2.8 Fiero to turbo 3x00 swap

[mr.rogers]

Ok so I want to build an engine for my Fiero, I really want go turbo. What i am looking for is some advice, instructions, warnings, etc. Also a wish list from various different engines, which heads, intakes, block, crank on and on. I am new to these specific engines so any little compatability issues that you know of would be great. I am shooting for 300 streetable hp. 16.1 sec 1/4 mile just doesn't do it for me So any questions just ask and thanks in advance

[sharkey]

300hp would basicly be a stock 3400 with a properly sized turbo at 10spi. a stock motor will hold 10 psi without issues. depending on your budget, i would do some more to the motor. i would go with some forged pistons, beam polish the stock rods and install arp rod bolts, and a mellings high volume oil pump. you could go with a 3500 top end, it does flow a bit better than the 3400, but you could just port the 3400 heads for the same results. either way, go with some ls1 behive valve springs. stock rockers are rollertip, but you could upgrade to some comp magnum 1.6:1 rockers for a little more lift.

the biggest thing is tuning, dont expect to get away with a rising rate regulator. with a proper way to tune and that sort of build, i wouldnt hesitate to put 15+ psi through it, and id guess around 350 whp isnt hard to achive, and still be streetable.

[ForcedFirebird]

The 3400 rockers are roller fulcrum, and later years are already 1.6 ratio.

A full 3500 swap could almost give you 300hp N/A.

[Guest]

Whats your budget?

[mr.rogers]

Ok so a 2000 to 2003 3.4 should be everything i need? it has a roller cam? full roller 1.6 rockers? beam polish the stock rods???? I can prob get a 3400 core from the wreckers for about $100 that should be complete from tb to pan. i have a turbo from a M-X6 and intercooler that id like to use, are they capable? The computer and tuning is my biggest hurdle. I can rebuild and machine etc but getting it to run proper is another thing. I have a prom reader, but would i need to go to obd2?

[mr.rogers]

I will do a complete rebuild of course, Is there a turbo cam grind? i like the fiero intake is it ok or is 3.4 better, what accesories will i need to go along with the 3.4, will all the 2.8 stuff bolt up? what about headers? so many questions i know.

[sharkey]

fiero headers can be made to work, iirc its just slotting the holes in the flange. your intake will not bolt to the 3400 heads, and it flows horrible anyways. as for accessories, you will need to use them from the 3400 along with the brackets. you will also need to fab up a power steering delete pulley.

the mx6 turbo will be far to small for a 3400. its designed for a 2.2l, and as most factory turbos is actualy small for what it is. it would spool up very quick but my guess is id be out of the efficiency range by 4000 rpm. 3400 like big turbos like a t04e 60 trim to make good power. as for the intercooler, the mx6 one would be to small for a big turbo. if your looking for a junkyard intercooler, find a volvo, they have the best factory intercooler out there. it may however be more favorable in a fiero to go with an air/water intercooler setup.

you can tune your stock ecm and it would do just fine. you will need a 2 bar map sensor and all the chip burning software and hardware. another route would be to go with a megasquirt (www.msefi.com and www.megamanual.com for more info), its a full stand alone ecm. an obd2 retrofit would be hard to do .

[mr.rogers]

ok how about 2 of them, and I do have a volvo intercooler, its massive, I think ill build my own headers cause of the price of new ones. will a 2 bar map sensor from a 2.0L ohc work? what about wide band o2? does anyone have a turbo setup tuned that i could clone?

[mr.rogers]

what about fuel pump, regulator, psi, injectors?

[sharkey]

your stock fuel pump should work, however upgrading to a 255 walbro pump is not a bad idea. the stock 3400 regulator will work fine. you will want bigger injectors, something over 30lb/hr. if you stick with the stock ecm, you will need high impediance injectors. a sunbird 2.0l turbo map sensor will work fine for under 15psi. a wideband o2 system is highly recemended with any form of boost.

[mr.rogers]

I went to the wreckers today and bought this core engine it was marked 02 3.4 grand am, but i dont believe that it is. Can you identify it from these pics? it was $100 so its a good deal even for the intake and heads but im sure its rebuildable, ill tear it down tonight.

[mr.rogers]

It is a 3500!!! roller lifters, and rockers, it also has a Roush plate on the front, does this mean anything special?

[ForcedFirebird]

That's definately a 3500 plenum. If it came out of a 2002 (for sure), then it's a 3400 with a 3500 plenum (or entire top end). Either way it's a good find!!!

[bszopi]

Its definately a 3500. If you look in the 3rd pic, at the top of the block, there is a pink "C" cast into the block. The "C" means that it is a 3500 block. The exhaust manifolds are also a dead giveaway. So whoever works at the junkyard isn't the smartest, since the first 3500 came out in 04, and was never available in a Grand Am.

[ForcedFirebird]

Its definately a 3500. If you look in the 3rd pic, at the top of the block, there is a pink "C" cast into the block. The "C" means that it is a 3500 block. The exhaust manifolds are also a dead giveaway. So whoever works at the junkyard isn't the smartest, since the first 3500 came out in 04, and was never available in a Grand Am.

I'll take two, please!!! For $100, I can hardly believe it.

Actually, I take that back, do you know how much shipping is from/to Canada?!?!?