Hey guys, I just wanted to say to everyone on this forum that this kid (not much younger than myself) is puttin me through the ringer with questions about his Duke; so he can get an idea on what he's gonna do when he tears it outta his fiero.
I gave him plenty of info and personal opinion (based on my actual experience) on what he should do. It should be intresting to see if he can achieve the 130-140 horsepower he wants to get out of it.
Zack, I am assuming you know the general engine terminology needed in order to actually perform the task that will be at hand. I wish you good luck with your project, and I'm sure if you post a build thread about it here, we will be watching and giving you as much as you need to know. (if you don't then study up XD)
I think he might be a little hard pressed to make a 130HP+ duke and have it be a reliable DD. Granted it can be done. Niel who owned my IMSA before me built a duke that he said could put up to a 2.8. Problem you get is the duke is just one of those motors that likes itself the way it is. anything else is almost lipstick on a pig.
IP: Logged
01:38 AM
AL87 Member
Posts: 2578 From: Bradenton, Florida, United States Registered: Mar 2010
I think he might be a little hard pressed to make a 130HP+ duke and have it be a reliable DD. Granted it can be done. Niel who owned my IMSA before me built a duke that he said could put up to a 2.8. Problem you get is the duke is just one of those motors that likes itself the way it is. anything else is almost lipstick on a pig.
Lol, Rick! Don't you understand? Us three are all in the same age bracket! =D He's about 19, I'm 20, and your like 23?
I have a stage 1 IMSA You have a stage 3 IMSA And he is gonna have something that should be an IMSA
I think it can be done, Me and Zack discussed what the possibilities are, he's planning on autocrossing it, that is enough to be considered a light duty racecar to me. yes, if he wants it extreme of course he's gonna have trouble in stop and go traffic...
IP: Logged
01:51 AM
Australian Member
Posts: 4701 From: Sydney Australia Registered: Sep 2004
It is possible to get 130hp out of a 4 cyclinder it is called a turbo but do not expect it to last more than a few thousand miles. I have had fast 4's and they certainly don't last long when they blow and it will it is often more than just the head gasket or top end. As you get a motor that small up to that much power the block twists or cracks so usually it is like throwing away money after you rebuild it for the 6th time in a year you will give up on idea of monster power in a 4 cylinder..
IP: Logged
02:15 AM
AL87 Member
Posts: 2578 From: Bradenton, Florida, United States Registered: Mar 2010
It is possible to get 130hp out of a 4 cyclinder it is called a turbo but do not expect it to last more than a few thousand miles. I have had fast 4's and they certainly don't last long when they blow and it will it is often more than just the head gasket or top end. As you get a motor that small up to that much power the block twists or cracks so usually it is like throwing away money after you rebuild it for the 6th time in a year you will give up on idea of monster power in a 4 cylinder..
You may be able to run a turbo with a lower compression ratio?
IP: Logged
02:31 AM
Boni Member
Posts: 114 From: Grodzisk Maz. Poland Registered: Dec 2010
Its possible, but IMO fun ratio (HP gain to money spent on soft turbo) is weak point. Esspecialy if you could find another engine easy fit, with more HP.
I heard this story all the time, and I though the same when I was younger - "I have this engine, so I could make w few HP more, why not". I know now, the keywords for mistake are "I HAVE THIS engine", its wrong way to start project with anything becouse "I have this", and "this" is cheapest part of project. And more wrong, if in the same money you could buy ready solution - bigger, better engine. Of course, in this moment all young people said (me too) "its DIY for fun and knowledge", I know, I know, OK. But if its for fun and knowledge, dont lie yourself its for 30HP more, simple tell "I have a lot of free time and money to spent"
I get it, lol. Learn for fun and knowledge. The Duke is a good base to do that with, its the first engine I ever went solo on. I probably only regained what was just lost power when I rebuilt my duke.
Everything on my '88 duke is stock exept for this small list. #1 MSD coils. #2 2" bore under the TB. #3 Exteme porting (intake/head/exhaust). #4 Removed exhaust flash.
He's got acess to machining tools, so he'll be able to do more. The key is to match your project to an application, then achieve it.
I am confident he can get what he's looking for.
IP: Logged
05:51 AM
Boni Member
Posts: 114 From: Grodzisk Maz. Poland Registered: Dec 2010
Ok, but question is, if put into Fiero the 3.8SC, or even N/A, is not enough for fun and knowledge? I think workload and money is similar to soft turbo on Duke, but you have at last bulletproof, proven solution. And trust me, if at last you built 2.5 turbo, it will be ride only slightly better than 2.8, and nobody care, no more girls watch you fiero, no more risssspekt on town, only a few geeks on forum write "good job", maybe and satisfaction for you only. Its not worth, IMO ofkors; maybe I fresh for fiero, but I have this talk and this story again and again on fords - "I have 2.0 100HP, I want turbo for 140HP" - man, buy any 2.9. "I have 2.9 150HP, I want turbo for 200HP" - man, buy 2.9 cosworth. And here is true point - "I have 2.9 cosworth 205HP, I want 300HP" - man, you have to start the PROJECT
Ok, but question is, if put into Fiero the 3.8SC, or even N/A, is not enough for fun and knowledge? I think workload and money is similar to soft turbo on Duke, but you have at last bulletproof, proven solution. And trust me, if at last you built 2.5 turbo, it will be ride only slightly better than 2.8, and nobody care, no more girls watch you fiero, no more risssspekt on town, only a few geeks on forum write "good job", maybe and satisfaction for you only. Its not worth, IMO ofkors; maybe I fresh for fiero, but I have this talk and this story again and again on fords - "I have 2.0 100HP, I want turbo for 140HP" - man, buy any 2.9. "I have 2.9 150HP, I want turbo for 200HP" - man, buy 2.9 cosworth. And here is true point - "I have 2.9 cosworth 205HP, I want 300HP" - man, you have to start the PROJECT
i agree....its a vicious circle. "go big or go home" thats my new motto.
no mods for me i am just going to buy a Fiero, at the best price, for the most HP offered in said sale. that will handle my HorsePower obsession
it was hard enough to talk myself out of dropping a monster engine into this
but i will keep the Mera stock and turn my eyes toward a 3800 or V8 Fiero in the future. maybe Fiero X has his starter car from when he was a baby. most us had tri-cycles. i bet he had at least a V6 fiero
good show with this endevour.....i am interested in how this turns out good luck! daniel- Mera X
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 01-19-2011).]
IP: Logged
08:02 AM
PFF
System Bot
Boni Member
Posts: 114 From: Grodzisk Maz. Poland Registered: Dec 2010
More advice - I understood young people with ideas "few HP more", couse I remember myself - I was poor young man too, centuries ago So I share my old fart experience - its much easier to gain some life and money and buy a car fulfill needs (doesnt matter if you need more HP, room, fancy shape, etc) than built yourself one dream car (ok, until your dream it is not a real veyron or ferrari or lambo or to collect brand new cars). I dont recommend six cars like our yard but with three or four, its chaper, faster, and easier method to have all fun around pistons activity, than built and built and built one masterpiece. Life is too short, cars are cheap. But I know its difficult to imagine for somebody who has about 20y and has one fine car; five years ago I didnt believe if anybody told me in next 5 years I could use 4x4, personal luxury V8, any one-two daily cars, and fiero as small rebuilt project, simultaneously.
More advice - I understood young people with ideas "few HP more", couse I remember myself - I was poor young man too, centuries ago So I share my old fart experience - its much easier to gain some life and money and buy a car fulfill needs (doesnt matter if you need more HP, room, fancy shape, etc) than built yourself one dream car (ok, until your dream it is not a real veyron or ferrari or lambo or to collect brand new cars). I dont recommend six cars like our yard but with three or four, its chaper, faster, and easier method to have all fun around pistons activity, than built and built and built one masterpiece. Life is too short, cars are cheap. But I know its difficult to imagine for somebody who has about 20y and has one fine car; five years ago I didnt believe if anybody told me in next 5 years I could use 4x4, personal luxury V8, any one-two daily cars, and fiero as small rebuilt project, simultaneously.
man, i like this guy .^^^^^^^^^^ i hear that. a couple good cars in my life are better that a great one that is "to be determined". always a project never a car
i got these for now....
not too many so to lose the attention that each car deserves to remain a sweet ride! i do need one more. a Fast Fiero....i really want a fast Aldino but, a 3800SC/V8 1988 Fiero GT would work too. one day....
Dan
IP: Logged
11:45 AM
AL87 Member
Posts: 2578 From: Bradenton, Florida, United States Registered: Mar 2010
Ahh yes... the "I'm gonna build a Duke" thread for 2011. Comes along every year, and somehow the outcome is going to be better than the year before...
I had my duke "built" a year ago... its fine... I didn't try to make it a race engine, but its as good as a slightly modded duke would be... If you have the money and want to build a monster duke, go right ahead, because you can afford it... You have to realize the potential of a stock engine... and not cross the line with it, otherwise it goes BOOM!
I feel as long as you dont: Turbo it Bore it Increase redline
you should be fine... I think Zack is going to put on as many re-enforced components as he can afford, and make the most of the stock head, then couple everything together with an SD style intake manifold nice cam with roller rockers and a custom header.
(HP gain to money spent on soft turbo) is weak point. Esspecialy if you could find another engine easy fit, with more HP. 
I think workload and money is similar to soft turbo on Duke, but you have at last bulletproof, proven solution. And trust me, if at last you built 2.5 turbo, it will be ride only slightly better than 2.8, and nobody care, no more girls watch you fiero, no more risssspekt on town, only a few geeks on forum write "good job", maybe 
good luck!
