Well...it'll be time for a new engine soon. I got my oil analysis back from Blackstone Labs and as suspected I may have a head gasket leak. I've been losing a little coolant every week from the recovery bottle and I never see any on the ground. It's still running strong but for now I'll be changing the oil every 1000 miles. I've torn the top half of this engine apart enough already replacing injectors and gaskets and I know I have main seal oil leaks anyway so I'd rather get a new engine with a warranty.
Has anyone here ever purchased a new engine from Jasper? I have a very reputable shop here in town that deals with them exclusively. I browsed Jaspers site and noticed though that the 88 engines are the same stock # as 86-87. http://www.jasperengines.com Shouldn't the 88 have it's own stock number because of the differences like it being internally balanced? Also if you know what the difference is between standard and class 1 I'd appreciate a definition. I'm also curious if these are long or short blocks and what will I need to keep off the original engine?
Marc

If you haven't alreadty been to their website, it;s http://www.jasperengines.com/ You will see that they require a useable core, so you can add another $260 to the cost of the engine. Before you go back with a 2.8, could I suggest an alternative?

Try http://www.groomsengines.com/ Look at the 93-95 Firebird 3.4 V6. The only thing you would need to do is to have the starter location redrilled. You can use all the stuff off your 88 2.8 engine. Grooms doesn't require a core for a 2.8. You can get a set of rebuilt 17# injectors for the 3.4 at http://fuelinjectorconnection.com/shop/ for $22.95 each. Grooms warrants their 3.4 for 18 months when installed into a Fiero. Last I spoke with them, Jasper won't warrant it for a Fiero. The 3.4 gives you about 20 more hp.

Short blocks come without heads, long blocks are complete less accessories. Id get a long block for the little difference there is. Ive bought many Jasper engines and transmissions with no problems. The racing shop built the race motors for my drag boat and my stock cars. They also did the Corvette v8 for my Fiero and the 3.1 turbo for my Ferrari. Not one of them had an issue. I assume the same quality goes into the regular production stuff, just not the same upgraded parts for racing. Ive also used their transmissions in my stock cars. Jasper also officially was my main sponsor on my boat. (454 w/ Berkley Jetdrive). It was the calandar picture on their calendar the year I raced it. I wont consider buying an engine from anyone else except for Indy Cylinder Heads in Indiana (if ya wanna spend BIG bucks)

quote Originally posted by fierofool: If you haven't alreadty been to their website, it;s http://www.jasperengines.com/ You will see that they require a useable core, so you can add another $260 to the cost of the engine. Before you go back with a 2.8, could I suggest an alternative? Try http://www.groomsengines.com/ Look at the 93-95 Firebird 3.4 V6. The only thing you would need to do is to have the starter location redrilled. You can use all the stuff off your 88 2.8 engine. Grooms doesn't require a core for a 2.8. You can get a set of rebuilt 17# injectors for the 3.4 at http://fuelinjectorconnection.com/shop/ for $22.95 each. Grooms warrants their 3.4 for 18 months when installed into a Fiero. Last I spoke with them, Jasper won't warrant it for a Fiero. The 3.4 gives you about 20 more hp.

I was on their site but didn't see that. That would make for a lot of downtime. I don't know if the shop I'd deal with would want to take this on? Would they know how to redrill for the starter?

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: Short blocks come without heads, long blocks are complete less accessories. Id get a long block for the little difference there is. Ive bought many Jasper engines and transmissions with no problems. The racing shop built the race motors for my drag boat and my stock cars. They also did the Corvette v8 for my Fiero and the 3.1 turbo for my Ferrari. Not one of them had an issue. I assume the same quality goes into the regular production stuff, just not the same upgraded parts for racing. Ive also used their transmissions in my stock cars. Jasper also officially was my main sponsor on my boat. (454 w/ Berkley Jetdrive). It was the calandar picture on their calendar the year I raced it. I wont consider buying an engine from anyone else except for Indy Cylinder Heads in Indiana (if ya wanna spend BIG bucks)

Jasper's class in either standard or class1. Is this equivalent to short/long block? I doubt it because the price difference is only $140.00.

I would say those are long block prices as the give reference to the valve train and type of head gaskets used.
Also you will need to keep all your own bolt ons like oil pan, valve covers, timing case cover ect. That is unless if you ask the question about those specific items for instructions prior to ordering.
Also in order to validate the warrenty I believe any qualified shop may do the install, I have heard of self installer problems turn into nightmares when it comes to problems with the products used.
I have a rebuilt tranny in my truck (96 Dodge 2500 auto extended cab full size bed 4x4). It's been in there for a short time and it seems like it will last but I have yet to put it through any hard tests.

quote Originally posted by Indiana_resto_guy: I would say those are long block prices as the give reference to the valve train and type of head gaskets used. Also you will need to keep all your own bolt ons like oil pan, valve covers, timing case cover ect. That is unless if you ask the question about those specific items for instructions prior to ordering. Also in order to validate the warrenty I believe any qualified shop may do the install, I have heard of self installer problems turn into nightmares when it comes to problems with the products used. I have a rebuilt tranny in my truck (96 Dodge 2500 auto extended cab full size bed 4x4). It's been in there for a short time and it seems like it will last but I have yet to put it through any hard tests.

The shop I have in mind to do it is on the list of installers. I'm going to ask them if they'd be willing to take on a 3.4 from Grooms. If not I'd be happy just keeping what I got but new and dependable. I'm going to call Jaspers on Monday and ask if they know that there is differences between 88 2.8's and other years. I noticed these engine suppiliers do http://www.cmengines.com/se/search.aspx http://www.gearheadengines.com/CrateEngines They actually have different item #'s for the 88 engines. I'd rather deal with Jasper but if they need my current engine first that would make for a long wait.
Marc

Its been a while, but I think the most recent I got was the V8 for a Fiero that I bought. It came with valve covers, oil pan, and timing covers already intalled. I just had to transfer the harmonic balancer, starter, alternator and intake w/ carb and distributor. They did require a core, that was sent back on same skid later on.They deliver and pick up their own stuff. If I remember too, the warranty was 24 months, 2 years for the engine regardless of what it was installed in.

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: Its been a while, but I think the most recent I got was the V8 for a Fiero that I bought. It came with valve covers, oil pan, and timing covers already intalled. I just had to transfer the harmonic balancer, starter, alternator and intake w/ carb and distributor. They did require a core, that was sent back on same skid later on.They deliver and pick up their own stuff. If I remember too, the warranty was 24 months, 2 years for the engine regardless of what it was installed in.

I wonder if I could have the mechanics put on a set of ported/welded exhaust manifolds on the new engine? I'm going to be getting a set soon but would that void the warranty?
Marc

Jasper has no cores for the 2.8 just had one rebuilt. Had mine for 2 weeks from day of pick up to day of delivery.

GoKart, most engine rebuilders don't need your core prior to shipping. They just tack on the core charge to the price of the engine, then when you return a useable core, they refund your core charge. Rodney Dickman sells the Starter Relocation Kit. It includes the jig, drill bit and thread tap. It's precise enough that you could actually do it yourself. Any garage competent enough to swap out a Fiero engine should be able to handle the starter relocation without any problems.

As for the Jasper Engine having the same number for all Fiero 2.8's, just be sure which you have so you know which flywheel to use. They should be able to tell you if it's internally balanced, or not. If they can't, I wouldn't buy.

For what it is worth, I heard alot of good things about Jasper. That is why I got a stage two Jasper engine for my '87 GN. I have had nothing but problems with mine. Came with a bad head gasket from the start. It has been "fixed" twice and still not right. Now engine is out of waranty, and they will not do anything else.Tried telling them it was a bad head, but they just replaced gasket. Now this engine only has 1100 miles on it in the last three years, it was the first new engine I have ever had, so I am a little jaded right now. When the engine ran, it was dynoed at 365 hp/ 395ft. lbs. torque at the rear wheels and ran like it.

Jasper short block. Lost lobe from cam under 50K miles. Warranty coverage at 76K BUT calendar coverage 36 months. Better warranty than GM but still not covered due to timeframe.