2.8 to a 3.6 LF3 swap (Page 1/3)
EdgarAcosta SEP 07, 08:35 PM
Thank you to all those keeping the Fiero Legend alive and well:
In my opinion I think the Fiero was ahead of it time, and if GM had as much faith in the car it would today be one of those pocket rocket that it was meant to be.
I wish to thank those on Pennock’s Fiero Forum, most notably Bloozeberry and FieroGuru I have spend most of my reading those builds, I have great respect for someone who takes something good and make it something great.
I have a 1988 Fiero GT that I am the 3rd owner the other two owners took really good care of the car and I have been in touch with the first owner sorta letting know who has the car and that is being taken care of.
I have been thinking of doing a engine swap and my engine of choice is the new 2014 LF3 option 3.6liter V-6 rated @ 420 ponies oh yeah did I mention a compact twin turbo to boot for the Caddy or Chevy. From what I have research so far the only difference between the two is the harness and module. Price for both are the about the same since I will not be turning in a core. (that hurts). I am picking this set for a few reasons. I am sure I could go V-8 and from what I have seen, really tight in there. I also like the fact that GM built it into a nice tight package. I’m looking to update the engine/ drive train and update the interior to a more modern look, sorta of thinking what the car would look like if it were in production today.
My questions are these since I know the engine would fit inside the space.
1) Should I keep the 5 speed that’s in the car now, other than having it rebuild
2) Will the engine mate up with the 5 speed big question
3) If I go with a more up to date transmission which is the best choice ( I really want to install it and forget it other than normal PM)
All I really want to do is sorta drop it in and go but we all know that never really stop there
Thanks Again
Thank you to all those keeping the Fiero Legend alive and well:
In my opinion I think the Fiero was ahead of it time, and if GM had as much faith in the car it would today be one of those pocket rocket that it was meant to be.
I wish to thank those on Pennock’s Fiero Forum, most notably Bloozeberry and FieroGuru I have spend most of my reading those builds, I have great respect for someone who takes something good and make it something great.
I have a 1988 Fiero GT that I am the 3rd owner the other two owners took really good care of the car and I have been in touch with the first owner sorta letting know who has the car and that is being taken care of.
I have been thinking of doing a engine swap and my engine of choice is the new 2014 LF3 option 3.6liter V-6 rated @ 420 ponies oh yeah did I mention a compact twin turbo to boot for the Caddy or Chevy. From what I have research so far the only difference between the two is the harness and module. Price for both are the about the same since I will not be turning in a core. (that hurts). I am picking this set for a few reasons. I am sure I could go V-8 and from what I have seen, really tight in there. I also like the fact that GM built it into a nice tight package. I’m looking to update the engine/ drive train and update the interior to a more modern look, sorta of thinking what the car would look like if it were in production today.
My questions are these since I know the engine would fit inside the space.
1) Should I keep the 5 speed that’s in the car now, other than having it rebuild
2) Will the engine mate up with the 5 speed big question
3) If I go with a more up to date transmission which is the best choice ( I really want to install it and forget it other than normal PM)
All I really want to do is sorta drop it in and go but we all know that never really stop there
Thanks Again
ericjon262 SEP 07, 09:29 PM

quote
Originally posted by EdgarAcosta:
1) Should I keep the 5 speed that’s in the car now, other than having it rebuild
2) Will the engine mate up with the 5 speed big question
3) If I go with a more up to date transmission which is the best choice ( I really want to install it and forget it other than normal PM)
All I really want to do is sorta drop it in and go but we all know that never really stop there




1)doesn't bolt up therefore needs and adapter plate or another transmission.
2) see above
3) there is a Saab F40 that bolts to it. (2007 Saab 9-3 Aero 2.8 turbo)

[This message has been edited by ericjon262 (edited 09-07-2014).]

fieroguru SEP 08, 08:18 AM
Glad to hear that you found some of my threads helpful.

The 3.6L LNF swap is going to be a significant challenge largely because it is very, very new and no one has done one before to identify what issues can be worked around and what ones can't.

The bellhousing pattern is the High Feature V6, so none of the stock Fiero transmission will attach to it. It would be best keeping the stock transmission that goes with the newer engine as the TCM will likely have to be retained anyway (VSS goes to it, then likely goes to the ECM via the CAN/BUS wires).

Tuning support for a 1 year old application that isn't a V8 Corvette or a Camaro is going to be limited at best. You need to know if you can turn off the PassKey security, traction control, and lots of other DTCs that you will likely see with a swapped setup.

The newer ECMs/TCMs/BCM's are becoming more linked and you very well might have to install the BCM as well to keep everything working (brake switch input is a big one).

Before I would start a swap using this engine, I would contact HP Tuners, EFI Live, and Tuner CAT to see what they have in development for tuning. Without good tuning support, the swap becomes increasing difficult and may not perform like you want it to. To get a level of understanding on what it takes to do a swap w/o any tuning support, check out Rickady88GT's build thread where he did his LS4 swap and swapped over most of the electrical components from a donor car.
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum3/HTML/000114.html

ericjon262 SEP 08, 08:51 AM
bmwguru's car is receiving a HF engine, but not SIDI.

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/091238.html

[This message has been edited by ericjon262 (edited 09-08-2014).]

dobey SEP 08, 09:58 AM
I would be very concerned about fitment in the Fiero engine bay, for that engine. Starting with the version for the XTS would be a better bet, but I'm still not sure it would fit in the Fiero. There's virtually no room to move accessories around, and the turbos and cats are mounted as close to the heads as possible.

The CTS is FR layout, so the exhuast and accessories on that version will interfere with the axles on the Fiero. The XTS is a transverse FWD version, so it might fit better, but I would still be concerned. The intake crossover tubes are pretty big, and the exhaust crossover goes under the engine, so there is still plenty of opportunity for interference problems.
Imnuts JAN 20, 10:06 AM
Has anyone attempted this swap yet?
Francis T JAN 23, 12:38 PM
I suspect your experience and likely your access to tools and whatnot is somewhat limited, that said, I think you should go with a more common swap. Many have started and failed to complete even often-done swaps such as an SBC or 3.8 much less a odd one. Apply the KISS rule.
Good luck.
Patrick JAN 23, 01:49 PM

quote
Originally posted by Francis T:

Many have started and failed to complete...



I'm afraid that probably applies to the OP who started this thread almost 2 1/2 years ago.... and who hasn't been seen around here since.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 01-23-2017).]

cs xtreme AUG 05, 09:24 AM
Hey guys, I ordered an lf3 last week from an XTS. I was originally going to go lhu ecotec but found a smoking deal on this bad boy. It will be fun but I'll get it to fit. According to gm the lf3 was designed to drop in place (size wise) of any high feature v6.

[This message has been edited by cs xtreme (edited 08-05-2017).]

Gall757 AUG 05, 12:40 PM

quote
Originally posted by cs xtreme:

Hey guys, I ordered an lf3 last week from an XTS. I was originally going to go lhu ecotec but found a smoking deal on this bad boy. It will be fun but I'll get it to fit. According to gm the lf3 was designed to drop in place (size wise) of any high feature v6.




Good Luck to You! How are you at writing code?