I'm not sure that the starter under the intake might actually be a bonus. Chevy used several different V6's in the '80s and early '90s in the Camaro and S-10s. The same engines were used in FWD cars but are not interchangeable. The starters are on opposite sides. Chevy sells a 3.4 crate engine with starter mounts on both sides for replacement of 2.8, 3.1 and 3.4 in RWD or FWD.
The neutral starter location might be one less hurtle for conversion to RWD.
Gm has an entirely different 3.4 DOHC that was fairly rare, had high HP and revved to about 8,000. I always thought it would make a great replacement for my sons 2.8 Camaro, but the starter problem. Doesn't matter anymore, as the car's gone.
