turbo on the 3400

[sushko]

hi guys i have a 2001 3400 with 81,000 miles on it and i would like to get

turbo for it. i heard that if u get more then 60,000 miles is not good so

should i get the turbo or get a new engine with 50,000 miles with turbo.


Thanks kenny

prepare to pay much more than JUST the turbo (tranny, electronics, stronger pistons, etc, if itll ever even happen

[cherrington17]

i'd message blackjack for this one. he seems to be one of the more knowledgable people about turbo-ing our cars. Last time i heard, our trannys just can't keep up and will break apart on ya. but i just try to read about engine work on site, i have yet to do anything. me and engines don't normally get along. lol

[jackal2000]

www.grandamgt.com has more info about turbos on the 3400 than anyone on here....


there is guy over there running 12.6's with a turbo setup...

12.6 huh

[-Alero-]

it'll be fine.

[Spilner521]

I don't know why everyone says these transmissions don't agree with boost. Right now I should be close to 235hp to the wheels at 8psi and my tranny is perfectly fine. All it has is a B&M shift plus. Plus I'm installing new cams this coming weekend that should put me around 250 to the wheels at the same boost level. You can run a turbo on stock internals and stock tranny. Just make sure you keep the boost around 8-9psi and get the right fuel mods and you'll be fine.

[cherrington17]

right.... but most people seem to want to run in the 12psi area. (from what i've read on the board)

[kwhauck]

Originally Posted by Spilner521

I don't know why everyone says these transmissions don't agree with boost. Right now I should be close to 235hp to the wheels at 8psi and my tranny is perfectly fine. All it has is a B&M shift plus. Plus I'm installing new cams this coming weekend that should put me around 250 to the wheels at the same boost level. You can run a turbo on stock internals and stock tranny. Just make sure you keep the boost around 8-9psi and get the right fuel mods and you'll be fine.

you have a different tranny, we are talking about 3400 turbo setup here......

[-Alero-]

Originally Posted by kwhauck

you have a different tranny, we are talking about 3400 turbo setup here......

wasnt it oldsman who said the 2.4 and the 3.4 have the same tranny (auto)

[kwhauck]

Originally Posted by -Alero-

wasnt it oldsman who said the 2.4 and the 3.4 have the same tranny (auto)

do they? I just assumed they didn't........

[Spilner521]

Originally Posted by cherrington17

right.... but most people seem to want to run in the 12psi area. (from what i've read on the board)

Well, only thing I can say is don't.

I'd love to run 12psi. But on a stock engine, it's too much of a risk of blowing something up, and I'd rather have a car to drive than not, so I run 8.

Originally Posted by kwhauck

do they? I just assumed they didn't........

Yep, same tranny

[Cliff8928]

The 4-Cylinder and 6-Cylinder transmissions are different as far as i know, however they are VERY close to identical. The 4-cyl cars have the 4T40-E and the 6-cyl cars have the 4T45-E.

[Spilner521]

Originally Posted by Cliff8928

The 4-Cylinder and 6-Cylinder transmissions are different as far as i know, however they are VERY close to identical. The 4-cyl cars have the 4T40-E and the 6-cyl cars have the 4T45-E.

So I did a quick search and you're right. The 4 Cyl. engines have the 4T40E (same as the J-bodies) and the 6's have the 4T45E. However, they are always listed together and use the exact same internal parts. My only guess as to the difference would be where it bolts to the engine and the gear ratios.

So to everyone that thinks you need to beef up the transmission....there are several J-bodies (Cavalier, Sunfire) that are running boost on a stock transmission and are consistantly putting down 240-260 to the wheels, and even 1 guy that's a little over 300whp on a completely stock transmission with only a shift improver and an aftermarket fluid cooler. These trannys can take the power, just make sure the engine can give it.

[BlackJack]

and for the rest of you that were dying to know, GM numbered their transmissions based on certain qualities.

4t45e:
4 = 4 speed
t = transverse mount (FWD)
45 = has something to do with the amount of torque load it can withstand
e = electronic shift control

Now, about the 3rd part (40 / 45). I have no idea how GM arrived at the numbers they used, but it doesn't seem to have a direct correlation to actual torque numbers, I would imagine it's on some sort of scale.

All I can say, is I can't wait for that new 6t70 and 6t75 models that are about to be released.

[Cliff8928]

Type: four speed front-wheel-drive, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive transaxle with electronically controlled torque converter clutch
Engine range: 1.5L - 3.1L (MN4)
3.0L - 3.4L (MN5)
Maximum engine torque: 190 lb-ft (260 Nm) (MN4)
205 lb-ft (278 Nm) (MN5)
Maximum gearbox torque: 325 lb-ft (440 Nm) (MN4)
325 lb-ft (440 Nm) (MN5)
Gear ratios:
First: 2.95
Second: 1.62
Third: 1.00
Fourth: 0.68
Reverse: 2.14
Maximum shift speed: 6500 rpm (MN4)
5800 rpm (MN5)
Maximum validated gross vehicle weight: 1990 kg (4347 lb)
7-position quadrant: P, R, N, OD, 3, 2, 1
5-position quadrant: P, R, N, D, D3 (MN5, Malibu)
Case material: die cast aluminum
Shift pattern: (2) two-way on/off solenoids
Shift quality: variable bleed solenoid
Torque converter clutch: pulse width modulated solenoid control
Converter size: 245mm (reference) (diameter of torque converter turbine)
Fluid type: DEXRON III
Transmission weight: dry: 74.7 kg (164 lb)
wet: 85.1 kg (187.6 lb)
Fluid capacity (approximate): bottom pan removal: 7L (7.4 qt)
Complete overhaul: 10L (10.6 qt)
dry: 12.5L (13.2 qt)
Pressure taps available: line pressure
Transfer design: two-axis design, link chain assembly
Assembly sites: Windsor, Ontario
Applications: Chevrolet Cavalier (MN4)
Chevrolet Malibu (P90)(MN5)
Chevrolet Malibu (GMX 380)(MN5)
Pontiac Sunfire (MN4)
Pontiac Grand Am (MN4/MN5)
Oldsmobile Alero (MN4/MN5)
Saturn L-Series (MN4/MN5)

[-Alero-]

what about the grand ams do they have the 40 or the 45? since the grand am has a more aggressie final drive, i remember there was a different name possibly 45

[Cliff8928]

Originally Posted by -Alero-

what about the grand ams do they have the 40 or the 45? since the grand am has a more aggressie final drive, i remember there was a different name possibly 45

The Grand AMs have both. Depends on if it's a 4 or 6 cylinder. The 4T40-E (MN4) on the 4-cylinder and the 4T45-E (MN5) on the V6. The final drive ratio of the trans is a separate RPO code, usually starting with a F.

[BlackJack]

here we go, a new can of worms.....and the next question you're about to ask is what is an RPO code and where is it located?

The answer is..... An RPO code is a big long table of numbers on a sticker attached to the underside of your spare tire cover, and it has cute little strings of numbers that indicate every little option that was installed on your car. Which engine, which transmission, whether it has a drivers-side buttplug installed, or whatever.

Available drive ratios for the Alero IIRC is 3.05 - 3.20
of the N-body's, I've been told a couple of times that only the GAGT (ONLY the GT) came with a 3.26, but I've never verified that to be true or not. Happy hunting for that verification.

Originally Posted by BlackJack

Available drive ratios for the Alero IIRC is 3.05 - 3.20
of the N-body's, I've been told a couple of times that only the GAGT (ONLY the GT) came with a 3.26, but I've never verified that to be true or not. Happy hunting for that verification.

You are close.
For the 4T40-E on 4-cylinder cars, the FDR is 3.42:1.
For the 4T45-E on V6 cars (except the GAGT only), the FDR is 3.05:1.
On the 4T45-E GAGT, the FDR is 3.29:1.