ok i've been planning to do a 3800sc swap this winter.. then i run across a local yard with a 3.4tdc with harness and brain and 69K miles for 1000 shipped to my door..
the thought of hitting 45 in 1st is really starting to make me drool..
should i hop on it or hold out for a 3800sc?
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01:34 PM
PFF
System Bot
$Rich$ Member
Posts: 14575 From: Sioux Falls SD Registered: Dec 2002
depends, what is the cost involved in YOUR sc3800 swap? the 3.4 is a decent price, but if you plan on modding there is waay more aftermarket for the 3800
im a 3800 fan myself, although i prefur a V8 in my fiero, i guess i have the best of both worlds owning a highly modded GTP and a 380ish hp v8 fiero
------------------ Rich AIM: ONE FAST 2M8:98 Black GTP 2 Dr 3.25 pulley,magnuson snout, 72mm TB, RAT PCM, TOG Headers, Borla cat back, 3” to mufflers, No cat, 160 stat, Big brakes, Eibach's, KYB’s PRJ 10mm Wires, autolite 104’s, and more white-- 86se V6 daily driver--Slammed FOR SALE $1,500! Gold--- 86se 355 SBC almost finished 92 325I slammed with basic mods
[This message has been edited by $Rich$ (edited 10-08-2004).]
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01:40 PM
rejuvinated Member
Posts: 105 From: Mt. Pleasant, SC, USA Registered: Nov 2002
If you like RPMs then go with the TDC and add a turbo. I am in the beginning stages of my TDC swap I go the engine and all wiring for $400. Its torn apart in my garage right now getting a rebuild. It is going to be real nice to rev up to 7K. And I just love the sound it makes.
------------------ Chris
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05:14 PM
wetpoop Member
Posts: 921 From: Baltimore Maryland USA Registered: Feb 2004
Well you have heard and seen mine, but I am sure you have seen many 3800's too. I like the 3.4 even though it isn't as neat and tidy as the 3800. It's also not as powerfull, but if you turbo or supercharge it, it will be every bit as powerful as the 3800 if not more. I just like the revving ability of the 3.4 BTW, you have a PM
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06:31 PM
Erik Member
Posts: 5628 From: Des Moines, Iowa Registered: Jul 2002
If you like RPMs then go with the TDC and add a turbo. I am in the beginning stages of my TDC swap I go the engine and all wiring for $400. Its torn apart in my garage right now getting a rebuild. It is going to be real nice to rev up to 7K. And I just love the sound it makes.
I'll trade you a 88 Formula with TDC for that Jag
[This message has been edited by Erik (edited 10-08-2004).]
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06:38 PM
HarryG Member
Posts: 587 From: Central Ohio, USA Registered: Sep 99
I cant even drive that jag let alone trade it for another fiero. I would trade my GT for that jag. Its my dad's 69 Etype 2+2 and for insurance reasons I cant drive it till i am 25 and its killing me.
If you like RPMs then go with the TDC and add a turbo. I am in the beginning stages of my TDC swap I go the engine and all wiring for $400. Its torn apart in my garage right now getting a rebuild. It is going to be real nice to rev up to 7K. And I just love the sound it makes.
So!! You have my dream car in your shop!! Shame it isn't a roadster...what are the specs and history? Oooops!! Sorry to hijack...couldn't resist asking!! fierofetish
i realy love the aftermarket for the 38sc.. but after digging up some video from inside one the supercharger whine makes me think it'll get annoying.. need to ride in one in real life...
doesn't get much easier than the TDC... just no aftermarket support
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09:14 PM
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
I love the revs of the TDC - but i love the aftermarket for the 3800sc
so as it stands i have a line on a TDC local complete and run for 1000 - or a 3800sc complete for 900 - both come with 101 day warrantee
I'd go with the 3800SC since it's the faster engine in stock form and has been made to run the fastest of the two according to PFF's speed list. However, I would strongly suggest you drive both swaps if possible, absent that I would go for the 3800SC.
Here are a couple of pictures of my engine. I know some mention that you don't have room to change the plugs, but as you can see here, the lower mounting of the engine gives much more room between the cover and the body. Overall, the engine fits in the bay just nicely.
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Originally posted by Dave Gunsul:
This is an interesting point. I have driven all 3 of these swaps in a Fiero you listed above now. I think any swap is a personal choice of course and should go along with what the individual wants but if you'd like to hear my impressions of these three choices i'll give a breif commentary on them (i'd be happy to go into more detail with anyone who feels like discussing them though) i liked all three of these engines in the Fiero. The 3800 SC was all about brute force. The only way to describe a 3400 for me is to say that it's like a very quick more torquey 2.8 that also manages to be much smoother. I almost bought a 3400 powered Fiero in fact. The person who bought it bought it on the day i called the previous owner to tell him that i wanted to come pick it up. I have driven a built up 3.4 Camaro engine in a Fiero and the 3400 was much nicer in my opinion. The 3.4 DOHC engine, again in my opinion, had elements of both the 3800 and the 3400 and i'll explain why; while it did not have quite as much raw power as the 3800 sc it had quite a bit and it was certainly more then the 3400. The 3.4 DOHC engine, like the 3400, was far smoother then the 3800 sc and even smoother then the 3400. This comes to why i am liking this engine so much. It is pleasing to me and fits what i think of when i think of a spaortscar. It revs but has torque at the same time. It's smooth on the highway and yet will push you back in the seat. The gas mileage seemed superior to the others as well. I think we only used a 1/4 tank getting from Iowa to here. I don't normally pay attention to mileage so hopfully either Jeff or one of the other DOHC guys will come in and make a comment about this. Again i must also say that this engine seemed suited to the Getrag quite well too. This is an element the other 2 engines, in my opinion, don't have. It was very easy to get the DOHC in it's band with the Getrag. The other engines, in my impression, were more picky about what gear you're in. This DOHC engine also makes that ultra low first gear actually usable for more then just a second. As i'm pulling out of places where i would have to stop soon afterwards i could actually leave the trans in first where normally i would have to shift to second. That's not a huge deal to most but it added to my opinion on the overall goodness of this engine in the Fiero as it was so versatile. You may have noticed that i stated 'in my opinion' or ' my impression' an annoyingly ammount of times in my post here but i did this for a reason. I enjoyed all 3 of these engines and would be proud to have one of these in my own car so i wanted to make sure everyone knew i was not cutting down any of these other choices. This is merely my own opinion when comparing them all and, like i said before, a swap is or should be what that particular individual wants or likes. What i like is not necassarily what another person would like or want in their car.
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Originally posted by Kameo Kid:
First I don't think Chris is anywhere near 15psi, I think it's under 10psi, call him he'll tell ya what it is.
As for the 3.4 DOHC and a Fiero, I did alot of research and soul searching to find out what would be the best swap for me and my driving style.. as many now know I just got mine back from WCF. The only thing better is to throw a TURBO at that DOHC.. I'm in the begining of breaking in the new mill and not running it over bout 4K on the tach.. First off I never even rode in one before the swap but have rode in some very impressive other swaps, V8-California Kidz "awesome", 3800 SC/IC-Skitime "different but still awesome", and 3.4 DOHC Turbo- Chris West's "awesome too" This Turbo DOHC is just the berries, fits the GT and Me to a T... I can't wait to get this sucker all tweaked and tricked out
those right have about convinced me.. the 38sc has a great aftermarket for more power.. but i don't know that i really need more power.. but I love revs