Tweet
So the 2.8 engine in my Fiero is currently being very troublesome, and I'm seriously considering an LX9 swap as there is one for sale locally (from an '05 or '06 G6). Fortunately it already has a 7x external crank sensor mounted, and there may be a throttle body adapter on it as well (haven't looked at it yet). The guy selling it said it does come with the water pump, but the other accessories are not present.
Here are the things I've learned from research:
I can modify the existing 2.8 motor mounts to mount the engine and transmission (will be using 4 speed manual)
I can use an unbalanced flywheel from an '88 Fiero and a 4 spd style clutch and pressure plate to mount the engine to the transmission. Bellhousing pattern is the same.
I have settled on the 7730 w/custom chip for tuning the swap, mostly because I will already have the 7x crank trigger and for ease of wiring (most of the work involves re-pinning the existing harness to the new ECM and possibly lengthening/shortening wires to sensors)
I need to either adapt the returnless fuel rail or grab a 3400 rail and injectors from a JY. I'm inclined to go the 3400 route. Also, is it ok to use some fuel injection hose and clamps to connect the rail to the stock fuel lines? When I replaced the fuel pump I noticed that's all that holds the lines that go from the tank to the hard lines.
I will also need to grab a set of coils and ICM from a 3400, as well as the wiring going from the crank sensor to the ICM
Exhaust will be somewhat custom, or adapt the 2.8 exhaust. Since I'm on a tight budget, I may try to re-use as much of the stock exhaust as I can. I'll be cutting out the cat though most likely.
I will be deleting the EGR for simplicity; ideally I would keep it but I don't want to bother with the added effort. My goal is to make this swap as quick and painless as is possible.
I'm not worried about a power steering delete, as I have seen some swaps where others simply moved the tensioner location and swapped it's pulley with one of the idler pulleys. I'm also not worried if I need to cut the decklid a little to clearance the alternator.
I'm also under the impression I will need to make/have made some sort of dogbone mount to control side to side engine motion.
I have some questions about what more I would need to complete the swap.
1.) For tuning, are there any 7730 bin files available that people have used to run a 3500 swap? I would prefer not to have to wait for a chip in the mail and could have a local tuning shop burn the chip for me if I gave them the tune. If anyone is willing to share their tune with me I'd be grateful.
2.) What size injectors are necessary? I understand that the ECM can be tuned to allow for more than one size; I actually have an LT1 with a set of 24# injectors that I will be upgrading, so could I use those or am I better off using stock 3400 injectors? Also, is the stock V6 Fiero fuel pump adequate? I just replaced mine a few weeks ago.
Oh and do I need an injector harness as well?
3.) Will I need to grab any more sensors to run the 7730 or can I use sensors from the 3500? I would prefer not to re-use sensors from the 2.8 but the MAP sensor and CTS are new on that engine, so I would re-use those maybe. I'm not sure if it's compatible, but my LT1 also has an extra knock sensor (wiring only has one pigtail, engine has two), so could I use that knock sensor or could I even use the stock 3500 knock sensor? I understand that the knock retard could be tuned out, but I personally don't think that's very wise.
4.) I see that most people replace the CTS with one from an older engine. Why can't the 3500 sensor be used? Also, the 2.8 in my fiero has a thread adapter in it where the CTS installs (stock afaik). Is this the same thread adapter that others use to install older CTSs in the 3500 stock location? When I pulled out the sensor on the 2.8 it came with it at first, that's how I noticed it. I never see this adapter mentioned by others in their swap threads, they either buy a new one or drill and tap a hole somewhere else.
Update: I've found out that the 3500 CTS reads differently from the older sensors. Best to use a three wire CTS for a 3100/3400.
5.) How does the EVAP system work? I'm not overly concerned about it because I never bothered with it when I swapped my LT1 into my other car, but would prefer to use it rather than get rid of it. If it's costly to keep it then I won't bother.
6.) Anyone know if any of the stock Fiero rad hoses hook up? Also, does the Fiero thermostat housing get re-used (like with many Fiero swaps), is there a reason not to use it, or is it just better to keep the stock thermostat housing?
7.) Which crank sensor should be used with the WOT-tech 7x crank trigger?
8.) Is it ok to use a stock-style 3500 alternator, or should I figure out a way to mount the 2.8 alternator on it? I'm assuming the wiring pigtail (and maybe circuits) will be different on the 3500.
9.) If the engine doesn't include a starter, can I re-use the 2.8's starter?
If I go through with this swap I want to be prepared for most of the work involved. I know that once I buy the engine I'll be able to see some of these things for myself but I would prefer to have fewer surprises. The engine would be staying stock for the foreseeable future. Thanks everyone!
Here are the things I've learned from research:
I can modify the existing 2.8 motor mounts to mount the engine and transmission (will be using 4 speed manual)
I can use an unbalanced flywheel from an '88 Fiero and a 4 spd style clutch and pressure plate to mount the engine to the transmission. Bellhousing pattern is the same.
I have settled on the 7730 w/custom chip for tuning the swap, mostly because I will already have the 7x crank trigger and for ease of wiring (most of the work involves re-pinning the existing harness to the new ECM and possibly lengthening/shortening wires to sensors)
I need to either adapt the returnless fuel rail or grab a 3400 rail and injectors from a JY. I'm inclined to go the 3400 route. Also, is it ok to use some fuel injection hose and clamps to connect the rail to the stock fuel lines? When I replaced the fuel pump I noticed that's all that holds the lines that go from the tank to the hard lines.
I will also need to grab a set of coils and ICM from a 3400, as well as the wiring going from the crank sensor to the ICM
Exhaust will be somewhat custom, or adapt the 2.8 exhaust. Since I'm on a tight budget, I may try to re-use as much of the stock exhaust as I can. I'll be cutting out the cat though most likely.
I will be deleting the EGR for simplicity; ideally I would keep it but I don't want to bother with the added effort. My goal is to make this swap as quick and painless as is possible.
I'm not worried about a power steering delete, as I have seen some swaps where others simply moved the tensioner location and swapped it's pulley with one of the idler pulleys. I'm also not worried if I need to cut the decklid a little to clearance the alternator.
I'm also under the impression I will need to make/have made some sort of dogbone mount to control side to side engine motion.
I have some questions about what more I would need to complete the swap.
1.) For tuning, are there any 7730 bin files available that people have used to run a 3500 swap? I would prefer not to have to wait for a chip in the mail and could have a local tuning shop burn the chip for me if I gave them the tune. If anyone is willing to share their tune with me I'd be grateful.
2.) What size injectors are necessary? I understand that the ECM can be tuned to allow for more than one size; I actually have an LT1 with a set of 24# injectors that I will be upgrading, so could I use those or am I better off using stock 3400 injectors? Also, is the stock V6 Fiero fuel pump adequate? I just replaced mine a few weeks ago.
Oh and do I need an injector harness as well?
3.) Will I need to grab any more sensors to run the 7730 or can I use sensors from the 3500? I would prefer not to re-use sensors from the 2.8 but the MAP sensor and CTS are new on that engine, so I would re-use those maybe. I'm not sure if it's compatible, but my LT1 also has an extra knock sensor (wiring only has one pigtail, engine has two), so could I use that knock sensor or could I even use the stock 3500 knock sensor? I understand that the knock retard could be tuned out, but I personally don't think that's very wise.
4.) I see that most people replace the CTS with one from an older engine. Why can't the 3500 sensor be used? Also, the 2.8 in my fiero has a thread adapter in it where the CTS installs (stock afaik). Is this the same thread adapter that others use to install older CTSs in the 3500 stock location? When I pulled out the sensor on the 2.8 it came with it at first, that's how I noticed it. I never see this adapter mentioned by others in their swap threads, they either buy a new one or drill and tap a hole somewhere else.
Update: I've found out that the 3500 CTS reads differently from the older sensors. Best to use a three wire CTS for a 3100/3400.
5.) How does the EVAP system work? I'm not overly concerned about it because I never bothered with it when I swapped my LT1 into my other car, but would prefer to use it rather than get rid of it. If it's costly to keep it then I won't bother.
6.) Anyone know if any of the stock Fiero rad hoses hook up? Also, does the Fiero thermostat housing get re-used (like with many Fiero swaps), is there a reason not to use it, or is it just better to keep the stock thermostat housing?
7.) Which crank sensor should be used with the WOT-tech 7x crank trigger?
8.) Is it ok to use a stock-style 3500 alternator, or should I figure out a way to mount the 2.8 alternator on it? I'm assuming the wiring pigtail (and maybe circuits) will be different on the 3500.
9.) If the engine doesn't include a starter, can I re-use the 2.8's starter?
If I go through with this swap I want to be prepared for most of the work involved. I know that once I buy the engine I'll be able to see some of these things for myself but I would prefer to have fewer surprises. The engine would be staying stock for the foreseeable future. Thanks everyone!
. Do you have any experience with this? I'm not afraid of a little extra heat entering the passenger compartment and that's the only purpose it seems to serve in my opinion. I'll be mostly driving the car in cold weather anyway.
Comment