What is your volt output from the alt?

 

I measured the voltage across the battery terminals with the truck off and it was 13.5. With the truck running it was 14.4. So it seems like the alternator is working properly. I drove it this morning and it ran great. I don't know if maybe the extra drag on the alt with the headlights on is causing the problem. If I turn the headlights on when the truck is idling then it kinda bogs.

 

Okay, so I got my scanner tool. Expensive! Oh well. I am time constrained. So the codes I have are

1) P0300 (Random Misfire)

2) P0141 O2 Heater Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2 <- Expected because I don't have a second O2 sensor installed

3) P1300 Igniter Circuit Malfunction No. 1

4) P0141 O2 Heater Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2 <- Same as #2

Should I be worried about any of these? I am kinda worried about #3 which I think is connected to #1.

Marge

 

Try unbolting the igniter and cleaning off the paint (remove paint) where it's bolted to get a better ground for the igniter. I'm not positive it matters but it doesn't hurt either so I did it that way.

 

Put in a grounding strap for the igniter. Gonna try driving it with the headlights on. Oh, another question. Do I need to hook up the VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor)? My neighbor said that the ECU needs that to calculate all the loads etc.
Thanks Dale,
Marge

 

Yeah, I would think you'd need that hooked up.

You did put a ground from the body to the battery didn't you?

 

Oops, actually the VSS is hooked up. I assumed since I had a mechanical speedo that I would have to wire it. I was driving just now with my OBDII scanner on live data mode and the vehicle speed was updating. Mike at ORS gets another gold star. Also since I have properly grounded the igniter I haven't had any problems with missing. Truck seems to run great now. Except for the #2 O2 sensor not being installed.
Thanks Dale,
Marge

 

Oh, and I finished my hood cut today. I haven't ordered the hood scoop yet. But I did put a temporary cover on the hood. I went to Safeway and bought a 17" x 11" metal cookie sheet and caulked and riveted that over the hole. Painted it black. Looks pretty funny but it keeps the rain out and it was cheap (~$10).
Later,
Marge

 

Good deal

 

Okay, so everything is running great so far (I just need to get a better exhaust built so I can put in a 2nd O2 sensor and fix the reverse light switch and I will be stylin). I just wanted to post some pictures of the final product.
Here the pics are (I used a $10 cookie sheet from Safeway to accomodate the taller 3.4L):

 

That hood scoop is sweet. Why would you ever need to change that?

 

Well...I don't think I would ever want to change it unless I move. I live in Hunter's Point in San Francisco. Kinda ghetto...hence the cookie sheet hood bump.

 

You should paint some cookies on it.

 

Haha, yeah my sister suggested that. She is absolutely scandalized that I riveted a cookie sheet to my hood. She thinks I am a redneck.
Later,
Marge

 

Ghetto in SF must mean the houses are only 1/2 million each right?

Yeah I have some cookie sheet metal on my truck too. It's good sheet metal, I especially like the aluminum sheet pans. You pay twice as much for the same thing in sheet form at Lowes.

 

Yeah, the houses in the ghetto are expensive (~$800k)...but so are the life insurance policies. Cookie sheet metal rules...teflon coated for SPEED!

 

I figured some people might be interested in fuel economy with the 3.4L. Here is the first mpg check. Keep in mind the conditions. Since I am testing things on the engine for leaks and such I am idling, revving, and accelerating hard. Also I am using the exhaust setup from the 3.0L which is much less than the 2.5" exhaust which is recommended for the 3.4L engine, I will repost my mpg once I get that exhaust fabbed.

MPG (US Gallons): 17.5mpg

Conditions: City driving (San Francisco hills), stop and go, lots of idling, revving, hard acceleration, less than optimal exhaust (~1.7" instead of 2.5" like it should be).

Conclusion: This engine gets slightly better fuel economy under worse conditions than I ever ran my 3.0L. Not to mention the power and torque is much, much better. I hope once I get the larger exhaust the mileage and power will improve.
Later,
Marge

 

I've filled up about 3 times since I got mine going, and I seem to be getting about 18 to 19 mpg. I still have to address an exhaust leak, the hood and a tial pipe.

I love the new power of the 3.4 -- great engine!

 

Okay, just posting to tell everyone that the swap is great! The 3.4L engine runs very, very good. It has been running for 6K miles and no problems whatsoever (except making sure I properly ground the igniter which is fine now). I am planning on doing lots of road trips with it this summer and taking it on a cross-country road trip to Alabama this fall. I would love to help anyone who has any questions on this swap. You can email me at mariogiacomino@gmail.com.

Later,
Marge

 

Great