Hello, my name is Chris. I'm joining the forums because I have an interest in the Pontiac Fiero.

Uhm, I currently own a 4efte (starlet GT motor) Toyota Tercel. To get to higher HP goals, it'll cost a fortune. On top of that, the car just doesn't feel right. I happen to like 80s cars a WHOLE bunch! I like cars that are squarish-roundish, like the Fiero, Probe GT, Rx7s, Conquests/Starions, even the old Supras. But Fiero, out of all of those, catches my attention the most. Something about rear engine sounds super cool. The car is small. And the ride height is perfect!

Currently I'm stuck between 2 car options... And might possibly be straying away from speed, to pick up a specific style (fiero body style).
My 2 car options are...
1g 4g63t Eclipse. DSM caught my interest when I saw their cheap parts/upgrades available. 250hp is more than enough for me, and is cheap to obtain in a DSM. But they get horrible gas mileage. Comparable to v8s, and you're stuck using Premium gas. And gas prices are jumping very fast in Plano Texas for some weird reason.

My 2nd car option is obviously a Fiero. And that's what I'm here for.

My questions about the Fiero are...

- Do they have strange engine maintenance? For example... Engine sludge like BMWs? Uhm, do the rear axles go bad easily? Easily blown head gaskets? Overheating issues?
I've never owned a middle/rear engine car before. So typical middle-engine car maintenance doesn't make much sense to me hehe. Although I do have decent - to - good front engine knowledge and good problem diagnosis as well.

- Are they dangerous to drive or easily lose control? Again I live in Texas, we get mostly heat and rain. Sometimes ice, but I'm smart when there's a chance of ice.

- And gas mileage, on all the engines is 87 octane okay? I've been reading into gas mileage claims, and some people say that 30mpg isn't that hard, on the smaller engines.


Anyway, I've already found fieroparts.com? or whatever that site is called. The parts there aren't too bad. Their head gaskets are like half the price compared to the car I currently own, and blowing a head gasket is almost a yearly, sometimes a more frequent predicament on the 4eftes.


Super thanks ahead of time
And I'll reply as soon as I get email notifications :P
Thanks
Chris

Maintenance - not strange. A Chevy 2.8 (if you go with the 6) that was used in quite a number of other GM products. There are some Fiero specific parts but not too many to speak of.

Some people have problems with overheating when things aren't working right. The mid engine layout is different from the front engine layout but the difference is just the fact that there are tubes transporting the coolant front to back. The mid engine layout is just a front engine that is installed behind the seats.

Lose control. - Well the Fiero is fairly well balanced weight wise. That does help drivability. They are rear wheel drive. That means if you lose control in a corner because you were on the power too much the car will oversteer like all rear wheel drive cars. Front wheel drive cars tend to push or understeer when the drive wheels lose traction. So it drives like all other rear wheel drive cars basically. All cars can be dangerous to drive.

Fiero's get ok mileage. 4 cylinders get better mileage than 6.

So depending on how much of a car nut you are heres a thought. If you like automatics, drop a series II 3800 normally asperated engine bolted to the auto that came in the Buick you pulled it from in place of the stock engine and both your mileage and performance will increase. If you want more performance do a supercharged 3800.

OK now the warnings. You are looking at a not new car. The older cars get the more they need maintenance. This won't be the kind of car that all you do is oil changes. Things will break. About the same as any other car this old. So as long as you are ok with turning wrenches it's cool.

They don't blow head gaskets that much btw.

Get friendly with my cave... (see link on every forum page and my sig) Allot of thing are answer there.
Overheat etc, see coolant section
87 octane is fine, see fuel & knock in general engine section.

Handling?
Depend... How good is your alignment, bushings, ball joints, etc.
One thing to mod on 84-87 Fiero is to replace cradle bushing with Polly or metal ASAP.
see cave, suspension section

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top and bottom of every forum page...)

quote Originally posted by phonedawgz: Maintenance - not strange. A Chevy 2.8 (if you go with the 6) that was used in quite a number of other GM products. There are some Fiero specific parts but not too many to speak of. Some people have problems with overheating when things aren't working right. The mid engine layout is different from the front engine layout but the difference is just the fact that there are tubes transporting the coolant front to back. The mid engine layout is just a front engine that is installed behind the seats. Lose control. - Well the Fiero is fairly well balanced weight wise. That does help drivability. They are rear wheel drive. That means if you lose control in a corner because you were on the power too much the car will oversteer like all rear wheel drive cars. Front wheel drive cars tend to push or understeer when the drive wheels lose traction. So it drives like all other rear wheel drive cars basically. All cars can be dangerous to drive. Fiero's get ok mileage. 4 cylinders get better mileage than 6. So depending on how much of a car nut you are heres a thought. If you like automatics, drop a series II 3800 normally asperated engine bolted to the auto that came in the Buick you pulled it from in place of the stock engine and both your mileage and performance will increase. If you want more performance do a supercharged 3800. OK now the warnings. You are looking at a not new car. The older cars get the more they need maintenance. This won't be the kind of car that all you do is oil changes. Things will break. About the same as any other car this old. So as long as you are ok with turning wrenches it's cool. They don't blow head gaskets that much btw.

Super thanks for the reply! Is that buick engine a direct bolt in? Or will it need special engine mounts? I've only done direct bolt ins, but wiring the engine to the chassis is nothing but time consuming to me.

And yeah the 4efte head gaskets are micro thin between the holes I guess. Very open-deck engine. I've heard of people blowing them every few weeks. Mine is currently blown between a cylinder and an oil passage line? I guess? So instead of a 200-300$ metal head gasket I'd rather direct my tax return towards a different car.

The coolant thing is cool. I was always thinking, geez, the radiator must be on the bottom to get cooled off. Yeah I haven't even seen the engine bay in person.
Cool idea, at least I won't burn myself on it as much when working on the car :P

Thanks for the info.

I don't know if you can PM yet since you just joined but way don't you contact member flimbob right there in Plano and see if he would like to talk or maybe let you take a short drive. There are quite a few memebers in Texas...

quote Originally posted by chriswf: Super thanks for the reply! Is that buick engine a direct bolt in? Or will it need special engine mounts? I've only done direct bolt ins, but wiring the engine to the chassis is nothing but time consuming to me. And yeah the 4efte head gaskets are micro thin between the holes I guess. Very open-deck engine. I've heard of people blowing them every few weeks. Mine is currently blown between a cylinder and an oil passage line? I guess? So instead of a 200-300$ metal head gasket I'd rather direct my tax return towards a different car. The coolant thing is cool. I was always thinking, geez, the radiator must be on the bottom to get cooled off. Yeah I haven't even seen the engine bay in person. Cool idea, at least I won't burn myself on it as much when working on the car :P Thanks for the info.

I'm restoring my 87 Fiero right now (my first car)... here is a picture of where the radiator is... you can see the whole front of the car exposed... (the headlights at hte bottom, the radiator and condensor are down in the front, the A/C, braking, and clutch components, along with teh spare tire and jack are also in the front compartment:

------------------
Todd,
2008 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x2
2002 Ford Explorer Sport 2dr 4x2
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter

Welcome to the Forum! I think once you own a Fiero, you will fall in love with it. Dry pavement handling is great and only gets better with modification. I have driven a Fiero in the snow and slush, its not too bad. just have to be extra careful. I have owned 23 cars (some imports & American) to date and I just keep coming back to a Fiero. Parts for Fieros ain't bad, some parts get more expensive if it is a 88 model though. You can build a very fast Fiero with the same money as it costs to buy something like an S2000 or a Eclipse or a Evo. A 3800SC swapped Fiero with little mods will leave a Eclipse GSX in the dust. But the Fiero isn't exactly a Bolt-On car though, there are things that requires modification when you do a engine swap depending on which on you do.

Here's a stock 2.8


Here's some engine swaps
http://gmtuners.com/

A supercharged 3800 in a Fiero


A normally aspirated 3800


A 4.9 Caddy V8 in a Fiero


A small block Chevy V8 with a carburetor on it (Ask your grandfather)


A dirty 4 cylinder Fiero

And a Camaro 3.4 PR.

Chris,
If you want to check out some fieros especially 3800 swapped cars, come to our (NTFC) club meeting next Saturday at Pappa's BBQ. We meet around 11am, we should be able to answer a lot of your questions and hopefully bring you into the fiero family.

Cadillac Northstar in Fiero.



The engine swaps are endless. We even have a few members that are putting VR6's in Fieros and BMW engine in Fieros.

[This message has been edited by craigsfiero2007 (edited 01-16-2011).]

Wow, for some reason I was under the impression that, under the hood was like a giant trunk.... I now see they have 2 storage compartments. Very interesting. And yeah that 3800 is pretty stout, and the price for it beats the price of a 4g63t by far.

Uhm, man I'd totally do that. You guys are making this decision very very easy.

Edit: Man with as many replies as I've gotten in like 30 minutes, you'd only assume Fieros are everywhere and everyone has one!

[This message has been edited by chriswf (edited 01-16-2011).]

We are just kinda addicted here. LOL! In the front there ain't much room for stuff unless you take the spare tire and stuff. There is a compartment in the back for stuff. Too bad you are pretty far from me, about 3 hours. If you have a Fiero in mind that you are looking to buy then just post some pics or links to it and everyone can put in their .02.

How about a V12 with lots of work.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/100795.html

Chris- I think you've already gotten a pretty clear picture of the forum in the short time that you've been here, but all these guys here are as helpful as can be. You won't find a better forum to support you're car than this, any question you could ever ask can be answered here by awesome guys who are glad to share their knowledge.

A few months ago, I was on the edge of buying either a Fiero or an F-body/ bmw of some sorts.. I'm glad I went with the Fiero, you won't get support like this on any other forum. Parts for these cars are fairly plentiful, a few Fiero specific parts can be a pain to source, but by no means no plentiful. Remember that this is a GM part bucket car from 84-87, so most parts are readily available and interchangeable between older GM cars.

I would advise you to pick up a nice Fiero with a blown engine and swap it right away, the swaps are fairly cheap (as far as swaps go comparing to other cars) and don't require that much fabrication (depending on which engine you go with). Throw a 3800 in there and you've got a formidable street car that will hold its own. Modifications for this car are truly endless.

quote Originally posted by nitroheadz28: Chris- I think you've already gotten a pretty clear picture of the forum in the short time that you've been here, but all these guys here are as helpful as can be. You won't find a better forum to support you're car than this, any question you could ever ask can be answered here by awesome guys who are glad to share their knowledge. A few months ago, I was on the edge of buying either a Fiero or an F-body/ bmw of some sorts.. I'm glad I went with the Fiero, you won't get support like this on any other forum. Parts for these cars are fairly plentiful, a few Fiero specific parts can be a pain to source, but by no means no plentiful. Remember that this is a GM part bucket car from 84-87, so most parts are readily available and interchangeable between older GM cars. I would advise you to pick up a nice Fiero with a blown engine and swap it right away, the swaps are fairly cheap (as far as swaps go comparing to other cars) and don't require that much fabrication (depending on which engine you go with). Throw a 3800 in there and you've got a formidable street car that will hold its own. Modifications for this car are truly endless.

I would LOVE to do the blown engine idea. It's what I did with my tercel. Had 2, TWO, broken/chipped valves, so I did a swap. 1200$ swap. But I've got a few problems.
I'm currently living in an apartment that doesn't allow my hood to be up for too long, and doesn't allow a car to be on stands.On the 2nd of Feb I'm looking for a different place. I lived in a home with a garage when I did the tercel swap. I had friends help me do it. And I had an engine lift.
All of those factors have been subtracted from my equation.

There's a 250$ fiero on craigslist right now. The engines are like 500-900$. I could easily afford that with what my wife has given me to spend. It's just a place to do it at.

First I'm going to try a running fierro, IF, if I can find one.
Until I either get a job with a shop that allows me to do this, or a place to stay that has a garage or allows me to work on it in their parking lot.


Funny thing about my current apartment is, I pay like close to a grand a month for rent. Which gave me a false sense of security, but living out here in Sachse, my cars have been broken into at least 3 or 4 times. Maybe more because I was tired of them breaking my windows, so I leave them unlocked!
Every time they break in, they kick my key's ignition switch panel off with their muddy shoes, and yank wires out.
My current car has a fuel pump AND clutch kill switch. My wife's tC has a fuel pump kill switch and the alarm kills the car.

Plano's ghetto will be safer, and probably less harsh on dumb rules.

[This message has been edited by chriswf (edited 01-16-2011).]

Damn, thats hardcore!!

I need to install something like that on my car for extra security. Sorry about all the damn thieves man.

Whats your spending limit for a Fiero, I tend to cruise around craigslist and I might come across something.

quote Originally posted by nitroheadz28: Damn, thats hardcore!! I need to install something like that on my car for extra security. Sorry about all the damn thieves man.

Yeah, if I was to really dump money into a car I'd do tilt alarms to. I mean, there's no way they can steal my cars without knowing where the 2 switches are, unless they get a tow truck. Which there's a place in Dallas, where you can rent trucks, flat beds, work vans... and of course a t-bar wrecker. It's like they give the Jackers an extra option!

Depends on it's condition. If it's nice, I may get 3 grand out of my wife. If it's got a ton of problems she'll give me like 700 for it hah! In fact, there's a 700$ fiero on craigslist that already comes with the motor and transmission -- out of the car :P
He claims the motor is slightly used and works.
http://dallas.craigslist.or.../cto/2099219619.html
Oh, and it's missing one of those beautiful wheels. Man I love those. Everyone I know says they're too corny. I also like louvers though :P

[This message has been edited by chriswf (edited 01-16-2011).]

Chris,

I would be happy to let you look over/test drive either my 88gt or 86gt. Both are autos, but still have plenty of pep off the line. It is possible to get a fiero very cheap, but you would probably have to put a substantial amount of bucks in it to get it where it would run/handle well. I can tell you in great detail if your are interested in listening. I'm shooting you a pm with my cell number. Let me know when/where you would like to meet.

Michael

quote Originally posted by flimbob: Chris, I would be happy to let you look over/test drive either my 88gt or 86gt. Both are autos, but still have plenty of pep off the line. It is possible to get a fiero very cheap, but you would probably have to put a substantial amount of bucks in it to get it where it would run/handle well. I can tell you in great detail if your are interested in listening. I'm shooting you a pm with my cell number. Let me know when/where you would like to meet. Michael

Oh wow, you're very local. Go ahead and send your number. I have Tuesday and Wednesday off.

Hey man, I live in Mckinney, Texas and I have a 87 GT (2.8 v6) that I'm fixen to put a 3800sc in it. Let me know if you wanna meet up soon or anything.

quote Originally posted by fierogt27: Hey man, I live in Mckinney, Texas and I have a 87 GT (2.8 v6) that I'm fixen to put a 3800sc in it. Let me know if you wanna meet up soon or anything.

Well geez, sure man.

Finding this car has to be an omen to my life. Every car I've ever owned, I've never had this many local enthusiasts.

Its a great car with so many engine swap/modification choices as well as body and interior options

quote Originally posted by fierogt27: Its a great car with so many engine swap/modification choices as well as body and interior options

I know I'm all over the forums right now. I see like, dash swaps, seat speaker? stuff, and of course the infamous Lambo or Ferrari looks.

Welcome! Not trying to discourage you in any way but the $250 Fiero has no title and it's an 84 (Very doable but I thinks it is very slightly more challenging). I believe the $700 Fiero you are referring to he has already sold the engine and tranny. Keep an eye out though there are always a lot of Fieros on CL. Most are overpriced but you might make an offer (Most of them have been listed for many months.) If you need parts there are several of us that have one or more parts cars.

quote Originally posted by Terry_w: Welcome! Not trying to discourage you in any way but the $250 Fiero has no title and it's an 84 (Very doable but I thinks it is very slightly more challenging). I believe the $700 Fiero you are referring to he has already sold the engine and tranny. Keep an eye out though there are always a lot of Fieros on CL. Most are overpriced but you might make an offer (Most of them have been listed for many months.) If you need parts there are several of us that have one or more parts cars.

Yeah I've been reading about the swap for several hours now I think...
It looks like I can spend anywhere from 3k-7k$ on this swap alone. Maybe more.
3,000 swap wouldn't include the engine and car lol.

Possible, motor mount configuring (widening bolt holes and welding). One guy used some 70s truck rubber motor mounts. Exhaust has to be remade, especially since it'll likely hit your 3800 oil pan? Some people cut their trunks out for the exhaust? I like those little trunks
Battery relocating. Axle mating. Changing pulleys if you use the fieros stock belt driven parts (a/c or alt) to the 6 tooth pulley right? Even then, some people have clearance issues for the SC pulley I read. Clutch capable of safely handling hp so no slip or whatever is needed. And then a 3800 firebird flywheel and send it off to be machined to fit.

Almost sounds like... dropping the 2.8 engine, beef rods/pistons/rings, turboing it, and getting some type of PCM/ECU wouldn't be as costly. Use like a TDO5/6, or some bastard-like form of it...They're pretty cheap.
Right? The 2.8 is already ~135hp, +50-70 from turbo would be safe right?


My tercel 4efte was literally bolt - in - engine. Wire. Play (till you blow a headgasket).
The axles were identical so I could use stock ones. I went from Top Mount Intercooler to front mount because I didn't want it to heat soak you know... Oh and a tiny civic radiator hehe, the factory one was as wide as the car practically.


I dono, you guys know the car and the swap. But I read 9 or 10 testimonials about the actual cost. And watched every youtube video I could (haha, very awesome though watched one race a GST and it made my day). And searched dragtimes.com for a round-about on acceleration and actual numbers the 3800s run. And L67s were doing like low 12s, high 11s. On 110 fuel, but still pretty freakin sweet.

And, from my understanding this isn't a weekend-off type of job anyway. I'm getting a Fiero for a daily as soon as possible because I don't want to fix the Terc's hg. K&G engine sealer and retorqing the head bolts only works once.... Okay, I didn't just say that. :P

I might just try to enjoy the factory engine till I decide.
Maybe one of these 2...
http://dallas.craigslist.or.../cto/2106337511.html
http://dallas.craigslist.or.../cto/2158070169.html
I like the bigger tail lights for some goofy reason.


Okay I'm done typing.

Gunna go to bed I guess...
~Chris

Your first link (the gold notchback) is on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymot...f3e0b21#ht_500wt_924

I am glad to see you like all Fieros. I do myself, but I prefer the Fastbacks to the Notchbacks. I want to own both though. The Gold Notchback looks like a pretty good deal to me, its in very good shape. That GT needs alot of love and has been used and put away wet, I think he is asking too much for it myself, but thats me.

This one already has a swap done to it.
http://dallas.craigslist.or.../ctd/2161884308.html

Hi Chris:

I am 67 years old going on 25...lol. I have owned (5) '55 Chevy's ranging from stock, show, and very hot street machine, and a '31 high-boy street rod, to name a few. I loved them all and had a blast driving them, but none of them have given me as much overall pleasure as my little red '86 GT 2.8 V-6, Getrag 5-speed. Like most 20-year old cars, I had to make some up-grade maintenance repairs to get her running dependably. Like new Cardone distributor, various electrical sensors, plugs, wires, and the like. The up-grade with the most results, is to put 10-30 Royal Purple synthetic oil and K&N filter. I've since fully up-graded the suspension to correct the inherent problems, like bump-steer, poly bushings, slotted ball-joints, lowering springs, and the like.

The car is truly exiting and fun to drive, and I get more looks and attention than most of the new sport cars on the road. Entering it in yearly Fiero, Pontiac, and custom car shows is fun also. I get 23-25mpg around town, and 31-32mpg on the highway.

All of my Fiero enthusiast friends feel the same way. By-the-way, my 20-year old son started it all, with his '85 silver GT love affair (his first car), which he up-graded. He paid $1200 for his, and I bought mine a year later. With no mechanical experience, he installed a new stage-II clutch, and rebuilt the upper engine after it blew a head gasket. It ran strong with Royal Purple 15-40, K&N filter, and over 200K miles on it. If you buy one, shop around (Craig's List is good) and find a low-mileage '87 or 88 that has been taken care of, and you will not be disappointed is my opinion. Good-luck!

[This message has been edited by hypo327 (edited 01-17-2011).]

If you are going to drop a 2,8 you might as well at least swap a 3.4 pushrod. It is a direct bolt in with moving some of the 2.8 parts. It is a better block and the only thing you have to do is relocate the starter to the other side (Drill two holes).

quote Originally posted by craigsfiero2007: Your first link (the gold notchback) is on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymot...f3e0b21#ht_500wt_924 I am glad to see you like all Fieros. I do myself, but I prefer the Fastbacks to the Notchbacks. I want to own both though. The Gold Notchback looks like a pretty good deal to me, its in very good shape. That GT needs alot of love and has been used and put away wet, I think he is asking too much for it myself, but thats me. This one already has a swap done to it. http://dallas.craigslist.or.../ctd/2161884308.html

Yeah the v8 swap. It's like a 350 right? I saw it, all it would need it outer body cosmetics. But it'd probably get like 15mpg.
If I had loads of money, I'd get it even as a daily. Corvette Killer is more than enough car for me. I just can't throw that kind of money into fillups nonstop.

quote Originally posted by Terry_w: If you are going to drop a 2,8 you might as well at least swap a 3.4 pushrod. It is a direct bolt in with moving some of the 2.8 parts. It is a better block and the only thing you have to do is relocate the starter to the other side (Drill two holes).

I might. Usually if I were wanting to beef a motor, I'd just build a duplicate. Then swap them in the same day. So pull the old 2.8 out and put a different built 2.8 in. I might do the 3.4. I'm not sure though. I'd want it to be as simple and fast as possible. Do-able in a weekend, but absolutely done in a week after a few slip-ups.

Chris the 3.4 would be an easy weekend swap if you had the 3.4 mostly ready. Just for some reference

I started out with an 85GT I bought with a blown engine for $124.00. (which was a steal but the guy had to move it.)
After getting it running with a 3.4

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...090907-2-072303.html

I then painted it. So far I probably have about $2K total in it. It's my DD and gets 35mpg on the hwy..

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/102574.html

Have not seen where anyone has said. But when/if you go looking at cars the biggest issue in my book is hidden damage from accidents or rust.
You want to look for rust in the rear trunk on both sides by pulling the liner back. If you see large rust areas that often means the rear frame rails are in bad shape. If it's just a quarter size or little larger then not so bad. Also check the frame below the battery as the acid likes to wash down and eat that area.
Most other mechanical items of a Fiero can be repaired or replaced.

It's no fun running into something like this...
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...070315-2-068398.html

[This message has been edited by Dodgerunner (edited 01-17-2011).]

Not to say that someone couldn't bring one in from somewhere else but in our area rust is very rare but still worth a peek.

quote Originally posted by Dodgerunner: Chris the 3.4 would be an easy weekend swap if you had the 3.4 mostly ready. Just for some reference I started out with an 85GT I bought with a blown engine for $124.00. (which was a steal but the guy had to move it.) After getting it running with a 3.4 https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...090907-2-072303.html I then painted it. So far I probably have about $2K total in it. It's my DD and gets 35mpg on the hwy.. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/102574.html Have not seen where anyone has said. But when/if you go looking at cars the biggest issue in my book is hidden damage from accidents or rust. You want to look for rust in the rear trunk on both sides by pulling the liner back. If you see large rust areas that often means the rear frame rails are in bad shape. If it's just a quarter size or little larger then not so bad. Also check the frame below the battery as the acid likes to wash down and eat that area. Most other mechanical items of a Fiero can be repaired or replaced. It's no fun running into something like this... https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...070315-2-068398.html

3400 eh? A guy at my work has one in his... Malibu or Monte Carlo? Not a new-new car. Maybe 2000 model, I dono. I just remember seeing it when he popped his hood.
There was like the pee-trap type thing that collects unburned gas? Or something like that... His went bad somehow. It's hard to understand him when he tries to describe car problems.

There's a few 3400SFI engines in my area. I may do it, if I can get it set up that easily. I mean a 800$ engine and probably a cheap fiero body. Not bad.

How's the wiring on a PCM? Same as a ECU? Just get the 2 pinouts and match them up? Or do I even need a 3400 PCM?

I know the 1g 63t ECUs can be used on almost any car with a certain type of distributor. There was miatas at this DSM tuner's shop that had a miata engine or f2t and it was ran off a 1g ECU, I think because of how easy they are to chip. There's like a little slot this piece can slide in and out of... for changing tune on your computer.


I feel so dumb here, all my knowledge is like foreign related
Got nothing to do tomorrow. I may go look at some Fieros for sale.

~Chris

Just FYI 3.4's and 3400's are not the same. The 3.4's are a push rod engine just like the 2.8 with iron heads.
You get into the 3100's, 3400's and you find AL heads etc.
the 3.4's most owners have done are from the early 90's camaro. There are some that have done the dual overhead cam engines but does take a ecm change. (pretty sure that's correct)

Tuning can be done or there are a couple shops that do tuning for members on here.

3400 DOHC swap

http://www.gmtuners.com/Cus....4DOHCFiero/swap.htm

3100 or 3400 swap wiring with either a manual or a 4T60E or a 4T60E auto
http://www.gmtuners.com/fil...400_4T60E_wiring.pdf

60 degree V6 site with different engine info
http://60degreev6.com/forum...DegreeV6-Family-Tree

Wikipedia on the 60 deg V6
http://en.wikipedia.org/wik..._60-Degree_V6_engine

3.4 Pushrod Swap
http://fiero34swap.eleventenths.org/

3.4 Pushrod Swap
http://www.thirdgen.org/swapboogie

3.4 Pushrod Swap
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum3/HTML/000026.html

3.4 Pushrod Swap
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...050410-2-055874.html

THE ECM (7730) you want to use if you are going to go with a 3.4 pushrod. Drop the dist also and go DIS
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum3/HTML/000088.html

How to wire a 7730 with a distributor (Don't do it)
http://www.gmtuners.com/files/Fiero2.8_to_7730.pdf

How to wire a 7730 with DIS (go this way)
http://www.gmtuners.com/fil...o_V6_to_7730_DIS.pdf

[This message has been edited by phonedawgz (edited 01-17-2011).]

He was referring to the 3.4 V6 in the 1993-1995 F-Body's.

quote Originally posted by phonedawgz: 3400 DOHC swap http://www.gmtuners.com/Cus....4DOHCFiero/swap.htm 3100 or 3400 swap wiring with either a manual or a 4T60E or a 4T60E auto http://www.gmtuners.com/fil...400_4T60E_wiring.pdf 60 degree V6 site with different engine info http://60degreev6.com/forum...DegreeV6-Family-Tree Wikipedia on the 60 deg V6 http://en.wikipedia.org/wik..._60-Degree_V6_engine 3.4 Pushrod Swap http://fiero34swap.eleventenths.org/ 3.4 Pushrod Swap http://www.thirdgen.org/swapboogie 3.4 Pushrod Swap https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum3/HTML/000026.html 3.4 Pushrod Swap https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...050410-2-055874.html THE ECM (7730) you want to use if you are going to go with a 3.4 pushrod. Drop the dist also and go DIS https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum3/HTML/000088.html How to wire a 7730 with a distributor (Don't do it) http://www.gmtuners.com/files/Fiero2.8_to_7730.pdf How to wire a 7730 with DIS (go this way) http://www.gmtuners.com/fil...o_V6_to_7730_DIS.pdf

Wow a wiring how-to... And it's in English. That's crazy.

Uhm.
Any of you other Texas guys know any shops around who will do the mechanical work for me? I can do the wiring, as the tools needed for that can fit in your pockets.
I would prefer someone who can be trusted, otherwise I'd go out and find my own shop.

I mean yeah, I know I still need an actual Fiero first. But I'd like to know what I'm up against in cost and location of the shop.

Okay so I've done some more reading. And I'm not gunna lie. I didn't know what an F-Body/Platform meant until last night and today. Don't get mad at me :P

Anyway, so 3.4 L32 with rocker+push rods... So does the 3.4 L32 have the VVT? I read it's much harder to get the car running right or to tune it with the active fuel management system that some of the chevy engines come with (well the 3900 is the only one I've seen, but just trying to confirm it's only the 3900 engine).

Also, how tough and dependable is the 3.4? Is it maintenance heavy?

And... What else... Oh yeah, what's the HP after using the 7730 ECM and a DIS? Does the DIS fire better than the distributor since it's not based off timing and such?

Last thing I wanna ask is, where do you buy an American motor from? Should I just hit up a salvage yard? Or buy a wrecked 93-95 camaro/bird?
Like that--->http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/2137481251.html
Anyways, thanks again guys!


Still can't believe I'll get better gas mileage with an engine much larger than the DSMs I was looking at, and I get to run off 87!!! This is so sweet!