I am looking to give my 86 2.8 4 speed SE a refresh and a little more pep. What I am wondering is I have heard that the older 3.1 with cast Iron head, will fit right in and use the fiero intake is this true?. I live in Cali so I want to make it looking as stock as possible for smog. Should I do a motor swap or just rebuild my 2.8? I heard with the right build you can get quite a bit more power out of the 2.8. I also do not like this only 4 close rage gears and I want to improve fuel mileage if I can. Should I go through the hassle of a 6 speed setup or should I just swap in a 5 speed? What are your thoughts and opinions? I have seen the threads about the 3.9 but that is way more work then I would like to put in to it at this time as I have no where to really do a full out mod. Maybe down the road.
The early 90's 3.4 with cast iron heads will fit also, with the Fiero intake, etc. Port the exhaust, get a later (7730) ECM, and you'll have a good start to more go power.
I can promise you one thing. The 3.1 and 3.4 aren't going to help you out with gas mileage. You can get more out of a 2.8, but by the time you spend the money you can have a 3.4 swapped in. But if you want absolutely amazing power and improved gas mileage go with the 3.8SC. California smog regulations are absolutely ridiculous, but I've seen plenty of people claim that they can make a 3.8 pass the smog.
I am on a bit of a budget as of right now. My main problem is it's a DD right now and My trans am is in the garage so I have no place to do it but the driveway.
It depends what you're looking for. With some simple mods, you can probably get 15-20 more hp out of a 2.8 without changing the cam. A Fiero 2.8 *new* dynos around 115 rwhp. Forum member 1fst2m6 has dyno'd his 2.8 with 154 rwhp with some mods. Do a search in the archives for a list...
With a cam and intake change, member La Fiera (might have spelled that wrong) and CNC ported heads, he achieved a nice 172 rwhp...but his mods are probably not in your budget.
NW No but I have a friend at a machine shop does good work and cheap we just supply parts. My one buddy has been using him for pontiac motors for yrs and has only had one block come back needing to be twiked. He does about 5 motors a yr for my buddy.
With 2-3K you can upgrade the block, 3.4pr min. pistons, rings, cam, bearings, injectors, mounts ...all with no mods to the engine but the starter relocation. Or go to the 3.8 - 4+
As for the jack stands. Once the engine is out and off the cradle. put the cradle back in with tires on. 1 days work.
------------------ Mark ' 85 2m6 3.4PR In the Great Northwest!
[This message has been edited by NW-Fiero (edited 07-30-2014).]
I can promise you one thing. The 3.1 and 3.4 aren't going to help you out with gas mileage. You can get more out of a 2.8, but by the time you spend the money you can have a 3.4 swapped in. But if you want absolutely amazing power and improved gas mileage go with the 3.8SC. California smog regulations are absolutely ridiculous, but I've seen plenty of people claim that they can make a 3.8 pass the smog.
Fuel economy is not going to be significatlly different between the 3 engines. They're all going to get roughly the same MPG in a Fiero, as the original 2.8 would have been getting; maybe even better if the 2.8 was on the way out, and the 3.1 or 3.4 are newly rebuilt. The 3800 gets better mileage than all of them. Heck, the LS3/F40 swap gets the same MPG as the 2.8, and it's 6.2 liters.
The 3800 is easy to pass smog, as long as you leave it connected to the auto trans. And if I understand correctly, getting a 3800 with manual trans to pass the check in California is just a matter of time and money, to deal with all the bureaucracy of getting CARB to acknowledge it properly.
just my taste I would prefer to keep it as original looking as possible. The 2.8 is working fine but I have a nasty leak in my front main seal and there is no point for me to tear into that without doing a complete refresh.
I am looking to give my 86 2.8 4 speed SE a refresh and a little more pep. What I am wondering is I have heard that the older 3.1 with cast Iron head, will fit right in and use the fiero intake is this true?. I live in Cali so I want to make it looking as stock as possible for smog. Should I do a motor swap or just rebuild my 2.8? I heard with the right build you can get quite a bit more power out of the 2.8. I also do not like this only 4 close rage gears and I want to improve fuel mileage if I can. Should I go through the hassle of a 6 speed setup or should I just swap in a 5 speed? What are your thoughts and opinions? I have seen the threads about the 3.9 but that is way more work then I would like to put in to it at this time as I have no where to really do a full out mod. Maybe down the road."
Based on your current comments:
just my taste I would prefer to keep it as original looking as possible. The 2.8 is working fine.."
Pull engine, repair leak, replace water pump, upgrade alternator, pull exhaust manifolds, clean out excess flashing, same to y-pipe connection, put in 5 speed, replace trans cables. call it good.
Very very tempting I don't think that will fly at the smog station though
It will be fine as long as it's 50 state or CARB listed. But if it's a Canadian destination product, it might not even be legal for road use in the rest of the US, as Canada's laws are also different from US Federal regulations.
Im in the same boat and I think I've got it figured out, as far as what I want to do.
First off, if I had 5 grand to spend I'd have a 3800SC swapped. But since you like the stock look I would find a nice 3.4PR (93'-95' camero/firebird) engine and rebuild it. Port it,polish it, upgrade the cam, bigger piston's, basically the whole 9 yards. You'll be VERY impressed by the HP output and you'll have about an extra $3500 to spend on a pain job, suspension and other goodies.
I love the stock look but, I swear someone was selling after market plenums that looks like the fiero's but was bigger, and allowed better air flow. Anyone able to point me in the right direction? I think they shipped it as a chrome finish but im not positive. I thought it was TLG or the fiero store but couldn't find it.
None the less, a 3.4 is a great upgrade and is fun to have people go "Woah that's stock" as they see you fly by at 200mph
Given that you have an early build 2.8, it would probably be wise to get a 3.4 block since they are considerably more durable. Someone else can elaborate better than I can but the early 2.8s have bad bearing lubrication. The 3.4 will look completely stock and will be a complete bolt-in affair, other than the starter which requires a drill jig (supplied by Rodney).
I don't know what your level of proficiency is, but in my opinion, a 3.4 swap would be considerably easier than a 3800SC. For someone with parts fab and wiring experience, making new mounts, wiring in a 7730 or OBD2 computer, and figuring out the air conditioning and coolant plumbing is not a big deal. These issues can be a big deal for someone who just has "normal" mechanic experience.
My LX9 3500 swap was my first engine swap. This is considered by many as relatively easy, some even said a "weekend swap". It took me 6 months to get it running and i'm still tuning the new computer. YMMV.