3500 fiero swap

[hookdonspeed]

so after a good bit of looking at diffrent engine options, 3800, 3500, 3.4ironhead, 2.2, 2.0turbo, etc... ive finally decided what im doing.


today i started ordering parts, as i do this swap i will try to document every penny i spend to get an accurate cost of the swap, and list the brands and what parts i needed to order. also, lots of pics as i do stuff :P its gona be a slow install due to lack of free time, but it will get done, end goal is a mid-12second turbo 3500


parts ordered, price, and brand/where from
engine 04 malibu 12k miles - $400 (local salvage yard)
spec stage2+ clutch - 359+shipping (from spec)
Plenum TB Adapter - 55 (wot-tech)
7x external crank trigger - 155 (wot-tech)
24x crank sensor - $45 (standard motor products pc61)
ecu from 98venture van(as per gmtuners) - $25 (local yard)
3400 balancer with 24x wheel - $48 (dorman from work)
88 fiero neutral flywheel - $46 (rhinopac from work)

known needed parts so far.
00+ 3400 throttlebody
00+ 3400 fuel rail (for return style system rather then returnless)
misc fittings and such for fuel lines, wiring, hoses, etc.

[Scott_68B]

Are you sure that flywheel is going to work? I thought iron head flywheels were different. I know you can't use an iron head flywheel on my Gen 2 without repositioning the starter, FYI.

-- Scott

[hookdonspeed]

i hope it works, thats what i read someone else used.... if not im F'ed for a flywheel

[Superdave]

Yes, as long as it's neutral balanced it'll work fine.

[IsaacHayes]

EDIT: Dave beat me to it.

[hookdonspeed]

ty both for clarifying that.

[mcgavinz26]

I also have a 3500 sitting in my garage and am planning on putting it in a Fiero. I almost bought one this weekend actually. I drove 200 miles to check it out and was a bit sketchy about getting it but said ok. Went to the DMV with the guy and he realized it was in his son's name so I couldn't complete the sale. I was so upset I just took it as a sign and walked away empty handed.

Anyways, about your swap, I'm interested in your basic mounting of the engine, alternator placement, and how you handle the coolant setup. I remember looking at one swap and thinking that there must be a better way. It can be done, good luck.

[hookdonspeed]

the cooling lines ill figure out when it comes to it, shouldnt be that hard.... the alternator should be able to stay where its at, and from what ive read on the pre-88 cradles, very little is needed to get the mounts to just "work"

if your looking for a fiero, check the for-sale over at PFF (www.fiero.com)
most the people there are overly honest on the condition of their cars.

[mr.rogers]

i am also trying to get my 3400/3500 in my fiero, what is holding me up is the wiring harness and fuel injectors and how to get the 7730 computer in. anything you come across that can help me out would be apreciated.

[hookdonspeed]

i wont have that issue, im using an obd2 harness and ecu from a 98 venture, it support SFI, and wont need to have to worry about wiring the injectors for batch fire... if your using an obd1 ecu, i recomend trying to find a harness from the car the ecu is from, then you would need to only do minor modifications to the harness to make it fit the engine (mainly sensor plugs)

[mcgavinz26]

the cooling lines ill figure out when it comes to it, shouldnt be that hard.... the alternator should be able to stay where its at, and from what ive read on the pre-88 cradles, very little is needed to get the mounts to just "work"

if your looking for a fiero, check the for-sale over at PFF (www.fiero.com)
most the people there are overly honest on the condition of their cars.

If you keep the alternator in the 3x00 location, don't you need to notch the dogbone mount and relocate the dogbone somehow?

That was the only mount I was really interested in. I haven't done an excessive amount of research yet either, just enough to be convinced that my supercharger will "fit".

[hookdonspeed]

that mount will need something custom to fit anyway, i was going to make a mount, 1 side with a bushing to mount into the spot on the rear wall of the fiero then solid mount it to a spot on the engine, possible wrap under the alternator or something like that.

[IsaacHayes]

Notch the decklid is what I thought you did with the alt.

[hookdonspeed]

if i gota notch the decklid for the alt, then ill need to do it for the intake manifold too, they look to be about level with eachother.

[IsaacHayes]

I think it's just an area that the deck lid sticks down more is right where the alt is.