I'm new, and I have performance problems

[DETROITMUSCLE]

it may not be the fastest 4th Gen ever, but no LS1 ever returned 31 mpg either!

I would venture to say that the LS1 would have better mileage than a 3.4, I believe Brian said his mileage was better after the LT1 swap and the LS1 gets even better mpg yet. Thats why the 3.4 cars are so underiseable

[Kuhat]

thats my car. I honestly love the interior (although it is stock) I haven't seen cloth interior like it that is 2 tone on another Camaro. but I suppose if I sell it in the future that is something I can deal with later. its pretty stock looking, the only thing I have done appearance wise is put the red lettering into the "Camaro" imprint on the back, and paint the calibers red (i replaced them last year, along with just about everything else on the breaks) its pretty, but also pretty slow lol. the gas mileage isnt great actually, it might be better if I get a wheel alignment, but right now its doin about 26 mpg highway, which isn't very good at all.
thanks to all for your help so far.

also, it has a fairly rough idle, it stays at about 1000 rpm, but it isn't smooth, is that normal on the 3.4L?

[97rs4life]

alrighty, another fan of the v6 (even though you have a 3.4 and I have a 3.8)

You can do a few things to help the performance of your car even though it is a 3.4. Depends on your overall goals for performance, but anything can be done to the 3.4 that is done to others nowadays. The 3.4 market has grown decently in the last 1-2 years even though it is an older platform.

So with that being said, what kind of hp or 1/4 times are you after? Mod suggestions will vary depending on your goals.

[meissen]

My LT1 actually gets the same MPG with my foot in the throttle all the time (16mpg) as my 3.4L v6 got. If you can find an LT1 at a cheap price - which is possible these days and with the way the economy is - dropping in a stock LT1 *could* actually be cheaper than doing CAI, headers, and catback on the 3.4L v6...

If you could find an LT1 car for $1,000, you could quite literally drop the entire K-frame assembly out of the LT1 car, drop the entire k-frame assembly out of the V6 car, then bolt the LT1 kframe into the V6 car, swap PCMs, plug everything back in and reconnect everything and tada you'd be all set.

[Kuhat]

whats a realistic goal Travis? I'm not sure. a 15 to 20 hp increase would be fine for now, but if I could get it up to 200 hp I would be very happy

[97rs4life]

depends if you want rwhp or fwhp.

1. Intake
2. headers
3. Hi flow cat
4. Catback exhaust
5. underdrive pulleys
6. Thermostat
7. tune up with plugs and wires
8. gears/lsd
9. aluminum driveshaft from an ls1 car

Just to name a few, not in any particular order.

You will definitely notice a nice increase with those bolt ons

[LSxDreamer]

depends if you want rwhp or fwhp.

1. Intake
2. headers
3. Hi flow cat
4. Catback exhaust
5. underdrive pulleys
6. Thermostat
7. tune up with plugs and wires
8. gears/lsd
9. aluminum driveshaft from an ls1 car

Just to name a few, not in any particular order.

You will definitely notice a nice increase with those bolt ons

First of I'm gonna put this out there and say mod the 3.4. I love that engine and it was the first camaro I had. I ended up putting a cam, springs, timing chain/gears. etc. and it ran ok (This was before there wasn't any tuning options)

kuhachar these would all be great upgrades. To get it all to really run right you would need a tune and fortunately in the past year there is finally a option for the those with a 3.4 to get one. Here are two great sites to get 60 degeree v6 information and even a place to buy some parts:

www. 60degreev6.com - They have a forum and a store with a lot of parts for the V6 especially if you do the top end swap to a 3100/3400/3500.
www.fullthrottlev6.com - Another great site with a tone of information on the v6. Talk to Forced_Firebird over there, he deals with these engines exclusively and has helped quite a few turbocharged v6's. He also is the one responsible for bringing a tuning option to the 93-95 3.4 F-Bodies.

[97BlackBird]

3.4 or not your car is very clean!

[Kuhat]

thanks guys! Ill def. check out those websites LSxDreamer. and thanks 97BlackBird. I try and take care of it.

[Dummybait]

welcome!

[MORNINGSTAR2101]

ooooooooor, you could just go ls1.. ..but thats just an option also, my first thought was enzyte, the performance enhancer... ..just as the commercial states.

ohai, and welcome!

[Lucky SOB]

I'd focus on keeping the car as clean as possible, selling it in a couple years for a V8 car.

[MP81]

Welcome to the site!

Very clean car you have there - I think if you're really attached to the car, swap in a V8 - otherwise, just leave it alone and get a V8 car.

[phoenix_rising]

I talked to a fella at Super fest with a Vortec blown 3.4 who claimed he could keep up with / beat LT1 cars.

[ITSSLOW]

We have a 3.4 in our Camaro. I have driven a totally stock 3.4L with a 5spd (same as ours) and it was a dog compared to ours. The camaro we have has headers, no cats, flowmaster exhaust, a K&N CAI, different thermostat, and 3.73's. I honestly like the engine. Sure, I've bought an LQ4 for it but that will sit on a pallet for a few years. I have never been a fan of the 3.8 in any GM product.....RWD and FWD alike. My advice is basic bolt ons and be happy with it. Not much can come of it unless you drop some serious coin. Unless you are 100% set of being different and having a 3.4 just stick with bolts ons or ditch it. Trust me, I've researched it long and hard and when money became available I just went the V8 route.