I am thinking about getting a Fiero with a seized motor for a winter project and was wondering what would be the easiest to do. They are gonna start drag races around here, so I'd like something fast, or at least moderatly so. I'll explain more later.

-Sootah

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Never pull your pants down in Cosco, the dang monkeys will getcha
AIM: KSSouter

Now that I have more time, let me explain. I am still considering the 85 SE or the 88 coupe, but I want something to do this winter. (Unless I get drafted, sent off to afgan and killed) So far I like the idea of a 3800 SII SC, frankly though, I know nothing about them. The Camaro 3.4 or something may better suit my needs.

The drag races I speak of will be starting soon enough. I don't expect to get out there anytime soon since all I will have is the 4 banger auto duke. I will want something later though.

So experts, what is the best route for me to take? What has the most potential? I'm not going to be going up against Vipers or anything at the track (perhaps some older Corvettes, but nothing huge) but I'd imagine some NOS may end up there eventually. Anyway, once more, whats the best route? Think its possible to get a 13 second car? Keep in mind that I am quite poor, so will have to go about this the most inexpensive way possile.

Thanx all,
-Sootah

speed costs $$$$$ how fast can you afford to go
figure out a buget and plan on spending at least twice that amt by the end of a hot rod swap
if you can find a 1/2 or more done swap thats the cheap way to go or find a good deal on a wreack with the right motor.
biggest part is time, can you do it yourself if not it will cost way too much to job out to a pro.
3.4 v-6 is or canbe cheap any bigger motors and custom work they need will up the bill quickly.

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Question wonder and be wierd

The easist/least expensive is replace the engine that is seized with one just like it. (No not another seized engine)

If you want the car for drag racing, see Archie and for under $10K he can set you up with a V8.

So you can get any sort of car your wallet says.

I want to go about this as cheap as possible. I saw a nice '87 GT w/a blown motor for about $200 a while ago, although I don't know where it went. As far as engine goes I was planning on buying a totaled car off of an insurance company or something. All work would be done myself or by friends.

quote So you can get any sort of car your wallet says.

Obviously, but if money werent an issue I'd get a Hennesy Venom.

Vanom 800 TT I cant imagine 0-60 in 2.8

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Tyler Morgan, 1986 GT

Power Steering, Holley Scoop
Aim=FieroDriver1986

a *nice* 87 gt for 200? If you don't buy that you're insane. The fastback parts are worth 500 by themselves.

Was gonna, saw a pic of it, but I can't find the damn ad again. Crap. I also saw a 3800 motor in the paper for $500. Still not sure I can even pull this off if I try though.

How many HP will a normally aspirated 3800 Series I put out?

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Poo is stinky

from what i've read easiest kind of depends on what you start with. if you have the 6cyl a similar six seems easiest (3.1, 3.4, possibly even 3.4 4cam). if you start with a 4cyl. those it opens up more just because the possible sixes are just as hard (kinda) as anything else (thats general but you know what i mean).

I installed a 3800 SC in my car for around 3500 dollars. I spent 2500 dollars on a low milage motor from a junk yard so that was most of the cost. It runs 13.2's with the auto. A manual setup is easier to do but reliability may be a factor unless you purchase a stronger clutch which i 've heard can cost upwards of 600 dollars. A 3.8 series 1 has i think 160 HP. My brother has a 3800 Series 2 in his GT and it runs 14.9 on the motor. Its a auto also. With a 75 shot of NOS it runs 13.4's. The install on these motors are rather easy. The worse part is the wiring harness but you could pay West Coast to do it for you for 300 dollars.

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Earl Sessions
1985 Fiero w/ 1998 Supercharged 3.8 V-6
Best ET: 13.232 @ 101.24 mph

Well, some guys seem to have more money than skill.(no offense intended) Do you have a shop with air and a mig? you can do some amazing things with a little creativity.

I started a project about a month ago
1: purchase 1984 4cyl fiero 200.00
2: purchase 1986 6cyl fiero 150.00
3: purchase lots of beer and think about project
4: purchase 1991 olds car from impound yard

This pretty much got the project rolling.The motor was a 90 degree 3300 ( same family as a 3800) and bolted right up except for front mount. I used the tranny and modified the pulley system to get rid of power steering pump . Paid 800.00 for car, Ran great just smashed up

Phase 2

While drinking some more beer a friend who works at the local GM dealer gave me a turbo/wastegate. It was a 2000 turbo and under warranty- appartly they just chuck them out? (never turn down a free turbo)

Bought some heavy gauge weldlets and whipped up a set of manifolds - 45.00

Bought a 3" flowmaster muffler 178.00
Stumbled across a Daytona intercooler today-no idea where its going 100.00

To date this is as far as the projects gotten. the cradle is all wired and painted,turbo mounted to exhaust - Next step is to strip/clean/paint enginebay(im going for the fast&furious lime green thing)

some more projected costs-

pressure adjustable fuel riser 350.00
Blow of valve 300.00
intercooler lines(2.5 Exhaust?) 100.00

paint & Body 200.00
(buddy owns local bodyshop)
Beer for weekend paint job 100.00
wheels and tires 800.00-2500.00
(i want nice big z-rated 17" wheels)

Keep in mind I have no plan at all here and it may explode when i actually start it but im sure having a lot of fun
p.s. Prices are in canadian dollers

zeelebuba: That is exactly how I planned on doing it. (Still may, not so sure of meself though, I don't know shìt) Found an '85 GT for 300 and saw an ad for a 3800 for $500 in a classified newspaper down here. Don't know if it is SC or what year it is/miles/ all that other crap.

Have an air compressor, no MIG welder, how much is one of those?

you could just buy my motor !!

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Rich
Sioux Falls SD
Red 84 SE
Gold 86 SE
98 acura cl 3.0

4.9 caddy engine for sale 30,000 miles complete with bubba joes mounts!! $850

if it dont go, put a fart can, and clear taillights on it!!

No car to put it in. Unless I wanna put it in my POS '87 Cavalier

Besides, shipping from SD to UT... Ewwww... Thanx though.

I leased my Mig and Air+tools =59.95 month

I think the big picture here is that the fiero is basically a FWD car flipped around.
As far as swapping goes any gm FWD will work,but to keep it simple it seems to me to get a complete car and swap tranny/moter/ecu
is the easyist way.The only wiring to do would be to shorten up the donor harness(i used the relays and everthing) and tie into the fiero harness. Im building this car just for fun so could care less about A/C,cruise, And am even considering taking out the heater/ac stuff in front for my subs, Although it would be pretty simple to keep that stuff to.

Anyhow, to sum it up If you have a complete, running car to strip its fun and easy.A 3800 would be cool although I think they are bottem end power type motor.If you could find a complete car with a Quad4 or a 3.4 DOHC you could build a racy little number
and with the fieros lite weight would be fun to drive around

Is it a pain in the butt to keep A/C in a 3800 Fiero?

zeelebuba: Wanna move down here and help me out?

I hadn't even thought of using the tranny from the donor car, then I wouldn't have to mess with all that flywheel conversion shìt (or would I?) I want a manual, is it possible to hook the new tranny to the Fiero's linkage?

The A/C question is a good one, I'd like to know as well.

Also, somebody wanna explain the transaxle ratio thing to me? I hear numbers like 4:10 but have no idea what they mean.

Thanx 4 all the replies
-Sootah

[This message has been edited by Sootah (edited 09-18-2001).]

Wow. Where in Canada? I want to come over and see.
Not the car.. the beer.

You say you are poor but you want to go fast for cheap? HA! Good luck pal. The words fast and poor don't belong in the same sentance. Not even as an example like in my last sentance.

If you are poor and want a fast car get a better paying job. If you want it done right you have to pay the green. Get out of the "Cheapo but still be fast" mentality like many of the other owners here.

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Shaun 85 GT with nitrous
0-60 in 5.6 seconds
Shaun41178@hotmail.com

When i was looking for my first Fiero i stopped and checked out one by my house. Little did i know that it was one heck of a speed demon. They guy did an engine swap and put in a Turbo Charged V-6 from a buick grand national. He also had some custom exhaust and a few other little things but not too much more than just that engine. He showed me the papers from the drag strip that he raced at and the car ran low 13's. I got to ride in it and man was it fun on the back roads. I would think that a TC, or SC V-6 with a few other option would work for you fine.

Zeele better cut back on the beer... If you've flipped the drivetrain around from the Olds to the Fiero, you're going to have one helluva reverse but not much in fwd gears. That 3300 has some punch as my mother had one in a Buick Century and I was amazed at the pickup it had.