Has anyone ever modified one of these?
marik bathory
10-03-2005, 10:24 PM
hello, this is my first post here and i'm wondering, has anyone ever built a modified dustbuster? i'm not talking about some 17 year old with two x-plode speakers, neons, and pep boys wheels but a real high performance van.
i just traded in my '78 Chevy monza on a '95 tran sport SE with a 3800 to be used as my support and tow vehicle for the '88 Pontiac fiero i've been building for about a year now. the fiero is midway through a caddy V-8 swap when the title issues arised. bottom line my fiero can never be registered, and i've been building it for street use, so it'll be pretty pathetic as a track only car. i've decided to scrap the fiero and stuff the v-8 in the van. i know this has been done once before, but never with a v-8 this big and never with a carb, as far as i know.
so i propose the question... has anyone here either done a caddy v-8 swap, or know of anybody who has?
i just traded in my '78 Chevy monza on a '95 tran sport SE with a 3800 to be used as my support and tow vehicle for the '88 Pontiac fiero i've been building for about a year now. the fiero is midway through a caddy V-8 swap when the title issues arised. bottom line my fiero can never be registered, and i've been building it for street use, so it'll be pretty pathetic as a track only car. i've decided to scrap the fiero and stuff the v-8 in the van. i know this has been done once before, but never with a v-8 this big and never with a carb, as far as i know.
so i propose the question... has anyone here either done a caddy v-8 swap, or know of anybody who has?
timguyli
10-04-2005, 07:59 AM
I dont know about the swap, But im always looking for For Fiero parts Especialy 88s.
Tim
88 Fiero Gt
87 se v6
95 Trans sport
2003 Grand am Gt1 sct
Tim
88 Fiero Gt
87 se v6
95 Trans sport
2003 Grand am Gt1 sct
cdru
10-04-2005, 08:07 AM
Anything is possible with fat enough pocketbooks. Personally I don't see the point in it. Presuming it would even fit, it will be a nightmare getting a transmission to fit in there as well along with any other engine components. Then you have to worry about electronics. Then if anything breaks, good luck getting at anything in the back.
In the end, you'd still have a 10 year old vehicle that looks like a doorstop...with a few more HP. Leave the 3800 in there and use the money/time on something more deserving.
In the end, you'd still have a 10 year old vehicle that looks like a doorstop...with a few more HP. Leave the 3800 in there and use the money/time on something more deserving.
jonnrt
10-04-2005, 08:14 AM
The 3800 has great potential go to http://www.3800performance.com/
marik bathory
10-04-2005, 08:37 AM
good luck getting the transmission to fit?
WTF? it's the same transmission, if it fit's now it'll fit afterwards. and yes it may be a few more horsepower but horsepower doesn't count for anything. the magic word here is torque. sure, i'll only have 220 hp, but that 375 ft/lbs will make that little doorstop scoot along like nobody's buissness.
it'll fit just fine, and with a carb, you don't need electronics...geeze, no imagination at all.
heres the original: http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Archives/Archive-000001/HTML/20040710-2-039331.html
WTF? it's the same transmission, if it fit's now it'll fit afterwards. and yes it may be a few more horsepower but horsepower doesn't count for anything. the magic word here is torque. sure, i'll only have 220 hp, but that 375 ft/lbs will make that little doorstop scoot along like nobody's buissness.
it'll fit just fine, and with a carb, you don't need electronics...geeze, no imagination at all.
heres the original: http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Archives/Archive-000001/HTML/20040710-2-039331.html
richtazz
10-06-2005, 04:11 PM
the caddy v-8 is longer than either V-6 your van came with. The V-6's are tight, so I doubt the V-8 would fit. You would need the ecm and wiring harness from the donor Caddy, as well as a lot of fabrication. I don't see the point to doing this swap, unless you want to impress a bunch of soccer moms. The added weight of the V-8 would throw your alignment and ride height all out of whack, and the added torque of the V-8 would shred your tranny.
marik bathory
10-06-2005, 11:25 PM
wow... no imagination at all, and we don't even pay attention
the caddy V-8 and the 3800 use THE SAME TRANSMISSION beyond that i've already posted a link to a person who has done the same thing i am intending to do, and had no problems with it fitting, and actually used the stock wiring harness and computer.
beyond that, the caddy 4.9 is an alluminum block. which means it weighs less than the stock v-6.
it's like talking to a wall.:disappoin
the point of doing this swap is to have something thats both very practical and fun to drive, plus the wow factor of a v-8 minivan makes it too much fun not to.
the caddy V-8 and the 3800 use THE SAME TRANSMISSION beyond that i've already posted a link to a person who has done the same thing i am intending to do, and had no problems with it fitting, and actually used the stock wiring harness and computer.
beyond that, the caddy 4.9 is an alluminum block. which means it weighs less than the stock v-6.
it's like talking to a wall.:disappoin
the point of doing this swap is to have something thats both very practical and fun to drive, plus the wow factor of a v-8 minivan makes it too much fun not to.
troy1
10-06-2005, 11:42 PM
Some Caddy's came with a 4T80E 3800 Never came with anything but a 4T60E/65E 4T80E is a hoss dont think it would fit into a mini van
timguyli
10-07-2005, 08:18 AM
hehehe and some people still say a V8 doesnt not fit into a fiero. Keep us posted as Id love to see the results! I know I will never have anything other then the 3.1 i have now in my 95 Trans sport. sigh.........
marik bathory
10-08-2005, 01:17 PM
now stop telling me it won't fit
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/387011van_engine_10_8_03-med.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/387011van_engine_10_8_03-med.jpg
hforcier
10-09-2005, 07:00 AM
I say go for it!
Sometimes you just have to make it happen for the sake of doing it. I read the thread and saw the successful build there. Can't have too many "ManlyVans" as far as I'm concerned ... and have you seen some of those soccer moms?
Keep us posted, and good luck!
Sometimes you just have to make it happen for the sake of doing it. I read the thread and saw the successful build there. Can't have too many "ManlyVans" as far as I'm concerned ... and have you seen some of those soccer moms?
Keep us posted, and good luck!
richtazz
10-11-2005, 03:35 PM
how can a v-8 fire with a computer for a V-6, you're missing 2 injector pulses and 2 plug firings per crank revolution. I never said it wouldn't fit, just that it might not fit, and I still see no point to this modification. The 4.9 caddy is a problematic, leaky, powerless dog motor, the 3800 virtually bulletproof. The Caddy's use the same transaxle as the GTP's do, so your trans isn't set up for the extra torque of the V-8. Now if you were looking to put a 3800 supercharged in it, then you'd have my attention, because that's a swap worth doing, or even a Northstar engine(not my favorite either but at least they make power). As far as the V-8 fiero goes, I know a guy that put a 455 Olds out of a Toronado in one, so I know that can be done. I will give you credit seeing as how you had the caddy motor already, and hot rodders have been stuffing in bigger engines on the cheap since the beginning of time, it just seems like a waste to me, but to each his own, welcome to the forums!!!
marik bathory
10-12-2005, 03:29 PM
it must be lonely in your head.
the 3.1 TBI computer can run a 4.5, or 4.9 TBI motor. only two injectors... :grinno: not 8. however i intend on running a 500 CFM carb, and chevy hei ignition so the computer will not be nessisary at all...
i know of quite a few 4.9 that are running this very transaxle with very positive results. people are also running them behind northstars, 3.0 superdutys, and even small block chevys.
the L67 seems a natural choice for the swap but like you said, i've already got the v-8. beyond that. it's torque that wins races, not horsepower. and i'd rather have 225 horse, 375 torque over 240 horse 280 torque anyday. that aside, the l67 needs a new wiring harness and computer, whereas the v-8 needs motor mounts and an oil cooler.
i don't really have much desire to sit and argue with naysayers any longer. if you say it can't be done then go sit on your hands and accomplish nothing, but do it quietly and someplace where i cannot see you.
the 3.1 TBI computer can run a 4.5, or 4.9 TBI motor. only two injectors... :grinno: not 8. however i intend on running a 500 CFM carb, and chevy hei ignition so the computer will not be nessisary at all...
i know of quite a few 4.9 that are running this very transaxle with very positive results. people are also running them behind northstars, 3.0 superdutys, and even small block chevys.
the L67 seems a natural choice for the swap but like you said, i've already got the v-8. beyond that. it's torque that wins races, not horsepower. and i'd rather have 225 horse, 375 torque over 240 horse 280 torque anyday. that aside, the l67 needs a new wiring harness and computer, whereas the v-8 needs motor mounts and an oil cooler.
i don't really have much desire to sit and argue with naysayers any longer. if you say it can't be done then go sit on your hands and accomplish nothing, but do it quietly and someplace where i cannot see you.
willsv8
10-12-2005, 09:30 PM
around town someone did put a superchager from a bonneville into is trans sport this thing go's real good seen it race a 5.0 mustang it was a funny to see this van beat it !!!!
'RayMan
10-13-2005, 05:06 PM
Thanks for the idea. i've got l48 from a 75 vette thats been bored,stroked, and ported i think i just might stuff it in my 97 transport.
marik bathory
10-13-2005, 06:39 PM
Thanks for the idea. i've got l48 from a 75 vette thats been bored,stroked, and ported i think i just might stuff it in my 97 transport.
sounds like a great deal of fun, but you're going to run into a few different problems. the L48 being a SBC does not bolt up to the stock tranny, leaving you with two options, an adaptor plate and flywheel, or a RWD setup.
lets take this one step at a time. we'll do RWD first, since it will be "easiest" it's simply a matter of finding the proper length and sized drivetrain and making it fit. probably by swapping the whole frame or using a tube frame. the end result is awesome, but it's a major undertaking that alters the structure of the van.
on to FWD, (the way i'd do it) you're going (or may... to my knowledge nobody has ever done this) to run into the following problems. as our fellow members pointed out. V-8's weight more than v-6's. you will need to compensate for the added front end weight with stiffer springs and stronger shocks.
secondly the SBC is larger than the V-6's and even the 4.9 v-8 i plan on using. you may have room in the van, i don't know. but the fiero guys who do this very swap are forced to notch their framerails and cut a hole in the wheelwell for water pump pully clearence. others run remote electric water pumps.
transmission will prove a little tough here. regardless of which transmission you have you'll want to replace it. the TH-125 (3-speed) isn't exactly worthless. a scrap-processing center will give you about $6.13 for it. the 4t60 has to variations. one electronic (which is the stock one) and one hydrolicly shifted. the hydrolic one is the one you'll need, since you're going with a double pumper ans hei you won't need a computer, trying to run just a tranny off one will be a real pain. the other option is a separate tranny computer that will allow you to manually shift the electric transmission. i know of a kit that does just that for about $300.
but you've got to bolt the tranny up and this will be your cash hog. unless you want to make the adapter plate and flywheel yourself, there is only one man who makes them ( www.v8archie.com ) while he does great work and is an awesome guy, he's the only game in town and he knows it. his prices reflect that.
send a e-mail his way and tell him what you want to do and he'll probably send you an assload of information free-of-chrge because he's a good guy. he may also work with you on parts so you won't have to buy the whole kit and end up throwing away the fiero specific parts.
also check out the fiero board ( www.fiero.nl ) it's not exactly the same swap but there are hundreds of SBC v-8 swaps there and alot of knowledgable people.
just for ha-ha's here's a couple of the engine swaps i've done so far
'85 fiero 4.9 automatic/mpfi
http://groups.msn.com/AkimotosV8FieroClub/jeffscadero.msnw
'87 fiero 4.9 dual exhaust/carb
http://groups.msn.com/AkimotosV8FieroClub/project2m49.msnw?albumlist=2
check out the a-frame hoist on page 5...
well, i went on for a long time there...well i'm not trying to talk you out of this rayman, just the oposite. i think it'll be cool as all get-out, but i do want to make you aware of what it's gonna take before you dive into it. good luck and if theres anything i can do to help, you know where to find me.
sounds like a great deal of fun, but you're going to run into a few different problems. the L48 being a SBC does not bolt up to the stock tranny, leaving you with two options, an adaptor plate and flywheel, or a RWD setup.
lets take this one step at a time. we'll do RWD first, since it will be "easiest" it's simply a matter of finding the proper length and sized drivetrain and making it fit. probably by swapping the whole frame or using a tube frame. the end result is awesome, but it's a major undertaking that alters the structure of the van.
on to FWD, (the way i'd do it) you're going (or may... to my knowledge nobody has ever done this) to run into the following problems. as our fellow members pointed out. V-8's weight more than v-6's. you will need to compensate for the added front end weight with stiffer springs and stronger shocks.
secondly the SBC is larger than the V-6's and even the 4.9 v-8 i plan on using. you may have room in the van, i don't know. but the fiero guys who do this very swap are forced to notch their framerails and cut a hole in the wheelwell for water pump pully clearence. others run remote electric water pumps.
transmission will prove a little tough here. regardless of which transmission you have you'll want to replace it. the TH-125 (3-speed) isn't exactly worthless. a scrap-processing center will give you about $6.13 for it. the 4t60 has to variations. one electronic (which is the stock one) and one hydrolicly shifted. the hydrolic one is the one you'll need, since you're going with a double pumper ans hei you won't need a computer, trying to run just a tranny off one will be a real pain. the other option is a separate tranny computer that will allow you to manually shift the electric transmission. i know of a kit that does just that for about $300.
but you've got to bolt the tranny up and this will be your cash hog. unless you want to make the adapter plate and flywheel yourself, there is only one man who makes them ( www.v8archie.com ) while he does great work and is an awesome guy, he's the only game in town and he knows it. his prices reflect that.
send a e-mail his way and tell him what you want to do and he'll probably send you an assload of information free-of-chrge because he's a good guy. he may also work with you on parts so you won't have to buy the whole kit and end up throwing away the fiero specific parts.
also check out the fiero board ( www.fiero.nl ) it's not exactly the same swap but there are hundreds of SBC v-8 swaps there and alot of knowledgable people.
just for ha-ha's here's a couple of the engine swaps i've done so far
'85 fiero 4.9 automatic/mpfi
http://groups.msn.com/AkimotosV8FieroClub/jeffscadero.msnw
'87 fiero 4.9 dual exhaust/carb
http://groups.msn.com/AkimotosV8FieroClub/project2m49.msnw?albumlist=2
check out the a-frame hoist on page 5...
well, i went on for a long time there...well i'm not trying to talk you out of this rayman, just the oposite. i think it'll be cool as all get-out, but i do want to make you aware of what it's gonna take before you dive into it. good luck and if theres anything i can do to help, you know where to find me.
'RayMan
10-14-2005, 10:57 AM
i'm not sure if i'm going to do this swap or not, i just thought,"hey, thats a good idea." my original plan was just to do a rebuild on the 3.4(of course i would modify a bit, bore, stroke, etc.) I'm actually looking for a 69 SS chevelle to put the L48 in. If you know where i can find a good deal on one let me know
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