Hi, I'm wondering how a 3.4L compares to a 3.8L per say in performance? What kind of power would you get if you added a flowmaster cat back? Also, does anyone own a 3.4L who is 16-18? If so how much are you having to pay for insurance? Any help is appreciated.

 

The 3.8L blows the 3.4L out of the water. Simple as that. Adding just a catback may net 10 rwhp..but isn't going to do much with out headers and high flow cats and CAI.

As far as insurance goes, I'm 18 with a Z/28 and only paying $30 more than when I had my Buick Century.

 

The 3800 is not just 35 HP more, the torque band is lower and in a heavy car it really makes a differents. The 3800 response to mods like a Cat back better then a 3.4. So if a Cat back get you 10 HP in a 3.4 it will likely get you 12-13 in a 3800. Set of headers a Cat back and a good CAI and you be looking as a solid 30 HP increase at the crank.

3800 also gets better highway MPG.

Your going to have to check with your insurance adjuster and get qoutes. Insurance price is VERY area dependent. We have memebers like above who say they pay little differents between a V6 and V8 and we have members that say its X4 for a V8. Here in PA when you insure a car you have to do it assuming everyone that lives in the house will drive the car. For me my Z28 is a 30% increase over my v6 but when my daughter lived with me it was X3. I doubt there is any differents between a 3.4 V6 and a 3800 V6.

 

I had a 94 3.4, with a CAI and Z28 exhaust. My wife, with her 3.8 minivan, could blow my doors off. I bought a 96 Z28 shortly after that! lol

 

So if you add new intake, headers, and cat back is the car still sluggish? Another thing, is it possible to direct inject theis engine? If so how much would it cost. I'm asking because direct injection generally yields more power and is more efficient.

 

You have no idea what you are talking about, do you? No there is not easy way to make a 3.4 fast. I was hopeing we got to you before you got the 3.4. Mods may pep it up a little but make sure all the normal maintenance is up to date. Sluggish is a matter of Opinion. Your not going to feel much from those mods.

Direct injection means each cylinder has its own injector and the fuel is injected into the cylinder. Yes your right it yields more power. That is why GM switch to it in 1986 on the V6 Camaro. I think you might be talking about forced induction. Do a search for turbo and 3.4.

 

gm didnt have direct injection in 86. there are several forums of injection throttal body which is injected at the throttle body like in the pickups in the early 90s multiport injection from wiki but is accurate and then direct injection which sprays directly into the cylinder vs multiport which is into the intake which is what the 3.4 has.


performance parts on a 3.4 are a wast i did headers and car back and it was a wast of money and time and yielded almost no gains. the computer hold the 3.4 back as its not really tunable. the other big thing holding it back is the intake manifold. it is super restrictive some people have converted to 3400 intakes and manifolds and have seen better results but i feel it is costly and not worth it.

 

I havn't bought a 3.4L yet, I was just wondering because I am looking at one that is considerably cheaper than a 3800,z28, or SS.

 

I believe you are thinking of when GM witched from carbureted to fuel injected engines?

 

I was a ASE and GM Master Tech It was GM that called it Direct injection with the injector sparying right on the intake valve. Infact I think I still have a training manual from 85 that say direct injection right on the cover. GM never put throttal body injection on any Camaro V6. It did do it on the S10 V6.

You think maybe he wants to re-engineer the heads and add "direct injection" to a combustion chamber that is not designed for it?