3500 Fiero Swap

[nfswift]

Pictures will continue to find their way into slideshows, for now my progress stops right before the cradle comes out. I've got a lot of work lately so I fit in hours wrenching from 8-12PM, this will be a slow build but I've set a goal of 1 month.

http://img89.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img89/1324/12114439800nc.smil

So far I've got most of my build nailed down, it's just a matter of dropping the money on some items (alum cradle bushings, external crank trigger, 60*v6 DIS/fuel rail/injectors etc.) and then it's a matter of time.

Merlott is the only other Fiero owner I know who's completed one of these swaps... exciting stuff.

More to come.

[IsaacHayes]

Nice, keep updating the thread! Are you going to keep it stock or do a cam/etc?

[ForcedFirebird]

Nice, glad to see things under way.

That 3500 looks fimiliar

[nfswift]

Ya don't say John? Heh heh.
Driving the old beast to the beach a few weeks back really lit a fire under me to get this car roadworthy again, it's just so fun, with a 3500 it will be ridiculous.

For now it will stay stock, 205hp through a 4-speed Muncie with a 3.65 final drive will seem PLENTY fast compared to the 2.8s anemic powerband. With gas prices these days, I'll probably be paying closer attention to fine tuning 7730 than looking for more HP, but a WOT-tech cam is always a tempting proposition.

[johnnymossville]

I'm sure that Ben, at WOT-Tech can hook you up with a cam that will improve performance and maybe even help the mileage a little. Edelbrock did it with their Performer series and hell, they are't any better than Ben. LOL

[nfswift]

After seeing things go South for Merlotts build, I'm definitely hesitant to try anything more, as this will be my first time removing the stock Fiero engine, and swapping any engine in general, adding my first cam swap to it would stress me out just a bit.

[IsaacHayes]

Adding a cam isn't hard to do at all really. Merlot had issues with the motor he got and/or the fueling system.

[nfswift]

I'm mainly concerned about wiping the cam if I can't get the car started the first time (or ten times) to break it in...

But I'll talk to a new local I met who's really offered to help me out, see what he thinks, I might as well get this build done right the first time, and I've got the money for the cam, so we'll see...

[IsaacHayes]

No need to break in roller cams

[nfswift]

K stoppit, my shopping list is about to grow a new limb =P

Edit:
On second thought, my budget seriously wont allow for another $730 US just for a cam/associated pieces.

[daurand]

more info

Keep the info coming.

Any good references (links)?? I'm thinking 3500 too.

[americasfuture2k]

merlot is my brother and he gave me the fiero for my birthday. and also because of his divorce all i am waiting on now is for the chip to come back from darth. cant wait to feel this thing. i am going to run it on a local dyno and take it to the tulsa and noble tracks here to see what she runs. from the numbers merlot has said and the weight of the fiero, i could get up to a mid 12 in the 1/4. we will see.

if there is anything you need to know, just ask me since jon is busy with his training in florida. i will answer the questions as best as i can. if i cant, ill contact jon and see what he says. i helped him on some bit of this engine. but not much. if you have any troubles with datalogging, i can help you and give you pointers as i ran into a shit ton of them.

here is all this motor has for you to drool over :P

3500 LX9 from 06 Malibu, WOT-TECH.com 1280 grind stage 3 cam, LS6 valve springs, 1227730 ECM conversion, Darrel Morse solid aluminum cradle mounts, Truleo headers modified to fit the 3500, 36# inectors, 70mm 4.3 throttle body adapted to 3500 intake, ported heads, upper and lower intakes, lightly polished, WOT-TECH crank trigger wheel, CenterForce dual friction clutch, Flowtech Afterburner muffler, 2.5" piping, cat deleted, EGR deleted, SinisterPerformance tuning, C6 Corvette exhaust tips. projected to be 35 MPG with a guesstimate of 250 hp to the wheels

[Guest]

I think a mid 12 is going to be hard to run. Just my opinion though. Maybe eventually, but your first time out I highly doubt it.

[americasfuture2k]

first time out, yes it will be difficult. i havent even raced in a few years. and the condition of my tires. blah blah blah other stuff.

[Joseph Upson]

It would be nice but the V8 guys are having trouble getting into the 12 s zone with the Fiero so you might be a bit ambitious hoping to do it with a 3500 and a few upgrades. The turbocharged 4.9L Fiero ran mid 12 sec quarter miles if that gives you an idea. Here are some clips to give you some things to chew on before you go to the track.

I promise not to incorporate noise pollution (music) over videos that I post of my own car as I make progress with the 3900. It's frustrating trying to listen to the engine and tune out music at the same time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTqMY_ILuBs

The V6 has just as impressive an exhaust tone as the V8.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV5rd_Z9l2k&feature=related

3800SC racing a turbo eclipse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVAC10YJcY8