In the process of restoring / resurrecting our tube frame GT1 Fiero, I was searching for spare 90 degree V6 parts when I was contacted by gentleman in Canada that had two engines built by Spice Engineering. A deal was struck and I recently went and repatriated them the the U.S. The engines came with several folders of documentation, so I thought I would share a little info on the non-Huffaker Fiero's. As most know, the tube fram Huffaker cars had a transverse mounted SD4 and used the stock transmission case with straight cut gears / dog rings from Webster. While Spice is better known for their GTP cars, they also built a few Fiero's with a longitudinally mounted SD4 and a Hewland DGB gearbox. I know of two of these, but no idea how many were actually ever built. At one point, these cars were fitted with a 4.5L 90 degree V6. The engines I have are numbered PMS-007 & PMS-008 and are referred to on Spice's manifest as "SD6". Also included in the paperwork are copies of the "Pontiac Winners Circle" newsletter from the late '80's, here too, the 90 degree V6 is referred to as the "SD6".
Currently the motors are set up for SCCA GT1 with carburetors, but included with them is a Kinsler V6 fuel injection system (also cast as Pontiac & SD). Interestingly, the injection pump is numbered "PMS-005". The one oddity is that these were built as even-fire motors, while virtually all the later V6's were built as odd fire with common pin cranks. These engines are fitted with Crower manufactured crankshafts (part # referenced in some vintage GM Performance catalog pages), Cosworth rods & pistons and Brodix-Pontiac Heads & Intakes. The engined are also fitted with a fixed distributor body (no advance/pickup - only used for spark distribution) that are fired by a crank trigger on the rear of the crankshaft and utilize an MSD timing box for advance / retard along with an MSD6-AL ignition box. Dry sump oiling along with some external plumbing for pressure and scavenge of the block. Camshafts are roller lifter and utilize Jesel shaft mounted rockers with specific offsets for clear the larger ports/relocated pushrods.
Dyno sheets indicate in their current trim, thy make approx. 460-475 hp at 7400 - 7700 rpm. Redline seems to be 8000 rpm.
I figured I would share a little information here for posterity. The car itself was built in Florida by a gentleman named John Gunn. John raced in IMSA (built two of his own GTP cars) and also in Can-Am. In an odd twist, his shop operation was "Phoenix Racing". This car has no IMSA history, it was only raced 4-5 time in SCCA events over 20 years ago then was stored (somewhat poorly). Current plans are to get it up and running for SCCA Time Trials and Gridlife events.
