Engine choice. Help (Page 2/3)
82-T/A [At Work] MAY 10, 02:02 PM

quote
Originally posted by jjd2296:

I wouldn't touch the 2.8 block with a ten foot pole. its cooling and oiling ports are subpar. just get a 3.4 block, less time money and hassle.





Can you expand on this? I'm not questioning you, but I would like to be educated. Are there certain improvements that can be made to the 2.8 block to improve some of the oiling? Like, is it simply just champhering a hole or a different oil pump or something of that nature? I'd never heard this, but interested in specifics if you can share them.

Thanks!


EDIT: I hate you... have I mentioned that yet? Hahah... (joking). I just bought a long-block with 4-year warranty from AutoZone from a 1993 Pontiac Firebird. I figured, what the hell. It was $2,400 delivered with taxes and all that stuff. I figured I'll use that as my basis for building up my own Fiero engine. I've got a 3.2 liter V6/60 that I built using an ARI Racing kit many years ago, and the engine just never ran right. It has a shitty cam in it, and I figure I'll just keep the engine and make it a nice coffee table in the garage. Yes, I'm a bit impulsive, but it doesn't come until August, so I'll just pay it immediately, and can just pretend I completely forgot about it when it shows up.

[This message has been edited by 82-T/A [At Work] (edited 05-10-2023).]

shemdogg MAY 10, 05:42 PM
3800 NA and blown are good reliable well documented engines, and can be modded to make lotsa power. Not bad looking motors either

shem
jjd2296 MAY 10, 07:43 PM
based on the fact you bought a 3.4 block I assume you figured out why its better then the 2.8! lol


quote
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:
Can you expand on this? I'm not questioning you, but I would like to be educated. Are there certain improvements that can be made to the 2.8 block to improve some of the oiling? Like, is it simply just champhering a hole or a different oil pump or something of that nature? I'd never heard this, but interested in specifics if you can share them.

Thanks!


EDIT: I hate you... have I mentioned that yet? Hahah... (joking). I just bought a long-block with 4-year warranty from AutoZone from a 1993 Pontiac Firebird. I figured, what the hell. It was $2,400 delivered with taxes and all that stuff. I figured I'll use that as my basis for building up my own Fiero engine. I've got a 3.2 liter V6/60 that I built using an ARI Racing kit many years ago, and the engine just never ran right. It has a shitty cam in it, and I figure I'll just keep the engine and make it a nice coffee table in the garage. Yes, I'm a bit impulsive, but it doesn't come until August, so I'll just pay it immediately, and can just pretend I completely forgot about it when it shows up.
82-T/A [At Work] MAY 10, 08:07 PM

quote
Originally posted by jjd2296:

based on the fact you bought a 3.4 block I assume you figured out why its better then the 2.8! lol





Hahah, not totally. I just knew that I had a "sus" 3.2 V6/60... that didn't rev very high, I'd wiped a cam lobe on it, and even though I'd literally rebuilt it 4,000 miles ago, it wasn't done that great. The specific question I remember that I failed on was... "Do you want the rotating assembly balanced? Or was that already done..." as I handed them a set of new rods and pistons brand new in the box. And I said... "Nah, I'm sure it's good." So... there was that. The engine fell-flat on it's face at something like 5,200 rpms if I remember correctly. It just sucked... but there were other issues that needed sorting too. So when I considered my options, I just said to myself... I'm just going to get a 3.4. I don't care if it's not numbers matching. I'll keep the engine and maybe one day I'll put it back in.

But that brings me back to the question, do you know specifically what was different in terms of things like oiling and such? Maybe 10 years down the line, I may rebuild it.


Thanks!
jjd2296 MAY 11, 06:48 AM
The block ports for cooling and oiling are different and improved. this engine was the last gen for the PR 60 degree iron heads. the 3.4 also uses a high flow oil pump which isnt in the 2.8 but can be installed in the 2.8 if one wishes. and bigger displacement obviously!
82-T/A [At Work] MAY 11, 08:21 AM

quote
Originally posted by jjd2296:

The block ports for cooling and oiling are different and improved. this engine was the last gen for the PR 60 degree iron heads. the 3.4 also uses a high flow oil pump which isnt in the 2.8 but can be installed in the 2.8 if one wishes. and bigger displacement obviously!



Oh no **** ... I didn't realize that. Is the high-flow oil-pump that the Fiero Store sells the one that's stock in the 3.4? That makes perfect sense. Would probably help with a valve train that's slightly worn and eliminate potential clattering, even with a leaky main bearing to some degree.

Thanks!
sleek fiero MAY 11, 08:18 PM
82-T/A Yes put a high volume Mellings pump in your new 3.4. no it won't cure worn bearings or camshaft. Also don't use a counterweighted flywheel or balancer from 2.8 on your 3.2 or 3.4. sorry I know I am off topic.
James G MAY 11, 10:00 PM
Hi everyone.
First off thanks for all your input.
Yes I'm a retired auto tech. I've had Fieros since 1991.
Having a shop for 40 years plus with access to good equipment helps a lot.
I even had a Clayton Chassis Dyno which helped me with my builds and development work on the PR 3.4L that I used to run.
This forum is in my opinion the best place when you need help to get different perspectives on what people have done and what they recommend.
I value everyone's opinion.
I'm leaning towards doing the LS4 with F40 transmission. It will cost me more for sure
The Formula I bought all happened so fast. This has been a long journey in finding one that's in my price range and only had to travel about 700 miles to pick it up.
As soon I figure out how to load pictures, ill share them with you. Try for sometime next week.
Have a great weekend everyone and have a great evening
Patrick MAY 12, 02:48 AM

quote
Originally posted by James G:

As soon I figure out how to load pictures, ill share them with you.



You're in luck. I explained how just recently.


quote
Originally posted by Patrick Here:

Use the new uploading link that Cliff Pennock has implemented. Couldn't be easier to post an image. Just make sure you're logged in before trying to post (...and if the image file size is greater than 2MB, a clickable hyperlink icon will appear in place of the image).





quote
Originally posted by Patrick Here:

In regards to posting multiple images, there's one "trick" to ensure each one displays properly. All it takes... is to hit Enter twice on the keyboard (or phone) before and/or after each upload. If all the images are uploaded without doing this, the image URLs of one or more of the images become corrupted, and then those images don't appear.


[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05-12-2023).]

fieroguru MAY 12, 06:50 AM
My vote would be LS4/F40, but I am a little biased.