I just bought a 87 Fiero GT with a seized 2.8 v6. A 2008 LNJ 3.4L motor from a chevy equinox came with the car. The previous owner had planned to swap out the 2.8 for the 3.4. He told me that I would be able to just swap out the block, and use the heads and intake setup of the 2.8 on the 3.4. I am totally new at the engine swap thing and what is compatible. Other friends I have talked to say that this swap wont work, because of engine computer incompatibilities from the increased displacement. I also realized that the Chevy motor only runs with an electronic ignition and not a distributor. I need some input on whether this swap is feasible, or if I should sell the motor and go for a 3.4L DOHC or a 3800 na or sc. this is the biggest car project I have ever ventured into, but I am ready to learn, so any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Swapping iron heads onto this block will kill the compression ratio - down to something like 7.6:1. You'd have to replace the pistons too.

Even after relpacing the pistons, you'll still give up something like 25 HP due to the lower flow of the iron heads and Fiero intake compared to what came on the LNJ. The benefit is that you won't have to do much rewireing.

Cheers

I would say if your new to engine swapping, dont use that motor.

The easier thing to do would be to sell that motor and buy a 3800SC/NA, V8, 3.4 DOHC ETC....
something that is documented well on here. All your questions about those swaps can be answered by searching
for the build threads or asking several resident experts on which ever swap you choose.

Or if you have a little time, skill, and money you could try to use that motor and have a unique Fiero.
To my knowledge, I dont think that motor has been swapped before.

Good luck,

Zach

------------------
You may say iam a Dreamer, but iam not the only one.
I hope some day you will join us, so the world can live as one - John Lennon

So pardon me while I burst into flames,
I've had enough of the world and its peoples mindless games - Brandon Boyd

Welcome to the Forum and the Fiero madness!

Engine is built in CHINA! Run Awaaaaaaaayyyyyyy!!!!

From Wikipedia:

The 3.4 L LNJ is a 204-cubic-inch (3,350 cc) modified version of the normal 3400 engine. It includes a modified intake manifold, oil pan, engine cover, and fuel system as well as electronic throttle control. It is built in China and imported to Canada for use in the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent. The LNJ makes 185 hp (138 kW) and 210 lb·ft (285 N·m).[2]

[This message has been edited by Hudini (edited 11-27-2009).]

I have been doing a lot of browsing over the forum and learning about the different swaps. Although I like the idea of a 3800sc or na, I am on a limited budget and I kind of need something that will allow me to get the car running by summer while taking a full load of engineering courses at school. It seems that the 3.4L DOHC is quite a bit of work and sometimes unreliable so that doesn't look like a good option for me. That leaves the easiest option probably being a iron head engine from a Camaro/Firebird? What year/engine from the Camaro/Firebird best achieves this, and is this probably the easiest swap? Is there still a considerable power increase? I have the 5-speed Getrag transmission, so will everything bolt straight up, custom flywheel or anything?

The 93-95 Camaro/Firebird 3.4L pushrod engine is the ticket. They are getting a bit old now at 14+ years. And at 160hp is not much more than the 2.8L. You can feel the difference though. Not a racing engine but can make good power with boost. I'm running about 12psi and it rocks.

If you have a pull-a-part type junkyard in your area they can be found quite reasonable although I'm betting very high miles by now.

I'm in the process of doing the 3.4 changeover. although not much HP gain, There IS a decent TORQUE gain. I "Tried " to get a rebuilt (Recently), but I never just install an engine (always pull it apart to "see for myself" that everything is good, & very seldom is. so , I'd say get a 3.4 out of a 93-95 camaro/bird, & "count on" you'll be at least re-ringing & bearing it .

quote Originally posted by FieroFish: Although I like the idea of a 3800sc or na, I am on a limited budget and I kind of need something that will allow me to get the car running by summer while taking a full load of engineering courses at school....That leaves the easiest option probably being a iron head engine from a Camaro/Firebird? What year/engine from the Camaro/Firebird best achieves this, and is this probably the easiest swap? Is there still a considerable power increase? I have the 5-speed Getrag transmission, so will everything bolt straight up, custom flywheel or anything?

You've several questions here, so I'll try to address them in the order you've posted them.

The "iron head," pushrod 60^o 3.4L V6 that you asked about is sourced from 3.4L `93 through `95 Camaros and Firebirds, or GM's 3.4L crate engine (GM part number 12363230).

Both those versions of the 3.4L represent engine swaps that are about as easy as they come for a Fiero.

For Fiero enthusiasts interested in that type of 3.4L engine swap, I typically recommend they examine this succinct write-up by Pennock's Fiero Forum member, crazyd: ( http://www.eleventenths.org/fiero34project ).

Titled, Fiero 3.4L F-Body Engine Conversion, the current version of this well-written article divides its subject matter into 22 clearly labeled steps, from "Getting Started," "3.4 Engine Choices," and "Gaskets," all the way to its newest section, "Setting the Ignition Timing."

I relied on an earlier version of this succinct write-up for my own 3.4L engine swap.

I like that write-up because it still has only 10 pages of hard copy, as opposed to the hundreds of pages of hard copy that another article on this forum has. Accordingly, I find the brevity of the former a huge plus, and I hope you will also.

As for the power increase, you can expect it to be focused more toward low-RPM torque around town than toward high-RPM horsepower. Candidly, if you plan on impressing people at a drag strip --- I strongly suggest you do another engine swap, but also don't expect that other engine swap to be as easy and reliable as this one.

I chose this swap for my year-round daily driver Fiero because I needed something reliable --- even at -15F^o while traversing winter's snows --- and I couldn't be fooling around with something even slightly unreliable under those conditions.

In regard to your inquiry about the Getrag 5-speed, I'm not familiar with that transmission, but it appears the short answer to your question about being able to easily use it with a 3.4L engine swap is "Yes."

I recommend checking out the inquiry regarding that very subject following the end of the on-line article I just mentioned.

In any event, regardless of what you decide to do, good luck to you on your engine swap, and welcome to Pennock's Fiero Forum.

quote Originally posted by project34: For Fiero enthusiasts interested in that type of 3.4L engine swap, I typically recommend they examine this succinct write-up by Pennock's Fiero Forum member, crazyd: ( http://www.eleventenths.org/fiero34project ).

That link is dead

This is a good thread to a very detailed 3.4L swap:

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/041835.html

quote Originally posted by project34: For Fiero enthusiasts interested in that type of 3.4L engine swap, I typically recommend they examine this succinct write-up by Pennock's Fiero Forum member, crazyd: ( http://www.eleventenths.org/fiero34project ). Titled, Fiero 3.4L F-Body Engine Conversion, the current version of this well-written article divides its subject matter into 22 clearly labeled steps, from "Getting Started," "3.4 Engine Choices," and "Gaskets," all the way to its newest section, "Setting the Ignition Timing."

quote Originally posted by ert342: That link is dead

As of this writing, that link doesn't work for me either, and for some reason, it doesn't automatically redirect to a working one.


Try this link instead, and please post whether or not it also works for you:

http://fiero34swap.eleventenths.org
If this last link works for you, I suggest printing out a hard copy of it for safekeeping. The hard copy is only 10 pages long.

Hey where at in wyoming are you? I am off 36th street.