I am looking to do a swap here in the next few months and have narrowed it down to two motors the 3.8 Supercharged and the 4.9L v8.....what are some pros and cons between each motor? What will cost more? What will be faster? what will be easier? n so forth... any info anybody has will be a +

------------------

Use the Search function and you will find many of these Threads that usually end up in a flame war. For the most part, if the person has a 3800, they will say 3800 or if they have a 4.9, then they will say 4.9. With that being said, I have a 3800 SC and say go that route being they are so many aftermarket HP upgrades for the motor. The swap is really not that expensive if you look arounf for good deals on the parts needed and dont get in a hurry. So far everyone that has ridden in my car has had a smile of there face when they got out. I am starting my 2nd 3800 swap this month but using the 5 speed this time, that way I can have the best of both worlds, auto and 5 speed.

Pretty much what he said... I was researching and trying to figure that all out myself. From what it seemed, people were putting stock for stock them both even. But the 3800 has a larger aftermarket, not to mention I think people were getting better mileage out of it.

It all depends on what you are after in my opinion. I wanted the increase H.P that came along with having a supercharged Fiero. Others would want the H.P with the novelty of a V-8 Fiero.

I went with the SC3800... I love the sound of the blower whine

You need to decide what you want in the car first.

1. Do you want a Stop light to stop light 1/8 mile monster with goobs of torque on the low end?

2. Do you want High RPM Power and Long Legs?

3. Do you want the OMG factor of a V8?

4. Do you want the COOL Factor of the Supercharged 3800?

Yes I have a 4.9 and I love it, I can be in any gear and stomp on it and it goes. Either Motor would be a good choice just work with what you have available and what you feel you need. then go with that.

A SC3800 also has a lot of wow factor but the V8 sound of the 4.9 will be noticed more. Independent of price or complexity I would choose a SC3800. You can get with it (moded) the same torque and more HP. Just my opinion

------------------
Palm Beach Fieros
http://pbfieros.tripod.com

People say V6 is stock. People see V8 and get scared.

They both have there good points.

It you want a rat racer street killer go 4.9

If you want a top speed car go 3800SC

Trying to compare a 3800SC to a 4.9 is like trying to compare a Honda S2000 to a Dodge Viper. They are both fast, they just do it in different ways.

You can change the pulley on the 3800 and make it faster than a 4.9, you can simply add any form of boost to a 4.9 and make it faster.

Stock for Stock they are both fast motors in Fiero's.

They can both be modified to go faster.

Me Personally I liked the ease of install of the V8 and and I love the V8 Sound and Instant Torque. I have been in 3800SC cars and they have there coolness. Once they wind up there is nothing stopping them short of redline in top gear.

I'm undergoing a SC 3800 swap right now. I'd like to see how a v-8 conversion feels. Anyone wanna switch cars for an afternoon?

------------------
Project "Death-Trap" L67 Fiero

quote Originally posted by Capt Fiero: They both have there good points. It you want a rat racer street killer go 4.9 If you want a top speed car go 3800SC

most 4.9's are runnign 14's right
i don't know about the majority but the local 3800sc guys are runnign in the 12's

i'd tend to think the 3800 is a street killer

If you do a 3800 make sure it's not a NA 3800, If you do a 4.9 make sure its for the years 90 to 95. ppl make the mistake of thinking a pre 90s 4.5 is a 4.9.

The 4.9 in stock form is fun, But has alot of untapped potential If you do your homework. You will also get alot of flack from ppl if you go with the 4.9. For some reason ppl tend to think the 4.9 crowd is cheap penny pinching scrooges (not the case) It might be cheaper then a 3800sc, But I didn't get my 4.9 for that purpose. I wanted a light enough engine to almost match the stock engine weight so handling would not be affected.

The 3800sc engine is faster but heavy as hell. The 4.9 can be made to go faster as well. A few ppl have already made these engines fly, Rockcrawl, PBJ and MTA.
The 3800sc engine looks better then the 4.9. But there are very nice looking 4.9s (specially the ones with the allante intake)
Changing the plug wires in a 4.9 is a major pita, The 3800 is a bit easier.
The 4.9 is expensive to rebuild.

3800 has more aftermarket.

Now that I explained (sort of) about the swaps the 3800sc might be more money to do, But it ballances out if you ever have to rebuild it.

Bottom line ...we can't help you decide, That's entirely up to you

------------------

[This message has been edited by 86fieroEarl (edited 06-27-2005).]

Do the 3800sc, it's quicker in the quarter mile.

Jack

------------------
If you can not run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!

I totally agree with what's been said...it all depends on what you want.

I went with the 4.9 for the wow factor of a V8. A supercharged V6 just doesn't excite me as much. The only other choices for me would have been a Northstar, an LT1 or an LS1.

------------------

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

quote Originally posted by jscott1: I went with the 4.9 for the wow factor of a V8.

Here is a link with pictures of my WOW factor, that is what is said everytime somone looks under my decklid and looks at my 3800 SC install. Then there is the HOLY SHIZ factor thats I get once they go for a ride in it or I let them drive it. If you really wont a clean, good looking install that offers speed along with HP, then the 3800 is the way to go. I have seen a few clean 4.9 installs but most of them consist of hoses/wires running everwhere and nothing hidden. I am starting my second 3800 swap now but this time on a 5 speed in my 88 GT.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/049019.html

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!

------------------
Project "Death-Trap" L67 Fiero

Hi all,

Personally I'd go with the 3800 simpliy cuz there is a bigger aftermarket for go faster parts.......

quote Originally posted by MstangsBware: Here is a link with pictures of my WOW factor, that is what is said everytime somone looks under my decklid and looks at my 3800 SC install.

The L67 is a beautiful engine, makes lots of power, sounds cool, most of the installs I have seen are clean and the engine looks like it belongs there. That's why I went with the 4.9. The idea of taking a big V8 from a luxury car and stuffing it into a Fiero is ludicrous, and represents hot rodding at it's finest. That's why when you say to anyone you have a 4.9L V8 in the Fiero they go WOW! That's what I mean by the wow factor.

For what its worth, here is my opinion on this subject and keep in mind I am trying not to step on anyone's toes here (specifically 4.9 guys)...

Bone stock the 96-up 3800 Series 2 SC (L67) engine produces 240hp and 280tq. These engines pull great from about 2800-6000rpm.

Bone stock the 1992 4.9 PFI V8 produces 200hp and 275tq. I have not driven one of these personally but I hear they pull great from off-idle to about 4500rpm.

Judging by the 1/4 mile list you can expect low 14's out of a stock 4.9-equipped car and mid 13's out of a stock L67-equipped car, depending on what transmission you have.

Now sound and "wow" factor are personal preference issues that only you can answer. With that aside, lets talk about potential. To be 100% honest and forthcoming, the avg person is going to have a much easier and cheaper time modding an L67 to put out more power, dollar for dollar, than trying to do the same using a 4.9. I'm not saying a 4.9 cannot be built to put out a lot of power, nor am I saying that performance parts cannot be found for it...What I am saying is the avg person is going to have an easier time finding mod parts for the L67 and probably at a cheaper price than those you can get for the 4.9.

------------------
power corrupts. absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Custom Computer Tuning | Engine Conversions | Turbocharging | www.gmtuners.com

Darth, great response. Thank you.

------------------
Huh?

For the sake of comparison:

90's 5.0 mustangs with T5's run around 13.9-14.2 totally stock.
LS1 F-bodys run mid to low 13's.

well? Do you have two fieros? If so you can put the 4.9 in one and a 3800sc in the other.

------------------


http://www.iamanascarfan.com/

I am the signature virus, please put me in your signature so I can spread

quote Originally posted by sonic50: well? Do you have two fieros? If so you can put the 4.9 in one and a 3800sc in the other.

I do and one had a 3800SC/Auto in it and the other one is in the process of getting a 3800SC 5 speed put in it. That way I can have the best of both worlds, a 5 speed thats fun to drive and an auto that I can really get on.

I just had a 4.9 done by Rockcrawl and I am very pleased. I considered a 3800sc and picked the 4.9 because of the sound of the V-8. It has enough wow factor by telling people about a V-8 in a Fiero and the torque produced. Oh by the way it's not stock it has a higher lift cam and is ported ans other mods. I didn't look for a inexpensive swap but wanted a reliable engine that will give me the service of a 4.9.

Earl

------------------
1986 FieroGT now a 4.9

So if you added the N* into the list that would be the better of the other 2 ???
And isn't the cost of a N* about the same as the others??
I know the 4.9 in our 92 Eldo was ok, but the N* in the 2001 Eldo slams you
back in the seat.

quote Originally posted by carolinajoe: So if you added the N* into the list that would be the better of the other 2 ??? And isn't the cost of a N* about the same as the others?? I know the 4.9 in our 92 Eldo was ok, but the N* in the 2001 Eldo slams you back in the seat.

the N* is faster and is about the same price to swap?

------------------

What about a SBC? im sure a TPI 350 wouldn't be a slump. But im not sure how expensive this is compared to the others, but i do know they can put out some serious power.

I have been looking at N* and can get into the salvage auctions through a friend.
I have seen them with car going from $300 to $600 in either seville or Eldo.
I do work for the guy and can trade for the Buyers fee.
Someone I talked to (Mechanic with N* Fiero) had used the OBDI computer,
not sure on all the facts except he said it was easier. He is also using an automatic with his.
He did his for a total of 1K but his brother owns a Salvage yard.
I am seriously thinking of seeing how much he would charge me to
do a swap.

After all the TPI 350 out of the 87-90 camaros had 225-245hp and 330-345 lbs/ft

I'd have to say that would do very nicely just stock.

What is the WOW factor for the 4.9? Is it just that it is cheep. The 3800 seems like the more logical choice. it seems the only way to get up to the power and speed of a 3.8 from a 4.9 is by getting heads and a cam. And by then you could of already bought the 3800 and still be faster.

Earl who has a 4.9 even says the 3800 is better.

------------------
When good forum members go bad.

A better comparison would be a NA 3800 and a 4.9. Both are 200hp engines and would be similar in the 1/4. The SC3800 will blow away a 4.9, stock for stock. The 3800sc is much easier and cheaper to modify than the 4.9. The only downsides to the 3800sc is the extra weight and initial cost of the motor.

More cylinders by no means better or faster... As for the SBC.. Lets step into the new millenium here..

3800SC. Even if it is/was the same performance wise as the 4.9 it's cheaper and easier to make faster. Trust me, the "wow' factor of a 4.9 will wear off it runs 14's/15's in the 1/4.

------------------

Bottle Fed 4.9 V8 5 Speed
I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol.
"Whatever happened to stimpy?"

It all depends on what you want your car to do. Some of us have never taken our cars to the track, so it doesn't matter if it runs mid 14s or 13s or whatever.

quote Originally posted by jscott1: It all depends on what you want your car to do. Some of us have never taken our cars to the track, so it doesn't matter if it runs mid 14s or 13s or whatever.

Thats true, I wanted a clean install and a fast car, thats why I chose the 3800 SC. After seeing a few 4.9 installs that looked like a bundle of hoses/wires exploded under the decklid, that was reason enough to stray away from the 4.9. Although I have seen a few clean 4.9 installs but for the most part they are pretty rough looking.

quote Originally posted by jscott1: It all depends on what you want your car to do. Some of us have never taken our cars to the track, so it doesn't matter if it runs mid 14s or 13s or whatever.

Why have a car if you're not gonna take it to the track????

quote Originally posted by FieroMaster88: Why have a car if you're not gonna take it to the track????

You are joking, right? In my 26 years of driving I've never had a need to know how fast my car can cover a quarter mile. On the other hand I have had several thousand days when I needed the car to take me to work, or school, or shopping or just for a cruise.

I wouldnt take my Oldsmobile to the track, but my Fiero is my "toy" car which I like to abuse. Drag strip, autocross, whatever. I like to make it faster. Thats what I built it for and thats what I use it for. I know it's not that way for everyone, so yes, I was joking.

quote Originally posted by crzyone: A better comparison would be a NA 3800 and a 4.9. Both are 200hp engines and would be similar in the 1/4. The SC3800 will blow away a 4.9, stock for stock. The 3800sc is much easier and cheaper to modify than the 4.9. The only downsides to the 3800sc is the extra weight and initial cost of the motor.

and that depends on the area - around here its easier to find a northstar than a 4.9 and you can pick up a 3800sc thats only a couple years old cheaper than a 4.9 thats aged and high milage

[This message has been edited by Kohburn (edited 06-30-2005).]

I don't know what it is about Alberta but engines are frigin expensive.. A good 3800sc is around $2500, my 4.9 was $1000 (cheapest I could find). Northstars are almost non existant in yards and usually fetch $3-4k. I drove all the way to the coast for my low mileage 03 N* to find a decent price.

quote Originally posted by jscott1: It all depends on what you want your car to do. Some of us have never taken our cars to the track, so it doesn't matter if it runs mid 14s or 13s or whatever.

But where is the 'wow' in a 15 second quarter mile? The 2 extra cylinders??