Silly 3500 question...

[quad4berettagtz]

So, I'm not well versed in these fancy new 3500 swaps However my uncle is prepparing my cousin's '99 GA GT for a new engine. He has heard good things about the 3500 vs just putting in a new 3400, and wants a quick technical rundown. Either of us are more than capable to pull this off, even though most of his experience is muscle - I broke him in with two Twin Cam swaps in other GA's. If anyone has a great write up, or just basic tips, let me know. If there is one on the board, I apologize for being blind!

[Wanako]

ooo, this one's for Rodney.

[3400beretta]

Pretty straight forward swap. Are you going to be tuning this car once you are done? If so you should probably go with some larger injectors. IIRC the 99s only use a 19lb/hr injector. If you aren't doing any tuning, you can probably get away with just switching to a 55psi FPR, but don't quote me on that.

You will need a TCE crank trigger, and a TCE throttle body adapter. Swap everything else over from the 3400.

Some more details in this thread - http://www.beretta.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5403
You can ignore a lot of that though, since your swap is much more straight forward.

[3X00-Modified]

tce currently doesnt have any triggers tho... and they are lacking in their own timing chain making department so I have no idea how soon he'll have more wheels.

[3400beretta]

Check www.mpracing.org and www.britishcarconversions.com see if they have any in stock.

[MY91GT(Z)]

their is one for sale on 60degreev6 for 155 shipped if its not sold yet

[quad4berettagtz]

Pretty straight forward... we would just need that crank trigger, and the adapter for the TB. What is the price on that adapter - anyone know? I'm just trying to price this quick before I see my uncle this weekend

Also on the injectors: this will be a DD car with no frills when finished. With the mindset of no tuning and trying to keep this "plug and play", what is the best thing to do for injectors? Go with the 55's? Is there anything I would have to do other than plug them in?

I am getting the impression that the extra cost associated with the adapter parts may sway this decision back to a 3400 replacement, but I want to make sure I have the ducks in a row. Thanks guys!

[3400beretta]

You still run the same injectors, you just get a fuel pressure regulator from an '00 or newer car. This will bump your fuel pressure up to 55psi, and slightly increase the flow rate of the injectors.

The crank trigger is ~ $150 new, and the TB adapter is another $55.

[Cliff8928]

Really, if it's just going to be a DD, will there be much difference between a '05 3500 and an '05 3400?

[3X00-Modified]

Really, if it's just going to be a DD, will there be much difference between a '05 3500 and an '05 3400?

quite possibly mileage avaibility... If he has access to a lower mile 3500 for less than a 3400 then that may have been the deciding factor.

[quad4berettagtz]

You are right Jon, however my uncle's frustration with the 3400 LIMG was I think the motivation for the idea. From talking to him last weekend when I took back his hoist and engine stand, it sounds like he is going to proceed more on a budget. First thing he is going to do is tear apart the old 3400 and see if he might just rebuild it. From what he told me it just has a spun rod bearing and it was shut down before any more damage could be incurred. While apart I'm sure he would go through the upper end and all the valve seals, seats, and general overhaul stuff. If he wanted to cheap it out it sounds like all it really needs is a crank job...

Thanks for the info guys!

[3X00-Modified]

If you replace the 3400 LIMG with the Felpro metal ones, or the revised GM ones and use a better coolant then you wont have a problem.

I would recommend a coolant such as Peak Global Lifetime... Thats what I'll be using this year in Pinky.

[99GaGT3X00]

I would recommend a coolant such as Peak Global Lifetime... Thats what I'll be using this year in Pinky.

that's what i have been using since mine went together a couple years ago.

[Cliff8928]

If you replace the 3400 LIMG with the Felpro metal ones, or the revised GM ones and use a better coolant then you wont have a problem.

I would recommend a coolant such as Peak Global Lifetime... Thats what I'll be using this year in Pinky.

My 3400 is a ticking time bomb... It's still got the original (1999) GM gaskets on dex-cool as far as I know.

[quad4berettagtz]

LOL... I thought you replaced all that when the engine was out of the car... Sounds like some corner I would cut too I really like the new gaskets out there. I was trying to sell my uncle on the fact that they are better now and hold up a lot better. (I was trying to get out of the swap idea!) All the times we messed with that car it was with the old plastic POS's.