I keep reading and reading I think I've analyzed this swap to death. The other day I purchased a 3800SC with tranny, axles, all accessories and full wiring harness/computer. (big thanks to ed morad). Donor car was a 98 regal with 84k on it, will be going into an 86gt auto.

Working on a college kid's budget I will be buying stuff in increments and saving money anywhere I can(safely). Morale is low at this point as funds are low and it seems like there's 90 million things to do.

So this thread is nothing more than my overly obsessive way of straightening out my thoughts.

1 I'll be purchasing motor mounts, probably from purple reign (i think it was him with the seemingly strong ones).
2 I would like to find a detailed thread about the wiring harness so I can do it myself, that would save a lot of money.
3. axles will be mount dependant, correct?
4. Alt problems, which alt should I use? Do i need a low mount setup? I'll probably be running a pure class A amps in the audio system so if one of the alts is more capable i'd much rather go with it.
5. Exhaust- I've ready so many different takes on this one, whats the cheapest route? Can i keep the stock manifolds and crossover pipe and not have to cut into the trunk?
6. A/C...I have to keep the a/c, and I read a couple threads, this shouldn't be a big problem if i manage to bend my hoses successfully.
7. Shift cable - actually just remembered this while typing this thread, i remember that it's backwards, hopefully this will be a simple dremel mod :-D
8. ECU - i have the computer from the regal, I'm guessing i'll have to send it off to get it programmed and hopefully that will be cut and dry.
9. Coolant hoses, apparently this is a hurdle easier to jump once everythign else is done.
10. aluminum cradle bushings and a full set of poly bushings for suspension with new shocks/struts(figure might as well do it now)

thats about all i can think of AMT even though I know there's more to do. In a few days i'll be purchasing a few things so i can completely go over the engine when i get home and replace anything that could cause a problem. All of the following parts(except fluids and water pump) will be bought from zzp performance as they have some of the best prices i've managed to find so far.

Head Gasket set, Full engine gasket set, water pump, shift kit with filter, double roller timing set (i really want to do away with the tensioner/dampener),

Is the shift kit something that will be benificial or something that could wait?


On a side note, after the engine swap is 100% finished i'll rebe doing a full custom audio install, 7" woofers in custom door pods, large format tweets in the dash, and a sub hidden somewhere, maybe in the hood and vented into the cabin.

Paint and wheels will be the last thing and hopefully within 2 years i'll be handing the keys over to my father before he turns 60(or maybe surprise him on his 60th b-day, lol).

1 I'll be purchasing motor mounts, probably from purple reign (i think it was him with the seemingly strong ones).
sounds good to me, although it is quite easy to make them with a simple stick welder

2 I would like to find a detailed thread about the wiring harness so I can do it myself, that would save a lot of money.
check my super 3800 swap thread in my comment

3. axles will be mount dependant, correct?
yes, cross this bridge when you get there, measure first, then come to PFF to find out what you should use. My experience is that cavilere axles work the best

4. Alt problems, which alt should I use? Do i need a low mount setup? I'll probably be running a pure class A amps in the audio system so if one of the alts is more capable i'd much rather go with it.
Use the 3800 alt if you have any plans of running anything more than a simple cd player.

5. Exhaust- I've ready so many different takes on this one, whats the cheapest route? Can i keep the stock manifolds and crossover pipe and not have to cut into the trunk?
You can stay away from cutting the trunk, but dont expect a "stock" sounding exhaust without having a serious ace up your sleeve here, I tried, and now am trying again, so check back later on this one.

6. A/C...I have to keep the a/c, and I read a couple threads, this shouldn't be a big problem if i manage to bend my hoses successfully.
Not a big deal, correct on finding the right hoses, and a few of the typical r12-r134 stuff
7. Shift cable - actually just remembered this while typing this thread, i remember that it's backwards, hopefully this will be a simple dremel mod :-D
Not quite just a dremmel here, I have a good picture of mine on page 3 of my build thread.

8. ECU - i have the computer from the regal, I'm guessing i'll have to send it off to get it programmed and hopefully that will be cut and dry.
It is, seriously look around and dont asume that it has to be a "fiero" tuning shop, as many of the programmers out there can do the simple things required.

9. Coolant hoses, apparently this is a hurdle easier to jump once everythign else is done.
More of a pain than you would think, alot of things here are car specific, and there isnt just one way to do it either.

10. aluminum cradle bushings and a full set of poly bushings for suspension with new shocks/struts(figure might as well do it now)
Never a bad idea here.

check out my ultimate build thread page here for alot of wiring and axle help, My build thread is basicly just pictures of mounts, axles, and some alternator options.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/079560.html

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[16:58] davepettinelli: mine's got a court-apponted psychiatrist
[16:58] davepettinelli: yay girls
[16:59] GTPimpin: mine whines alot
[16:59] GTPimpin: her name is fiero


https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/072877.html

Fantastic, i've just spent the last few hours reading, the wiring threads were great, i couldn't find them at all when using the search feature (i have to say while there is tons of useful info on this forum, it could really use an overhaul)

I'm going to try to wiring on my own now, still debating the motor mounts, probably going to just buy them though(even though that's a lot of $$). I'll know for sure once i actually see the engine on the cradle.

Early next week i'll be placing my order from zzp performance for all the gaskets/maintenance parts so I can hopefully go over the whole engine and make sure everything is in order.

So far the plan for spring break is...
go over engine replacing all gaskets and changing fluids (tranny as well)
Get wiring harness at least mostly finished
get engine mounted if i decide to buy motor mounts.
install aluminum cradle bushings

I think thats about enough work for a week, i have a little rust to deal with around the battery box as well. I'd like to have a couple other projects waiting just in case i get ahead of schedule, don't want to have any days with nothing to do.

By thursday i'll be buried in fiero, will also have tons of pics to post. I've decided to buy mounts/wiring hopefully they'll arrive by mid next week. My more realistic goal is now to have the engine bay cleaned, battery tray fixed (removed and some metal welded in). Cradle cleaned with mounts attached. Engine mounted and ready to be thrown into the fiero.

not going to have anything close to pretty weather and most of this will be done in a carport style area so i don't expect to make tons of progress, i just want to get the old engine out and the new one ready to go in.

Well got the old engine out, cleaned the bay, battery area had to be cut out quite a bit, i'll either rivet in some sheet metal or make a fiberglass piece to replace what i had to remove. Found out my cradle is both rusted and bent so i'm now looking for a new one. May have sourced one actually just waiting on a reply from the guy.

Sorry but no pics yet, i promise to have the rents take some as i'm back at college for another few months now.

current goal is to find a usable cradle and get it ready for the 3800 (welding on mounts).

Also after looking at the 3800 exhaust exit how do you all make exhausts with cats on them? if i do a Y pipe after the downpipe i won't have room for a cat and muffler before it hits the rear exit (bumper)...off to search the forum some more

On my next 3800 s/c swap I am going to try using the Mustang manifolds others have used.

A great resource for parts is glubgp.com

I have a build thread with lots of pics, hope it helps:
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/060754.html

back from the dead.

fixing to get the mounts welded tomorrow and now i need to know if anyone out there that has used fieroflyer's mounts could help me with water hoses? part#s would be awesome but any advice is appreciated