This video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcjpXbMiCtg combined with my recent promotion, and my recently upgraded living situation, has inspired me to start Project Fiero - very few ****s given.

A while back I bought an "LT1" that turned out to be an l99 (4.3l v8)
I finally decided on what I'm going to do with that "boat anchor". It will be getting a fresh rebuild (seals, gaskets, bearings, ect) with possibly a more aggresive cam and p+p heads. Also i'd like to throw in a 350 crank and make it a 5 liter 305 I'm hoping to have it make around 240hp 280lbs of tq at the crank.
After the rebuild it will be going into my 84 fiero, which currently has the stock 2.5l but a recently rebuilt getrag 5spd.
When all is said and done, it wont be the prettiest car around, but should be pretty quick. I'll be sure to keep you guys posted on here, although I can promise this will be a long, slow moving project.
Any questions/comments/concerns/feedback is greatly appreciated

[This message has been edited by jhobbins (edited 03-07-2013).]

"hoping to have it make around 240hp 280lbs of tq at the crank"

O.o thats alot of $ and work for those low numbers


why not sell it and get a real LT/LS1/4/2/6/7?

(or even a 3400/3500/3800/3800SC/3900)
all can do that output at a lower weight / work / cost IMO.

Take that crank and rods and install it in a 350 LT1 (or any 86+ SBC) and have more modern roller cam 302 (3" stroke, 4" bore).

quote Originally posted by fieroguru: Take that crank and rods and install it in a 350 LT1 (or any 86+ SBC) and have more modern roller cam 302 (3" stroke, 4" bore).

This with a big lumpy cam, and a five speed would make for a fun car.

quote Originally posted by fieroguru: Take that crank and rods and install it in a 350 LT1 (or any 86+ SBC) and have more modern roller cam 302 (3" stroke, 4" bore).

Another vote for a 302.

Somehow, I get the impression there won't be many f**ks given about our opinions. But that's OK with me.

Thanks for the input guys, I'm pretty Set on the l99 because i already have one. I'm okay with it not having a ton of hp because i already have a supercharged Trans am. Plus imo 240hp is plenty in a 1 ton car.
A question for you guys though, how much hp and torque can the getrag 5spd Handle?

[This message has been edited by jhobbins (edited 03-07-2013).]

The rated torque capacity of the Fiero Getrag is 170 ft-lb. But I have a feeling that's a conservative figure. Because many have used the Getrag with engines that make more torque than that. The main thing to worry about is shock loading. A lightweight rotating assembly will help with that. Plus, you'll have to avoid high-RPM clutch dumps, gear-slamming, etc.

quote Originally posted by hookdonspeed: "hoping to have it make around 240hp 280lbs of tq at the crank" O.o thats alot of $ and work for those low numbers why not sell it and get a real LT/LS1/4/2/6/7? (or even a 3400/3500/3800/3800SC/3900) all can do that output at a lower weight / work / cost IMO.

Just curious, how would the 3800sc be cheaper? This is the motor I wanted to swap in, but since I already have the l99 I figured that would be cheaper

The LT1 style engines require extensive body mods to install due to the length and protrusion of the waterpump.

Are there LT1-specific electric waterpumps on the market?
If not, you will incur significant additional expense for the swap by sticking with the LT1 style engine.

I also recommend using the L99 crank and rods with 350 block and pistons to make a 302.
Really... 350's are cheap. You should be able to score one on Craigslist for $100...

My recommendation is to use a 400 block and have a 321 cid engine with an even bigger bore.
The L99 rods are also 5.940 in length while the standard 350 rods are 5.700. This means that the piston compression height is the same between the two engines and standard 350 pistons will work in a 302.

[This message has been edited by Will (edited 03-27-2013).]

Lol me and my buddies renamed my 3800 swap project sofi to 1/4 $hits fiero after watching that video haha