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2.8 1st gen top end swap??
Ok guys, I have a couple of questions that you could probably help me answer. But first, let me begin by providing some background of the engine and the reason of this thread.
About two weeks ago, I started a scheduled rebuild of my 2.8 engine that was installed in my Fiero. What I had in mind was an engine refresh. Basically a block cleaning, honing, seals, new cam, main and rod bearings. Replace rod studs with ARP; clean the forged pistons, rods and crank. Check balance of rotating assy. Install new custom cam. Clean the heads, new valves, guides, seals, beehive springs, etc. Well you get the picture, basically a full refresh. This was all going to be done as preparation for the turbo setup, which I have all the parts as well.
Unfortunately, my machinist called last week telling me one of the heads is cracked at the exhaust valve seat and he said is not repairable. This put my buildup on hold, because I don’t have a spare iron head and I’ve been searching for a good pair for almost a week now without positive results.
My second option is to do a head swap to aluminum. I already have a pair of 03+ 3400 heads (large intake valve) laying around. So that’s a first step. However I have a bunch of questions. For example:
- Does the 3500 LIM fit the 3400 heads? I want to use the 3500 UIM with a ’96 DOHC TB I have that is already modified for the Fiero Throttle cable. This is currently installed in a Trueleo intake.
- Does the TCE crank trigger works on gen 1 block?
- What would be the length of the pushrods required to run with Flat tappets?
- Can anyone provide me with pushrod guides for the AL heads?
- Does anyone has or knows where can I get off-the-shelf forged slugs for a 2.8 2nd gen? If I use these with the iron head gaskets I should be around 8.9 static CR. Still good for turbo.
- Does the 3400 fuel rail fits the 3500 LIM? I need a return line for the RR-FPR
I know some of you might say “ditch the gen 1 block” but there’s too much put into it to throw it away. For example the new custom cam, lifters, new gaskets, water pump, etc. I’m already aware that I need to ditch some of the parts like the Trueleo intake, WCF long tube headers (might hold on to them by modifying them) forged flat top slugs, ported LIM, beehive spring retainers and locks (might send them back to Summit for an exchange to 8mm), MSD 6A ignition and the MSD GM blaster coil for HEI.
I will greatly appreciate if someone could point me in the right direction to getting all the right parts to build a strong engine. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
About two weeks ago, I started a scheduled rebuild of my 2.8 engine that was installed in my Fiero. What I had in mind was an engine refresh. Basically a block cleaning, honing, seals, new cam, main and rod bearings. Replace rod studs with ARP; clean the forged pistons, rods and crank. Check balance of rotating assy. Install new custom cam. Clean the heads, new valves, guides, seals, beehive springs, etc. Well you get the picture, basically a full refresh. This was all going to be done as preparation for the turbo setup, which I have all the parts as well.
Unfortunately, my machinist called last week telling me one of the heads is cracked at the exhaust valve seat and he said is not repairable. This put my buildup on hold, because I don’t have a spare iron head and I’ve been searching for a good pair for almost a week now without positive results.
My second option is to do a head swap to aluminum. I already have a pair of 03+ 3400 heads (large intake valve) laying around. So that’s a first step. However I have a bunch of questions. For example:
- Does the 3500 LIM fit the 3400 heads? I want to use the 3500 UIM with a ’96 DOHC TB I have that is already modified for the Fiero Throttle cable. This is currently installed in a Trueleo intake.
- Does the TCE crank trigger works on gen 1 block?
- What would be the length of the pushrods required to run with Flat tappets?
- Can anyone provide me with pushrod guides for the AL heads?
- Does anyone has or knows where can I get off-the-shelf forged slugs for a 2.8 2nd gen? If I use these with the iron head gaskets I should be around 8.9 static CR. Still good for turbo.
- Does the 3400 fuel rail fits the 3500 LIM? I need a return line for the RR-FPR
I know some of you might say “ditch the gen 1 block” but there’s too much put into it to throw it away. For example the new custom cam, lifters, new gaskets, water pump, etc. I’m already aware that I need to ditch some of the parts like the Trueleo intake, WCF long tube headers (might hold on to them by modifying them) forged flat top slugs, ported LIM, beehive spring retainers and locks (might send them back to Summit for an exchange to 8mm), MSD 6A ignition and the MSD GM blaster coil for HEI.
I will greatly appreciate if someone could point me in the right direction to getting all the right parts to build a strong engine. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
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