3.4/3500 hybrid for Fiero

[Xceler8]

Brand new to the forum here so keep that in mind, I have done some research but am looking for advise on my current ideas. Here we go:

1=> 3.4l camaro block bored to be 3.5l
2=> 3500 pistons
3=> 3500 topend (heads, UIM, LIM)
4=> 7730 ecm wired for dis

okay here is where I am looking for input:

I am pretty sure that the block is cool to be bored to the 3.5l displacement but want to be sure.

I plan on staying Na for now but might do boost/nitrous in the future. I know the 3.5 block is a little better durability wise cause of the pan/girdle thing that it has, but is there a good way to beef up the 3.4 rwd block to handle future boost/nitrous. I know 4 bolt mains or a girdle are options but am lacking info on where to get a girdle for that 3.4l or how to go to 4 bolt mains.
I would like to use the 3.4 block for ease of installation into the car, seeing as this will be my first swap i am trying to keep it simple.

Cam advice would be nice, something street/strip with only na in mind ( if i boost later i can always swap out the cam).

last question for now is from what i have read and found is that the dis should work on a 7730 ecm with a reprogram? How do i go about reprogramming, i wouldn't mind getting software hardware or whatever is needed to make it easy. plus as far as all that is concerned the camaro block does have a crank sensor right so that should make it easy to convert to dis, and the 3500 uses a different reluctor wheel, right? so that would be a PITA to get working with the old ecm right?

well any help is appreciated, fortunatly i have not been to tainted by the fiero forums yet, and am still not convinced that the 3800sc is the god of all swaps.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

[ForcedFirebird]

I wouldn't bore the block that much. Leave the 3.622" if you can, and only remove enough to clean up the bores.

If you want to stay N/A, leave the 3.4 RWD pistons in, go with a 272 or bigger cam, and rape some V8's with the 11.5:1 compression (yes it runs on pump gas).

Leave the 3.4 crank in, your dis will work fine.

Welcome

[34blazer]

theres no way the 3.4 block can be punched out almost .100" to fit the 3500 pistons. unless you have sonic tested the 3.4 block, but i strongly doubt it. drop the 3500 in

[SappySE107]

You could sleeve it but thats about 600 bucks or so.

[Joseph Upson]

Brand new to the forum here so keep that in mind, I have done some research but am looking for advise on my current ideas. Here we go:

1=> 3.4l camaro block bored to be 3.5l
2=> 3500 pistons
3=> 3500 topend (heads, UIM, LIM)
4=> 7730 ecm wired for dis

okay here is where I am looking for input:

I am pretty sure that the block is cool to be bored to the 3.5l displacement but want to be sure.

I plan on staying Na for now but might do boost/nitrous in the future. I know the 3.5 block is a little better durability wise cause of the pan/girdle thing that it has, but is there a good way to beef up the 3.4 rwd block to handle future boost/nitrous. I know 4 bolt mains or a girdle are options but am lacking info on where to get a girdle for that 3.4l or how to go to 4 bolt mains.
I would like to use the 3.4 block for ease of installation into the car, seeing as this will be my first swap i am trying to keep it simple.

Cam advice would be nice, something street/strip with only na in mind ( if i boost later i can always swap out the cam).

last question for now is from what i have read and found is that the dis should work on a 7730 ecm with a reprogram? How do i go about reprogramming, i wouldn't mind getting software hardware or whatever is needed to make it easy. plus as far as all that is concerned the camaro block does have a crank sensor right so that should make it easy to convert to dis, and the 3500 uses a different reluctor wheel, right? so that would be a PITA to get working with the old ecm right?

well any help is appreciated, fortunatly i have not been to tainted by the fiero forums yet, and am still not convinced that the 3800sc is the god of all swaps.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

It looks like you're taking the back door to get to the front yard. Since 3.5L is what you are aiming for in a Fiero, start with a 3.5L. Since you are new to the forum it is important to say what hasn't been said so far. Everything you need as far as I know to properly install the 3.5L can be purchased in the store for much less than the mods you are planning to boost a weaker block up to a 3.5L. The starter is already on the correct side.

The engine will bolt to your transmission and the front "L" shaped engine bracket with a small notch needing to be cut in the oil pan rib, it shouldn't take any more work to use a 3.5L than relocating the starter for the 3.4L. I urge the complete 3500 because you already intend to use the top end. The money you would save over 3.5L pistons and block prepping could be used for performance parts for the 3.5L. The 3.5L pistons are not going to work in the 3.4 anyway because they use a 5.9" rod.

Go to the store (disguised as WOT-TECH) and look up the cost of the throttlebody adaptor, the external crank trigger to bypass the internal crank wheel for the 3.5, and add the extras you would like.

If you're dead set on the 3.4 build up that's fine but your plan suggests the complete 3500 is the better deal.

The Fiero forum members know what these engines are capable of and many of them are just stubborn or the 3800 is all they know or want to know I believe.

You should do a search on this forum or the Fiero forum to get info on the current 3500 Fiero. The 730 ecm will work fine for this swap.

[IsaacHayes]

^^ Yup for what you want, just putting a complete 3500 in is less money and work. Then you can get a reground custom roller cam here too. merlot's 3500 with cam & headers fiero video was impressive!

[Xceler8]

I guess I was worng assuming that the 3.4 block could be bord to 3.5, I was under the impression that the 3500 block was very similar. But its not, right. okay well that changes a few things. This is kinda what i was hoping to hear anyway. I found a whole engine localy intake to pan with 1000 miles for like 600 bucks. Thats like 2-400 cheaper than a running 3.4 with 100,000+ miles. I would also like to swap in a 4 speed automatic, so any advice as to what that will involve would be nice.

What kind of performance parts should i be buying for the 3500. I figure cam and throttle body right off right? Then what?

just bought the car not to long ago and got it running around a little. Its a little tired, got a decent amount of power left. But with no cat and a loud exahaust I get some attention from other people wanting to race and mess around. just wish I could back all that noise up.

trying to get a clear plan, cause the money is burning a hole in my pocket.

[ForcedFirebird]

Well then, get the 3500

That's a good deal if the mileage is tuely that low. I get mine for ~$500 delivered with 30-70k miles (shop pricing).

[mtownfiero]

If your still planning on doing the 3500 with the 7730 and DIS like joseph upson said the 7730 on pennocks is where you should look. With the pinout sheets that darth made up i was able to do it myself and i had never done any motor work before except simple things. Post pics of your swap though seems like its going to be a good one.