I'm going to be building a 4.9 swap here soon so I've been researching the forum for the last couple of weeks. There seem to be many different opinions on whether or not the 4.9 Caddy swap is fast, or the TDC swap, or the turbo 2.8 swap, etc for that matter. So to put things into perspective, I did some NON PFF research and found the following page:

http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/general/musclecars-50fast.shtml

Looking at these charts it seems to me that a stock 4.9 Fiero is as fast or faster than many of the 50 fastest production cars of all time. Some people claim to be in the high 13's with a basically stock 4.9 Fiero. If this is true then it's in league with an 87 GNX, 69 Mustang Mach I, 67 427 Corvette, and many others. If it only runs mid 14' s like others have said, it's still as fast as a 3rd generation LX 5.0 Mustang. I think to be in company with the likes of these cars is not such a bad place to be.

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-Rick Stewart
85GT 4.9/Isuzu 5-spd in progress...

Oh man, I'm gonna get the popcorn!

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Bottle Fed 4.9 V8 5 Speed
I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol.

Basically stock. Hmmm. OK.

quote Originally posted by FieroMaster88: Oh man, I'm gonna get the popcorn!

I'm with ya brotha.

4.9 is the scariest thing i've ever drove and the most fun at the same time. Too scared to give it full throttle from the rumble and torque behind me.

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-Kyle
Email: arte@sek-c.com
Aim: Littlechugger
1987 Notchback 4cyl. (Busted Tranny)
1992 Corsica 3.1L GT =P

Quarter mile times are only part of the story...

The 4.9 will accelerate to the legal speed limit faster than just about anything out there. You better have strong neck muscles because it will push you back into the seat pretty hard upon pressing the "go" pedal.

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1988 GT (Firebird Interior),1988 Fastback (4.9 Chop-top #1 of 1), 1984 Indy...Firebird Interior Installation Website

oh, no, these threads always turn ugly..

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i hope this doesn't turn ugly. i really do.

i am a fan of all the engine swaps. they're all cool. of course i don't like cadallac. never have. i always saw myself building a 3800 fiero someday.

then i met earl and kento. a couple of the local fiero dudes in my neck of the woods. i began going over to kento's just about every weekend to do some work on his 4.9 swap. you know, just cause i like the fieros.

after riding in earl's 4.9. i'm convinced. it's a very fiero worthy swap.

it fits without any frame mods
it fits without any adaptor plates
it's lighter than the v-6
it's plenty fast
and it's butt ugly.

i will own one

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car destroyed by charley, then again by francis
seeking notchback for 4.9/4t60 swap!

That's what I want--neck-straining acceleration, to the speed limit.

I keep going back and forth as to what will eventually end up in my '86. 4.9? 3800 SC? I just don't know. The 4.9 seems easier and cheaper, but the 3800...well, it's SUPERCHARGED for crying out loud!

Decisions, decisions...well, I've got some time, because it's getting a rebuilt 2.8 first so I can learn how to do stuff like this...

Ed

If you are looking for a 1/4 mile racer, The 4.9L is not for you. A stock 4.9 runs about 14.5 to 15.0. With mods they can get into the mid to high 13's. With a turbo, into the 12's. It is not a high reving engine. If you are looking for a fast 1/4 mile you should look into the 3800SC or Chevy 350.
Look through this list:
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/034445.html

I wonder how much bad information there is going to be in this thread. A lot of people who put the 4.9 in their car use the 4t60E trans which is heavy. That will add a good ammount of time to your quarter mile time there. They also dont do any mods to the engines. How many of the 3800's and SBC's are modded when they go to the track? I have a good friend who has a 3800SC series 2 in his 87 GT 5 speed. I ran a 13.9 with it at the drag strip, and thats a completely stock motor. What are stock 4.9's with a 5 speed trans running at the track?

is nice Toogy still has this link up. http://www.alcanada.com/other/FieroDrag.wmv

Stock bottem end 4.9 with 175 000 k, Rev limiter at 6500 rpm and you can hear it bouncing off the revlimiter. This car has a home brew turbo setup. My point is this car can run 12.2 over and over and over, drag race over 300 passes, tear apart 3 trannies. My point is it is a strong platform engine, does need to breath better to get more perfomance out of it for the top end of a drag coarse. On the street with the peak torque at 2200 rpm, well you can figure out how it pulles away.

I have plenty more to share but we will see where the thread goes. I am not saying the 4.9 is the best at anything either. It has just been more reliable and faster than I ever imagined it to be in my case.

Pete

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Thanks for the thoughts guys, and thanks for not turning ugly. To tell you the truth, I don't like taking my car to the track. It's too abusive, I like to baby it. It's hard to describe seat o' the pants feel so the only other way I know to describe a car's power is by quarter mile times. But knowing how it holds up compared to some other "classic" cars is good to know. What Arte444 said describes a car I'd like to own. There's a local guy that's offered to let me ride in his, so I'll have a better impression sometime after all this snow goes away. Jscott1 said EXACTLY what I wanted to hear! 0-60 times are what I'm really after with this swap. Thanks for the link, Pete. Already have that clip saved to my computer for inspiration!

My last Fiero was a SC3800 Series2 and it was scary fast. Thrasher Engineered Performance used to have a deal where they would go to 3800SC equipped car clubs and put on a smaller SC pulley if you had 12 guys or more. They charged $250.00 a pop. So I went to an east coast Grand Prix club meeting with my Fiero and had my SC pulley changed. The car should have been putting out 11-12lbs of boost. But the pulley upgrade didn't make any difference in seat of the pants feel. So I took the car to the track and ran a 14.5. I was pretty disappointed. I figured there must have been something wrong with my install. So I took it home and checked all my wiring and found that I hadn't connected 12+ to the boost control solenoid! @!@#$!@# I hooked up some juice to the appropriate places and that car lit up like a rocket!! I basically went from the performance of a N/A 3800 to a 3800SC with 12 lbs of boost! At the track it was then doing low 13's. Last I heard the car had broken into the 12.9 arena. Last time I raced at he track I got beaten by a 20 second automatic iron duke Fiero! The dude just hit the gas and did the exact same run time after time. He was unbeatable, I think he took home a trophy for the day. His window time was identical to his actual time on every run.

The late 80's Mustangs has almost identical power figures to the 4.9, 225hp@4200rpm, 300lb/tq@3600rpm. I think with a Fiero exhaust and a non restrictive intake the 4.9 should do about the same. But I think the 4.9 has nearly full torque from 2000 up to the redline. And the Mustang LX usually came with 2.73 gears and weighed 3400 lbs. I'm not a Ford guy at all, but this is a good comparison because the Mustang a reasonably good running car and the 4.9 Fiero should beat it!

I rarely drive over 100mph. I rarely drive over 75mph. So I'm really happy to hear that the stock 4.9 is one of the strongest 0-60 cars out there. Like I've written in other posts, every engine has different characteristics for all the many different driving styles. I like to be really fast from light to light when I have to be, and I want buttloads of power getting out onto the freeway. Anyway, I hope this doesn't turn into a pissing contest, it wasn't meant to be. It was late when I wrote the original post and just trying to put the Fiero 4.9 into some sort of perspective in the grand scheme of things.

Thanks all for the input.

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-Rick Stewart
85GT 4.9/Isuzu 5-spd in progress...

Since the two main 4.9 haters are gone, (who also happened to be responsible for starting 80% of the flame wars) I think this thread may be somewhat less flammable than in days past. All I can say is the 4.9 in my Fiero has all the power I need, all the time, no bottle to refill, and a nice rumble behind the firewall.

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'88 Formula - 4.9 conversion by The Fiero Factory
Shifter surround resto by Fierotech
SUPPORT YOUR FIERO MERCHANTS
Proud member of the Lightbar Fraternity
PFF Supporting Member
"He who does not oppose evil, commands that it be done!" ----Leonardo da Vinci

[This message has been edited by Vonov (edited 01-22-2005).]

i have a 4.9 and i love it . ive driven the 3.4 and i wasnt all that happy. they are a great improvement from stock , but i like the 4.9 better

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86 and 87 fiero database www.geocities.com/cwandall/fiero.html

I forgot the mention the rumble and the wow factor. When you fire it up there is no mistaking that it is a V8. The 3800SC is a nice motor but it doesn't have the wow factor of a V8 sitting back there.

quote Originally posted by Oreif: If you are looking for a 1/4 mile racer, The 4.9L is not for you. A stock 4.9 runs about 14.5 to 15.0. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/034445.html

for the last time a stock 4.9 when the computers fully running right is a 14 sec flat car, we suspect even faster with the 3.33 final drive. I'm totally stock and turning 14.1@97 it took getting all the bug out of the installation to get there I started out at 14.9 and got down into the Mid 14's just learning to drive it. Then PBJ found out that he missed wiring the Power Steering into the Ecm so it was messing with the fuel trim. He fixed that and bam I'm @ 14.1 and I think I can p-ull that last 10th out next trip to the track.

It's kinda funny that you said, "for the last time" twice... It's amazing what one stinkin' wire will do!
LOL

[This message has been edited by GT (edited 01-22-2005).]

QUOTE Stock bottem end 4.9 with 175 000 k, Rev limiter at 6500 rpm and you can hear it bouncing off the revlimiter):QUOTE

6500 RPM,,i was told it can never it that mark,,,if a 4.9 can do that with some mods then i am sold and my thoughts r made up

rev'ng to 6500 is no slow poke what my 2.8 redlines at 6000rpm if that

quote Originally posted by linenoise: for the last time a stock 4.9 when the computers fully running right is a 14 sec flat car, we suspect even faster with the 3.33 final drive. I'm totally stock and turning 14.1@97 it took getting all the bug out of the installation to get there I started out at 14.9 and got down into the Mid 14's just learning to drive it. Then PBJ found out that he missed wiring the Power Steering into the Ecm so it was messing with the fuel trim. He fixed that and bam I'm @ 14.1 and I think I can p-ull that last 10th out next trip to the track.

Geez, Take a chill pill! What do you mean "for the last time"???
I mentioned what is posted in the 1/4 mile thread and if I recall, This is the FIRST time I mentioned anything about 4.9L times.
The ones posting numbers in the low 14's- high 13's state they are modded. I see your name on the list and time, But you didn't list what engine/trans combo you have. Are we all suppose to know what you have just based on your time???

I didn't say anything "bad" about the 4.9L and I didn't flame anyone for doing the swap. I just stated what was posted in the 1/4 mile thread and in comparison to what GT appeared to be asking. It appeared he was looking for a fast 1/4 mile time car with a basically stock engine and wanting to be in the 13's. I stated from the list what the stock 4.9L's were listed at (which is still in the 14's in regards to what GT asked in his original post.) and that the 3800SC and SBC's were more of 13-second engines. You appeared to think it was an insult which it wasn't.
No wonder the 4.9L threads get "ugly".

[This message has been edited by Oreif (edited 01-22-2005).]

What's the 0-60 on the 4.9? Does anyone have any videos?

quote a stock 4.9 when the computers fully running right is a 14 sec flat car, we suspect even faster with the 3.33 final drive

So Linenoise, are you saying that with the Isuzu tranny which has a FD of 3.35 it may be possible to break into the 13.9 range with a really good driver??

Is there a 4.9 1/4 mile and/or 4.9 0-60 database anywhere? If not, I'd like to compile it and make it available.

[This message has been edited by GT (edited 01-22-2005).]

quote Originally posted by Oreif: Geez, Take a chill pill! What do you mean "for the last time"??? I mentioned what is posted in the 1/4 mile thread and if I recall, This is the FIRST time I mentioned anything about 4.9L times. The ones posting numbers in the low 14's- high 13's state they are modded. I see your name on the list and time, But you didn't list what engine/trans combo you have. Are we all suppose to know what you have just based on your time??? I didn't say anything "bad" about the 4.9L and I didn't flame anyone for doing the swap. I just stated what was posted in the 1/4 mile thread and in comparison to what GT appeared to be asking. It appeared he was looking for a fast 1/4 mile time car with a basically stock engine and wanting to be in the 13's. I stated from the list what the stock 4.9L's were listed at (which is still in the 14's in regards to what GT asked in his original post.) and that the 3800SC and SBC's were more of 13-second engines. You appeared to think it was an insult which it wasn't. No wonder the 4.9L threads get "ugly".

apperently I came on a little to strong there, my apologies. I guess I'm still vey defensive after all the BS that used to go on round here about the tractor motors. I guess I should go update the 1/4 mile thread to have my cars stock info. As for my comment about for the last time. There have bene 10-15 threads where it's been said that the 4.9 is a mid 14 second car. Even tho I have now proved it to be a low 14 second car.

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100% USDA Certified
1988 GT Black W/Beechwood Interior & 17" ADR Battle Exe's
Want a 4.9 Installed into your Fiero? PBJ can do it!
My ¼ mile time.
The Cadero Registry.

[This message has been edited by linenoise (edited 01-22-2005).]

quote Originally posted by linenoise: I have a video at the track dunring a 15 second run so it's not that impressive. as for 0-60- times nobody has timed one yet, maybe I'll find a way to be the 1st. Your so close all I can say is this spring I'll drive over and you can go for a few 0-60 romps.

send me that video, I'm gonna hold you up on the 0-60 offer

quote Originally posted by 84Fiero2M4: send me that video, I'm gonna hold you up on the 0-60 offer

http://www.ghettosled.com/files/Videos/Fiero%20Race%20Videos/linenoise.mpg

quote Originally posted by linenoise: We need someone with an Isuzu installed to run thiers (Fieromaster has one I think)

Once I get mine Installed I will take it and get a Time slip. I am also planning on a Dyno Run so I can get a good reading o the External Mods I have done (Carb, Intake,MSD,Dual Exhaust, Ceramic Coating) I have not done any racing in over 20 years so I think I will suck at it. Earl ran a 13.99 with his Carbed 4.9 and the th440 he had but has not run it with the Isuzu yet.

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4.9 Caddy ON CRADLE in Garage! Car in Driveway! ACK!

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http://home.cfl.rr.com/fierose
Central Florida Fieros
http://www.centralfloridafieros.org

Proud Member and founder of the DOWN SOUTH SUNNY WINTER PICK ON SNOW PEOPLE COALITION!

linenoise, do you got AIM or YIM, I wanna talk more about your 4.9. hit me up

Musmaro13 on AIM
Darkstarcrx13 on YIM

quote Originally posted by 84Fiero2M4: linenoise, do you got AIM or YIM, I wanna talk more about your 4.9. hit me up Musmaro13 on AIM Darkstarcrx13 on YIM

Look for me in the morning.

quote Originally posted by linenoise: for the last time a stock 4.9 when the computers fully running right is a 14 sec flat car.

Yeah, now that the 4.9 haters are gone no need to be so defensive.

My car hasn't been to the track since the ECM was fixed but it failed emissions badly without it and passed with it so it does make a huge difference

Hey there Rick(GT)!
Its me Bill (the twin) with the purple Fiero! Long time. Its been since Carlisle? I didn't know you were doing another swap! For those that don't know, Rick had one of the FIRST SC3800 swaps, and he did it himself! Jason Haughey (now owns the car. But I don't think the motor and trans are in that car anymore.(if the rumors are true!)
Anyway, why did you decide to go with the 4.9? Not knocking it, just curious since you already had a SC3800. Why not an LT1 or other SBC? BTW, you should ride in Earls or mine, and see the potential the SC3800 has, mine is in the 12.5 range and his is in the 12.20 range! Hows the family?

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1988 Purple Fiero GTw/SC3800 conversion
Best ET with 3.0 pulley,XPHOT cam, SS I/C and 105lb Valve springs: 12.52@110mph
Best 60 Foot ever: 1.735

quote Originally posted by Kento: Once I get mine Installed I will take it and get a Time slip. I am also planning on a Dyno Run so I can get a good reading o the External Mods I have done (Carb, Intake,MSD,Dual Exhaust, Ceramic Coating)

Kento, I'm not sure if carb, msd or ceramic coatings can be considered mods to make the car faster. If anything I think the carb migh be a step in the wrong direction. The dual exhaust and the intake mod may give you some gain.

Rockcrawl has a 4.9 in the low 13s with a cam regrind, higher compression, ported heads and roller rockers. The 4.9 does have some performance potential, but in stock form its not exactly "quick" The fastest 4.9s are those with manual transmissions. The big 4 speed slug of an auto has alot of drivetrain loss. When you only have 200hp to start with, it makes a big difference.

PJB has an impressive engine, any fiero in the low 12s deserves respect.

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Buy a fiero, become a mechanic

quote Originally posted by crzyone: When you only have 200hp to start with, it makes a big difference.

I know you didn't mean any harm by this statement but I just have to chuckle when I hear someone say "only" and 200 hp in the same sentence. Considering that my car came from the factory with a whopping 96 hp and SBCs of that era were barely pushing 200 hp I think the 4.9 is an awesome upgrade. No it's not the fastest engine out there, but "bang for the buck" wise it is hard to beat.

edit for spelling

[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 01-23-2005).]

I was saying 20-25% drivetrain loss will affect a 200hp engine quite a bit. I've seen dyno #s of 4.9s around 155hp. With a standard transmission your only looking at 15% drivetrain loss. It makes a difference.

I had a 4.9
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Archives/Archive-000002/HTML/20040223-1-027839.html

[This message has been edited by crzyone (edited 01-23-2005).]

my Vector FX gave me a peak wheel horsepower of 159 with the 3.65 4 speed manual tranny. this was on a 150K mile engine.
Completely stock.

200 hp from factory
minus 15% loss (30 hp)
170 hp
minus compression loss (11 hp)
gives me 159 hp

sounds right to me.

quote Originally posted by crzyone: I had a 4.9

What happened to it? Looks like a nice setup you had there.