Hey guys, looking into 3 possible engines swaps for my 88 gt once my 2.8 v6 dies. The three engines im interested in are the 4.3 v6 vortec, 3800 s2, and ecotec.

So i like the 4.3 bcc i HEARD it was 35 lbs lighter then the 2.8, can make 300 hp N/A built up right, more with turbos...better on gas, easy swap...87 octane gas. What im worried about is any weakness in the engine im not aware of and how it will sound, hard to find videos of this engine. And im curious why more ppl are not doing it.

I like the 3800 for the same reasons, lighter, 300 hp, better on gas. (recommended premium but CAN run on 87 and 89 octane) common easier swap...but i dont like that they sound like crap...and the look of the engine inst too impressive.

I love the look of the ecotec, with upgrades it can have 1500 hp for drag applications, (not for me but still...) reliable, light weight...awesome on gas, BUT, does NEED premium gas, one of the more complicated and expensive.


Could you guys post your opinions of each engine in response? in hopes it will help my decision. I'd appreciate it. I basically wanna know which engine both in stock form and in its "upgraded form" is better (upgraded meaning the engine is rebuilt with diff internals blah blah blah in order to achieve its true potential). I know its a hard question to answer, i just wanna make a good choice for a good high powered, good fuel economy good sounding engine...and lets just exclude money as an issue to make it easier. Which engine do u guys prefer and why? And also which engine u guys think is the better "base" to build off of. Thats the most important thing to me...so yeah, hard question...lots of opinions im sure, just trying to get a better feel for each, thanks everyone!

It really depends on how much money you want to spend - between the 3 - the best bang for your buck is the 3800 SC. Lot's of mods available, pretty easy swap and will bolt to your existing trans and/or use the 4 spd auto (4T65HD) - mounts, harness, etc. can be bought "off the shelf" and there is a ton of "been there done that" info out there. The 4.3 would require aditional dollars for an adapter to bolt up to a Fiero trans - plug and play parts like mounts and harness, etc. are probably not going to be readily available - means a lot of fab work and wiring work? Same is true for the Ecotec. Any one can - has been done - it all depends on your skills (how much of the work are you going to do) and what your budget is. If money is no object - then sky's the limit.

Good Luck!

I vote for 1500hp ecotec

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Turbo 3800 E85 F23 5spd spec5
11.17@132.6

quote Originally posted by Justinbart: I vote for 1500hp ecotec

lol!!!!! The Fiero would just flip itself upside down on take off, LOL....IM HOPING TO HAVE 300-350 hp MAYBE 400 out fo whatever engine i choose, if that helps.

a hundred build threads about 3800sc .kings of the drag strip .
the 4.3 needs an adapter plate like a small block chevy , but the people that have done them seem to like them from the few threads i have seen.
neither of those engines save any weight over a stock 2.8 V6 .big gains in power .
the ecotec to do is the 2.2 .millions have been made and they are cheap .the newer from the factory turbo models are scarce and expensive and modding them past 350 hp is a no mans land right now .the drag ecotecs were based on a 2.2 built up as a 2.0 .the stock 2.2 depending on model it came out of has up to 168 HP stock .with the weight savings of about 150 lbs over the stock V6 it makes for an impressive performance and handling advantage over a stock v6 .you can mod a stock motor with a turbo , intercooler , bigger injectors and water meth injection and tuning and get about 275 HP without blowing it up .the weak point in the stock 2.2 motors is the piston upper ring lands .without water meth and a proper tune , they will break .my own motor is a 2006 2.2 that had 25000miles on it .i put in eagle rods and wiseco pistons and new rings that came with the pistons .no machine work was done to this motor .the original cross hatch marks were still there .LSJ head gasket was used as it has been proven to be the best for turbo .no change in cams or valves , new connecting rod bearings , ARP studs for the heads and ARP rod bolts came with the eagle rods .if i want i can now tune this engine to about 400 HP and it will be reliable .i enjoy my ecotec a lot .it is different , light weight and fast .and it is a modern DOHC , still in production engine . i got my original version up and running in 6 weeks .but i dont have little kids under foot and i have a big garage with lots of tools .if you dont have time and tools and at least a spare 3000.00 laying around , none of these swaps will be easy.unless you live in a junk yard like DH.

quote Originally posted by wftb: a hundred build threads about 3800sc .kings of the drag strip . the 4.3 needs an adapter plate like a small block chevy , but the people that have done them seem to like them from the few threads i have seen. neither of those engines save any weight over a stock 2.8 V6 .big gains in power . the ecotec to do is the 2.2 .millions have been made and they are cheap .the newer from the factory turbo models are scarce and expensive and modding them past 350 hp is a no mans land right now .the drag ecotecs were based on a 2.2 built up as a 2.0 .the stock 2.2 depending on model it came out of has up to 168 HP stock .with the weight savings of about 150 lbs over the stock V6 it makes for an impressive performance and handling advantage over a stock v6 .you can mod a stock motor with a turbo , intercooler , bigger injectors and water meth injection and tuning and get about 275 HP without blowing it up .the weak point in the stock 2.2 motors is the piston upper ring lands .without water meth and a proper tune , they will break .my own motor is a 2006 2.2 that had 25000miles on it .i put in eagle rods and wiseco pistons and new rings that came with the pistons .no machine work was done to this motor .the original cross hatch marks were still there .LSJ head gasket was used as it has been proven to be the best for turbo .no change in cams or valves , new connecting rod bearings , ARP studs for the heads and ARP rod bolts came with the eagle rods .if i want i can now tune this engine to about 400 HP and it will be reliable .i enjoy my ecotec a lot .it is different , light weight and fast .and it is a modern DOHC , still in production engine . i got my original version up and running in 6 weeks .but i dont have little kids under foot and i have a big garage with lots of tools .if you dont have time and tools and at least a spare 3000.00 laying around , none of these swaps will be easy.unless you live in a junk yard like DH.

K this is exactly what i needed to know, bcc i was wondering why ppl were doing more 2.2 swaps instead of the 2.0... said the drag engines were originally the 2.2 but built up LIKE the 2.0? And built up right they can have 400 hp? And its awesome u have done this swap b4...could u pls tell me what fabrication mods u HAVE to do to make this engine work? Like rear cradle...engine and tranny mounts? what tranny did u use and what axles? I'd like to get a better idea of what is all involved for an ecotec swap so i can consider it more seriously... Ive read some build threads but 70 pages in gets overwhelming and a lot of the specific info i'd like is lost...I'd also like to know what kinda computer and harness u run for an ecotec, thanks!!

I had a 92-95 4.3 CPI engine in my fiero for a few years. I would probably still have it if I hadn't done the swap with the auto (4T60). The 4.3 was a great spirited daily driver (200 engine hp stock) and was a bone stock install with factory exhaust manifolds. The challenge you will run into trying to push the 92-95 or the 96+ versions is the lack of higher flow injectors. You would either need the Sy/Ty intake with traditional injectors or run a cast iron marine intake or convert it to a carb style intake.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/087174.html

if you use the f23 5 speed manual transmission , you use stock fiero axles .i made my own mounts using the rubber mounts that came on the cavalier engine tranny combo that i originally bought .Roger THelin makes kits .slight mod to the cradle to do it my way , weld in a new rear crossmember for Rogers kit .i used all the cavalier wiring .You really need to read some threads to decide , mine is in the construction zone .evaluate your own skills and resources honestly.a 3800sc is easier than an ecotec , but only for people who dont have the right tools and skill set .

quote Originally posted by fieroguru: I had a 92-95 4.3 CPI engine in my fiero for a few years. I would probably still have it if I hadn't done the swap with the auto (4T60). The 4.3 was a great spirited daily driver (200 engine hp stock) and was a bone stock install with factory exhaust manifolds. The challenge you will run into trying to push the 92-95 or the 96+ versions is the lack of higher flow injectors. You would either need the Sy/Ty intake with traditional injectors or run a cast iron marine intake or convert it to a carb style intake. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/087174.html

Still one of my very favorite installs.

quote Originally posted by wftb: a hundred build threads about 3800sc .kings of the drag strip . the 4.3 needs an adapter plate like a small block chevy , but the people that have done them seem to like them from the few threads i have seen. neither of those engines save any weight over a stock 2.8 V6 .big gains in power . the ecotec to do is the 2.2 .millions have been made and they are cheap .the newer from the factory turbo models are scarce and expensive and modding them past 350 hp is a no mans land right now .the drag ecotecs were based on a 2.2 built up as a 2.0 .the stock 2.2 depending on model it came out of has up to 168 HP stock .with the weight savings of about 150 lbs over the stock V6 it makes for an impressive performance and handling advantage over a stock v6 .you can mod a stock motor with a turbo , intercooler , bigger injectors and water meth injection and tuning and get about 275 HP without blowing it up .the weak point in the stock 2.2 motors is the piston upper ring lands .without water meth and a proper tune , they will break .my own motor is a 2006 2.2 that had 25000miles on it .i put in eagle rods and wiseco pistons and new rings that came with the pistons .no machine work was done to this motor .the original cross hatch marks were still there .LSJ head gasket was used as it has been proven to be the best for turbo .no change in cams or valves , new connecting rod bearings , ARP studs for the heads and ARP rod bolts came with the eagle rods .if i want i can now tune this engine to about 400 HP and it will be reliable .i enjoy my ecotec a lot .it is different , light weight and fast .and it is a modern DOHC , still in production engine . i got my original version up and running in 6 weeks .but i dont have little kids under foot and i have a big garage with lots of tools .if you dont have time and tools and at least a spare 3000.00 laying around , none of these swaps will be easy.unless you live in a junk yard like DH.

Just out of curiousity, is your 2.2 N/A or turbocharged?

i ran my first 2.2 NA for a short time before i turbocharged it .i put a 16G turbo and watermeth and bigger injectors on a stock 2.2 .later i added hp tuners and air to air intercooler .i played around with different charge pipe and turbo mounting while driving it every day for i think 6 summers but i would have to look that up .then i decided to take it to the next level .i was going to put the better pistons and rods in my old motor but when i opened it up , one of the cylinders had some bad scoring .before i opened it up it was running really well , but was using a litre of oil every 3K or so .so i decided to go with a new motor .got another 2.2 for 350.00 from a wrecker in kitchener ont .put in the better pistons and rods and added a hahn racecraft 20G turbo and manifold .i had already added air to water intercooling but i decided to go with bigger charge piping and a full 2.5" dual exhaust as well .i have 42 lb. injectors ready to go in , but engine work is stalled untill i finish my paint job .with the injectors will come a new tune and i hope to run about 350HP at the wheels .