I have been browsing the forums for a few days now soaking in the excellent information available from those of you whom have much more experience with these builds than I. And might I say, I have seen some great work in the "Under Construction" thread. I wanted to formally introduce myself. I am a DIY Jack of all trades and master of none. I work construction from residential to commercial (where ever the money is atm) I love the GM 3800 (L67) engine and decided on the Fiero as my next project for obvious reasons over the gtp and bonneville.

I am currently in the process of collecting the top end of the engine to include:
Gen 5 SC
Undecided on the TC unit atm
zzp aluminum heads
zzp IC
mechanical Throttle body (SAY NO TO ELECTRIC)
among other mods in the think tank.


Bottom end will consist of:
block= 9.4-1 compression out of a gt model (L26)
Bored out to 10 over
Stock crank
zzp pistons
Hardened input shaft ( as my buddy shattered his on his GTP with a bolt-on build)
other mods still in the think tank.

Basically going with stage 3-4 on what I can.

Transmission: Getrag 282 5 spd.

Body and interior will be 100% custom.
Dash will likely have the 98 GTP clusters and electronics as will the ECM. Custom fabricated
Interior will be custom. Not likely to have much stock of anything.

This will be a kit car but I am making my own custom kit. I want this car to be 1 of a kind.
Though this is going into an 84, I understand that the engine cradle and rear suspension from the 88 can be modded to fit an 84 and I intend on doing so in the lack of better ideas so far.
I like the idea of making it a convertible however T tops weather chopped from another 88 or crafted in the metal shop is most likely.

I 100% intend on showing this after I am done.

I will have pics up before long of the body in hundreds of pieces while I clean, refurbish, and mod. I must say however there is a thing or 2 that I have seen on pff that will be implemented into my build. As I move along, I would love to hear any advice or criticism as like I said before, I am not a pro by any means but I have an idea of what I am doing. Finances aren't unlimited however I shouldn't run in to too many issues over the next 2 years short of an act of god or 100% economy crash. lol

Thanks for your support PFF!

[This message has been edited by katore8105 (edited 12-20-2009).]

It would be much much much cheaper to leave a stock bottom end in, as nobody has actually broken a stock block under normal conditions. I have never broken a stock short block under abnormal conditions even.... You also cant "port and polish" a bottom end.

Also, aluminum heads will be a bit much for a simple m90 build that you are describing, but they are more fun to say than ported iron heads.

Hardened input shafts are only available in automatic transmissions that I know of. You have MANY more things to worry about when you are staying with the fiero standard shift trans.

yes the port and polish was listed incorrectly and as for the input shaft, thanks. new to standards. 1st and last build was a Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo. Ser 1

If the shortblock is low-mileage and in good condition, I would forego any work on it. Boring it over isn't going to do much for horsepower output and will likely reduce reliability. These engines were built strong from the factory, and in my opinion messing with the shortblock is a good way to create problems down the road. I've seen very few sucessfully rebuilt L67's in my years of owning/running them.

When you say "Undecided on the TC unit atm", what exactly is TC in your terminology? Torque Converter? That's for autos. Turbocharger? Are you going twincharged (super and turbocharger)?

Also keep in mind that while aluminum heads allow you to run more compression compared to iron heads, your higher CR L26 block + the aluminum heads might be a bit much for a roots-style supercharged setup. With a Gen5, you're going to produce more boost than a Gen3. I'm all for increased CR on these setups, but you really have to think out everything you're doing. What kind of cam are you going to run? That will really determine whether or not your setup is feasible.

Otherwise it sounds like a fun setup. Good luck!

[This message has been edited by GS Jon (edited 12-20-2009).]

I am currently doing more research on what cam to use. This is of course not quite as simple as choosing a tc or a sc cam and I know little about the combined setup and what else is available atm. This is pioneering new places for me. I am researching numbers and applications at this time. The reason I am going with the zzp aluminum is basically because I got my hands on a set never installed for $1100 (quid pro quo from a friend) and I don't really mind making a build around it with supporting mods. In conclusion, I am still out on the cam. I just don't know enough about the mechanics of this build yet to buy one at this time. the Stattama Turbo #2 or #3 are among the contestants but not sure.

I would like to take this build a lot farther than my last S1 3800 SC Tornado Trofeo. to be honest, I want my most comprehensive build to be in a Fiero which is why I am allotting myself a lot of time to ensure I get it right and have the ability to conclude with those of you who might be able to lend me your exp.

BTW that's twin charged. I don't currently have any significant examples atm on exactly what I am going to need for it supporting mod wise.

[This message has been edited by katore8105 (edited 12-20-2009).]

Cam selection on 3800's is really easy now. There is 100% no reason, other than city gas mileage, to not go as big as possible on a cam. Every one of the big cams on my list will not hurt any driveability, idle quality, cold starting, or highway gas mileage (most of these cams will increase highway mileage).

Supercharged with intercooler = xpz or if you are cheap maybe a IS3. Cheaper yet would be an old thrasher race cam.

Supercharged not intercooled = NIC

Turbo = ST5 or XPZ