1994 3.1 dirt track car

[DirtDobber]

Looking to get the most out of this 3.1. My son has left karting and is going to run this car on a oval dirt track. What can we do to maximize performance? Can't do too much externally due to tech. Any thoughts?

[Chad91GTZ]

Find a quad. Lol. Actually the 3100 is a pretty solid motor, but I know of a few other gents on here run the dirt oval. Biggest thing is the gearing in the trans. 1/4 mile oval? I think the stock trans is gonna want to keep hitting third.

Jon (3x00 Modified) is really good with the GM FWD auto trans. I'm sure he'll chime in here soon. Welcome to the site.

[3X00-Modified]

Can't do too much externally due to tech. Any thoughts?

I tend to not like to help when I read these words... I work on a local circle track car and we follow all the rules to a T so I'm not one who helps others find ways to cheat in other divisions since it burns my ass when those in our division get away with it since the tech guys don't "see it".

sorry

[DirtDobber]

The tech guy recommended it as did the other 7 or 8 that run the class we spoke with. There is nothing in the rules saying not to get maximum performance out of your engine.

[3X00-Modified]

Getting max performance within the guided rules is one thing, you stated you can't do anything externally due to tech, so that makes it sound like you want to find as many performance things you can that they can not see since they only do a visual check... I guess the rules are very gray in that aspect. When I refer to our division we have crank weight rules, flywheel rules, piston/rod weight rules, and so on... Many things that you could get away with week after week if they decide to not check that.

[cncguy]

A 56mm throttle body from a 3400 (will look stock), change the down pipe, port work, cam, swap the ECM to one that can be tuned and get it tuned for max performance.

[DirtDobber]

I was not thinkning anything that drastic, more along the lines of tuning/performance chip? I am not opening this thing up. My 12 year old is running it and very likely going to be banging it up a bit. Also, run it in 2nd? Easy mods....

[DirtDobber]

Don't want anything to drastic, maybe retune computer etc.....and if 3x00 can let me know what he thinks about transmission on the oval that would be great. I am not looking to open this engine up at all, just get it to run the best it can as it sits. I also heard unplugging the EGR valve??

[KFLO 93 GT]

Port the hell out of the exit of the rear exhaust manifold and put a 2.5" downpipe on it. The stock exit on them is tiny and restrictive, and factory downpipe is double walled, so it's way way smaller than it looks.

That with the previously mentioned throttle body will be the best gains for your buck.

[Barry]

If you dont think they will notice the difference between a old 3100 and a new 3100 you could go wild with 3500 heads and LIM with a newer 3100 upper intake and really put a whooping on people...

[DirtDobber]

Where is the best place to locate the 56mm throttle body and new downtubes?

[Kris GTwhat?]

thats kinda what i was thinking barry. lol. too easy...

[cncguy]

You can use a 56mm TB from a 3400 engine. You will most likely have to make your own downpipe or have a muffler shop build it.

[KFLO 93 GT]

Come on man, gotta leave some mystery to it.