Engine swap

[purenergy]

What is the biggest ( highest horespower) engine i could put in my 86 fiero, not considering cost.

[MrPbody]

Loaded question, especially with the "not considering cost" blurb.

I had a friend in Virginia that put a 455 Pontiac in his. The car went 10.80s on 87 octane gas... It used the transmission from an early '80s Buick riviera (TH325). Using one from the early '70s Eldorado or Toronado would be even better (TH425).

Mounting the starter on the opposite side was an exercise in inginuity. Headers were also "fun". But the end result was a BADASS Fiero that actually DROVE like a Fiero. The added weight in the rear was in the "right place" and overall balance wasn't affected much. By lowering the front 1", the car was a "dream" to drive. The car was known as "Fear Arrow". Dave, the owner/builder, has been MIA for a couple years now.

You can see a couple pics of it on our website.

Using the Cadilac "Northstar" has also gained popularity. The super-charged Buick 3800 is another.

Of course, one could always "pump up" the 60 deg. V6 now in there. A 3.1 or 3.4 will "bolt right in" if the right heads are used. LOTS of options. What exactly are you after?

Jim

www.centralvirginiamachine.com (look in photo gallery)

[purenergy]

I am after speed and horsepower for racing

[purenergy]

Do you know any specs for this engine, or the cost.

[MrPbody]

Which one?

Another swap "being done" is V8 Archie's small block "swap". He has a kit for putting a small block Chevy in there. Unfortunately, it uses the TH125 transmission. While probably a nice "cruiser", I wouldn't think TH125 is "up" to the task of racing a high-horsepower V8.

Jim

[purenergy]

This one 455 Pontiac, and do you know what transmission to use for it.

[MrPbody]

Depends on what "level" you want to build it to. For a 450-500 HP "street" engine, cost is around $5K (engine only). I would suggest, rather trying to find and pay for a true "455", use a 400 block and a "stroker kit". The 400 block is actually stronger (physically) than the 455. The strength of the crankshaft is not a question, as the available cast strokers are "good" to 750 HP and the forgings are good for over 1,500. Yes, we DO "speak" of 1,000 HP Pontiac V8s today. One can spend as much on a Pontiac as they can on a BBC, and get about the same "return" regarding power and longevity. More dollars to build than a small block, but no small block makes the kind of streetable power the Pontiac is capable of.

The BEST trans (IMO) for the job would be the TH425, from a late '60s/early '70s Eldorado or Toronado. Mounting the starter to the opposite side is required (passenger's as opposed to driver's). A good "how to get there from here" kinda guy is needed for this one. The headers, too, will need to be "custom".

If building a SERIOUS engine, it would be relatively easy to get the car into the 9s in the 1/4 mile. Traction is tremendous and they aren't THAT heavy (not as light as they appear, at about 2,800 lbs.). NHRA doesn't require a cage until the car is below 11.50.

If you intend to get started on a Pontiac engine, be sure to get Jim Hand's book "How to Build Max-performance Pontiac V8s", published by SA Designs. It is the only current "study" of the ol' Injun. It's mostly for street engines and a fairly specific combination, but much information in the "overall" can be very valuable. Many questions that arrise are addressed there, as well.

Most important if building the Pontiac: It is NOT a "Chevy" and must be approached in a completely different manner. Using advice from Chevy "builders" will lead to an engine that is a "pig" and won't "live". Thus the negative reputation of the Pontiac. When properly built, Chevy guys HATE Pontiacs, and for good reason! GTO didn't earn a reputation for LOSING... (:-

Jim