I have auto, but that means I can use stock exhaust, rigth? What else is different.
I have a lot of questions about the turbo kit. Googling around can't find good link with all the details. Got a suggestion?
There are quite a lot of differences between the manual and auto Miller Woods/Design One kit. The crossover pipe and turbo mount location being one of them. I've got the Design One setup on an a GT automatic.
I've been meaning to scan the install manual into a PDF and post it for posterity, have to find it buried in the garage somewhere first though.
I was researching engine swaps long before I even bought my Fiero last month. There are a lot of little things to do to the body and suspension before I consider an engine swap, but i planned on getting it done in a year. So this turbo kit would have to be very cheap and simple for me to even consider it. It might postpone the engine swap, but I don't see getting the same power increase and long-term dependability from this turbo as I would from a new engine.
Plus "turbo" usually doe not go well with "35 year-old engine".
Plus "turbo" usually doe not go well with "35 year-old engine".
I would not advise putting boost in a stock 35 yr old engine. The cast pistons in the 2.8L even when new were never ideally suited for turbo applications and now have had missions of cycles on them. I would put this kit on a fresh rebuilt engine with forged pistons and a turbo cam profile. I would guess 190-200 horsepower would be possible.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, 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 "
I would not advise putting boost in a stock 35 yr old engine. The cast pistons in the 2.8L even when new were never ideally suited for turbo applications and now have had missions of cycles on them. I would put this kit on a fresh rebuilt engine with forged pistons and a turbo cam profile. I would guess 190-200 horsepower would be possible.
The only way it makes sense is if I just write off my current engine because I know I will be replacing it anyway. I could run the turbo until I blow the engine then re-sale the kit here. I just need to get it cheap enough so that I could get my money back.
Does it have an intercooler? I see a silver square thing, but that might be the ecm. No intercooler really limits what you can do with boost.
Do I need a new fuel pump or bigger injectors?
[This message has been edited by fredtoast (edited 06-26-2023).]
No intercooler w this one, could pipe one in. There was an intercooler option, not a whole lotta info on these tho. Does come with a fuel block w big injectors, forgot it in the pic.
IRM put these turbos on Fieros back in the day with no issues! They run like a scaled dog, Dont be afraid to go ahead and install one! Regardless of what some people might say.
IRM put these turbos on Fieros back in the day with no issues! They run like a scaled dog, Dont be afraid to go ahead and install one! Regardless of what some people might say.
There is a lot to doing it right. You need to add more fuel and pull back some timing. Luckily the stock compression ratio was really low (8.5:1). That makes it easier, but engine management is still an issue. With no intercooler I doubt they made much boost.
The kit came in two forms, the base kit was the "Stage 1" and the optional "Stage 2" upgrade included a '85 ECM with a custom programmed PROM that could take advantage of the included knock sensor and wiring in the Stage 2 add-on. This looks like the full Stage 2 setup for a manual 2.8 Fiero.
It was recommended to limit the boost to ~5 psi with the Stage 1 kit and ~8 psi with the Stage 2. You could of course potentially go higher with modified 2.8 internals, but there is a limit to what the relatively small turbo (IHI if I remember right) can do.
