in a race:

a 3rd gen maxima sohc vs. a 92-96 grand prix 3.1.

which and by how much?

 

Ive had the Vg and an 88 GP SE and I really think the 3.1 GP will own the VG. Maybe even the 2.8 will spank you too. Mine was a bat outta hell on acceleration. Its gone now but she ran me to 366,xxx miles and still peeled the front tires. I kinda miss it.Oh and it was an auto.

 

stock or with a pacesetter headers? cuz that extra 1000hp will win everytime.

 

heh. i beat the two door version, even with the head start i gave him off the line. that and my friends 92 camaro v6. didnt get the stealth to race me because he needs "gas money" and im supposed to "hit him up" this weekend.

did i mention i have this race on camera?

 

Which race...host & post.

 

me vs. the grand prix. well be putting our vids on the internet soon...need the usb cord for my friends camera. one will include his camaro losing to a 200+hp naturally aspirated 1.7 liter civic hatchback (non vtec).

AND you can see the reverse glow gxe gauges in my vid! too bad theyll be gone before long.then were gonna film the topping out of the car.

it snowed a few nights ago; i had school, so i passed on the opportunity to do some reverse donuts for the video.

if you guys want to see some locals, check out these yuppies:

www.empiremotoring.org

all from around town; sad thing is that the faster cars dont turn a wrench on their own cars.

 

:lock: IBTL

 

I think 3.1s are garbage. Be prepared to replace the lower intake gaskets and possibly head gaskets. They are notorious for blowing intake gaskets. Hopefully you catch it before too much water gets into the oil and wipes out the bottom end. It's not a cheap repair if you pay a shop to do it. It got so out of hand with the 3.1/3.4 that people want to go class action on GM.

 

only the 3400 has the intake gasket problem.
it was prevelant in the minivans for some reason, probably because soccer moms don't maintain they just beat.

the earlier 3.1/2.8/3100 are fairly notorious for clogging injectors.

 

You are not supposed to be talking of racing in the forums. Either wait until the weekend and post in the racing forum or take it to the track and find out.

 

The 3.1s were just as bad. They both have the same goofy intake design starting around 93. I've done more intake jobs on the 3.1 than the 3.4. I had to do the heads on my G/Fs dad's Lumina 3.1 at 68k miles and the car had been maintained. It also cost my cousin an engine in a Beretta 3.1 from it dumping water in the oil. I maintain Cavalier wagons for the airport bag delivery service and it's the same story with theirs. They feel quite punchy but I would take a VG any day over that garbage.

 

Here is link of a forum discussing these engines. Do a search on "GM 3.1 intake gasket"
and you'll find tons of media on this topic.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/t98777.html


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GENERAL MOTORS: 3.1L, 3.4L and 3.8L V6
Head gasket and intake manifold gasket failure


Several owners of General Motors (Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile...) cars equipped with 3.1, 3.4 and 3.8 l six-cylinder engines have complained of head gasket and intake manifold gasket failures. If you are among these owners, you are invited to fill the form linked below. The information you will provide to the APA will allow us to better understand the problem and to help consumers who have experienced it.

In addition to this, the APA is looking for defective head and intake manifold gaskets. Should you happen to have one of these parts in your possession, please contact us and we will let you know where you can drop it off. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.


Download the form (fax, mail): GM cylinder head and intake manifold gaskets

Fill the form on-line: GM cylinder head and intake manifold gaskets



IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you wish to complain to the APA about these problems, please click here and read the related notice.

 

I've got a 3400, my father in law has a 3.1, my parents have a 3100, my uncle has a 3.4, my mother in law has a 3500
no problems with any of them so far.

 

That's great but that makes you the first I've known not to have issues with these. GM is facing class action because of it.

 

I also never had problems with the VTCs or coil packs on my 2 VEs

it's the owners fault for ignoring their car.
if a car is maintained it will not have problems other than moving parts wearing out.

 

I usually try not to poke my nose into these types of discusssion since they do not help anyone and just clog up the board...

but how do you maintain an intake or headgasket?

Overheating will affect them I know that.

I know fo a friend of mine thathis 3.1 head gasket (beretta) went on it and the guy is meticulous in maintenance. I don't think they are as bad as the 2.2 of the 90's

 

its a pointless lawsuit; theyll need some top technicians that are ballsy enough to take on GM and testify that the engines were poorly designed...and theyll probably need to find new jobs afterwards.

i like my 3.0 sohc. shes small, but she gets the job done.

 

The intakes blowing was no fault of the owners. Part of the problem on top of the bad design was GM's DexCool. GM wants you to leave it in your engine for 5 years and voila. You can't blame someone for following the manufacturers recommendations.

 

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/autom...m_dexcool.html

http://www.girardgibbs.com/dexcool.html

There's plenty more.

Also...This past week, 2 of my jobs were (1) 97 Grand Am heater core. Not a DexCool problem but shame GM for being so cheap they use plastic pipes for the heater cores. Cavliers and Grand Ams are notorious for breaking these. At least they are a gravy job on the Cavs.
2nd job, 98 Montana 3.4. I did the water pump because the gasket failed. Upon that I discover oil in the radiator = blown intake. Not a gravy job. This cost my customer over $600 and I gave him a break on my labor. I didn't mention how hard it is to get DexCool flushed out of the system.

 

Dexcool is not in and of itself a problem. it's when people top off with regular antifreeze that you have a problem.

I've seen plenty of them go for their entire life w/o problems.

 

when i had my VG... i had a 2000 grand am beat me....... he murdered me and he was stock........grand prix's are faster arent they?

 

Do a search on DexCool and you'll find that it is mostly problems. Even without DexCool, the 3.1/3.4s are garbage and would still blow intakes and heads. GM is supposedly going to soemthing new now to replace DexCool.

 

when i get my se gauges, ima top out my vg; do maximas shut down at a specific speed? ive only been 120+ in mine, so i have yet to find out!

i should have my video up for viewing this weekend; getting the usb to camera cord tomorrow!

and hopefully my se gauges will come!

 

is dextrol the orange coolant, btw? ive heard bad **** about that stuff.

 

Yes and it turns to sludge after it sits in the system for so long causing many problems.