Hello all
All the kits that I see for the V8 conversion use the stock fiero trans. Has anyone done a conversion with the donor trans? Also has anyone done or heard of anyone doing a V8 conversion without a KIT?

With the price of the Kit so high compared to the engine and labor I like to know if there is another way.... there is always another way......right??

I do have an automatic trany and like to keep it auto but I like to adapt or use the trany from the V8 if possible.
Reason for automatic is my bad knees

[This message has been edited by jlruiz67 (edited 06-13-2000).]

Well almost all v8's cpme in rear wheel drive aplication with something like the turbo 350 or 400 or 700R-4 which is a north/south tranny. For it to work in the fiero it has to be a transverse transmission. I have seen in kit car where they have used v8's with I am pretty sure the 4t60e (the same tranny I have). Anyways they adapted the transmissions from the cadilac transverse v8. I think most of this was done by gary zumalt. But if you are going to swap to a different tranny I would try to adapt a transverse tranny from a gm V8

Dan's basically right. The Fiero essentially uses a front wheel drive transaxle mounted in the rear. The only GM V8 engines that I know about that use a transaxle is many of the Caddy engines and early 80's Rivieras and Toronados. The Caddies are transverse mounted and there are kits available for the Northstar. I believe there is a non-Northstar Caddy engine (4.9?) that will bolt up to the Fiero tranny. A few Fieros have been converted to a longitudinal engine (like used in the Riviera & Toronado), but you lose the rear trunk and it require lots of fabrication. Supposedly someone sells a book that tells you how to do this, but I can't find the link.

Hello,

I too contemplated on the cost of the kit versus the labor and engine. Its pretty steep considering you can get a pretty decent Fiero for that chunk of change. Keep in mind though your not just paying for the "kit". You are paying for all the experience and the "know how" that it takes to make the swap happen. After now owning a Fiero with a V8, I wouldnt change it for anything. Just WAY too much fun.....

Thanks for the space.

There is a way to install a V-8 longitudinally using a Tornado/Cadillac Transmission. There was a guy who used to visit the list who has done this and he wrote a CD book that roughly explains how he did this. I bought it to do a little research. Although the book will give you the basic understanding of how to accomplish this task yourself, it roughly written and requires a lot of study before you could even think of tackling it as a project. Below is picture of the install:

If you would like more information, I'll be happy to oblige.

For a while now I have been considering swapping in Cadillac 4.9L V8/4sp auto w/OD, offered from 91-95. This engine has 200 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. I posted this and several members gave me useful links. A company called Team Python is using this engine mated to the Fiero's 5sp in an SCCA racer and they have some info on their site:
http://www.azstarnet.com/~gduncan/

Since the engine is all alluminum, they claim to have weighed it and found that w/o ac it weighs the same as the 2.8 V6 w/ac. If one intends to keep the ecm and FI, I think it would be easier to keep the auto trans since some or all of these also controlled the trans and I don't know how the ecm responds if the trans is not there. Of course, a 4.1 version of this engine was offered with a carb before 82 and the manifold would probably fit but it was a 2 brl and not meant for performance. Anyway, if you get a chance, look at one of these in a Cadi and you will see that the engine is very compact so it fits in with no trouble. However, I don't think anyone actually makes a kit. I'm going to contact Team Python and see if they plan on going this route or even if they would just supply info along with diagrams to get the motor/trans mounts made. I'll post anything I find.

MikeE,

One thing about the 4.9 engine, it is NOT all aluminum!

The heads are cast iron!

It is just the opposite of what you would expect in an engine (i.e. cast block with aluminum heads ...)

This info came from Team Python on one of their posts to the Fiero Racing List.

Paul

Yes, someone does make a kit see:
http://home.earthlink.net/~chriswest/Engines/Engines.html

about the bottom of the page.

Roy

mrfixit58--I just bought a 1988 GT with the 345HP chevy crate engine mounted with the 425a Toronado transmission.I don't have any idea who may have built it,but the book you have may give me some information that may help.The car was originally bought in Florida.

WOW! Talk about a find! I don't have the book in front of me, it's at work. I'll post the author, his phone number and book title tomorrow.

While I busy taking care of that, why don't you post some pictures? I'd love to see it. By the way, were in Florida did you buy it?

Roy

For those who are interested in the longitudinally installed V-8 conversion, the CD book for the conversion is:

"Guideline For Installing A Longitudinally Mounted V-8 Engine Into A Fiero" by S. Joe Wynman.

Associated Auto Press
500 South River Street, Suite 110
Hackensack, NJ 07601

He lists his phone number as: (201) 457-9507.

The picture above is of his car. Interestingly enough, that particular car, he bought, not built. He was working on a car that was to be carbureted when a guy saw what he was doing, met with him, took notes, and built the car you see. Later, Joe bought the car from him and sold his project car, having never finished it. he explains this in his book.

Although he is not the greatest writer, he give you enough information to perform this task yourself. It not "cookbook" how-to book but, as he states, a guideline. He also includes some info on correcting bump steer in pre-88 cars.

Also, he used to be part of this list. I've never searched the archives but you may find some additional nuggets there (like his e-Mail address).

Good Luck and keep us posted on your car(s),
Roy

The last E-mail I have for Joe is --FieroJo@Bellatlantic.net.

Also, to talk to Joe, the phone number is only good from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mon. thru Fri.

can't remember the exact issue, but in one of the hi-po pontiac mags from around dec. 99, some one had put a pontiac 455 in a fiero turned around with a riviera trans.

I have that magazine in my car.

zeusrekning,

I would LOVE to see that article. Is there any way you can scan that article and post it?

Roy

Roy(mrfixit58)The reason I want to know about anyone who has built a Fiero with my setup is curiosity.I was going to build one,but I was lucky enough to find this car before I started.I already have a 70 Chevelle with 2 455 olds transaxles that took 5 years to build(and a ton of money).So as you can imagine I am quite happy with this car.I bought the car in Louisiana,it was originally purchased in Fort Lauderdale,FL. in May of 88,according to Carfax.I've only had it for 2 weeks,but I've been working about 80 hours a week so I haven't had any time to take any pictures,but I will as soon as I get time.I'll be sure to post them.