I know these engine swaps have been discussed in great detail around here and I've been reading and reading. Just hoping to get a little feedback on the differences from those who've done it.

10,000 km after rebuilding my 2.8, it developed a cracked top compression ring. so I'm looking at options.

- rebuild the 2.8 stock: Pretty straightforward, but low return (no major perf. increase)

- 3.1L swap: Bore is the same, could just swap the crank. I can use the stock Fiero top end from the heads up, injectors and ECM.

- 3.4L RWD pushrod engine: I can keep the Fiero top end. Need Higher flow injectors, chip and slight monkeying with motor mounts. Probably want to bore the TB. Machine block for starter mount.

- 3.4L FWD pushrod engine: because of the larger combustion chamber in the Fiero heads I have to change to higher comp. ratio pistons - * only if the donor uses aluminum heads instead of cast. Roller lifters will require custom pushrods.

- 3.4L DOHC/TDC swap: Have to swap the ECM, a lot of wiring and intake changes. Can't keep Fiero top end, and wouldn't want to (too restrictive). Don't need to machine block for starter. Is the bolt pattern for the exhaust manifold different from the Fiero?

- 3800 swap, N/A or SC: Change ECM, lots of wiring, new motor mounts, change intake. Exhaust fabrication. No need to machine block for starter. Flywheel modifications.

- Caddy 4.9L: Similar changes to 3800 swap.

- All of the above swaps will bolt to the Muncie 4-speed.

- Archie's V8 swap: very cool, but overkill for my needs. One 350 swap is enough for me.

Am I close?

*Edited based on corrections provided by other PFF members

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When life hands you lemons... Ask for Tequila and salt.

'85 SE V6 4-Spd: Mild upgrades
'85 S-10 Blazer: 350 conversion
'78 Corvette: ragtop conversion
'52 Suburban: IFS, AWD, ABS, EFI, etc..

[This message has been edited by Stinkin_V8 (edited 09-19-2003).]

I posted a question about what 3.4 to use. Seems that you know your way around . Can you at my question posted 2 hours before yours and help??

quote Originally posted by Stinkin_V8: - 3.4L pushrod engine: I can keep the Fiero top end but because of the larger combustion chamber in the Fiero heads I have to change to higher comp. ratio pistons. Higher flow injectors, chip and slight monkeying with motor mounts. Probably want to bore the TB. Machine block for starter mount.

Off the top of my head, I don't believe you have to change the pistons if you are using the 3.4 from the 90's Camaro/Firebird. The only time you need to change pistons is when using the 3.4 aluminum head block from the FWD cars/vans.

quote Originally posted by Jerry Russo: I posted a question about what 3.4 to use. Seems that you know your way around . Can you at my question posted 2 hours before yours and help??

Jerry, the best I can do is point you here: http://www.60degreev6.com/members/gpxss/history/history.html

Steve - thanks for the correction.

3800 starter is fine. You will need to have a flywheel made/modified, though.

It all boils down to what you expect of the swap. Do you want it to look stock? Do you want to drag, solo, street race, or just enjoy?

I am doing a Series 1 3800 s/c swap (yeah, I know) and it really isn't more complicated than the rest.

The problems start when you get a request
'I just bought my first car and I want to bolt in a motor with 500 hp this weekend. What do I need?'

Thanks, Buzz. I just want to enjoy it. I'm almost happy enough with a stock motor but if I have to do some work, I'm going to upgrade. I just have to weigh out the amount of work I'm doing vs. the amount of upgrade I'm getting. I DON'T want a 500 HP Fiero, thank you.. I know I'm stupid and would prefer to keep myself out of trouble. But I get your point.

3.4 TDC doesn't need the starter holes drilled. They came in a front wheel drive configuration unlike the regular iron head 3.4.

I'm the same. I got the S1 L67 cheep cheep as they say. If I had to pay going rates I'd pick a Series 2 n/a as a regular car motor. Should get a nice one at a reasonable price.

One of the guys has an s/c and it's scary fast when on the boost.

You have to answer these questions which is. How do you drive and what type of characteristics do you want your car to have? Answering those two questions will probably eliminate many of your choices.

[This message has been edited by Mastermind (edited 09-18-2003).]

If you want a nice torque motor, go with a 4.9. Not as fast as a 3.8S/C but it gets decent mileage and a nice V-8 rumble.

200hp/275tq

Still beat most cars streetlight to streetlight.

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86SE 5 speed
85GT 4.9 isuzu 5 speed
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/027839.html

If you are not afraid of rebuilding a 3.4, you could:
use a 3.4 FWD block, get pistons for the 3.4 RWD motor, have machine work done and install the engine using the FIero top hardware and heads. However this method costs about as much as a 3800 swap would.

Or you could get a Northstar V8.
Just my .02
Sammy Williams

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1988 Fiero Formula T-tops
CJB 143 of 1252 "factory T-top cars"

PM sent

SaskatoonFiero

Thanks for the feedback so far. I wasn't really trying to nail down which engine would be best for me, as much as figure out which swap is best for my time constraints, budget and performance needs (in that order). I swapped the 2.8L in my S-10 4x4 for a 5.7L a few years ago, built all the parts myself, so the work doesn't scare me.

There's an incredible amount of great info on this forum, especially about engine swaps. It's just scattered around in bits and pieces, I was hoping to get at least the high points of each of the major swaps together on one page for comparison.

Keep the corrections coming!

quote Originally posted by htexans1: If you are not afraid of rebuilding a 3.4, you could: use a 3.4 FWD block, get pistons for the 3.4 RWD motor, have machine work done and install the engine using the FIero top hardware and heads. However this method costs about as much as a 3800 swap would.

You'll need custom made pushrods as the FWD 3.4 uses roller lifters.

3.1 from a camaro will work with the fiero intake,etc.Starter relocation reqired.

if you take a look at this thread https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/040921.html there's a bunch of information on using a 3.1 longblock from an 89-91 firebird/camero. At the top of the thread there's a bunch of irelivant stuff, but once you get towards the bottom there's some nice info.

-Jeff

If you are going with a 3.1, why not use the one from the 90's GM minivans? The crank is supposed to be stronger and it is already drilled for the starter.