Where to get a new(used) engine in 2021 (Page 2/4)
Mike in Sydney APR 08, 10:20 PM

quote
Originally posted by cvxjet:

Mots Fiero V6s tested went 0-60 in 7.5-8.5 seconds......With the 3.4 F-body swap my car is getting to 60 in 6.5 seconds and thru the 1/4 in 14.8.......I will admit that if you are at 70 mph on the freeway and want to do 120 this swap won't blow your mind, but at lower speeds it is a real eye-opener....Several friends and a few acquaintances have ridden in my Fiero and reacted with shock after I have taken off from a stop.



I suspect that you could get a bit more ponies out of the 3.4L F-body swap if you changed out the cam and ported the intake and exhaust. How many would you get? 10 - 20, maybe. That may get you into a higher top-end but at what cost? (I would only do this if I was rebuilding a 3.4 that I got from an auto salvage yard. I'd want to rebuild it because it would be at least 27 years old and likely be high mileage.)

A friend once told me about the iron triangle of engine building and rebuilding: Reasonable Cost, Performance, Reliability. Pick any two and the 3rd is going to be at risk.
statue4 APR 26, 09:34 PM
As I think about it, I'm leaning more towards a 3800SC swap. Where should I be looking to source it?

I have access to a free 5.3 out of a Sierra, but it would end up costing more and being much harder.
Mike in Sydney APR 27, 12:20 AM
Look for a 1996-2003 Pontiac GTP/GXP. You can look at Row52.com to search for a car

The L32 3800 is not supercharged but the L67 3800 is. Buy the whole front end. You'll need the engine & may need the axles if you're going to go with the automatic tranny. Upgrade to the 4T65E or 4T65E-HD transmission depending on which engine you choose. Then, you have to have an engine harness modified and a few other bits (engine mounts, exhaust, ECU programming to name a few). Expect the engine to have 100,000 miles or more because it will likely be at least 18 years old so that may drive new injectors, etc.

Expect to invest $4,000 to $6,000 not counting the cost of the used engine and tranny. If you opt to rebuild those before you install them, add $4,000 to $5,000. Done right, the conversion is a real screamer but remember the iron triangle.: Cost, Performance, Reliability. Pick any two.

For more info, look here. I'm not endorsing anyone or anything but there's some information that may be helpful.

[This message has been edited by Mike in Sydney (edited 04-27-2021).]

Will APR 27, 07:56 AM
www.car-parts.com for major assemblies like engines, transmissions and entire powertrains

eBay also has a robust salvage market

www.copart.com for salvage/branded title vehicle auctions. There are other online vehicle auctions, but I think this one is probably the biggest.
FierOmar APR 27, 11:17 AM

quote
Originally posted by Will:

www.car-parts.com for major assemblies like engines, transmissions and entire powertrains

eBay also has a robust salvage market

www.copart.com for salvage/branded title vehicle auctions. There are other online vehicle auctions, but I think this one is probably the biggest.



Here in California, you can’t just bid on a wrecked car at Copart... you need to go through a broker.

I do have a few questions for you. What year Fiero? Which transmision? What is your objective?

Don’t forget that here in California, any swap needs to be cleared by the good ol’ smog referee. So, unless your donor engine came with a manual trans, you are pretty much limited to an automatic.

Personally, at this point, I would consider an Ecotec swap. Lighter weight will sometimes compensate for little less power and may result in a better balanced car..

Here are some videos that may interest you

Boosted Ecotec:

https://youtu.be/SRyQjsvJ7Xk

3400 TDC — First video is Steven Snyder driving it at Buttonwillow:

https://youtu.be/rqf3OraBgRM

And this one is Matt Farah with Steven giving his opinion.

https://youtu.be/KVBLU1fhqnY


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FierOmar

mmeyer86gt/gtp APR 27, 11:59 AM
steer clear of the 3400 no aftermarket help and not many people who have done the swap to help. 3800 is plentiful but again that market is getting close to the 3800 they stopped making those engine about 12 years ago now. And 3800 requires special procedures when and if you go in and refresh the bearings and internal components. The ecotech is interesting as there is a lot of aftermarket but dont know what would be needed to pass in california at the ref. I have a 3800 took me 1.5 years of weekends building the engine. that is making everything not buying and i only have an automatic engine. my 2cents not worth much really. if in cali go 3.4 from the camaro you will look stock and actually have a higher resale value over he next couple of years as more owners want a 'stock" engine more than a basket case replacement engine the previous owner cut corners on.
statue4 APR 27, 12:08 PM

quote
Originally posted by FierOmar:


Here in California, you can’t just bid on a wrecked car at Copart... you need to go through a broker.

I do have a few questions for you. What year Fiero? Which transmision? What is your objective?

Don’t forget that here in California, any swap needs to be cleared by the good ol’ smog referee. So, unless your donor engine came with a manual trans, you are pretty much limited to an automatic.

Personally, at this point, I would consider an Ecotec swap. Lighter weight will sometimes compensate for little less power and may result in a better balanced car..

Here are some videos that may interest you

Boosted Ecotec:

https://youtu.be/SRyQjsvJ7Xk

3400 TDC — First video is Steven Snyder driving it at Buttonwillow:

https://youtu.be/rqf3OraBgRM

And this one is Matt Farah with Steven giving his opinion.

https://youtu.be/KVBLU1fhqnY




I hadn't even considered Ecotec. I'll look into it. I mostly liked 3800 because of the balance between easy install and easy power. I have had an affinity for the 90degree Buick V6s since my first car project; a 1970 Jeepster Commando with the 225 V6 (manufactured by Jeep using Buick tooling, essentially the same engine).
The car is an '88 with a 5 speed getrag. I will not be living in California by the time my registration is due, so I luckily do not have to worry about pleasing them.
FierOmar APR 27, 12:33 PM

quote
Originally posted by statue4:


I hadn't even considered Ecotec. I'll look into it. I mostly liked 3800 because of the balance between easy install and easy power. I have had an affinity for the 90degree Buick V6s since my first car project; a 1970 Jeepster Commando with the 225 V6 (manufactured by Jeep using Buick tooling, essentially the same engine).
The car is an '88 with a 5 speed getrag. I will not be living in California by the time my registration is due, so I luckily do not have to worry about pleasing them.



Be sure to check the state in which you will be living. Some have adopted emission retrictions similar to California. Otherwise, you should have come to our “last annual parts, projects, meet & swap meet” last Sunday. You would have seen several swap options in place.

Send me an emal, and I can provide more information.

------------------
FierOmar

statue4 APR 29, 10:44 AM

quote
Originally posted by FierOmar:


Be sure to check the state in which you will be living. Some have adopted emission retrictions similar to California. Otherwise, you should have come to our “last annual parts, projects, meet & swap meet” last Sunday. You would have seen several swap options in place.

Send me an emal, and I can provide more information.





Dang that sounds like it would have been cool! Where can I stay updated about events like that?
Will APR 29, 12:28 PM

quote
Originally posted by mmeyer86gt/gtp:

steer clear of the 3400 no aftermarket help and not many people who have done the swap to help.



While there hasn't been as much development done with the V6/60 as there has been on the 3800, there ARE aftermarket parts available. Check out www.60degreev6.com and the 60 degree V6 Facebook group and www.wot-tech.com