Ok so I bought an 88 base fiero off craigstlist, but Im not sure what direction I want to go with it.
My dream is to have an 3800 sc gt with the 5 speed. but my base fiero is an auto and I understand converting to manual is a pain, so i donnot plan to go that route. Now Im not sure if i just want to work on it as is, and later to sell it. Or If I want to go ahead and do a budget LN3 swap, as Ive found a complete cradle with the ln3 and the trans for 350 on craigslist.
Should I get the ln3 and do a budget swap? How difficult is it to do such a swap versus the 3800 sc? The reason im considering the ln3 is because i can get it much cheaper than the 3800 sc. This could be a learning experience for me and I could sell this fiero to later get the 88 manual gt and do the 3800 sc swap I have dreamt of. I donnot want to invest a ton on this car since it is an auto and I plan to do another fiero with the 5 speed getrag someday.
Unless you just want to practice on something, you will likely be money ahead to just start off with something you want to end up with. Any modded car seldom gets near as much at sale as the builder hs into it. Larry
The problem with the LN3 is that it is a 3800 (pre-)Series 1 engine. It is a little different than 3800 Series 1 engines and these differences might be enough to cause you some problems if you were going to later upgrade to a 3800 Series 1 SC engine.
If your wish is to eventually do a 3800 Series 2 or 3 SC swap, then the LN3 is going to be of little benefit for you because very little custom parts used to do the LN3 Fiero conversion will transfer to a Series 2 or 3 engine.
I think you can pick up a 3800 Series 2 or 3 N/A engine for less than you said you could get this LN3 w/ cradle for. Granted, you'll still need mounts and such to get it to work in a Fiero. But once you have a 3800 Series 2 or 3 N/A engine installed and running in a Fiero, converting to an SC version of one of these engines is easy at that point because most if not all of the custom parts you'll need will directly transfer to the SC version of this engine.
-ryan
------------------ OVERKILL IS UNDERRATED Custom GM OBD1 & OBD2 Tuning | Engine Conversions & more | www.gmtuners.com
I think you misunderstand, if I convert to the LN3 it will stay an LN3 fiero. If I ever do the 3800 sc swap it will be in a different (manual) fiero.
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Originally posted by Darth Fiero:
The problem with the LN3 is that it is a 3800 (pre-)Series 1 engine. It is a little different than 3800 Series 1 engines and these differences might be enough to cause you some problems if you were going to later upgrade to a 3800 Series 1 SC engine.
If your wish is to eventually do a 3800 Series 2 or 3 SC swap, then the LN3 is going to be of little benefit for you because very little custom parts used to do the LN3 Fiero conversion will transfer to a Series 2 or 3 engine.
I think you can pick up a 3800 Series 2 or 3 N/A engine for less than you said you could get this LN3 w/ cradle for. Granted, you'll still need mounts and such to get it to work in a Fiero. But once you have a 3800 Series 2 or 3 N/A engine installed and running in a Fiero, converting to an SC version of one of these engines is easy at that point because most if not all of the custom parts you'll need will directly transfer to the SC version of this engine.
I think you misunderstand, if I convert to the LN3 it will stay an LN3 fiero. If I ever do the 3800 sc swap it will be in a different (manual) fiero.
My bad, I did misunderstand. Well, in that case, if you would be happy with an LN3 engine (they weren't bad, I had one that lasted over 300,000 miles that I put in a Grand Am), then I would say do it.
My bad, I did misunderstand. Well, in that case, if you would be happy with an LN3 engine (they weren't bad, I had one that lasted over 300,000 miles that I put in a Grand Am), then I would say do it.
how much on top of the 350 for the complete cradle will i likely invest in the swap? (Ill do the labor myself) what about axle shafts? and wiring in the new ecm? I plan to do away with the cat etc if that makes it any simpler.
My only concern is that, after I do the swap, I regret spending the time and money on a 165 hp engine. (versus setting my sights on a nicer, manual gt and putting in a 240+ hp engine, which is my eventual goal).
Honesty I read your post days ago, my opinion is that you should do a 3800 Series II swap in the car you have, and when you are ready to get the car you really want (5speed) swap the cradles from one car to another. thats my opinion.
In other words do a auto 3800 series 2 swap in the car u have now, and when you get a 5 speed car toss the 3800 into the new car and pop the leftover parts into the Coupe you have now and sell it. you'll only need to buy one 3800 that way and you won't have any extra parts.
Honesty I read your post days ago, my opinion is that you should do a 3800 Series II swap in the car you have, and when you are ready to get the car you really want (5speed) swap the cradles from one car to another. thats my opinion.
In other words do a auto 3800 series 2 swap in the car u have now, and when you get a 5 speed car toss the 3800 into the new car and pop the leftover parts into the Coupe you have now and sell it. you'll only need to buy one 3800 that way and you won't have any extra parts.
Hmmm, very interesting I may have to do that! Thanks for the idea. Just to be sure the 2.8 IS compatible with the Olds 98 trans correct (whatever it is)? That would be a lot of work but definitely worth it! And I could sell the current car to my brother who will be driving in 2 years and has been asking about it.
Ok so I bought an 88 base fiero off craigstlist, but Im not sure what direction I want to go with it.
My dream is to have an 3800 sc gt with the 5 speed. but my base fiero is an auto and I understand converting to manual is a pain, so i donnot plan to go that route. Now Im not sure if i just want to work on it as is, and later to sell it. Or If I want to go ahead and do a budget LN3 swap, as Ive found a complete cradle with the ln3 and the trans for 350 on craigslist.
Should I get the ln3 and do a budget swap? How difficult is it to do such a swap versus the 3800 sc? The reason im considering the ln3 is because i can get it much cheaper than the 3800 sc. This could be a learning experience for me and I could sell this fiero to later get the 88 manual gt and do the 3800 sc swap I have dreamt of. I donnot want to invest a ton on this car since it is an auto and I plan to do another fiero with the 5 speed getrag someday.
Any advise or opinions are greatly appreciated
There seems to be plenty of 3800 swaps already out there, including a few for sale. So what is the desire to do what already has been done many times already? Moreover, as previously noted, swap cars will not return the money put in for the swap. If the 88 is in good shape, put a rear sway bar in it and just drive it. If it is tooefed or needs a bunch of work, part it or sell it whole and buy an already swapped motor ---- there is at least one for sale in the classified section.
how much on top of the 350 for the complete cradle will i likely invest in the swap? (Ill do the labor myself) what about axle shafts? and wiring in the new ecm? I plan to do away with the cat etc if that makes it any simpler.
Not enough information about the LN3 + cradle you are wanting to buy. How complete is it? What yet needs to be done? If you are just getting an LN3 that is sitting on the cradle and you still need to build mounts, axles, do wiring, etc; then it isn't worth messing with IMO. You are going to get little or no support for the LN3 engine from this forum (I can offer some technical support, but I don't sell any conversion parts) and you will likely have a lot more money into finishing this conversion than you would if you just did a Series 2 swap from scratch.
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My only concern is that, after I do the swap, I regret spending the time and money on a 165 hp engine. (versus setting my sights on a nicer, manual gt and putting in a 240+ hp engine, which is my eventual goal).
Exactly. You can spend a lot of time and money doing a 165hp LN3 swap and, in the end, you have a 165hp engine. Or you can do a Series 2 3800 swap and end up with a lot more power (even if it is N/A).
There seems to be plenty of 3800 swaps already out there, including a few for sale. So what is the desire to do what already has been done many times already? Moreover, as previously noted, swap cars will not return the money put in for the swap. If the 88 is in good shape, put a rear sway bar in it and just drive it. If it is tooefed or needs a bunch of work, part it or sell it whole and buy an already swapped motor ---- there is at least one for sale in the classified section.
I think it would be a great learning experience and would be a rewarding project. Although I will see how much a complete one would cost
I know this is an old thread, but I was curious about something that was mentioned here.
Am I to understand that most, if not all, of the parts made to swap a Series II or Series III, supercharged or N/A, 3800 V6 and its 4T65E into a Fiero, will not work with an LN3 and its non-electronic 4T60? By "parts", I am referring to parts such as mounts, brackets, and axles, as I know the ECM and its wiring must be very different between the LN3 and its later descendants.
