The 24 Hours of Lemons Forums → Lemons Tech → Durability of GM LA1 3400?
What have your experiences been with this engine? I know they have the gasket issues, but once fixed, do they stay fixed? I can hold out for the same model with a 3800, but the 3400's seem to be way more plentiful, lower miles, and in better shape.
If its the same gasket issue that the 3100's had, I was told that the new gaskets available are much thicker and better constructed and pretty much fix the issue.
That engine does like to run warm, so keep it cool and it will be much easier on headgaskets also.
I'd hold out for the 3800 personally, course I may be a little biased...
The GM V6s have been shockingly reliable in Lemons.
Just don't try to run one on E85. The conrods will use it as an excuse to made a break for it.
Well, our 2.8 MPFI is an ancestor of that engine, and it has earned the title of "only good part in the car." We string it out and hold it at 6k regularly (doesn't pay to grab 4th on all but the longest straights) and it keeps on truckin'. With the AC condenser gone from in front of the radiator, temperatures stay low. It has seeped a small amount of water into the oil from day 1, but with regular oil changes and multiple bottles of cooling system stop-leak this has been a non-issue 
We put that 3.4 in the Craptation to replace the blowed up 2.8, and had all kinds of issues.....but not with the motor! It's a cheap, plentiful motor that puts out decent power. Good luck.
What happened to the Montana in Texas?
Overheated. Blew at least one head gasket 30 mins into the event. I think it cracked a head, too. It was blowing water out of the front right head bolt when we put water back in it, after dragging it back to the garage.
Pulled the front head, JB-welded the low spots in the head and replaced the headgasket. Started it up again Sunday morning, and it ran all of about 15 seconds before blowing water out around the radiator cap. A rebuild/replace is in order. Not sure the engine has been pulled apart to completely assess the total damage yet.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
What have your experiences been with this engine? I know they have the gasket issues, but once fixed, do they stay fixed? I can hold out for the same model with a 3800, but the 3400's seem to be way more plentiful, lower miles, and in better shape.
That generation is know for leaky intake gaskets (at the water jackets). Replace them and make sure the engine was well maintained ( lots and lots of black build up on the rockers is bad ). Use a Ac Delco PF51 oil filter. That ads a half a quart of oil to the system
We ran a 3.1 at gingerman. Added an oil and tranny cooler and extra fan. Had problems with coils breaking down on saturday and then some electrical issues on sunday. The engine itself used no oil and just stayed at 160 all day. Hopefully it and the tranny have another race in it!
The 3.1 in the original Cavalier did 8 races and aside from the crank print in the oil pan and accompanying oil pump breakage when we ran over a tractor tire at Altamont (we ran 3 races after that...) the engine was reasonably powerful and absolutely reliable.
The 3.5 in the 2nd wagon was also reliable- the 60* GM V6 has a deep sump and factory windage tray, so pull high 'g's all you want. There are intake manifold sealing issues on the later ones, but pretty easy to fix... and while you're in there, open up the intake runners and match-port the manifold to the head, worth much power, since the 2.8/3.1 stock intakes are crap. The 3400 is better.
Since we're on the subject of the 3.1L, it looks like we may have to run that if I get a good enough deal on this car. We would have to ghettocharge the rear motor. Why does this thing only make 120hp? It just doesn't make any sense.
The GM V6s have been shockingly reliable in Lemons.
Perfect example of how GM cars run badly longer than most cars run at all.
Since we're on the subject of the 3.1L, it looks like we may have to run that if I get a good enough deal on this car. We would have to ghettocharge the rear motor. Why does this thing only make 120hp? It just doesn't make any sense.
My '86 5.0L 4-BBL V8 Camaro only had 150HP. By comparison the much smaller 2.4L in my '98 Cavalier Z-24 has the same 150HP.
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