I have an 88 GT with over 200k miles on the original 2.8L. It's an automatic with A/C. Between mileage and age the engine is need of major service so I've been looking at a 93-95 Camaro/Firebird 3.4L V6 swap. Been going over post about the swap both here and wherever google sends me some going back to the early days of this forum where folks were debating the 3.4L swap vs 3.1L stroke rebuild. The car still runs and drives but shows signs of a very tired motor so, it's largely been sitting for a few years now one of the reasons the 3.4L appeals to me.
There are other swaps I've given thought to but most are 6 to 12+ months of weekends to complete and involve swapping transmissions, axles, ECU, wiring harness and such. The 3.4L seem to be at worst a couple months of weekend depending on rebuild and typical mods such as porting and cam choices. Aside from moving the starter, a bit of a grind for the automatic, and a few other details the 3.4L seems to be the most plug and play swap.
I'm not in the best health to be pulling motors from a salvage yard. Haven't seen one on eBay in about a year. Not sure where to look for pulled motors most of the leads I've found have been at least questionable if not scams. Google map shows a different business name for the given address. On guy texted me photos of a Camaro in Colorado while claiming to be in Montgomery, AL then was in a big hurry to get shipping and payment info. Another lead was to a yard google maps shows a long gone. Have also considered buying a long block but the prices seem a little high and the mileage warranty likely wouldn't cover the application. However when you consider a used engine($700-$1400) plus a rebuild kit ($600-$750) and time to rebuild a remanufactured engine isn't all that expensive.
Does anybody know where I can find either a good used engine from a "real" salvage yard -so many have disappeared/dried up around me- or a good price from a reliable vendor on a remanufactured long block? Is anyone still reprogramming chips? If I must buy 17# injectors what brands are recommended? And where do I find the bigger cam/lifter kits?
[This message has been edited by Sjuice (edited 04-29-2025).]
On guy texted me photos of a car in Colorado while claiming to be in Montgomery, AL then was in a big hurry to get shipping and payment info.
The Fiero Factory was in Toney Alabama. Mike is the new owner and lives in Colorado. Here is the webpage. You can read about it and contact him. https://thefierofactory.com/
I picked up my 88 from the Fiero Factory. It was to have been Ed Park's as part of a trade for work deal with the owner. The deal never materialized and the owner decided to sell it. That was back in 2006.
Does anybody know where I can find either a good used engine from a "real" salvage yard -so many have disappeared/dried up around me- or a good price from a reliable vendor on a remanufactured long block?
It's $3,100 bucks though... which is a big much for one of those. Realistically, they're probably shipped to Mexico, rebuilt there (that's where mine was rebuilt), and then shipped back to the United States.
It's a little frustrating, even a year or so ago.. they were much more prevalent. A little over a decade ago, I used to see them in the junkyard all the time, there were so many of them. I suspect a lot of the remanufactured ones have been swapped into Chevy S10s, dirt track cars, Fieros, and whatever else that had a 2.8.
If your not physically in the condition to do this work yourself... I'd still contact Jeremy at TFF Automotive, because he's your best bet to getting what you need done... he's done it all before.
I'm healthy enough to do the possible rebuild and swap just not up to digging around in salvage yards. I can control my workshop environment at home.
Looks like I'm about a year or late for this swap. Started drying out since GM discontinued their crate. Jeg's, NAPA, and CarID have discontinued/out of stock - unavailable. Seeing other vendors in the $2500-$3000+ range for long block, core charge around $400, and delivered to my workplace. Could consider a short block they are about $750-$1000 less than the long blocks. Shouldn't be too hard to rebuild the heads.
Maybe a 3.1L/3.2L conversion isn't too out of the question.
Drove past the old Fiero Factory. There's a few salvage Fiero's still around, handful compared to 10 years ago.
Spotted an 1984 Fiero PaceCar at a dealer in Ardmore, AL not sure what they are looking to get for it.
[This message has been edited by Sjuice (edited 04-29-2025).]
I'm healthy enough to do the possible rebuild and swap just not up to digging around in salvage yards. I can control my workshop environment at home.
Looks like I'm about a year or late for this swap. Started drying out since GM discontinued their crate. Jeg's, NAPA, and CarID have discontinued/out of stock - unavailable. Seeing other vendors in the $2500-$3000+ range for long block, core charge around $400, and delivered to my workplace. Could consider a short block they are about $750-$1000 less than the long blocks. Shouldn't be too hard to rebuild the heads.
Maybe a 3.1L/3.2L conversion isn't too out of the question.
Drove past the old Fiero Factory. There's a few salvage Fiero's still around, handful compared to 10 years ago.
Spotted an 1984 Fiero PaceCar at a dealer in Ardmore, AL not sure what they are looking to get for it.
At this point in time nearly all of the easier Fiero swaps appear to be for older high mileage engines. Even the LS4 that some consider a more modern swap was discontinued in 2009, the 3800 in 2007. I believe the Ecotec disappeared in 2019. The LX9 went away around 2009. Well this may not apply to what you are doing it just makes the point that used swap engines are probably hard to find in good shape. You probably don't have many alternatives other than to buy a new long block, rebuild what you have or look for a rebuilt "take out" engine from an owner doing an upgrade. If you are on a budget I would do a DIY rebuild. If the engines cylinders are within spec and the head is good, you might get by with a bearing and ring job for a few hundred bucks of parts but you still must disassemble and measure everything before rebuilding.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, 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 "
I have an ‘87 GT the previous owner swapped to a 3.4. The stock intake manifold definitely runs out of steam around 4500 RPM, but down low it pulls pretty good. Over-all not a bad driver car swap if you’re not looking to set any speed records.
Quick search, there are quite a few available. They’re 30+ years old and most have over 100k on the clock. If you can get one for under $500 as a core it would be a good start for a rebuild. You’ll still be in it around $3k with parts and machine work, though.
