depends on what you are after, myself, i would try and be at least somewhat unique and go with a newer 3rd gen 60* V6. (3500/3900) third gen would be 3100/3400/non-VVT 3500. VVT motors are gen4. Thats why I say a 99, 2-door for the win. 99 2 door what, exactly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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