I've spent the last few days gathering up info on the 4.9 Caddy swap. Found lots of comments on how cheap it is. But how cheap is it? I know it can vary but for a basic swap using a stock Fiero Getrag what is a good estimate?
Thanks.

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Rick Lord
Webmaster
http://www.KitKar.com

On my 85 GT i installed a '92 deville drivetrain (motor, trans, ecm)
The "complete package" from the wreckers was
$1200
Then you have to add motor mounts, trans mounts, axles, exhaust Etc, Etc.
my list of items required is quite long.
Overall i think i'm close to $2000 or maybe
$2200.
There are people out there that will tell you
that it can be done for less than a grand,
but nobody (that i know of) has come forward
to tell us how that is done.
I wish someone would because after burning
rubber on my driveway today for the first time, i've made up my mind that my '88 coupe
is next.

very cool!
are you going to be able to change the oil and spark plugs without removing the engine?
what about AC?
Did you fab all the mounts yourself, or get a kit?
Thanks!
-johnny

That falls right in line with my swaps (none were 4.9L. DOHC's & SC's).

Cost of the drivetrain + 100 hours of labor + $1000.

If you do it yourself then it's the cost of the drivetrain + $1000 in "stuff".

Terryk

Would it be more "cost effective" to use a Fiero manual tranny or to go with the Caddy automatic? I will probably buy the trans either way so I wouldn't really save money there. If I go manual I would need a flywheel and clutch. If I go auto I need axels. So which is cheaper and which is easier.

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Rick Lord
Webmaster
http://www.KitKar.com

For a stick the swap will be a little more money due to the flyweel upgrade you will have to do. Most 4.9 engines in my state cost around $600 bucks for the engine and harness with emc and the 4.5 runs around $450bucks for the wire harness and emc, You do not have to use the tranny that comes with the motor you can use your stock one( cost less)

You will need the important tools also, Engine hoist jackstands, furniture dolly ect( you can rent a welding gun for your exhaust but it might be easier and cheaper to just buy the welding gun, I got a catalog from harbor tools were tools are extra cheap. if you don't like welding then take the crossover pipe to a exhaust shop and have it welded up to fit your needs, If it's welded properly you can retain the stock fiero exhaust system if it's a dual exhaust.

You will need

mounts bubbajoe supplies them for a cost of $150 bucks

if your going to use the computer then you will need the wire harness and emc( usauly comes with motor unless you forget to take it) You will need to splice the existing fiero harness to mate with the caddy. Bubbajoes site has the wire diagrams

If you do not like messing with computer wireing and other crap then you can go the carb rout, A 2bbl 350cfm or holley 500cfm will go nice with the 4.9 and 4.5 engines, You will need to make a custom dist( joes site supplies the directions in doing that) You will need a 2bl carb adaptar, Mister gasket makes one that you will have to tap and drill a few holes also bubbajoes site has the directions how to make that.

again if I have not said it in this long list, You can use your stock tranny if you have manaul you will have to get a custom flyweel made, Or you can use your 6cyl flyweel and have it fabricated by a specialist to fit. The ideal car for this swap in my opinion is a 4cyl 84 to 86 automatic fiero ( less cost and fuel lines and coolant lines are in the right spot.

You will need a oil cooler This is a very necessery thing to have. you can get it at any autoparts store for $49 bucks and up.

You will need a 6 grove idle pulley from any auto store for 18bucks

fuel hoses, hoses, plug wires, newplugs,

You can use the caddy alt and for the ac you can use the fiero one but you will have to get a serp belt system put on to replace the v grove one.

If your using the electronic enjection system( computer ) then you can use the fiero 6cyl pump, you cannot use the 4cyl pump, not enough pressure. if your going carb you will need a fuel regulater for the carb. If you have a 4.9 you will have to plug the enjector hose if going carb. on a 4.5 you do not have the holes to worry about I belive the 4.5 uses the tbi system except the 90 4.5.

Bubbajoes site has some awsome info in it, I don't have the link but it will help ya.

you can weld the thermastat from the exsisting fiero or you can use the caddy thermastat. you might want to check out what rockcrawl does with his.
so

oil cooler 49$ depends on what size or kind you want
engine $600 depends on type you want 4.5 or 4.9

fuel pump $100 6cyl

hoses gase lines ect $75 really should cost less but it maintains my budget when I add higher cost

plugs and plug wires $40

carb if you go that rout $250 adaptor $25bucks

ignition system( I know you will want a proformance one, Trust me when you get into this project most ppl try and get most parts new or proformaced) $150 depends on what one you want. ( do not really need)

6 grove idler pulley $20bucks

tranny monts to go with bubbajoes mounts
$20bucks

$450 if you have manuel for the flyweel job and stuffs

total cost of a my est is around $1900 with having some money left over.

Lets see, I paid about $650 for the entire dropout from a 93 deville, that was engine, tranny, computer, harness, starter, all accessories. 64k miles

about $130 in axles

fabbed all my mounts from scraps of plate from the shop and modified caddy mounts. I mounted mine with 4 mounts, like the caddy had. Total about $50 in mounting.

Different alternator for clearance (not needed, but i dont like the look of the caddy alternator) $100.

$60 for v6 fuel pump cause my fiero was a 4cyl.

I rebuilt the top end of the engine "just cause it was out" cost about $200 but you dont have to do this.

Plus about $100 in hoses, wiring, connectors, misc stuff.

That puts me at about $1300 so far.

Need to add about $600 for exhaust system once its running.

Poly suspension upgrade parts and held coil-overs once its on the road and mechanicals are worked out. But this stuff is optional

I will have the engine in this weekend, well test fit anyhow, as long as everything lines up, will be leaving it in I will post pics when the fiero is "loaded" with its new guts

Hope this gives you some idea

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'88 Red SE (4.9 PFI, 4T60E 4speed O/D trans, Custom cradle)

Edit using your stock one will cost more and it might be easier to use the computer if you go with the caddy one the cost will be quite lower.

You said you had a manuel one I misread that part, My bad.

Wow! Lot's of good info. I have already read BubbaJoes and RockCrawlers sites, but you have helped immensely.
I don't actually have a manual Fiero. I don't have one yet, just prefer a manual. But I am really trying to keep the cost down. I want to do a Countach replica so that will eat up most of my budget.

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Rick Lord
Webmaster
http://www.KitKar.com

In my previous post i forgot to mention that
after the price of my drivetrain ($1200)
my biggest expense was my custom exahaust,
$465 including the Cat plus another $140 (i think) for a WCF modified Flowmaster = $605
for the total exhaust system.
I could have tapped into the caddy crossover
pipe and welded up the stock fiero exhaust, but i felt (i could be wrong) that this motor
could use all of the breathing help it can get.
One of the forum members here, i think PBJ
used the stock fiero exhaust and found that it had very little backpressure.
but i just went all out.

TWODOGJOHNNY: the oil filter on the caddy is a lot easier to get to than the v-6, as it sits next to the distribuitor on top of the motor.
The A/c compressor sits on the stock caddy
bracket wich sits on top of bubbajoe's mount
(in my case) and all gets bolted to the motor.
Spark plugs; i don't think that they will be
more difficult than the v-6, more time consumming, yes!
Motor mounts; they are bubbajoe's, he takes a
lot of s---, i meant stuff there, from other people about his welding skills, but on my case, i can't weld any better. His mounts did
require some rework to them before i could bolt them on to the motor.