1994 Chevrolet Lumina Z34 review from North America
"Supreme handling and styling, very good performance esp. high-speed, limited upgrades"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Alternator went out at about 70,000 miles.
Computer went out at 72,000 miles.
Dealer warned that my aftermarket performance chip can shorten the life of the computer itself.
Other things like my habits of driving around town in 1st & 2nd gear only - & extended periods of time in excess of 100 mph probably contributed to these failures.
General comments?
I have:
Converted the rear suspension to fully independent coil-over struts w/6" of total height adjustment.
Lowered the front end 1.5" with Eibach springs for a '95 Monte Carlo.
Lowered rear to match via new adjustable rear suspension.
Upgraded to KYB GR2 struts front & rear.
Upgraded computer with aftermarket performance chip.
Installed a high stall torque converter
and a B&M Shift-Plus kit for 4T60-E transmission.
Bored the throttle-body out to 72mm.
Installed a billet/poly dog-bone engine mount.
Installed a front strut tower brace.
Installed high-flow catalytic converter & high-flow mufflers.
Installed an aluminum mandrel arm air intake/cone filter system.
Relocated the front grille turn signals to modified high-beam housings & installed wire mesh behind the remaining grille vents that now improve cooling (definitely an issue on the DOHC 3.4L) but are non-functional from the factory.
Removed factory red/silver pinstripes.
Polished stock Z34 rims to "chrome" finish.
Added Goodyear NASCAR EAGLE #1 tires - stock Z34 size.
The factory version is a very competitive production car with much more potential for handling & tuning improvements than actual aftermarket bolt on parts.
Recommended reviews
  | Good, but not great |
| A high performance bargain (I know it's the example sentence on the form, but it's true!) |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.4L 24v DOHC V6 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 9/10 |
| Reliability marks | 8/10 |
| Comfort marks | 10/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 68744 miles |
| Most recent distance | 74200 miles |
| Previous car | GMC Pickup |
| Date of Entry | 20th March, 2003 |