3.4 Camaro?

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rb26x

rb26x

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rb26x
I begin driving in a couple months, and my dad is giving me his '95 3.4l Camaro because he now has an '04 GTO. The Camaro is a 5-speed, and it is in excellent shape, he was the only owner since new. I was looking a upgrades, nothing major, just bolt-ons, but all the exhausts I've seen make it sound terrible because of the single muffler. As far as cosmetic, I just want it to look lower and cleaner, but also there is a very limited market for that too. Is it worth true dual costs or any other bolt-ons, or should I just save for a new car?
 
rb26x
I begin driving in a couple months, and my dad is giving me his '95 3.4l Camaro because he now has an '04 GTO. The Camaro is a 5-speed, and it is in excellent shape, he was the only owner since new. I was looking a upgrades, nothing major, just bolt-ons, but all the exhausts I've seen make it sound terrible because of the single muffler. As far as cosmetic, I just want it to look lower and cleaner, but also there is a very limited market for that too. Is it worth true dual costs or any other bolt-ons, or should I just save for a new car?
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It all comes down to what you want to do with it. Considering it's an older car I would leave it as is and save up for a new ride.
 
The only modifications you should consider making to an older 4th gen V6 Camaro is putting a V8 in it. If it was a later 3800 it would be a different story, but there isn't much you can do to the 3.4 that doesn't make any money you put in it vanish into thin air.
 
I just want a clean decent car that I might autocross just for fun. I was looking at lt-1's but that's too much for me if I'll just buy a new car.
 
The GM pushrod V6 engines never sound particularly good, so I would just try to keep it pretty quiet. Just do not, under any circumstances, put flowmasters or any other 'baffle' type muffler in it. It will sound like dog-farts. And not even in an endearing way. You might do induction mods though, intake noise always sounds nice. Those cars do handle well when modified correctly. I would look into upgrading the suspension and brakes. IIRC the rear panhard bar geometry isn't very good stock and can be replaced with better performing units. I imagine the brakes are adequate stock, maybe upgrade the pads with some Hawk HPS or similar and use a performance fluid. I imagine a V6 camaro would be pretty fun on an autocross. Remember, the most important part of autocross is the tires. So that should be where your upgrades start. Can't really recommend anything, but I'm sure google can. :)

If you are dead set on going fast, just spray the bitch.
 
Oh my. Agree SO MUCH with the no-flowmasters-on-a-GM-V6 bit there.

They sound great on 4cyls running single exhaust or V8s running duals but something about a V6 blowing through them turns into instant nastiness.

I'd say upgrade route should be roughly what he said... Good brake pads, then better tires (lighter/better looking wheels if you want at the same time), then suspension work. It isn't the "ultimate" autocross/track car by any means but you'll still have a blast with it.

But, unless you find yourself getting really attached to the car, save for something else. And, of course, find out what you actually want to do with your car. If you find out you want to build a drag car, you've got a reasonable basis for one already. If you find you want to keep flinging it around corners, go for something smaller and lighter. The 4th gens aren't bad per-se, it's just that you can do much, much better.

Edit: RE: "true dual" exhaust. Single exhaust is pretty much a way of life with 3rd and 4th gens and there isn't really a way around it. You CAN run full duals but the routing is a bit of a pain and there isn't really much gain to be had, particularly not on a V6.
 
plus true duals seem a pain. I saw that kw has a coilover kit, but the rear brakes are drums, so I was wondering about that. I also would like an LSD, as it is an open diff. the kw kit is around $3000, so unless I find a used kit in good condition, I'd do lowering sprigs, which I really dont want. I'm not sure exactly what to do. I know first will probably be intake.
 
If you want a nice exhaust get a Cherry Bomb Exhaust.
 
does it sound like a vibrating tin can past 4k like others? Also, why is your name roczx?
 
rb26x
does it sound like a vibrating tin can past 4k like others? Also, why is your name roczx?
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Why do you want to know what me name means ? What's does yours meaan?
Here Roc has to do with my name and ZX has to do with Nissan 300ZX (Z32) and my avatar is a VG30DETT which is in the Z32.
 
Congrats on the Camaro but that 3.4 is a terrible engine.
 
lol I know the 3.4 isn't exactly a good engine. I asked because it looked like a v6, even though I can't really tell on my iPod because it's so small, but because if I get rid of this Camaro I want a TT Z32.
 
You could have an exhaust shop install true dual exhaust. That would help a little. Get a K&N filter for sure. Those 2 things would make a fairly noticible difference. But in all honesty, I would not put much into that engine at all. Save your money for a different car.

I had a 95 Firebird with the 3.4 then eventually upgraded to a 96 Formula with the V8 and 6 speed. Had MUCH more power and believe it or not I got MUCH better gas mileage. Save up and just get a V8 car or get a car with the 3.8 engine. The 3.8 is a very good engine and has some pretty good power. If you can save enough, get a V8 car with the 6 speed. You wont regret it. You should easily be able to get around 30mpg with the LT1 V8 and the 6 speed depending on the year car you get.

Oh and dont even bother autcrossing that 3.4. Its just not worth beating that engine up. Just sell that car and get something else. Seriously.
 
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I'm gonna have fun with it no matter what, I need seat time so I don't care if it's slower or hard on it. I don't want a V8 car that much though, only the sts turbo for the lt1 attracts me to them. I love the DETT Z32.
 
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