GM to update and improve 60º line

[GPXSS]

http://discussions.gmforums.com/showthread.php?postid=214624#post214624

[Mike3800]

3.5 liters? 190HP 220 Ft.Lbs? Weak, not even a nice try however goes with the current trend at the ol' Genreal's HQ. Start back from scratch again. I KNOW they are cappable of better. Sorry to be negative, but really, you can get 190 HP and 220 Ft.Lbs out of the 3.1, not to mentinon the current 3.4. Crap... the Intrgue had 3.5 liters and 215HP!! Some of us honest fans are losing faith fast.

[GregFarz78]

Actions speak louder than words...I'll believe it when I see it :rolleyes:

Yes 3.5L 190HP...WEAK! Try again.

[FireBird]

This link has some interesting info on 2003 GM engines.

http://media.gm.com/division/2003_prodinfo/03_powertrain/03_car_engine/nav.htm

Check out some of the changes on the 2003 3.4 L..

[GPXSS]

you did read the 2 numbers right? one said 190, another said 240. I cannot confirm either one.. but the 240hp would be something to shake a stick at.

[mfuller]

3400 3.4L V6 (LA1) Car and Truck Engine

2003 Model Year Summary

• Revised Crankshaft Bearing and Timing Ring
• Revised Cylinder Heads
• Revised Pushrods
• Revised Camshaft Journal
• Water Pump
• Air Injection Reaction (AIR) Eliminated
• Iridium Spark Plugs
• Maximum Oil Change Interval Extended
• Improved Starter Solenoid


FULL DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW OR CHANGED FEATURES

REVISED CRANKSHAFT BEARING AND TIMING RING
The thrust bearing on the 3.4L V6 (LA1) has been modified to optimize piston and bore oiling. The thrust bearing is fitted to the 3400's third main bearing cap to control the fore-aft movement of the crankshaft. The lower half of the bearing now has slots machined in a starburst pattern on its flange. Oil at the bearing cap is squeezed through the slots and forced in a fan pattern under the pistons and into the cylinder bore, providing another oil distribution path. This simple modification pays big dividends in improved internal lubrication and even longer engine life.

3400s built for Chevy Venture, Pontiac Montana and Oldsmobile Silhouette also have a new crankshaft reluctor or timing ring. In other 3400s the timing ring is machined into the middle of the crankshaft. Those built at Ramos, Arizpe, Mexico plant have a new assembled ring. This two-piece, fine-blank ring is heat-shrunk on the crankshaft and encoded with a 24X tooth pattern. This timing ring provides the basis for future 3400 developments.

REVISED CYLINDER HEADS
The 3.4L cylinder head castings are tapped with 8-millimeter holes for the rocker arm bolts, reducing the tap size from 10 millimeter, and the rocker arms are secured with 8-millimeter bolts. This change commonizes machining and increases assembly efficiency.

REVISED PUSHRODS
Pushrods in the 3.4L are no longer heat-treated. The pushrod guides are now made of low friction nylon, rather than steel, and no longer need heat-treating to limit wear.

REVISED CAMSHAFT JOURNAL
The 3.4L front camshaft journal has been revised with a new timing pattern. This journal is now machined with a 50/50 pattern of raised and lowered semi circles, rather than a single boss or lug. The operating principal for ignition and fuel injection timing has not changed, but the new timing pattern requires a slightly smaller cam sensor and modifications to the fuel injection wiring harness. The new timing pattern was introduced in anticipation of future LA1 development.

WATER PUMP
The 3.4L water pump has a more efficient impellor design and the latest sealing technology, featuring a drip collector under the shaft. Most water pump seals are designed to release a few drops of coolant at a constant rate. With the drip collector, the drops are contained and evaporate. The drips are less likely to be mistaken for a leak.

AIR INJECTION REACTION (AIR) ELIMINATED
The AIR system has been removed for most applications. AIR was used to lower exhaust emissions by injecting warm, fresh air into the combustion process to create an exothermic reaction. The reaction warmed the catalytic converter more quickly, speeding catalyst light-off and reducing emissions during cold starts--a critical phase in certification tests. AIR has become redundant because of efficiency improvements in catalytic converters, spark plugs, oxygen sensors and engine management calibration. The 3400 meets all 2003 federal and California emission standards without AIR.

For 2003, AIR is removed from 3400s for Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana and Aztek, Oldmobile Silhouette and Buick Rendezvous (the system had been removed from passenger car applications prior to 2003). AIR continues on engines exported to Europe, where regulation requires lower oxides of nitrogen (NoX) emissions. These engines are equipped with a new air pump.

IRIDIUM SPARK PLUGS
The 3.4L benefits from the latest spark plug technology. The new plug has an iridium core in the conductor and the same internal resistance. Iridium helps maintain spark density over the life of the plug. The tip is still coated with platinum, and the spark plug maintains a recommended life of 100,000 miles, yet the electrode design improves combustion efficiency for maximum fuel economy and minimum emissions.

MAXIMUM OIL CHANGE INTERVAL EXTENDED
New calibrations in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) extend the oil-change interval in all vehicles equipped with the 3.4L. Engineers have adjusted the Oil Life System to account for widespread use of the new GF-3 motor oil. GF-3 (for “Gasoline Fueled, Standard 3’’) contains a friction modifier, or an additive that makes the oil molecules more slippery. A new refining process leaves molecules in the base oil more stable. The oil degrades less with heat and retains proper lubricating properties longer.

Most oil change indicators work according to a predetermined mileage interval, which in turn is based on the oil’s anticipated life under some generalized operating cycle. In the 3.4L, the PCM records a number of variables, including engine speed, temperature, load or rpm variance, and period of operation at any given load and temperature. With this information, the Oil Life System calculates oil degradation and recommends an oil change when the oil is near the end of its useful life, when an oil change is actually needed. With the 2003 revisions, maximum oil change intervals have been increased approximately 20 percent. There is no upward limit on the interval. The owner’s manual in cars and trucks equipped with the 3400 will continue to recommend an oil change at least once a year.

The benefits of the unlimited mileage interval, measured by customer convenience, maintenance cost or environmental impact, are obvious. The customer should never pay for an unnecessary oil change again. Using oil for its true useful life results in less petroleum consumed and less used motor oil to be recycled or disposed of.

IMPROVED STARTER SOLENOID
The starter solenoid on all 3.4-liter engines has been improved to virtually eliminate the possibility of icing during cold-weather operation. Because of its typical location in most vehicles, the starter and its control solenoid can be exposed to moisture and ice during the winter. The solenoid's internal spool is now made of a material called liquid crystal polymer (LCP), which does not absorb moisture. Further, the solenoid wire terminals have been redesigned in a tapered, round shape rather than a flat shape to reduce the possibility that moisture and ice can collect on them.

I have heard 200HP for the new pushrod 3.5 from a credible source.

[ryGT1]

Do major changes like this happen every model year???

[jaketuff]

Finally they dumped the BS "AIR Injection System.":rolleyes:

The Green Guy in GM Marketing - "AIR as an available option - Save a blade of grass and pump hot air into your motor! Not only will we keep the tuning of the 3400 so pathetic that you can just eek out 170 HP from 3.4L, like in the Grand am, but we also add emissions junk that will further confound performance!!!"

Why oh why did GM listen to the guy that designed this???:(

JOUT

[aleroboy]

you know wth the new 2003 heads ls1 rockers will bolt up without mods to the rockers. new pushrods would have to be made but thats it.
at least from the resurch I've done.
the ls1 rockers use 8mm bolts.
currently we are looking at fitting the ls1 rockers with the 10mm centers out of the la1 rockers to have 1.7:1 ratio on our engine. but the pushrods have to be longer with this set up.

too bad I don't have 03 heads :(

[White_out!]

All I can say is GHETTO! A measly few hp's that's staying with the times... looks like were back to 1985 again Go GM, Go GM go Gm,.... NOT! Sheesh! Like I always say if I don't like it NEXT!

[Mike3800]

Originally posted by White_out!
All I can say is GHETTO! A measly few hp's that's staying with the times... looks like were back to 1985 again Go GM, Go GM go Gm,.... NOT! Sheesh! Like I always say if I don't like it NEXT!

*Sandford and Son Theme playing*

Awww... just get a 1968 Ford F150 with 3 on the tree and a 300CuIn in line six and be done with it!!!

What's up Doug?!!

P.S... that my neighbor who's GA can't hang with my Elantra.. :D

BTW Doug.. relax... the Jeff Gordon Monte Carslow is comming out and is only 30 grand and has that new L36 with 200HP in it. See... speed and cheap, and classy looks too!!! Ahhhhhhh ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!!!

[ryGT1]

Yeah, go ahead and make fun of it... i think its just as bad as you
do... but you know what... IT WILL SELL!!! People will buy that
car and GM is laughing because they are making a boat load
of money! Really, GM is doing a hell of a job with marketing
their underpowered cars.

[White_out!]

Unfortunatly guys the car will sell, but so did the ugliest car in the line up the "kiss my" ASSteck. What's up with that. The L36 can't compete with the times. Only the beloved GTP L67 has guts! And it started all this power tripping experiments that the foriegn cars are comming out with. GTP started a real battle hear. And Mike3800 had "KING-P" the fastest stock GTP factory freak in the world ask the GTP modded guys in Colorado they'll acclaim to it. Mike had the car and the licence to hand out free asses to who ever came up against the Mighty "P", his grand Prix GTP! I've even had the pleasure in comfort to WHIP a GT 5-speed mustang on the highway 7 TIMES as a pasenger with Mike. I know he'll never forget it. Please everone a moment of silence for the dead "KING".............. rest in peace our little front drive covette, rest in peace. (The car was totaled by a damn minivan)

[Mike3800]

I kinda have to disagree... the Aztech cost GM money they made no profit from it, but instead of killing the ugly beast like they killed the incredible F-body, they re-designed it in hopes it would sell. I am fairly certain GM will not sell much of this car, much less produce that many of them anyway.