Well for starters, all the 3.1/3100/3.4/3400 cranks are virtually identical and any can be used with our setup. The biggest diff in these cranks is whether there's a reluctor ring on the crank to run the crank-fired sensor that is utilized by various motors using SFI or MPFI. Other FWD'ers used a distributor and may or may not have a crank with reluctor ring. In our case, we are slamming a distributor in there so whether or not there's a reluctor ring is 'no importa'. All cranks come drilled for a pilot bushing so that don't matter either.
As far as a FWD block goes, yes the starter is on the correct side for a 4WD GM-ZuZu application.
Some areas of concern on the FWD 3400 blocks that I've seen are the fact that they have aluminum heads and the TBI intake won't bolt up. So, you'd have to either totally rewire the EFI system (not a small task), or slap on a set of RWD cast-iron heads. Which poses the next problem, since the alum heads have smaller combustion chambers, the pistons that go with have larger 'dishes' in the pistons, which keep compression ratios to a reasonable level.
So, cast-iron heads on an otherwise unchanged FWD 3400 block would yield very low (and probably unuseable) compression ratios. Not So Good unless you want to turbo or supercharge it!
So, change out the pistons to RWD ones with less dish (AFAIK the only ones would be for a RWD 3.4 in a Camaro, or for a slight compression boost the ones out of a Z34 DOHC motor).
Then, you'll have issues with the oil pan because FWD 3400's use a cast-aluminum oil pan with cross-bolted main bearing caps. Very strong and a definite improvement but I don't expect it's going to fit that 4WD axle.
Then there's the question of motor mounts, you'd have to sight the FWD block to check position of the mount holes to be sure. Or do whatever mods necessary to make it fit.
If you could solve the fitment issues on the Front-Driver, and wire in a performance-oriented EFI system, you could build a very strong motor indeed. The FWD alum heads flow much better than the cast-iron RWD ones.
Of course, it's lots simpler to bolt in a cast-iron-headed 3.4, use the TBI setup and throw some performance goodies on it. Good for somewhere between 180 and 200 HP which motivates the Ol' Troop along quite nicely!
Plus it's all Stone Age Cheap and Simple. Lots to be said for Cheap and Simple!
Regarding the 3.1, since it's got the longer-stroke crank you're getting quite a bit of torque improvement over the 2.8. Just jazz up the breathing on both ends and a little Hi-Po camshaft action and she should run out pretty good.
The advantege here is being able to use a GM-Isuzu block with the starter on the driver's side already, "no drilling required". At least now there's a ~~$60 kit available from the Fiero Dudes to greatly simplify the drilling task.
Don't forget that the TBI cast-iron heads are all the same, so as long as your 'grenaded' motor didn't destroy the heads, you can use them on any RWD 2.8/3.1/3.4.
BTW if you want to off the deep end, technically speaking, cruise this site for a while; it'll stretch your brain cells a bit!
http://60degreev6.com/Check out this buildup which would probably work in a 'Zu (except for that pesky cast-alum oil pan!), but don't expect would be very cheap:
http://www.fierosound.com/34engine/3400details.htmCheers............ed <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
P.S. Big Bummer on the Broke Motor! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />
