I'm wanting to put a 3.1 motor in my 86se. It has an auto right now, but I have an 85 5 speed that I'm dropping in with the engine. Since it is in the 60* engine family will all of the fiero top end parts, mounting brackets and accessories work? Also will I have to swap out the prom or do any wiring harness work? I know for it to take the manual transaxle I need a V6 manual prom, but will the fiero manual prom jive with the different motor?

Not necessarily... I am not completely familiar with the 3.1s but I do know that most of those had incompatible heads. The intake and exhaust ports don't match up.

Also, where did you get the tranny? Only a Fiero tranny will work without modification. The shift levers on the tranny will be backwards. I believe they can be turned around if you split the case, but there is an adapter available for making the shifters work in the Fiero.

anyone care to add to this??

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By top end I ment the fiero heads, and the tranny is comming out of my beater 85 2m4.

GM made several different fwd versions of the 3.1/3100 throughout the years. Only those from the Lumina Minivan (iron head) will work with the Fiero intake/heads without internal engine modification (different pistons). I guess you could redrill the starter holes on a Camaro/Firebird rwd 3.1, but then you may as well opt for a 3.4.

I'm running the 3.1L from a Lumina Minivan with the Fiero heads/intake... works like a charm!

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I'm planning on rebuilding the engine anyway from ground up. So could I just change to diffrent pistons and use the fiero heads?

You can get a 3.1 "Stroker" kit that should have all the correct parts in it... or you can dig around to find a donor engine. The 3.1 block does have the advantage of an improved oiling system over the 2.8 ...just a thought.

This engine will work just fine - you just won't be able to use the red Fiero intake unless you change the heads. I've seen these in a couple of Fieros. It'll probably have the coil pack instead of a distributor, i.e. computer swap. The exhaust manifolds will match up just fine with the aluminum heads. Do a search on it - I and several others have explained this a few times. The engine works just fine and it should be more powerful than getting a stroker kit for the 2.8.

The iron head (Lumina / TransSport mini van) engine works with the Fiero intake 'cause it has the iron heads.

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I'm not wanting to stroke the 2.8 because I want to run roller lifters, which I've heard the 2.8 cannot do. Plus the 3.1 is a stronger block. Also on the 3.1 caravan motor, do you have to switch to coil packs or does the 3.1 have a stipulation for the distributor like the 3.4 does?

the 3100 or the 3400 block have a hole in it drilled for the distributor. There is a cover plate on it that has to be taken off but other then that its really easy to put a distributor in it.

If you want to run a roller cam you have to use the GM roller cam cause there are no aftermarket ones unless you want to shell out about $500 for a custom one off roller cam from Comp Cams or something. I am going to tell you the roller cam in the fiero is awefull as far as lift and duration go. Its barely bigger then the stock Fiero cam is. I know a roller is more efficent to make power but a much bigger cam can go in there if you don't go roller.

I have a 3100 shorblock here if you want it. Shortblock has no miles on it. If you want to use the Fiero heads then you will have to get new pistons or you will have around 7.2:1 compression with the Fiero heads on it unless you have the heads shaved a bit. Perfect if you want it to have forced induction of 15 psi or more.

Do a search for 3.1 or 3.2 and you will find a ton of previous posts about it. its been covered to death. Good luck.

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Shaun 85 GT with nitrous
0-60 in 5.6 seconds
Shaun41178@hotmail.com
**** FOREVER!

Alright, I just spent 2 hours or so digging through the archives. I'm going to shoot for a 3.1 bored to a 3.2. My only other question would be are alternate pistons made to raise the compression ratio to around 9.5-10:1 with the fiero heads?

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He who knows nothing, loves nothing. He who can do nothing understands nothing. He who understands nothing is worthless.
Paracelsus

I am in the process of building a 3.2. All you need is to install a 3.1 crank. Bore it .040 over and install Silvolite piston # 1486. This will give compression ratio of 8.8:1. You want to use the Fiero heads because they are "HO" with the big valves. Use all the Fiero intake ,ECM, etc. The only other thing necessary is a neutural balanced flywheel/flexplate. My car is an automatic so I found a flexplate from a 3.1 Lumina (post 1988) I am putting an aftermarket cam in mine. Crane 2030. Should have it on the road in a week or two. Can't wait!! I figgure that I should gain about 15-18 HP.

i have 3.1 from Z24 cavalier. used fiero heads and intake with IRM turbo. Everything bolted right up. Looks OEM except for turbo.