For the part about just the saturn Idea, skip to the second paragraph. If you want to know where i'm coming from and what I want from the fiero, read the first one

So I've been trying to think about what kind of motor I'd really like to put into my fiero. I've tossed around the idea of V8's, DOHC V6's, and the ecotec. I'd tossed around the idea of putting a turbo v6 or I4 in there too, but i'm not big on turbo lag. I've driven all kinds of different cars, N/A stock Saturn, V6 Fiero, 03 Mustang GT, turbo DOHC saturn, etc. I love the sounds of all the different motors i've heard so far, and tried to figure which one I'd want in the fiero. Personally, I don't think a fiero matches the sporty car image I think a fiero should have, I LOVE the V8 sound don't get me wrong, just not in my fiero. The stock V6 sounds great, but I'd rather have the powerband of a DOHC engine ( I like to rev, what can i say?) and the 3.4 DOHC sounds awesome, but weighs a lot (i've read between 400-500 lbs fully dressed). I'd really like to have one of those new 3.6 DOHC VVT's, but I imagine that would be a diffucult swap to complete. I thought about the Ecotec, with it's fairly low weight, aftermarket support, and small size. But I don't know a lot about the ecotec per se. That, and the gear ratio's aren't quite what I'd really like to have. O, that and the gear ratios that are available to a fiero aren't quite perfect either.

So about the saturn motor. Having driven the saturn NA stock, I know a good deal about them. stock is 124 HP, and 122 FT lbs. 6500 RPM. The trans is awesome, there are people who are running over 300 FT lbs to the WHEELS on stock transmissions (stock other than the fact that they have the differential pin welded). There is also a Quaife limited Slip unit available for this trans. The gear choices are great as well, here is what I have on that;

1st = 13.2 2nd = 8.3 3rd = 5.7 4th = 4.1 5th = 2.9 (that's a stock MP3 transmission)
the other choices are 1st = 12.5 5th = 2.6 OR 2.45
So basically, I'd have a very tough transmission, with a fairly long 1st gear, and very close ratio 2-5th with the option of having a very long 5th gear for cruising instead of acceleration
With the tire size I'd be running (and a stock 6500 RPM redline, which I would try to raise to 7K), the speeds I'd reach are,
1st = 36.9 (13.2) OR 39 (12.5)
2nd = 58.4
3rd = 84.3
4th = 116.2
5th = 164.4 (2.9 5th), 187.2 (2.6), 198.3 (2.4)

@ 60 with the gear choices I have; I'd spin either 2372 RPM (2.9), 2083 (2.6), 1966 (2.45)

So with the transmission, I'd have some good choice for what I want.

The engine weighs nothing. With a block, crank, rods, & pistons, Me (I weigh 150) can curl the block, fairly easy. I believe from what I've read, a fully dressed 1.9 weighs 200 lbs. between the engine and transmission, My fiero would lose close to 300 lbs from just the two, (automatic 2.8 is what I have now). There is a fairly strong aftermarket for this engine too, there's forged everything, 2.0 and 2.1 overbore pistons, aftermarket heads, high compression pistons, aftermarket cams, adjustable cam gears, full stand alone engine management, headers, intakes, intake manifolds, 8 lb flywheel, etc. With the right exhuast the engine sounds very deep, and very nice. I really believe it wouldn't be to hard to get up to 175-185 HP N/A from one of these motors, also realize I'd like to get my fiero down to 2400 or LESS pounds, and that I'm only shooting for high 13's. I realize I could turbo one and put it in, but I'd rather not go that route again. I also happen to have a 1.9 sitting around in my garage with nothing to do, which is what made me even think of putting it in the fiero. What I'm thinking about doing, is getting a DOHC coupe, working the motor to exactly what I'd want in the fiero, drive that around for a bit, and then put that exact setup in a hopefully lighter fiero.
I also want to mention, I'd rather have better handling and Good Gas mileage over straight line performance. So what do we think? should I even attempt this or do we think the ecotec would be better?

O yeah, wanted to add some links about what you can do with the 1.9;

here's a list of links on the saturn forum

http://www.turbosaturns.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15759

and this one is good for the parts and stuff you can buy;

http://www.spswebpage.com/store/index.php?cat=s_series&sid=e80b1f7ac54b27a23e7bfa1ef1b3038f

Well it would take custom work but if your going to either do a ecotec or the saturn. I'd go with the saturn, always cool to see something new being done.

bump

do the saturn and take lots of pics. id like to see/read about it.

the saturn motor is the twin cam, which is basically the newer quad4. head on over to the quad4 forums and read up over there too, they are the quad and the tc. www.quad4forums.com

i know what ya mean. ive got a built quad4 in my car, with like 200hp to the wheels (yes, i know, dyno time coming soon.) boomtastic built it from the block up. things a monster, put my gt, and my brothers mustang to shame. (ive got 235or 245's, i cant remember, out back, and chrip reeel good going into second)

dont know much about the 1.9 tho, its whats in my gf's car, and its a dog uphill. peppy tho. and my friend had a 93 with it and a 5spd, it was a fun fun car when he let me drive it. all in all, id like to see it done, your car would be like my cars cousin. definatey build the motor man, na all the way.

Just get a GSXR1000 engine, probibly close to 150hp, real lightweight and... yeah..

Sounds like an interesting swap, you would be the first, I believe.

bump

I'd say definitely try it if you don't mind being a guinea pig... it'd be cool to open up more options for our cars.

You may even be able to get these engines for a good price - due to a little problem that the 1.9 has had since the beginning. The design of the piston rings and their location on the piston lead to deposits forming around the ring grooves and binding them up so they can't seal right. When this happens they'll blow blue smoke out the tailpipe and run like crap; looks just like a worn-out engine.

This doesn't happen to all of them, but it is very common and usually shows up around 60,000 to 80,000 miles. When the owners see their older higher mileage Saturn burning oil like this they usually get a quote on an engine rebuild - then gulp and send the car to the boneyard. They're inexpensive and easy to rebuild when they have this problem...

quote Originally posted by crzyone: Just get a GSXR1000 engine, probibly close to 150hp, real lightweight and... yeah.. Sounds like an interesting swap, you would be the first, I believe.

just get an old harley motor and adapt it to the trans. LOL

quote Originally posted by jsmorter1: just get an old harley motor and adapt it to the trans. LOL

Yeah, at least that motor would actually have some torque to push around a car.