Cost of a Hybrid build...

[mongo]

Not sure of the best section to put this under but here is the current cost of my 3.4 aluminum head build:

3.4 long block (supposedly with 80K on it and usable as is) and a bonus set of 2002 3400 heads (no rockers) off of Craigslist
-$150

Transport of block and heads from Chicago to St.Louis using rideshare on Chicago's Craigslist
-$60

New Sealed Power cam bearings from Advanced Auto
-$20

New Mahle pistons for a Transport Van .030 over from Northern Auto
-$40

Rings and Shipping for said pistons
-$100

Brass Freeze Plugs
-$20

Machine work (hot tank, bore and hone, cam bearing installation, freeze plug installation, clean and polish crank, press on new pistons)
-$286


Major components I still need- Oil Pump, Main and Rod bearings, Timing set, Cam kit, custom pushrods, and gaskets. That should cover the long block. Then I need to start grabbing my intake/fuel delivery parts. This is a little more expensive than I expected but still waaayyyy less expensive than a crate motor...

[ForcedFirebird]

$40 for a SET of pistons? Are you sure?

[mongo]

Yep. They were $49 on eBay with a BIN or OBO. The seller was Northern Auto Parts. I figured they were a reputable seller so I would roll the dice that they were just "blowing out" some parts. I offered $40 and told the seller if I won I would also buy a set of rings (Hastings rings $83.70 on their site). They took the offer, combined the shipping ($16) for both items and I got them in the mail Wednesday. Total cost was $139 and some change.

The pistons were new in a factory sealed Mahle box and without defect (not factory seconds). Looks like they WERE just blowing out some parts....

I think there are still a few sets of .020 and .040 over on eBay right now. I figure I have around $600 in this motor and another $600-$800 from now and I should be done....

[ForcedFirebird]

Nice find!

Sounds like you are going to have a nice motor for not a lot of money.

Once you are near complete with the assembly, check out some Gen 2 pushrods. They happen to work in my car with a reground cam, and worked for another hybrid I sold heads to (3.4/3500), or you could always convert to adjustable rockers vs. custom pushrods.

The oil pump is a regular part you can get from just about anywhere, I went with a standard Melings (maybe $30 IIRC). The main and rod bearings also are an inexpensive, Sealed Power were $17 rod and $25 mains (again if memory serves me correctly), and Ben has gasket sets on the store, so you can see those prices easily enough.

I actually think you may be thinking high with your $600-800 additional costs, but it's always better to come in below budget than over.

Keep us updated

[grimmcs]

but it's always better to come in below budget than over.

I wish I knew that feeling

Yeah keep us updated. Maybe I missed it to...but whats this going in? Got any pics?

[mongo]

I am estimating high for a couple of reasons:

This build is for an 86 Fiero. Since it is a hybrid, that causes a couple of unique concerns. My current motor (2.8 ) is externally balanced. The new one will be internal. NONE of the old intake and fuel components can be reused with the aluminum heads. Now the exhaust becomes a bit of an issue as well for the same reason as the intake.

Well.... since I am this deep into it... looks like a 7730 ECM and DIS is in order. I already have a line on a late model 4T60 for $100 as I would hate to waste all this effort on a TH125... but that is a different budget...

[faster7]

Well done! Then sell extra 3400 heads for a few bucks...

Pick out a flywheel yet?

ATP Z291 Flywheel for ~93 beretta GT is what I picked up for ~$54 shipped through Amazon.com. I think rockauto was a bit cheaper but it qualified for free shipping at the time through amazon..

I am estimating high for a couple of reasons:

This build is for an 86 Fiero. Since it is a hybrid, that causes a couple of unique concerns. My current motor (2.8 ) is externally balanced. The new one will be internal. NONE of the old intake and fuel components can be reused with the aluminum heads. Now the exhaust becomes a bit of an issue as well for the same reason as the intake.

Well.... since I am this deep into it... looks like a 7730 ECM and DIS is in order. I already have a line on a late model 4T60 for $100 as I would hate to waste all this effort on a TH125... but that is a different budget...

[mongo]

Well.. the 3.4 had iron heads and since this is a Hybrid build I need the Grand Am heads.. I have not been able to GIVE the 3.4 heads away.

On the up-side, when I am all done I will have a complete Fiero GT drivetrain still mounted on a cradle to sell and off-set some of my cost. The Fiero is still a daily driver and will remain on the road until I have both the engine and tranny rebuilt and mounted on a spare cradle I bought for this project.

I have been thinking about a flywheel... errr.... flexplate. I am pretty sure they are dirt cheap (under $50 brand new). I guess I'll find out soon enough as I have to re-drill the starter holes to the correct (FWD) side of the motor and I will want to verify/adjust the starter gear position for optimal tooth contact...

[faster7]

Well.. the 3.4 had iron heads and since this is a Hybrid build I need the Grand Am heads.. I have not been able to GIVE the 3.4 heads away.

Ah, didn't catch that they were iron.... I guess most say 3400 to mean fwd=aluminum and 3.4 to mean rwd=iron. My fault.

On the up-side, when I am all done I will have a complete Fiero GT drivetrain still mounted on a cradle to sell and off-set some of my cost. The Fiero is still a daily driver and will remain on the road until I have both the engine and tranny rebuilt and mounted on a spare cradle I bought for this project.

I have been thinking about a flywheel... errr.... flexplate. I am pretty sure they are dirt cheap (under $50 brand new). I guess I'll find out soon enough as I have to re-drill the starter holes to the correct (FWD) side of the motor and I will want to verify/adjust the starter gear position for optimal tooth contact...

Didn't find one under $50 brand new but only BARELY over $50.

[mongo]

I think it is one of those parts that is priced differently depending on what vehicle you SAY it is for...

I'll start looking it up now. I think I can look it up for any DOHC, the 87-88 2.8 Fiero, or the 95 Camaro. If I am not mistaken it shows up cheapest for the 2.8 providing it will work for my application...

[faster7]

I think it is one of those parts that is priced differently depending on what vehicle you SAY it is for...

I'll start looking it up now. I think I can look it up for any DOHC, the 87-88 2.8 Fiero, or the 95 Camaro. If I am not mistaken it shows up cheapest for the 2.8 providing it will work for my application...

Watch the Camaro flywheel as it's going to be pretty thick and I believe has a larger diameter at the ring gear... which is fine for the "RWD" bell housing and "RWD" position starter but not what you're doing.

Howerver my 3.4 camaro pressure plate bolted right on to the new ATP "3100 beretta" flywheel though and could swallow a full ~255-260mm of clutch disk, although the 6 puck "255mm" one I ordered is only ~240mm OD. Room at the outside for even bigger but this should be plenty for me.

[asylummotorsports]

There is nothing wrong with a 3t40 (TH125) if you know what you are doing, and it's alot lighter then that other thing.

[mongo]

Thanks for the tip on the Camaro flexplate. Now I know why the 88 Fiero Flexplate is recommended.

My TH125 is nice but I am pulling 3300 RPMs at 70 MPH. That is a bit excessive for the amount of highway driving I do... not to mention the 21 MPG I currently get.

When I start going through the new transmission I am hoping to beef it up a bit for better response as well as long life.

[faster7]

Thanks for the tip on the Camaro flexplate. Now I know why the 88 Fiero Flexplate is recommended.

My TH125 is nice but I am pulling 3300 RPMs at 70 MPH. That is a bit excessive for the amount of highway driving I do... not to mention the 21 MPG I currently get.

When I start going through the new transmission I am hoping to beef it up a bit for better response as well as long life.

Ahhhh auto flexplate not manual flywheel... yeah I have no doubt you can get one of those cheap. In fact I might have the spare from this 2005 61k mile malibu 3500.....

[ForcedFirebird]

I also believe I have a 3500 flexplate if faster7 doesn't. 30k miles from a Malibu.