Trying to decide whether to rebuild the 2.5L Vin R or do engine swap with 93 2.5L Vin A from S10

Rebuild of Vin R: have block bored 30 over and replace pistons with flat top, gotta have crank turned, replace timing gears, and port exhaust

or can I buy a Vin A and drop it in??? What mods would be required?

Also engine cradle is really rusted...any ideas???

I have been reading the posts...and getting lots of good ideas...I just need some help making decisions...want to get it on the road as quickly as possible...

Will post pic...when I figure out how...

I would just rebuild or put a rebuilt Vin R engine in. The S10 engine has the starter on the wrong side, correct?

I think the starter can be moved...but I was concerned about the bellhousing. Still researching that.

Lot of work for so little in return.... will the accessories line up? Oil pan, timing cover?

I have the same problem in my 87 here is what i found may very depending on where you are
1 rebuild i cant pull it my self and no where to do itcheapest i found was around $400 then for the rebuild depends on what all it takes water pump , oil pump all extras $1600-$1800
2 new jasper engine $2200 -plus pull and insstall chargemust buy through dealer = $4000 daont ask why
3 salvaged engine ( you dont know what you are getting ) $300- plus any mod plus install.
hope this helps

Well...we pulled the engine ourselves...Thank goodness my boyfriend has a great garage...cost to have block bored and cleaned is $85 and to have crank turned is $100, found pistons for $135 and timing gears for $160, Re-ring kit about $100 includes rings, bearings, and gaskets...will do porting ourselves and put it all back together.

Don't think I left anything out...all other parts are in pretty good shape so will just clean them up and reuse them. Sooo I'm a little over $500+ to rebuild.

We have 4 u-pull-it's within reasonable driving distance...my thoughts...

If we could find a good 93 Vin A then benefit is stonger block for one thing. I found out that the Vin A Iron Duke with the starter on the left (same as Fiero) was installed in the Astro/Safari vans vs. the S10 so maybe go that route. I agree that you don't know what you get (a little scary), and I can get the accessories off the same engine at the u-pull-it...all around...$150-200. If it works, I get the car on the road with a newer engine, a little more hp, and cheaper than the rebuild.

Still trying to figure out if my stock bellhousing will bolt up to the Vin A...

That's my delimma

Another option: Take the head off the 93 engine and use it on yours. It's a better flowing head with longer valve springs, so you can use a cam with more lift if you want to.

Check water pump plumbing... Many truck block don't have the port to use Fiero WP.

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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...)

Thanks Ogre...I'll check it...BTW...your site is AWESOME...spent alot of my day there!

heading to the u-pull-it this morning to see what we can find...fingers crossed!!!

If the craddle looks like that I'd consider parting what is worth parting and hauling the rest to the scrappers. This poor girl needs to be put out to pasture before someone gets hurt or killed when the rest of the rust decides to give way. I sure wish someone would build new spaceframes and craddles for us, but I know that's a serious pipe dream!

got leads on a cradle...block at machine shop...probably going .30 over...project is underway...she isn't ready for the bone yard yet...

Sweet! Cool that your saving it!

Any pics of the car? Please? lol

well...we got the new cradle...it is in great shape...ordered the pistons and rings...block is at machine shop...it looks great and is in great shape...we are moving forward with the rebuild on the engine and I will be posting pics along the way. I do have some pics of car that I will put on here soon.

Well...this is a slow process...but finally got the block back from the machine shop yesterday...had it bored .30 over and custom fit for the pistons, new pistons, rings, bearings, got the new crank, pushrods, freeze plugs...so many parts to mention...off to take pics and will be posting soon. I am sooo excited!

Flat top pistons from what?


Remember, you'll have to buy rings to match the piston application, not the engine.

A couple of people here have done mild performance builds on the Duke and as long as you don't go hog wild the engine should stay together. Just limit the RPM's to below 5,000 RPM and you should be OK. Even with a cam/ kit, high compression pistons, a larger throttle body,an improved exhaust and porting work you will be hard pressed to make over 120HP. A while back The_Stickman2 (Neil Kline from Allentown, PA) and his wife Dawn built a modified Duke Fiero. They were very pleased with the performance and the engine held together. Neil ended up having some health issues and eventually sold the Fiero. I believe that another PA guy now owns it. Going back about 8-10 years there was another guy from Eastern Canada who built a modified Duke. His name was Ira Crummy. If you check the archives you might find loads of good info on this engine but if you want to keep the Duke, don't spend too much or you will end up spending more that a swap would cost.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

Pistons are Sealed Power Z457P30



and the Rings are Sealed Power ZWE251K30

both are same specs as original Iron Duke 2.5L I4 except for the pistons being flat top.

These were purchased from Summit Racing after consulting with the machine shop

When we had the block bored, the machinist custom bored to fit the pistons and rings.

Actual upgrades planned for engine:

bored .30 over
flat top pistons, new rings
new push rods (same size as original)
new crank (from Fiero Store for 87 Fiero manual trans)
new bearings (crank and cam)
Harmonic Balancer
porting exhaust and probably intake
rebuilding TBI
new alternator (because the old one was destroyed in removal from block)

everything else is in great shape and has been cleaned for re-installation

plan is for eco-tech swap in a few years...

Glad you were careful about the rings. Ring widths have varied a few times over the years.

Rings you bought: 5/64 in., 5/64 in., 3/16 in. Thickness
Pistons you bought: 5/64 in. x 5/64 in. x 3/16 in.

I used +.030" Keith Black 9902's because I could get them cheap, and they take the same rings you bought.

If you had used another design, like say ZH100 or ZH105s or similar, you'd have a 1/16 top and second ring.

If you had ordered the stock rings for a late model 2.5, you'd get 1-1/16, 1-5/64, 1-3/16.

WE DID IT!!! Ok, what we did...rebuilt the engine, new pistons, rings, push rods, lifters, crank, pretty much everything except the cam, timing gears, and rockers...IT RUNS GREAT!!! Got the cradle from a wonderful fellow in NJ...THANKS!!! Machine shop was great and did wonderful work. New brakes, struts, exhaust. I couldn't be more excited. We had her out on the road for the first time last night just down the road and back and she did great so we took her farther today and we couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. Will post some pics later. Thanks to everyone who posted comments on here, your suggestions and guidance were very helpful.

Glad to hear that another fiero stays on the road . . . drive on!!!