whats up guys, i have a 1984 se that im looking to do a motor swap in .right now its a 2.5 3 speed auto, i really dont want another duke lol. i have two motors, but i cant decide on which one i want to use. right now its between a sc3800 out of a regal, or a 4.9 caddy v8. both have low miles. what one is the easier swap? which one will be easier to wire? am i gonna break anything with either one?
If they are both low mile units, you have the tranny with the engine, the PCM for each motor.....the swaps are comparable in regards to difficulty. Wiring for either motor is similar in regards to difficulty. You won't break anything IF you have the tranny for the swap motor. If you plan on using the tranny now in your car, it will not last long with either engine, you should find the proper tranny for the engine you decide on.
I have done 3800SC swaps and am now in the process of doing a 4.9L swap. I agree with olejoedad that the swaps are comparable as far as labor goes but cost is a different matter. I would also agree that keeping the complete powertrain together is the best way to longevity and reliability. The Fiero manual boxes were just not designed to take high torque. I started with a new engine and have over $7,000 invested in my 3800SC swap but I did add many mods. I have less than $1500 invested in my 4.9L swap so far and will probably get the job done for under $2000. If you are looking to keep swap costs to a minimum and are content with 275 ft lbs of torque @200HP (not bad actually) the 4.9L is for you. Except for the front engine mounts the 4.9L uses all off the shelf GM parts and you can even buy the ready made front mount from West Coast Fiero. If your objective is to keep modifying and adding more power, then the 3800SC offers more potential but at a considerably higher 2 x to 4x price . Both swaps offer comparable HWY gas mileage but the 3800SC is more economical around town.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua: If your objective is to keep modifying and adding more power, then the 3800SC offers more potential but at a considerably higher 2 x to 4x price .
Comparing cost of modding the engines is hardly a fair comparison though. There's basically zero aftermarket parts available for the 4.9L, and a huge amount for the 3800. With the 4.9, you can throw a turbo on, and you're basically as far as you can take it.
If you can get both engines/drivetrains at roughly the same price, they're both going to cost roughly the same to install in a Fiero.
I think what you want to do with it at the end should dictate which engine to chose. If you like to obey the speed limits, don't plan on racing this at the track but want to pin your passenger in the seat going from light to light, then you will want the 4.9. The 4.9 torque at the low end is unbeatable. However, if the next light stays green and you want to keep your foot down, then you'll probably prefer the 3800sc. Much more that you can do with the 3800sc....perfect for a track car, and much better at the high end.
Comparing cost of modding the engines is hardly a fair comparison though. There's basically zero aftermarket parts available for the 4.9L, and a huge amount for the 3800. With the 4.9, you can throw a turbo on, and you're basically as far as you can take it.
If you can get both engines/drivetrains at roughly the same price, they're both going to cost roughly the same to install in a Fiero.
There was no mention that the 4.9L was modifiable in my post or any cost comparison of modifying such. On cost the 4.9L swap seems to be going in way cheaper than my 3800SC did as it doesn't require all the custom swap parts that the 3800SC does. My 3800 has custom mounts, custom axles, a trans shift bell crank and some modification "hot rod" parts. that I could not resist. On the 4.9L you can use standard GM trans mounts "off the shelf" axles and a modified shift lever . Since you will be keeping the 4.9L stock you won't have the temptation to modify unless you decide to turbo and change throttle bodies, ECM's and retune. .
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Thanks for the replies, as of now I only have the engines. No trannys, will the th125 hold up to the 4.9 for a little while? Lol, what's needed to wire the 4.9 ecm? My brother has a n/a 3800 in his sand rail and its only like 3 wires to make it run.
Sorry for all the questions lol this is my first fiero and I'm tired of seeing it sit our back blown up haha
just my 2 cents worth, but i'd NEVER sink a lot of money into an 84 cause you'll NEVER get it out of it .....
I agree to a point. I would personally never bother with a pre 88 Fiero since I don't like the feel of the suspension/steering). With that said, anyone pouring money into a mass produced 1980's economy car should have no expectation of ever getting their money back upon resale. These cars are a hobby, not an investment.
I agree to a point. I would personally never bother with a pre 88 Fiero since I don't like the feel of the suspension/steering). With that said, anyone pouring money into a mass produced 1980's economy car should have no expectation of ever getting their money back upon resale. These cars are a hobby, not an investment.
Ditto. Putting money into a Fiero will never (well... extremely rarely) see a return on investment.
[This message has been edited by Will (edited 07-25-2014).]
im not too worried about getting my money back on it a anytime soon lol i plan on having it for a while, i like it too much to sell it whether its an 84 or not haha
Comparing cost of modding the engines is hardly a fair comparison though. There's basically zero aftermarket parts available for the 4.9L, and a huge amount for the 3800. With the 4.9, you can throw a turbo on, and you're basically as far as you can take it.
If you can get both engines/drivetrains at roughly the same price, they're both going to cost roughly the same to install in a Fiero.
that's odd.. I think the open wheel guys might have something to say about that.. as the 4.9 and 4.0 olds are the same basic family..
I'll bet also that money spent on my 84 will bring more than any other fiero model/year out there..
That seems like a strange thing to say. Assuming equivalent condition base cars, with identical swaps, you would get much more for an 88 if you were to sell them.
