Hi, I'm new here and I was wondering which would be the better engine for a swap, the LS1 overall I think is better but there are pros and cons, the ones I know are that the 350 Rmajet is cheaper and can be swapped in with the V8Archie' kit, the LS1 idk if it is lighter but i know can make more power definately and I like its Fuel consumption rate, but I haven't heard of a LS1 swap yet. List pros and cons, and for you experts out there what would be involved in swapping in a LS1 into a 88GT.
There are 2 known LS1 Fieros. The owners are both participants here on the Forum - Orville and LS1Swap. I'm sure they'll chime in eventually.
The RamJet weighs roughly 50 lbs more than an LS1 but 1) I guarantee you won't notice it and 2) it is a much simpler installation than the LS1. I don't know if you could fit the RamJet intake under the Fiero's decklid, though. It might make for a pretty ugly installation.
The aftermarket has figured out the LS1 and its power potential is just as great as a 1G/2G SBC if not greater.
My '88 GT was originally supposed to be the first V8 Archie LS1. The '88 V6 is definitely the best platform for a V8 swap, from a suspension perspective, although the larger strut towers and narrower cradle which are characteristic of an '88 present some additional challenges.
These are the critical problems with an LS1 in a Fiero:
1. The starter, adapter plate and flywheel combination. 2. The water pump/gooseneck interference with the right side strut tower. 3. The right-side axle's interference with the flywheel.
In the upper right, click on Pennock's Fiero Forum on the "tree." Again, in the upper right, below the "Post New Topic" button will be several small blue buttons. One of them is "memberlist." Click on that one and search for the names menioned above and email them if you want a more immediate response...
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08:26 PM
LS1swap Member
Posts: 1181 From: McHenry,IL.USA Registered: Jan 2001
Which is better is a hard question to answer..... The ramjet would definitely be an easier swap for archies kit will work with it. Orville and myself had to fabricate our own. Dave pointed out most of the hardest hurdles.... Here is a link to a post I made soon after I completed it. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/027739.html
Wowee that looks like alot of work and looks quite complex, I'll have to think about this and come up with a very detailed plan before I go venturing into this.
It isn't easy, but not impossible either .....I guess it all depends how you are at fabricating things. I am not that good of a welder myself so I nearly tacked things in place and then took them into a welding shop. It is also involves some modification of off the shelf parts. For some of it like the flywheel spacer ( for lack of a better name) and the adapter plate need to be made at a machine shop. I made CAD files for the adapter plate and had them CNC the holes to my specifications which I could send you if you like. For the flywheel I gave the machine shop the flywheel and had them make the spacer to fit in the recess of the original friction surface.
I live in Woodstock, IL. BTW where people live is in the avatar to the left of every post
Ah Ic thnx for all the info, I'll plan it out like I said and if it seems feasible for a teen car nut like me(lol) then I'll think. I do have a friend whos father customizes cars and restores them so i'll see if they can help. His latest project was shoving an LS1 into a 87 3series.
Ah Ic thnx for all the info, I'll plan it out like I said and if it seems feasible for a teen car nut like me(lol) then I'll think. I do have a friend whos father customizes cars and restores them so i'll see if they can help. His latest project was shoving an LS1 into a 87 3series.
Hmmm. Not trying to bust your bubble, but I know I couldn't have undertaken and completed such a project as a teen. But then again I didn't know anyone that had done an engine swap before. I am not saying you couldn't I am just saying I wouldn't have been able to. I am willing to help by giving any advise I can. I have laid out the ground work, and done most of the parts hunting ( which pulley, flywheel ect) so that part is done. Good luck what ever you decide Alan
Hmmm. Not trying to bust your bubble, but I know I couldn't have undertaken and completed such a project as a teen. But then again I didn't know anyone that had done an engine swap before. I am not saying you couldn't I am just saying I wouldn't have been able to. I am willing to help by giving any advise I can. I have laid out the ground work, and done most of the parts hunting ( which pulley, flywheel ect) so that part is done. Good luck what ever you decide Alan
Thnx, I'll think about it for a while, right now i have to go look for an 88 GT with T-Tops hehe.
Hmmm. Not trying to bust your bubble, but I know I couldn't have undertaken and completed such a project as a teen. But then again I didn't know anyone that had done an engine swap before. I am not saying you couldn't I am just saying I wouldn't have been able to. I am willing to help by giving any advise I can. I have laid out the ground work, and done most of the parts hunting ( which pulley, flywheel ect) so that part is done. Good luck what ever you decide Alan
How fast is ur Fiero? And yeah can you send me those cad files, I use Cadkey99 hopefully it should be good enough. Send it to Silverphoenix@optonline.com
Tks.
