Did a few 3800SC swaps into Pontiac 6000's and even one into my 95 trans Sport van. They use a similar wiring system just it is a C100 instead of a C500 so it shouldn't be too bad of a harness to make. I would have to either have a car here or go make one up on a car at the wreckers for the first one then just record all the required wire lengths to make any more harnesses after that. Dan
The car is in FL, so that would be a trick.
Let me know on pricing, so he can decide if he wants to go ahead.
I know there are several Canadian T-Type owners. Frankly, any LeSabre from 87-89/90 should work for measurements. Only difference, the engines went from the Vin 3 3.8l V6 to the Vin C 3800 on center blocks. ECM wiring goes into the car in the same location, so hopefully that wouldn't change things any.
I'm planning a 3800SC series II swap for my 85GT. One key goal is minimal down time, as I want to finish this during a 1 week vacation I'll have coming in March. I've bought an engine cradle from The Fiero Store and a 4spd muncie from The Fiero Factory along with all poly mounts from WCF. I want to have everything assembled on the cradle so it's a simple "drop the old, hook up the new" process. The same goes for wiring. How much would it cost for a complete harness that does not involve me sending any parts from the Fiero? I can't tear into it as I drive it on a regular basis.
I will run OBDII and was considering buying the harness FastFieros offers. I'll have no AC, no emissions, and will mount the Fiero alternator with WCF's Alternator Bracket and Idler pulley.
[This message has been edited by zi_gravedigger (edited 11-13-2007).]
Thanks for the quick reply. I'm definitely interested, but I'm going to purchase the engine itself next. I should be in contact with you before christmas.
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09:43 PM
Nov 14th, 2007
htexans1 Member
Posts: 9115 From: Clear Lake City/Houston TX Registered: Sep 2001
Hmm...well, they look great and a better deal than I've found elsewhere. I hate extra wiring too, and I prefer it done by someone with experience. When I finally do my engine swap, I know who I'll go to.
------------------ 1986 SE V6, stock, auto, fastback. GT Trim and Body panels.
i got the part about the engine harness. But you mentioned that you also make the mounts to drop the engine into a fiero?
also, it looks like you have mounts of the alternator and a/c compressor, is this correct?
if so, i have an 88' which i will be installing a none-emissions series-lll into. I will be swapping out the fuel rail and throttle body to a northstar TB and series-ll fuel rails and harness.
i read that teh mounts and the harness all together are $600 cdn. But what about the cost of alternator and a/c brackets (if even offered)? i would rather deal with one vendor for a swap. Not to mention the option of using a dog bone? thanks
I no longer make the complete kits due to the time required to find all the needed parts. For example on auto swaps getting the one axle inner some time takes weeks to find one as it has to be from a GTP or Regal SC car only the other SC cars axles are different. If I am given enough time I can make up a complete kit that includes the harness, all mounts, alt brkt, throtle cable adapter and for auto swaps the axles and shifter linkage adapter. Dan
What are the C203 and C500 connectors? Are these the two plugs that go into the Fiero computer? I just purchased a 97 GTP and will be doing a 3800 swap soon.
Enlighten me guys: does it really take so much time & materials that it costs $400 for a harness? I've got a '95 Buick 3800, a '92 Lumina 4T60E, & the ECU/some wiring out of the Buick. I'm working on making the cradle (have the jig made), & after that I'll be ready to mount the engine/trans & start the install. Am I really looking at that much time just to wire the thing up? BTW no way can I afford to pay that much for a harness, even though it's worth it. Is there a thread that shows the wiring? I know there are a LOT of threads on the swap I just haven't had time to go through them all. Thanks, ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver"
Not sure where we're going but, no sense in being late!
The C203 connector is the one inside the console by the Fiero computer it is in the wires leading away from the computer that feeds toward the front of the car. Half the C203 is white and the other half black it is the white half that is needed to make your harness so when finished you just plug the two halves back together. The C500 is the one over by the battery on the 85 up Fieros and is the portion of the connector that feeds off to the engine that is also needed. The C500 comes apart using a 1/4" socket then seperate the tail light portion of the harness before removing the engine portion of the connector. As for value is a swap harness that is plug and play worth $400, that is up you. I don't feel $400 is too much to ask when you consider I have close to a week of my time into building one as well as the cost of materials and return shipping all in all I would say $400 is a good deal and to a lot of people well worth the expense. At the same time I am also doing a 3800SC swap harness build in the technical section for those who want to do their own harnesses but need a little help and have helped out many others in the past do their own swaps either through answering questions on posts or through email and even through phone calls to those who call me up asking for help. If you look at the photos in the link below my sig you will see lots of photos put up to try and help others with their swaps. Dan
I hate electronicly controlled cars. I didn't really mean to doubt the value of your harness, it's just hard for me to fathom that it's going to take me a week (or two if it takes *you* a week when you know how to do it) to wire the car to get the damn engine to run & guages to work. If so I may just forget the whole idea, & go back to looking for a SBC with a carb. Did I mention I hate electronicly controlled cars? ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver"
There is no problem that cannot be solved with the *right application* of high explosives.
I say a week for me but I am working with a serious disability which heavily reduces the use of my right arm and prevents me from sitting or standing in one spot too long. So a capable person most likely could get a harness done faster, that and I bnelieve in taking my time to do my best at the things I do. Dan
The C203 connector is the one inside the console by the Fiero computer it is in the wires leading away from the computer that feeds toward the front of the car. Half the C203 is white and the other half black it is the white half that is needed to make your harness so when finished you just plug the two halves back together. The C500 is the one over by the battery on the 85 up Fieros and is the portion of the connector that feeds off to the engine that is also needed. The C500 comes apart using a 1/4" socket then seperate the tail light portion of the harness before removing the engine portion of the connector.
Thanks for the info, it was very helpful. I have another question, all Fiero C500's the same? The reason I ask this is because my Fiero is in storage for the winter and I cant get to it to remove the C203 and C500. Also I plan on driving the car with the stock 4cyl for a while once it comes out of storage, so I really can't go ripping my car apart. My question is could I use any C500 from any 85+ Fiero? or would it have to have a similar engine and trans. I'm assuming it doesn't make a difference, but I don't know much about car wiring and car computers so I figured I would ask.
The 85 up C203 and C500 connectors are the same for similar optioned cars for example A/C equiped cars have a few extra pins used and 4 speed cars do not all have wiring in the C500 for reverse lights. This can be fixed by adding a few pins if needed, even the 84 connectors can be used with a little work moving pins around. I quite often rework 84 C500 connectors when making swap harnesses where I am not supplied with the connectors and have found the Pontiac 6000's along with some other "A" body cars use the same connector as our C203 but with different coloured wires. Dan
Found a better source for harnesses and parts that I use to make the 3800 series II swap harnesses so I will be dropping my prices slightly. When the person has a 3800 harness to give me I will charge $400 CDN for the complete swap harness and if they do not have a usable harness I will charge $450 CDN for the complete swap harness. Not a big difference but I found a way to do things a little cheaper cost wise so I am passing on the savings. Dan
Flyer-- my harness arrived a day or two ago and it looks great! Thanks for the good work! I'll be hitting you up for some install tips.
Have you decided whether to do any more 3800 kits? Thanks.
I might be looking into grabbing one of those harnesses off of you, picking up a salvage or irreparable write off at the local auction and slapping it all together but your still doing the 4spd mounts correct? I don't have the C500 or the other one due to my harness being with someone else that was suppose to make a Quad Cam harness but I haven't been able to get a hold of, so basically my question being do you have any of those kicking around if need be? I guess its a plus that were both cold canuks too :P
So, for an '88 I'd need to find the C203 and C500 from any '85 up with a 5-speed or auto and AC? The existing connectors need to remain in the car until the swap happens cause I'll be driving it 'till then. This would be for a California car so all the smog wiring would still be there, correct? I have no clue whether there are additional connections for California smog. The harness I would send is from a California 98 Buick Ultra.
Yes the 85 up C203 and C500 are the same with matching options but pins can be moved around when necessary, even the 84 connectors can be used when 85 up ones are not available. Just need the engine portion with a few inches of wire to work with. For your swap you would be better off getting a GTP PCM then I can make the harness to match it so the pass key will not be a problem or if you want to send along your PCM I can exchange it for a GTP PCM with the pass key removed. Dan
For your swap you would be better off getting a GTP PCM then I can make the harness to match it so the pass key will not be a problem or if you want to send along your PCM I can exchange it for a GTP PCM with the pass key removed. Dan
That would be great and I'd happily take you up on it except it has to be a "California" ECM and I doubt you have one of those. What's the difference? I have no clue. But I'd worry that when they plug the smog tester into a different GTP ECM I'd get an instant "ah-ha you fail". As I understand it I can take the ECM to a dealership and they can disable the Passkey. I don't want to give the smog nazis any easy excuses. I'm sure they'll find enough as it is.
which mounts do you have? I'd be interested in them and the harness to be made for my series II 3800 supercharged for my 87 Fiero.
quote
Originally posted by FIEROFLYER:
I am now a few sets of mounts ahead as well if any one wants a kit for the 3800 instal including the harness and mounts that I use I would be wanting $600 CDN every thing. Dan
------------------ 1988 FIERO Coupe "IRON DUKE" 5-Speed (the show car ;-) 1992 Firebird T-Tops V-8 24k original Florida miles(collectors car)
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03:23 PM
Jun 17th, 2009
carbonfiber_kid Member
Posts: 203 From: Oxford, Mi, USA Registered: Apr 2006