Story goes that I recently came into owning one of these fine motors, for free...I have some friends at a local dealership that I detail cars for, and upon detailing a 2004 Denalli a couple weeks back, and delivering it, they mentioned this engine was going to be replaced due to a light case of piston slap during cold startup. Beings they know I drive a Fiero and all, they mentioned it would look good sitting in the back of that thing. I was like hell yea, but I couldn't afford a motor like that. It was said that they would "see what we can do". Low and behold, upon picking up the keys to a pickup truck yesterday, he mentioned there was a little something something for me in the back...sure as hell, a 2004 6000 series Vortec V8 that they pulled from the Denalli and replaced. I was speechless...The engine runs awesome, only a slight detection of piston slap during the first minute or so after a cold start. It was replaced under factory warrenty. So...beings I have one of these, that was provided at no cost to me...WILL IT FIT?!?!

Most importantly, will it be a first? Or has someone else already gone the route of a newer vortec engine swap? What tranny will this thing need? Any helpful information?

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Original Blue 87GT 5spd.
Modified 2.8L V6

Centerforce Dual Friction, H4 Blue headlights, Cleared Taillights, Mr. Mikes Leather, MoMo Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel, Lowered 1.5", Konig Verdict 17" Rims, Power everything, Speed Hut Gauges, Short Shifter, Ported Manifolds.

I hate you.

Having said that, Fast Fieros of Dallas Texas www.fastfieros.com and Archie www.v8archie.com are both doing LS1 swaps.

And no I don't really hate you but... just damn.

I bought my Fiero from Loyde...and if I had the extra money to spare for someone else to do it, I'd definaly be going to him, but I'm hopeing someone already has all the necessary parts in a kit. I wasn't aware this block was the same as the LS1? Is it? That would make things a ton easier...

If I decide not to go thru with this swap, and I recieved the engine for free, I can't possibly sell and profit from it, and won't have a need for it..so maybe you won't hate me as much. I'll keep anyone interested in mind, but I have a good feeling about going ahead and atleast takeing a stab at installing it myself.

I think that Archie now sells the ls1 install kit.. it is the very same thing as an ls1 but with an iron block.. so heavier.. you will still need to get the electronic sorted out.. maybe cheaper to go carbed with it, and run one of those new ignition controlers that just came out for the ls series engines! Good luck! and post lost o pics if you decide to do it

Sweet score! A free 6.0!!!

I have a 5.3 in my 2002 Silverado and that thing runs REAL good for a full size 4WD truck! I was wondering how it would be (stock, even) in a Fiero? That would be cool!

There is a very good / brief article on them in the May 2005 issue of Hot Rod Magazine! I definatly recommend picking it up for anyone who happens to be interested in these motors.

*shakes head and walks away*
.
.

btw ----> good find

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quote Originally posted by 4mulaFire: I bought my Fiero from Loyde...and if I had the extra money to spare for someone else to do it, I'd definaly be going to him, but I'm hopeing someone already has all the necessary parts in a kit. I wasn't aware this block was the same as the LS1? Is it? That would make things a ton easier... If I decide not to go thru with this swap, and I recieved the engine for free, I can't possibly sell and profit from it, and won't have a need for it..so maybe you won't hate me as much. I'll keep anyone interested in mind, but I have a good feeling about going ahead and atleast takeing a stab at installing it myself.

Hey, I remember that car now. That was going to be the car for the blue 3800SC at one time.

Sweet score on the 6.0... I want to know how they got the dealer to change the engine. I have had the 01, 02, and now the 03 6.0 silverado trucks with the 6.0 and all have had the piston slap. This truck I have now, the 03, gets the slap at 30MPH to about 45MPH and no other time. The 01 and 02 did it real bad at idle all the time.

You have a manual Fiero and I am guessing would want to stay 5 speed. Archie is the one with the manual stuff at this time. I have a guy that is wanting me to develope my auto stuff to manual, but it will be about 60 days away. I have 3 3800SC installs to do right now.

The 6.0 LQ4 is basicly like the LS1 as indicated. Kind of heavy however being the cast iron block.

Loyde

quote Originally posted by chrishahn87: I have a 5.3 in my 2002 Silverado and that thing runs REAL good for a full size 4WD truck! I was wondering how it would be (stock, even) in a Fiero? That would be cool!

I have often thought that the 5.3 would be a good swap for a Fiero. Car Craft took the SSR's 5.3 and changed *nothing* but headers and cam and got astronomical HP figures. (Seems like it was 400, but don't hold me to it.) The intake and heads are already very good. Nearly as good as the LS1's, if I remember the article correctly.
FWIW, the SSR version is nearly identical to some of the more utilitariian 5.3 truck motors, except that it has an aluminum block.

Since the 5.3 has been in production and installed in trucks for several years, the yards are probably full of them by now.
Since everybody wants the LS1 anyway, the 5.3s ought to be relatively inexpensive.

I guess the vehical was traded off on a lease because of the piston slap, so it was owned by the dealership that changed the engine. I'm guessing they would have a harder time is it was a customers vehical wanting the engine replaced. I do however know of a local guy, having the same problem, and GM actually bought the vehical back from him...

I do want to keep it a manual, if thats practical. If the auto would be better suited for this engine, then so be it, but the manual is lots 'o fun.

Yeah this was the one you were wanting to steal the engine out of for another customers car, and put the 3800sc in it...I wanted the car badly, didn't have the cash for the 3800, so we made a weekend trip and took it off your hands about 3 days after talking to ya lol. Wished I would have just gone 3800 to begin with now, but oh well...20/20 hindsite I guess...

I switched to Mobil 1 in my 99 Silverado (5.3) and the slap quieted down some. I also run GM top engine cleaner through it occasionally (to keep the carbon build-up to a minimum). Still have nasty cold start knock, though. I stopped worrying about it after 170,000 miles. I figure if it's gone that far, it'll last.

That 6.0 will move a Fiero nicely. That will be a fun ride.

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1986 SE 350 V8

are these the same carbon problems that the 4.6's have? just run the piss out of em and that'll get that carbon out how is it ok to have ANY piston slap i always thought that was one of the signs of a motor on the way out.

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17361 "2001 3DMark"'s
8639 "2003 3DMark"'s
3277 "2005 3DMark"'s

piston slap most common when cold isn't all that harmful - its not a knock - its the piston rocking in the boreit can oval the cyl walls over time but its common problem for many cars and yet they still run fine for many many years thanks to new materials used in the cylinder walls and pistons wearing out mhhc more slowly -- some subarus were known to have this problem in cold climates but still happily ran for 300,000+ miles

Time for a newb question, why is this engine plagued by piston slap? bad engineering?

LS(x) engines are known for that. the 6.0 will fit fine ( with remote waterpump) plus you can swap parts back and forth such as intake or heads. GM also has some new parts out for the transverse 5.3 that may make the swap easier. congrats and good luck.

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LS1 v8 T-Top 87 GT

http://www.acxunlimited.com/ls1swap.htm

quote Originally posted by JamesCurtis: Time for a newb question, why is this engine plagued by piston slap? bad engineering?

I believe it is because of the engine being mostly aluminum. The tollerance gaps are all on the large size and you need the engine to be at temp before all parts swell, due to heat, to be in specs. I would think that piston slap would not be affected by this since the bore of the engine is a insert, but I have never had the need to know any information on a all aluminum engine before.

Great Score. I think you have your work cut out though.

What does the top of this motor look like? Does it have the same intake as the LS1?

The only down fall I can see with this motor is the weight/handling and The tranny issue.
Coming from a truck and with 6.0L's, this thing probably has gobbs of tourqe and may leave a 5spd in peices.

Like you said, if you didnt keep it, you can prbably make a NICE profit. I'm sure someone will be eager to snatch that off of Ebay

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-Chris -
Custom Gun Metal 86 GT 4.9 V8 5spd

Build up tread or MODS w/ Pics

quote Originally posted by OH10fiero: I believe it is because of the engine being mostly aluminum. The tollerance gaps are all on the large size and you need the engine to be at temp before all parts swell, due to heat, to be in specs. I would think that piston slap would not be affected by this since the bore of the engine is a insert, but I have never had the need to know any information on a all aluminum engine before.

You're partly right, but the 6.0 truck engine is cast iron, not Aluminum.
But it is a case of the tolerances not being just right until the engine gets up to temp. They have the tolerance set up to err slightly on the loose side so you get a little piston slap when cold, but everything comes into spec as it warms up, rather than have it quiet when cold, but the tolerances be too tight when it warms up.

Many GM engines do this. The 3400 GenIII V6 in my Grand Am does it too. It's not a reliability issue. Just be gentle on the car until it warms up and you're fine. (that should go without saying, but it still needs to be said. )

There have been a number of technical bulletins out on it, and for the most part it's a normal condition, but if the piston slap is too severe or lasts too long after startup, that's when they'll replace the engine.

Yeah, I can attest to it have massive amounts of torque...The Denalli squeeled the tires from a 20mph roll on and threw me back in the seat more so then I'd ever guessed a big SUV could..Hey, what fun could detailing be if it wasn't for being able to drive all the nice rides.

My Dodge stealth TT is getting its new engine this summer, and that should have my work cut out for me...I think I'll be collecting parts, and holding on to the engien until this winter and we'll have a go at it..

I hope to attend the Swap meet, but things might not come thru and I might not be able to make it...