New here, but I have a 96 Z26

[Wivm1014]

My 96 Z26 is pretty much bone stock. I've put NGK copper plugs and Duralast wires and just got a CAI. I have 136x,xxx miles. I never really realized how rare these cars were until I started researching. My question is: what are some basic, cheaper ways to start building this car? Right now I'd like to build onto the 3100. I plan on building it while it's being garage kept during the harsh Michigan winters. I'm anxious to learn more from your experiences and am open to any info and suggestions.
Thanks!

[Styluss]

Did you get a true CAI, or a warm air? I'm not the best with the 3x00 engines, but there is a lot you can do to them. The CAI is always a great starting point.

[Money pit Beretta]

By the way Styluss makes the only true CAI's for our cars.
You can put 3400 intakes on that 3100 and it helps on the top end. You can get headers, but they will cost alot. Wicked makes down pipes and larger than stock exhaust for Beretta's. If your going to keep the engine it's due for a timing chain.

[Wivm1014]

The CAI ends with the filter in front of the front drivers side tire in the wheel well. I plan on rebuilding it because it has that infamous knock they develop. Are the 3400 and 3100 motors interchangeable as far as top end?

[#1 stunna]

Welcome to the forum ...From my experiences ngk plugs work best in imports and such ... Ive had many different "performance plugs" splitfire,+4's,etc. seems to like the originals best - good ol gm ac delco's , intake and exhaust is your basic upgrades - if your after more power you need a swap

[Wivm1014]

Will 3400 heads and intake fit my 3100?

[Money pit Beretta]

Yes they will, but on the heads you will need to tap them for the coolant temp sensor.
The intake will need a 3400 coolant by-pass tube or you can tap the hole to use your stock tube.

[Wivm1014]

Will a 3400 intake fit also? I hear they "breath" better with these heads and intake because they are obviously bigger

[scd88ga]

Welcome to the forum ...From my experiences ngk plugs work best in imports and such ... Ive had many different "performance plugs" splitfire,+4's,etc. seems to like the originals best - good ol gm ac delco's , intake and exhaust is your basic upgrades - if your after more power you need a swap

He just put in NGK copper plugs he said, aka oem equivalent ... Same with those Duralast plug wires he put on, same thing, nothing performance about either. But if his car still had the originals of both on it, I'm sure the 3100 was WAY happier afterwords!!! lol

[Wivm1014]

Yea they were junk. Only reason I did em was because the ones on it when I got it were throwing misfire codes and had rust on them

[DTMAce]

By the way Styluss makes the only true CAI's for our cars.
You can put 3400 intakes on that 3100 and it helps on the top end. You can get headers, but they will cost alot. Wicked makes down pipes and larger than stock exhaust for Beretta's. If your going to keep the engine it's due for a timing chain.

Eh. Timing chain? Naw. 3100 with 240k here on the original, and the 95 base went nearly 300 with the original, so I doubt he needs to change that.

More than likely, it will need lower intake gaskets and possibly head gaskets though.

[GTU89]

By the way Styluss makes the only true CAI's for our cars.
You can put 3400 intakes on that 3100 and it helps on the top end. You can get headers, but they will cost alot. Wicked makes down pipes and larger than stock exhaust for Beretta's. If your going to keep the engine it's due for a timing chain.

Eh. Timing chain? Naw. 3100 with 240k here on the original, and the 95 base went nearly 300 with the original, so I doubt he needs to change that.

More than likely, it will need lower intake gaskets and possibly head gaskets though.

Getting close to 180k here on the original timing chain and water pump, still worries me though, just not too long ago I changed the original plug wires, they were pretty rotty. lol The fact that you (DTM) are 240k on the original chain makes me feel a bit better though.

I'd still change it to be safe though, and as MPB said, exhaust upgrades would be great.

Not sure of the company but I believe there is/was one that made bigger exhaust for our cars, not sure if it was for plastic (91+?) or metal gas tank cars though.

[Money pit Beretta]

Will a 3400 intake fit also? I hear they "breath" better with these heads and intake because they are obviously bigger

You can put the 3400 intakes on the 3100, only the upper ports are bigger. The lower port is the same size. You can't mix and match though.

[Wivm1014]

Ok. My local salvage yard is having a " carry out all you can in one trip for $50" so I plan on picking up 3400 heads and intakes. Anything else I might need?

[DTMAce]

Getting close to 180k here on the original timing chain and water pump, still worries me though, just not too long ago I changed the original plug wires, they were pretty rotty. lol The fact that you (DTM) are 240k on the original chain makes me feel a bit better though.

I'd still change it to be safe though, and as MPB said, exhaust upgrades would be great.

Not sure of the company but I believe there is/was one that made bigger exhaust for our cars, not sure if it was for plastic (91+?) or metal gas tank cars though.

But yours isn't a 3100 is it? Not sure what the life expectancy of a 3.1 or 2.8 MPFI engine chain is.