91. Cutty

[nfarnham2001]

I have a 91 olds cutlas cierra, with a 3.3 V6. It has 150k miles on it, and is in average shape.

-Paint needs work,
-Exhaust leak

I am about to do a full over tune up and check up-
Belts
Hoses
Spark Plugs
Spark Plug Wires
Ignition Coils
Aftermarket CAI

Also I am thinking of adding an aftermarket MSD ignition computer, and probably going to do several things involving carbon fiber, polyurethane, and other things to lighten it up.

I am just wanting input and advice....I am only looking to get 200 hp out of this car, but I want more torque than top speed.

Also, I have heard that you can convert the column **** to a floor shift using a B & M ratchet shifter and some good old labor hours.

[CieraSL92]

Your aware the timing is already controlled by the factory GM computer?

You dont need to use a B&M shifter, a factory console with shifter will work as well.

After you do all these things, you'd be wise to disconnect the battery for a bit then go for a drive so it learns another pattern.

[nfarnham2001]

ok, so just take the floor shifter out of one of the other early model cutlass? ok..

No I wasnt aware of that, any way to fix or better it?

And what do u mean, DC the ground cable?

[Tuddi]

Disconnecting the battery will reboot the computer, which is needed if you put in another engine or sparkplugs or other things the puter "learns" over time. When you start up with new things, the puter will learn the new patterns.

[nfarnham2001]

Ok thanks, also, do you guys know how I can get an L67 in my car? the other guy on this forum with an 89 international 2-door did it, I read over his post. I just doubted the methods he used would be as simple as mine. Do i just follow along? or is it totally diff....

[notsoslimshady76]

**This is not an insult by anymeans** Welcome to the forum, but.

If you didn't know you could just use a factory floor shifter, you are not ready for an L67 swap. Skalor did a lot of work and planning on it. Nothing is produced carbon fiber for this car (aka hood, trunk) so unless you want it custom......just give your car a tune up and it will treat you really well. The 3300 is by no means fast, but already has a lot of torque.


just my opinion. Either way congrats on owning a Ciera. They're really reliable cars

[nfarnham2001]

True, but I dont plan on doing the swap anytime soon. I am just maticulous like that. I like to plan ahead and know what I am getting into. But the swap wont be happening for at least another year, I still have to mod my suspension and brakes.

[CieraSL92]

Ok. He's on this forum, and has pictures on it. But you should really get to know the 3300 and the a-body in general before you go all out.

Regarding the timing, the 3300 has a fairly modern fuel injection system in it. Timing is advanced ahead until the knock sensor detects detonation, and then backs off until the knock is gone.

Fuel injector open time is adjusted according to coolant temperature, MAF values, and O2 values.

Nobody makes a chip for the 3300 (That I'm aware of,) but even if they did as a general rule they don't add much at all.

I meant disconnecting the negative battery cable, but I generally disconnect both as it's a good time to check for excessive corrosion.

You can add rear disc brakes, theres another thread about that here. I dunno about suspension, my 15 year old Ciera's suspension is looser than mud so I imagine just replacing worn-out parts would be the best bet. I think you can get stiffer struts and shocks, plus a thicker sway bar off a GM U-van (Lumina, the other thingy.. Olds Sihloutte)

Check your transmission fluid, aactually all of them for that matter. If you intend to beat on this, or any other car really, you need to be really good on taking care of it or it will go to bits and peaces rapidly.

[nfarnham2001]

Ok Thanks I will do all that.

Another thing, this is why I like the l67 so much. Is there any kind of after market cover that I can adjust or fabricate to cover parts of my motor? To make it more slim and clean looking. I already have started doing a wire tuck and hide job on it. But I like the L67 manifold, it is smooth and it hides the motor. Anything at all that will work on the 3300?

[CieraSL92]

Not that I am aware of. I do like the cover your talking about though. In addition to the appearance, it's also there to silence fuel injector tick.

You could fab something up maybe?

[skalor]

As stated already, there is no need to replace any of the factory ignition components with aftermarket parts. The factory ignition is better than most aftermarket components and most other OEM ignitions. On another note I'd be really interested to see how a 3300 reacted to a larger throttlebody. the throttlebody looks large with the MAF is but actually gets smaller as it approaches the throttle blade. I think the MAF opening is 50mm and the throttle blade is 40-45mm. With the short stroke of the 3300 it really could be a top end monster with the correct setup. I wonder if it's possible that the 3800 throttlebody of the same year is similar. At least it's something to think about. It's really a moot point anyway because there is no way to tune the ECM unless you use an AFC

[skalor]

Ok thanks, also, do you guys know how I can get an L67 in my car? the other guy on this forum with an 89 international 2-door did it, I read over his post. I just doubted the methods he used would be as simple as mine. Do i just follow along? or is it totally diff....

What were the problems with my methods that they were too simple??

[nfarnham2001]

No, No, no offense at all, what I ment was, is it the same for my car? will it be as simple? or do I have to take a whole nother approach? Your setup kicks ass.

Also, I will try to custom fab that cover, and I wont mess with the ignition too much, but what methods could I use to get an AFC on there?

Also, last but not least, anyone know of any other a-body or cutlass sites? I cant find many sites on them.

[CieraSL92]

There aren't many sites dedicated to the a-body. You can try automotiveforums.com, but generally people dont respond unless its a problem they haven't heard before.

[Tonglebeak]

As stated already, there is no need to replace any of the factory ignition components with aftermarket parts. The factory ignition is better than most aftermarket components and most other OEM ignitions. On another note I'd be really interested to see how a 3300 reacted to a larger throttlebody. the throttlebody looks large with the MAF is but actually gets smaller as it approaches the throttle blade. I think the MAF opening is 50mm and the throttle blade is 40-45mm. With the short stroke of the 3300 it really could be a top end monster with the correct setup. I wonder if it's possible that the 3800 throttlebody of the same year is similar. At least it's something to think about. It's really a moot point anyway because there is no way to tune the ECM unless you use an AFC

You think the 2.8 could have some serious top end since it has an even shorter stroke and would love to rev high (if it had the right airflow and all)? If there's a relatively cheap way to make the 2.8 have some top end, i'd be happy with that rather than an l67 swap. My 2.8 is quick as hell off the line, it just doesn't have a whole lot of topend power.

[86euro]

The 2.8 can have a lot more up top with a 3400 or '00+ 3100 top end swap. It can be done pretty cheap now, just a little time consuming.

[Tonglebeak]

Seems much more practical than an l67 I would suppose. Those top end swap kits at 60degreev6, will those do the trick? They have a 3400 top end and a 3500 top end from what I can tell.

What gains can be expected out of something like this, and how easy is it for someone who's never worked directly on an engine before?