282 vs 284 in Fiero

[SappySE107]

Get the close ratio 3.94 FDR 282 from a quad 4 and also a V6 282. Between the 2 you will have gearing that is close to the 284. FIrst gear shifts out 3 mph early at 7k, and 6 mph later out of 2nd. This is what I want to do once I get a fiero later on. That is, if I even do a fiero. Id love to but it has to be an 86-88, 88 being the best but I can modify an 86 all the same.

[x-thumpr-x]

A few fiero guys are using the quad 4 trannys. They can take a beating. Only problem is they have a different bell housing bolt up. To get around this they are taking the bell housing off a 282 and just putting it on the quad 4 tranny. Don't you just love GM's style of interchangable parts, it's like playing with lego when you were a kid!

[Anonymous]

As for the headers of mine, they are for sale, but will only fit a 5-speed.

As for the Fieros, I plan for now to use a stock tranny, since I doubt that I will be above 400hp without nitrous.

I looked into the ratios, and at 7,000rpm they are good. A bit longer than the 284, but not bad at all, especially if I am going to get as much power as I'm hoping to. But at 8,000rpm, here is the mph:

1st-47
2nd-80
3rd-118
4th~160

So yah they do get really wide after 7k.

[SappySE107]

The RPM is what will kill the 282. Just talk to curtis about that one.

[Anonymous]

Great...Time to look for a rebuild for the 282, becuz I do not want to hassle with mounting the 284, and i don't have one lying around exactly.

[Will'sFiero]

The 282's 1-2 shift is horrible. The 284 has closer gearing in the lower gears, which is where you need it most.
If you're going to use a 282, though, how much would you sell your 284 for?

[Anonymous]

Well it is the tranny that has a f'ed up 2nd gear synchro, but all the others still work fine. if you are still interested, let me know.

[5SpdGTP-91]

Where on earth, other than getrag, can you find a rebuilt 284 with new or used internals. Where can you find one for under 3500, because I can't. Help would be greatly appreciated.

How much for those headers?

[dbtk2]

The 282's 1-2 shift is horrible. The 284 has closer gearing in the lower gears, which is where you need it most.
If you're going to use a 282, though, how much would you sell your 284 for?

Personally I like the 282's 1-2 shift. I shift at about 6600rpm and it seems just about right for MPH. Much shorter and there would be too much shifting for my tastes, any time that you spend shifting you are wasting by not accelerating. Yeah, after a certain point the gears are too long, but its all personal preference I guess. I also like being able to drop down to 2nd to pass someone on a 2 lane. The engine is high in the rpms and really pulls hard.

A few fiero guys are using the quad 4 trannys. They can take a beating. Only problem is they have a different bell housing bolt up. To get around this they are taking the bell housing off a 282 and just putting it on the quad 4 tranny. Don't you just love GM's style of interchangable parts, it's like playing with lego when you were a kid!

Well, the parts are interchangeable because the Quad 4 tranny IS a 282. The only difference is the bellhousing, and IIRC the gearing. Obviously two of the same trannies are gonna have interchangeable parts.

Shawn

[Will'sFiero]

First of all, I think you have the 3.50 first and 2.19 second combo, which is better than the V6 transmission with a 3.50 first and 2.05 second.
With 300 ftlbs of torque and lots of traction, 3.50 first with 3.61 final is WAYYY too short. From a dead dig, I shift out of 1st gear in about 1.5 seconds or less. Then the RPM drop going into 2nd is horrendous. I drop from 6400 to 3750 RPM. That's not good when my peak torque is at 4400.
I'm curious about the 3.50/2.19 combo, but I don't want to widen my 2-3 split any more than it is...
The numbers I'm talking about:
V6 282: 3.50/2.05/1.38/0.94/0.72 -> drops RPM by 41% going into 2nd, by 33% going into 3rd, by 32% going into 4th, then by 23% into fifth
Early Q4 282: 3.50/2.19/1.38/1.03/0.81 -> drops RPM by 37% into 2nd, by 37% going into 3rd, by 25% going into 4th, then by 21% into fifth
284: 3.46/2.28/1.45/1.03/0.72-> drops RPM by 34% into second, 36% into 3rd, by 29% into 4th, then by 30% into fifth.

The 284 has tighter gear spacing in the lower gears, where the close ratios can be put to better use. With the MG2 especially, all the "closeness" of the gears is between 4th and 5th where it's all but useless. Downshifting from 5th to 4th is hardly a downshift at all, but 5th to 3rd is often too much of a downshift.
I was heavily into researching having a 2.95ish-3.05ish 1st gear custom made for the 282. It turns out to be all but impossible with anything but full-on mass-production equipment, owing to the techniques used to make the 1st output gear. I haven't given up yet, though...
The 284 has splits that are much closer to equal across all ratios. It's a better transmission for a high torque engine. I just wish there were a 3.94 final drive available for it...

[RacerX11]

Has anyone seen any ratios published for the 6-speeed in the upcoming G6? I hope they have better spaced ratios.
I know it is a ways off before they become wrecking yard items, but it could be the next great Fiero swap tranny.

Marty

[Will'sFiero]

It definitely will be, and if I have to buy one new, I will.

The G6 transmission is an adaptation of the 6 speed that's currently available with an Ecotec in the Saab 9-3 Aero. I REALLY hope that they change the lower gear ratios before they put it with a torquey V6. 3-6 look great, but that supposed "close ratio" 6 speed gearbox has a wider 1-2 split than the wide ratio 5 speed in my car. WTF? the 2-3 shift is aweful as well. Once you're past those, it looks like it would be great.

[dbtk2]

First of all, I think you have the 3.50 first and 2.19 second combo, which is better than the V6 transmission with a 3.50 first and 2.05 second.
With 300 ftlbs of torque and lots of traction, 3.50 first with 3.61 final is WAYYY too short. From a dead dig, I shift out of 1st gear in about 1.5 seconds or less. Then the RPM drop going into 2nd is horrendous. I drop from 6400 to 3750 RPM. That's not good when my peak torque is at 4400.
I'm curious about the 3.50/2.19 combo, but I don't want to widen my 2-3 split any more than it is...
The numbers I'm talking about:
V6 282: 3.50/2.05/1.38/0.94/0.72 -> drops RPM by 41% going into 2nd, by 33% going into 3rd, by 32% going into 4th, then by 23% into fifth
Early Q4 282: 3.50/2.19/1.38/1.03/0.81 -> drops RPM by 37% into 2nd, by 37% going into 3rd, by 25% going into 4th, then by 21% into fifth
284: 3.46/2.28/1.45/1.03/0.72-> drops RPM by 34% into second, 36% into 3rd, by 29% into 4th, then by 30% into fifth.

The 284 has tighter gear spacing in the lower gears, where the close ratios can be put to better use. With the MG2 especially, all the "closeness" of the gears is between 4th and 5th where it's all but useless. Downshifting from 5th to 4th is hardly a downshift at all, but 5th to 3rd is often too much of a downshift.
I was heavily into researching having a 2.95ish-3.05ish 1st gear custom made for the 282. It turns out to be all but impossible with anything but full-on mass-production equipment, owing to the techniques used to make the 1st output gear. I haven't given up yet, though...
The 284 has splits that are much closer to equal across all ratios. It's a better transmission for a high torque engine. I just wish there were a 3.94 final drive available for it...

I completely agree that 1st gear is too short in with your combo...I thought you were saying it was too long...which kinda had me confused. My STE has a 4T60, but the first gear in that thing is basically useless, and it isn't even that short. I also have about 300ft.lbs. of torque. (probably more) For you I can definately see how the 284 would be better for your combination. The 1-2 shift on the 282 is definately a pretty big rpm drop. I know that at ~6600rpm or so in 1st if I go to 2nd the thing bogs down because it doesn't have any power that low in the powerband...and its at like 4100 or something. (only had the car one day, not quite sure exactly what it is) The 284 is much more even in every gear, and it has taller gears which is great as well for high torque applications. If I was in a position that I had a car with a 282 that I was trying to make go faster, I would definately try to swap in a 284...the gears are a LOT better.

As far as the 5-4 downshift, there definately really isn't much of a difference. I found its just easier to leave it in 5th if I'm not in a big hurry or something, but if I feel that I want more power than I can get in 5th, then I just go straight to 3rd, I don't even mess with 4th. I wish 5th were a little taller, its not like its ever used at WOT, so they could make it .72 like the 284 for better mileage...I turn like 3200rpm down the freeway, I would like to see it under 3k at least. Although, I have seen and driven cars with worse gears, so I'm not complaining much. I just think its stupid that this car would be capable of getting like 40mpg on the freeway if it revved like 500rpm slower.

Shawn

[Will'sFiero]

The 284 has shorter 2, 3, and 4... at least relative to the MG2. I think it would be more fun to drive, especially in the twisteez...
I think that a 282 with 3.94 would be faster.
So the question is... faster or more fun?

When outside VA, I typically go about 85ish on the highway... that's 3K RPM with the MG2 and 255/50-16's. At that speed 3rd gear is useless because I'd spend half a second in it, then be on the rev limiter. However, 4th gear isn't short enough to provide the acceleration I frequently want. That's with the 0.94 fourth, so I imagine the 1.03 would be a lot nicer in that respect.

I have all the parts to build a 3.50/2.05/1.38/1.03/0.72/3.94 box... and already have a gr8grip installed in the diff for that box. ( www.gr8grip.com )
If I get a 284, I'll have to pull it all apart just to see what makes it tick... And it would be sooo much more fun and more aggressive FD... Might almost be worth it to call up Houseman and get a custom 3.94 gearset made for the 284... ( www.housemanautosport.com )