I seen a guy post this on one of the fiero Facebook groups and next to no one was nice about the idea, I however thought it was a good possibility to add to the list of motor swaps. I've seen a lot of different styles and manufactures used for motor swaps in fieros. Some of them being easy swaps and some off them need lots of work to make work. I figured I would ask a website I know is full of crafty imaginative people and ask, what do you guys think of trying a Mitsubishi vr4 3.0L V6?
I like the "think outside the box" idea(s). I also like swaps that are not main stream. I say go for it! Be the pioneer and lead the way. Oh, and provide many photos along the way. In the end, a Fiero doesn't care what engine is powering it, only non-purists do. Heck, if you were closer, I'd even give you a hand.
If you want to swap in that engine (or any other for that matter) and you have to skills and means to accomplish it, then don't ask about doing it, just do it.
If you don't have the skills to do the swap yourself (welding, bracket fabrication, ecm wiring, etc), then you are better off sticking with an engine your "installer" is comfortable/familiar with. Paying someone else an hourly rate to learn as they go is a very expensive proposition.
If you want to swap in that engine (or any other for that matter) and you have to skills and means to accomplish it, then don't ask about doing it, just do it.
If you don't have the skills to do the swap yourself (welding, bracket fabrication, ecm wiring, etc), then you are better off sticking with an engine your "installer" is comfortable/familiar with. Paying someone else an hourly rate to learn as they go is a very expensive proposition.
If you are wonding how hard it would be, it really does depend on level of skill. I suppose some Mitsu fans would have useful input too. I dont even know if its a reliable engine I mean basically you make it fit, make it bolt up, make the wiring work, hook up the plumbing, and make the guages work. Easier said than done right? Having a good whole donor car is probly a plus if you did.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 07-03-2014).]
If I remember there is a lot to that car and engine plant...the VR4 was turbo'd and had intelligent exhaust...it shut down part of it to make it no so loud in-town at lower RPMs & interactive body panels if I remember correctly...with that all said...the engine and the car were both a blast to drive!
[This message has been edited by TXOPIE (edited 07-03-2014).]
Find a car with this engine in it and take as many measurements as you can. If it will physically fit in the Fiero, then it's possible. I can tell you from personal experience that a 1-off non GM engine swap is a LOT of work. Mine took 6 months to do which was working on it every weeknight and some 12 hour weekend days. What is your skill level? If your unsure it's best not to try it.
Find a car with this engine in it and take as many measurements as you can. If it will physically fit in the Fiero, then it's possible. I can tell you from personal experience that a 1-off non GM engine swap is a LOT of work. Mine took 6 months to do which was working on it every weeknight and some 12 hour weekend days. What is your skill level? If your unsure it's best not to try it.
More or less its something that I felt had better potential than being compeletly bashed by everyone on the Facebook groups. I thought that guy was on to something with this motor, unfortunately he chose the 3800 route.. this isn't something I intend to do either, at least not now. Maybe sometime wayyyyy down the road if I ever make my roadster just throwing another engine in the loop for possibilities
Keep in mind that when you branch into a new swap, you'll be out there on your own. There won't be any reference point to go by and you'll have to redo parts a few times to get it right. I've done 3 one-off swaps and the hardest part of them were figuring out how to make them functional.
Keep in mind that when you branch into a new swap, you'll be out there on your own. There won't be any reference point to go by and you'll have to redo parts a few times to get it right. I've done 3 one-off swaps and the hardest part of them were figuring out how to make them functional.
As a former "part owner" of a Dodge Stealth and Mitsubishi 3000 GT with the turbo VR4 engine I think that this would be a difficult swap just from a size standpoint. That does not even take the all wheel drive transmission into account. The twin turbos and all the accessories completely fill the front deck of the car and are likely too much volume to fit inside the Fiero read deck (even with the trunk cut/removed). It was fairly difficult just to install upgraded turbos and an alcohol system on a stock VR4 setup. I am certain that there is a way to make it happen with a lot of time/money but I would not care to try this conversion. The non turbo version of this engine would likely be an easier/less complex swap.
BTW, watch out for spun bearings around 75000 miles since this is a documented problem with the turbo VR4 engine. It was two for two for me with the turbo VR4 configuration. Then the ECU shorted, caused an overspeed condition, and sent a rod through the new block with less than 5000 miles on it. That was the last VR4 experiment in the house.
If you decide to do this take a lot of pictures and post them on PFF. I would like to see how this project goes and would subscribe to the thread.
Nelson
[This message has been edited by hnthomps (edited 07-04-2014).]
If we want to be current and stay all GM this engine has got to be the next step up. Don't know if anyone has attempted one yet but it would sure be sweet to see one. Twin cams and a compression ratio of 11.3:1 is used to provide amazing power. Its also 100% aluminum and lightweight. ------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 07-04-2014).]
That is what I have been working on in my spare time. The Saab 9-3 2.8t is a variant of the 3.6. They are both in the GM high feature family.
I wanted a swap with dual overhead camshaft V6, variable valve timing, factory turbo, factory installed manual transmission, aluminum block and heads....etc. I didn't want to stay naturally aspirated and I wanted a factory turbo setup. I also didn't want to have a four cylinder or I would have gone with an ecotec turbo. I am fairly certain that this is my last Fiero swap that I will be doing though.
That is what I have been working on in my spare time. The Saab 9-3 2.8t is a variant of the 3.6. They are both in the GM high feature family.
I wanted a swap with dual overhead camshaft V6, variable valve timing, factory turbo, factory installed manual transmission, aluminum block and heads....etc. I didn't want to stay naturally aspirated and I wanted a factory turbo setup. I also didn't want to have a four cylinder or I would have gone with an ecotec turbo. I am fairly certain that this is my last Fiero swap that I will be doing though.
Dave
I figured that if anyone would attempt this swap it would have to be you. The challenge with these new high feature engines is that the electronic controls have become so complex that it makes it difficult to develop and program a stand alone PCM to run them . Your install looks great and like it is nearing completion.
I am running the stock ecu from the Saab. There were quite a few hurdles to leap to make it work. The stock ecu needed to see other modules to function properly which had to be bypassed and simulated. With the mods done, I expect to see 400whp. and should be driving it before labor day weekend.
