OK. 3400 question...

[DTMAce]

Probably been asked many times before, but...

Simply looking to find what year(s)/vehicle(s) have the best choice of 3400 to work from. I know Ventures, Grand AM's, Aztec's and Rendezvous to start with. Just curious on the years or other makes.

Also want to know if the 4T60E-HDs are direct interchangeable or if its a pain in the ass, cause I will probably just rebuild a regular 4T60-E instead if they are.

What vehicles other than beretta's had the 4T60-E?

No hurry on the answers. I'm just looking for the right answer here.

I plan to start keeping an eye out for these, so just wanted some input to know what to look for.

Thanks.

[3400beretta]

03+ have the updated gaskets from gm. less likely you will need to swap them anytime soon. Also have the best flowing intake manifolds.

[3X00-Modified]

4t60e-HD's are hard to find and iirc the diff output size is different. I've never tested this because I never found one. Also the hd improvement was only a different diff, that's all that was changed. Really not worth digging for if its a daily application.

[woody90gtz]

My upgraded 03+ gaskets are seeping at ~20k mi, so I dont see them as much of an upgrade.

FWIW, I would do a 3500 if I was buying an engine now. Back in '06 when I did my 3400 swap the 3500 was not an option, but it is a superior engine, and worth the extra effort IMO.

[DTMAce]

Whatever engine I get, it will be torn down to the block, new gaskets & seals, fully cleaned, etc. Not messing with pistons unless there are problems, and may check the clearances on the main/rod bearings, etc, but that's going to be the extent of it. Will be doing a lot, just not pulling pistons out or redoing cylinders/rings, etc. I would if I was going to be using this for nitrous or turbo, as it would need some better stuff, but no. Just going to rebuild. Might do some polishing, who knows.

As for 3500, yeah I hear ya. Maybe if I come across one, who knows. But I'm sure I would be happy with a 3400 as well, and from my perspective it will do just fine.

Does anyone have the part number of the "better" 3400 intake, or a way of identifying it, so I can tell?

[3X00-Modified]

It's stamped with an 03 on the top near the valve covers.

As far as the 3500 goes... Good luck getting the needed external crank trigger to make it work. TCE has none in stock and there is no expected date to get them in stock... they've been out for a while now.

Also who says you need pistons for Nitrous... mine are still stock.

[DTMAce]

I was thinking that if I went that route, would want pistons that were harder, with lower ring mounts, to keep from burning them up, etc.

[mickaz]

take the 3500 put it in and call it a day. the power you will get from it will be more then enough to put a smile on your face.jut remember you need a good tune.

oh and today when i checked, WOT-TECH got 1 crank trigger

[3X00-Modified]

Less effort to use a 3400 since he is OBD1.5 he would also have to convert to OBDII to tune for a 3500... 3400's are known to run just fine on a 3100 tune.

I was thinking that if I went that route, would want pistons that were harder, with lower ring mounts, to keep from burning them up, etc.

And Ace, thats my point... I'm currently running stock pistons and have never had a problem in all my years of the laughing gas... and thats quite a few actually. Only issues I ever had were cheap felpro head gaskets.

It's all in the tune and setup

[DTMAce]

And therein lies my answer. Now to just find one. LOL

[snowblindburd]

It's all in the AWESOMEness that is Jon =). There's two OBDII Z26's at the junkyard. I'm feeling the tempation again.


As for the 3400, the only easier swap would be another 3100 lol. Go for it.

[Barry]

You can make your own external trigger by cutting up a old 3100 or 3400 crankshaft to save the ring. Then degree it properly and weld it to the balancer or attach it in some way. Then build a bracket for the crank sensor.

I have a drawing of a 7x wheel too if you want it. It wouldn't be hard to make one from scratch either

[3X00-Modified]

True, but I think the line he was wating for was the OBDI.5 barrier that he doesn't want to cross.

[DTMAce]

Yep. Not rewiring a 225k car, just to make it OBDII. heheh

Simple was what I was aiming for, so 3400 will be the swap of choice.

[DTMAce]

Ok, I have started my search. Already kicked up a couple of 03 3400 engines for 300-400 bucks. Obviously I can go with newer years too. Will continue this in my project thread, thanks.