Ecotec swap. What motor? (Page 1/1)
Kameirocco DEC 02, 12:59 AM
Been trying to google… but it’s not going well.
I’m pipe dreaming an engine swap and looking at the usual 3800 swap. But I want something a bit more modern.
The eco tec seems to be more popular and I started doing some research, but not finding out good full donor cars or even know what to look for.
It looks like the 2003 and up has a 150hp and a stick shirt, and guessing with mega squirt and thelin mounts, that should slap right in.
But I’ve also seen hhr mentioned, but does the hhr ecotec and manual swap in?
Trying to get into the gather phase at the moment 👍
82-T/A [At Work] DEC 02, 08:03 AM

quote
Originally posted by Kameirocco:

Been trying to google… but it’s not going well.
I’m pipe dreaming an engine swap and looking at the usual 3800 swap. But I want something a bit more modern.
The eco tec seems to be more popular and I started doing some research, but not finding out good full donor cars or even know what to look for.
It looks like the 2003 and up has a 150hp and a stick shirt, and guessing with mega squirt and thelin mounts, that should slap right in.
But I’ve also seen hhr mentioned, but does the hhr ecotec and manual swap in?
Trying to get into the gather phase at the moment 👍




My Solstice had a 2.4 VVT EcoTec, and with basic modifications (shorty header, high-flow cat, and cold air intake), I was well into the 14s with a 2,900 pound car... which includes the weight of the engine (which is about 100 pounds lighter).

That version put out: 173 hp @ 5800 rpm and 164 lb⋅ft @ 4500 rpm.


So, with similar modifications, cold air intake (which the Fiero pretty much already has), and a higher-flowing exhaust system... at 2,700 pounds (includes the reduced weight of the motor), you'd easily be mid-14s with the VVT motor, and get pretty decent fuel economy.

You can also get the turbo charged one... and well, that's like 100 more horsepower.
Dennis LaGrua DEC 02, 08:41 AM
I've always viewed the Ecotec swap as a good choice but one of the more difficult swaps, The engine has a different bell housing pattern so the entire powertrain must be mounted not just the engine. On the earlier engines several sources made plug and play harnesses but dont know about now. There are many videos on You Tube of Ecotec swaps and you can check them out.

Fiero Ecotec Swap

------------------
" 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 "

82-T/A [At Work] DEC 02, 09:03 AM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

I've always viewed the Ecotec swap as a good choice but one of the more difficult swaps, The engine has a different bell housing pattern so the entire powertrain must be mounted not just the engine. On the earlier engines several sources made plug and play harnesses but dont know about now. There are many videos on You Tube of Ecotec swaps and you can check them out.

Fiero Ecotec Swap





Does the EcoTec use the Quad-4 style bell-housing?
cam-a-lot DEC 03, 05:59 AM
I agree that the ecotec swap is as good or better than the 3800 swap. Much lighter, lots of aftermarket support, and paired with the 5 speed trans that came with the motor, you have less complications. The turbo and the supercharged ecotec motors are a blast, rev high, sound good, and can provide more than enough power for a Fiero

I enjoy my 3800SC Fiero, but if I was to start with a stock fiero again, I would definitely go with a boosted Ecotec.
BruhMans06 DEC 03, 03:10 PM
pretty much any engine swap will be better then a 3800. I've noticed as people explore different swaps, the 3800 is kind of being left in the dust. Any Modern (like 2000s) 4 banger will be able to outperform a 3800. the Eco Techs would be really cool. The nice thing about swapping to a modern engine is you can lose almost 150lbs in the rear with the swap. With my K swap, I'm losing a little more then 100 lbs because of the aluminum build. I've yet to see a Toyota 2ZZ swap, which is an engine I was going to choose over the K series but they are pretty expensive. The nice thing about the K series is they are pretty cheap and the after market support is HUGE.

look at a few different engines because there are a lot of different engines that would make this car an absolute demon on the street.
Dennis LaGrua DEC 03, 08:18 PM

quote
Originally posted by BruhMans06:

pretty much any engine swap will be better then a 3800. I've noticed as people explore different swaps, the 3800 is kind of being left in the dust. Any Modern (like 2000s) 4 banger will be able to outperform a 3800. the Eco Techs would be really cool. The nice thing about swapping to a modern engine is you can lose almost 150lbs in the rear with the swap. With my K swap, I'm losing a little more then 100 lbs because of the aluminum build. I've yet to see a Toyota 2ZZ swap, which is an engine I was going to choose over the K series but they are pretty expensive. The nice thing about the K series is they are pretty cheap and the after market support is HUGE.

look at a few different engines because there are a lot of different engines that would make this car an absolute demon on the street.


The 3800SC engine is no doubt an older engine but like the legendary SBC its still capable of making good power. When turboed will put done some really low 1/4 mile numbers. Darkhorizon ran a 9.87 @142 mph 1/4 mile and Zoomer from ZZ ran in the 8's with this engine in a Grand Prix. These were special builds but we don't see anyone doing better with a more modern engine
If you haven't see it check this out:
9 sec 1/4 mile Fiero
Now if Ecotec is the choice they were made from 1999 to 2012 in quite a few displacements and power ratings. Used in Opels, Saturn Sky, Chevy Cobalt, Pontiac Solstice, Buick Regals and Saab automobiles. Power ranges for 159-279 HP .

------------------
" 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 "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 12-03-2024).]