2.8 to a 3.6 LF3 swap (Page 2/3)
cs xtreme AUG 05, 05:18 PM
I'll be using hp tuners. But I may end up with the bcm or more from the donor car
Gall757 AUG 06, 10:08 AM
Joseph Upson AUG 07, 05:24 PM

quote
Originally posted by cs xtreme:

I'll be using hp tuners. But I may end up with the bcm or more from the donor car



HP Tuners has its limitations, for example, it can not access all of the modules referenced in the code. I sold my Fiero and replaced it with an 08 Cadillac CTS SIDI. Love the car but it's complicated. HP offers some support for it but when you get into transplanting from these newer platforms you better have exactly what you need, or the vehicle everything is being transplanted from. Everything has to be just right or the computer will send the car deep into limp mode. My sunroof drain clogged and spilled a little water on a harness plug and the car would barely move although the engine sounded fine.

If you have little to no experience performing such swaps, this one is going to take a lot of time, and a lot of money. It wouldn't be a bad idea to try and acquire the GM Tech manuals for the application, as GM has changed so many things on this engine since its conception that they have limited interchangeability within the same engine displacement and vehicle, as a result, the older the used motor, the more expensive because although the 3.6L seems ubiquitous, interchange is extremely limited. The days of plug and play between cars is over.

Cadillac wants $200 dollars to program the backup PCM I have in case I have a problem with the one in the car. Computers are being used to take even the skilled mechanic back to the dealership by requiring updates and VIN matching for some new parts.

Now would be a good time to take a long hard look at what your intentions are and tally up the real cost of the swap. Whether you acquire the equipment to manage the computers, or pay someone else to do it, it's going to cost you dearly.

Good luck.
BillS AUG 08, 10:50 AM
Very ambitious and interesting swap!

I suspect that you would want to buy a wrecked Caddy and scavenge all the stuff you need rather than go broke buying new at the dealership - as suggested, you will probably need to port all the computers from the Caddy into the Fiero.

As for tuning, these guys do it: https://www.trifectaperform...port-36l-twin-turbo/

They are looking at 81 Tq and 74 bhp improvement.

I used their services when I built a 375 bhp 2.0 turbo Solstice (lots more power available but I am no longer a boy racer).
cs xtreme AUG 09, 12:31 AM
Worst comes to worst I'll go stand alone like the new megasquirt. The donor engine is complete with all sensors, harness and pcm. I've already talked to a few companies that can set it up. Just not sure if they will use the stock computer or something like an e67 pcm. I'm no stranger to tuning, wiring or gm. I worked gm parts for about 5 years and still have connections. I've done fabrication with electrical before. Getting other modules from the doner car should not be an issue. Honestly if I ended up with the fobs and push button start I wouldn't be too upset. I suspect this engine will be popular for swaps in the future so more support for doing something like this will come..
Joseph Upson AUG 09, 09:22 AM

quote
Originally posted by cs xtreme:

Worst comes to worst I'll go stand alone like the new megasquirt. The donor engine is complete with all sensors, harness and pcm. I've already talked to a few companies that can set it up. Just not sure if they will use the stock computer or something like an e67 pcm. I'm no stranger to tuning, wiring or gm. I worked gm parts for about 5 years and still have connections. I've done fabrication with electrical before. Getting other modules from the doner car should not be an issue. Honestly if I ended up with the fobs and push button start I wouldn't be too upset. I suspect this engine will be popular for swaps in the future so more support for doing something like this will come..



Good on the experience and GM connections, as far as popularity goes, hot rodding and engine swaps have reached their peak as the industry is increasingly limited by EPA, emissions and technology becoming increasingly more complicated and expensive along with the "Blind eye" being turned further and further in the direction of electric cars. Except for the uniqueness of the swap, you can pretty much buy the turn key production power that you are pursuing for the price that this swap will run as the number of practical transplant vehicles old enough to fly under the above restrictions continues to diminish. We are now buying cheaply, production cars with the stock level performance that we were building them up for 20 yrs ago.
cs xtreme AUG 09, 09:29 AM
Unless you are talking carburated I can always build for less than I can buy... the complete engine with ecm and harness cost me 1700 shipped. The goal is to have the whole car done (less paint) for 10k or less. So far I don't see a problem hitting that goal.
Joseph Upson AUG 09, 12:11 PM

quote
Originally posted by cs xtreme:

Unless you are talking carburated I can always build for less than I can buy... the complete engine with ecm and harness cost me 1700 shipped. The goal is to have the whole car done (less paint) for 10k or less. So far I don't see a problem hitting that goal.



That's a steal for that platform and I get the enthusiasm as I've been there with the Fiero. I'm just referencing that their are various Vettes, Camaros, Firebirds and Ford products available used under $10k that are right at that power goal, or close enough. That's a darn good deal on that engine assembly though. I can barely find a stock used 3.6L for my CTS close enough to drive and pick up for less than $2k.

Get the pictures coming, I'd like to see closeups of the motor.
cs xtreme AUG 09, 02:21 PM

[This message has been edited by cs xtreme (edited 08-09-2017).]

cs xtreme AUG 09, 02:28 PM