Engine Questions

Hi. I Have an '87 Fiero SE 2.5L 4 cyl. w/ a 5-Speed (getrag i think). I believe that I found somewhere that the 2.8L-3.4L's & the 3.8L would bolt up to the tranny with some mods (like the starter bolts and placement). but will the motors bolt holes match the trannys is the question i am asking?

Also I have reasearched on the "Iron Duke" and I have just not found the performance (250-325HP) for the money I would have to put into it. Was there a car GM offered that was a 4-cyl. 2.5L with a turbo or supercharger or one that would work (A place to start.)

Any Help is appreciated Thanks Nick.

Go to www.design1systems.com/northstar

Forget Design 1, to much money for what they offer, they made the northstar swap look so hard it got me doing them, we are doing a few right now and we are going the be saving all of our info. and then going to be doing them on a reg. basis. so if anyone out there is looking into doing a Northstar swap but doesn't think they can do it alone write me.
[email protected]

If you want 250-325HP for a Fiero, you will need MONEY. Nothing just bolts together. For any engine swap, unless you get a "junk" engine, expect to pay a few Gs to get it done correctly. If you buy junk parts, you will have more problems.

Most 3800 or 3800 sc engines can get up to 240 HP but normally have a 460E automatic transmission. If you want a five speed manual, you'll need to look into a modified ECM. A wiring harness to mate the Fiero with a 3800 runs $800-1500.

Your 2.5 engine has an Isuzu 5 speed transmission. The 2.8 V6 got the getrag 5 speed transmissions.

The answer to meet all your needs is a fat wallet or lots of mechanical skills and a fat wallet.

Not all 2.8 L has a 5 speed Getrag, some have an Izusu and most have a 4 speed Muncie. I have been able to find Northstars with 60K and up for around $1000 and up and that with the motor, ECM, wiring harness, starter, alternator, oil cooler, etc...
They bolt up to the Getrag, I have worked out a deal on the clutches and flywheels from Spec.
I have the ECM problems worked out, 93-95 cost $200 to modify, 96-99 is $900, and 2000 and newer cost $1200, and these are plug and go.
Mounting them are alittle harder than some but easier than most!
Cost for everything is $2650 to $6500, but that depends on what is needed and what you all want done, including susp. and brake upgrades.

Thank you all for your help. What about the other GM engines (2.8, 3.4, 3.1, 3.8) How well do they bolt up? I know I will need the ECM and accesories along with the engine but i will have an easier (and cheaper) time finding the V-6 engines compared to the Northstar. Thank you for any additional help.

The Northstar bolts up other than one bolt. The pins take most of the stress any.

Unfortunately the old saying is true: The more go the more dough.
There are a few turbo packages available for the 2.5, but they are hard to find now and usually go for some serious coinage. That is almost true now for the 2.8 as well. For better HP, the least expensive, easiest swap that I have seen and heard of has been the 3800 and the 3800 supercharger engines.
The Northstar is a sweet swap as well but usually runs even more, especially for a turn key swap, though the final result both in looks, power and over all wow factor is incredible.
V8 Archie is doing V8 Corvette engine swaps and once you see one of those it is just awesome.
Whatever way you decide to go will always be based on two factors: What your pocket dictates compared to your own abilities to what you can do yourself.
The less you can do = the more it will cost ;)

Steve

Just wrote up a price list for a guy that I am going to be doing a Northstar swap for soon, Total for him was $6150.00, that was with the motor, a different trans, wiring, reprogramming the chip, mounting, and even a small brake up grade for the front and back plus coilover susp. for the rear, even though the swap is only adding about 50 lbs. Plus a set of my 17" wheels.

Allright next question. How well does the 3800 match my transmission? Which model and year would be the best engine for my swap? (and cheapest also, easiest to find)

Thanks Nick

ive been looking a lot for engine swaps and another option for you is to put a pre northstar 93-94 cadi 4.x 4.5 4.9 etc it bolts up to the same bellhousing
and from what i heard there is only changing two front engine mounts, exhaust, oilpump, etc

Just to toss in a different view.... there is a pontiac turbo L4 - came in sunbirds, I think it's a 2.0? - If you have some decent mechanical and wiring skills you could get away with a $300 wrecked sunbird with a good motor and tranny and a few minor supplies like welding electrodes/wire, solder, heat shrink tube, etc. About a v6 swap, from what I'm told any FWD OHV L4 tranny will fit a OHV v6, but the OHC engines has a totally different bell hosing pattern. If I were you though before I just bolted it up I'd pull the tranny apart and check the gears, shafts, bushings and bearings, then put in some replacment syncros.