Hello all!

I am in the process of working on my Fiero. Im sorta doing a build, but Im posting to get thoughts and ideas on my car. So here goes!!

The whole goal of my build is to have a cool car when im done, decent gas milage, and not spend much money. So far I have done that. Heres what I have done so far:

My first project was to do an interior remodel. I went to the junkyard, and got a firebird dash. Then I proceeded to putting it in.


Actually getting it to fit in was the easy part. Its all the little stuff afterwards thats a pain. I decided to make a custom center console, with a subwoofer in it. I am also planning on mouning lots of switches in a door inside of the console. Heres what Ive got so far:



In the car.....


Then I made a plate to adapt the stock fiero enviromental controls into the firebird dash. This one is a test piece, to give me the pattern I need. Or I might decide to just use it, after paint of course.


Here it is in the dash:



Then I moved onto the ducting problem. I made this plate:



To go over the airbox:



I will then run ducting to the dash vents. I intend to use Gatoraid bottles to be the adapter between the vents and the ducting. It turns out they are just the right size. I will epoxy the top part of the bottles to the dash itself, then epoxy the ducting or an pvc piece to the mouth of the bottle. Havnt got it figured out yet


Anyways, heres some random pictures.

Heres all the stuff thats come out of the car, plus some random stuff.


My car, the beast!


The current state of the interior of my poor car!


PIP is starting to annoy me. It keeps asking for a username and password, and wont let me post anymore.... Why is this?

Anyways, I guess this means im done for now!

On the list for the car to be complete:
Shaved handle kit
Convert to power windows
Get the trunk popper to work
Paintjob (Some cheap DIY method)
hood extractor vent, Deckild vent, side vent, and maybe a DIY widebody
Sound system
Paint interior
Rims
3.4 engine conversion.

Any interest in me keeping this thread up?

Anyways, Im off to bed now. Feel free to answer or ask any questions you like!

Mike

[This message has been edited by pheonix97031 (edited 02-20-2007).]

Cool build...Keep posting away.

As for PIP, I think you can only post so many pics in one post. I normally just break my posts up.

+
Bob

Thanks for taking the time to post all of these pics. A "+" to you.

I'm keeping an eye on this build thread, as it looks pretty interesting so far.

very resourceful with the gatorade bottles

Thanks! Yeah, now im trying to find some more gatoraid bottles! I dont wanna go buy a bunch of gatoraid Anyways, I gotta study for some midterms for the next few days, so im not gonna get too much done on the car.

Mike

Ok, question time!! Im working on getting parts for the 3.4 engine swap. But I have heard that the engine has problem getting air at higer RPM's. With that in mind, I was wondering if anyone has removed matarial from the intakes? I did a search, but only came up with porting the exaust manifold. Are there any threads on it already?

Questions:

1. In the first place, where is the restriction at in the intake in the first place? there are 3 parts to it, the upper, lower and mid.
2. Threads on the procedure to remove material.
3. What does porting the exaust manifolds and intakes do to your gas mileage and engine performance?

Also, I picked up a free uppper intake the other day (WOOT!) But inside of the intake, its all crusty and black. What do you suggest about this? I will get some pictures. The only way that I could see to completely clean it out would be to saw it in half, and clean it out, then weld it back togeather. Suggestions?

And last question! Does anyone have a thread on installing shaved handle kits? Ive done a search on that too, but came up blank. I would like some cool pictures of how the damn things work in the first place, and how they go in our cars

Anyways, you guys give me the info, I will do it, and post about it!

Thanks for the help and +'s

Michael

No ideas guys?

quote Originally posted by pheonix97031: Questions: 1. In the first place, where is the restriction at in the intake in the first place? there are 3 parts to it, the upper, lower and mid. 2. Threads on the procedure to remove material.

I'll take a stab at the first two questions. Just judging by this thread, I'd say that the most restrictive part of the stock intake would be the upper intake plenum.



There's not much you can do to open up the stock plenum, short of major fabrication work to the plenum.

yea some of us dream of a truleo intake and others are poor (read:me)

do a google search on porting exhaust manifolds.. i found a great site onces and it explained it real well... but that has been proven here to add an ACTUAL 6-8 hp and seems real easy...

What does it do to your gas mileage? Porting the exaust and intake, i mean. Also, I have heard of turbocharging before? Im not sure I understand it, but I think turbochargeing consists of putting a blower of some sort on the intake, to force air into the engine. Now, what are thoughts on turbocharging? Is it possible with the 3.4 engine, and what kind of power does it add, and how does it effect fuel economy? Is there a way to make it so that you can turn on the turbo when you want it, and shut it off when you dont?

If you cant tell, Im trying to keep this car fairly fuel efficent, and functional, yet making it cool and fun to drive! Since im a college student and everything. The reason I want to do the 3.4 engine if for the added power over the 4 cyl, and it still gets decent gas mileage, and I want to do somthing that most other fieros dont have So, yeah, how does the stuff I mentioned above effect fuel economy?

Michael

does your car have a 5-speed? the auto on my 3.4 makes it burn through gas at highway speeds...but then again i have a lead foot

Ive got a 5 spd

Any answers related to my above questions?

Mike

Turbocharging is possibly on any type of engine, just depends on your wallet. I'm not trying to be rude, but if you don't know what it really even is don't consider even an engine swap now. Go buy or borrow some books and read a whole ton and then start thinking about mechanical changes.

The best way to clean out that plenum is to cover the outlets, pour some laqcuer thinner into it, shake a bunch, empty, repeat, fill, cap inlet and let it sit for a good while. If some still remains just do it all over.

I'd stay away from a turbo setup until you have the cash needed to do it right. A proper turbo system will add more $$$$ to your swap which is sounds like to don't have a lot of; and slapping together a "cheap" turbo system, is a great way to destroy your engine. Since this is your first swap and you don't have unlimited funds, I'd stick to the basics.

That said, if you're looking for more power then the 3.4 pushrod V6; you may want to consider a 3.4 DOHC V6 engine. With the DOHC design, you have about 210HP right out of the box, and a redline of about 7000RPM too boot. To my understanding, it quite literally bolts right up the same way that the stock 2.8 V6 does; so there wouldn't be much more work involved to swap this engine instead of the 3.4 pushrod V6. The only thing that you'd have to figure out would be the engine management system; but there are members on here that could build the wiring harness, and reprogram that computer for you. (Not to mention, you could turbo this engine down the road, if you felt inclined to do so).

This swap would eliminate the flow problems that you would have with the 3.4 pushrod engine, and be about as easy and inexpensive to swap as the 3.4 pushrod engine.

Here's a thread that has quite a bit of information about the swap.

And here's two build threads for the 3.4 DOHC swap. Thread 1. Thread 2.

[This message has been edited by Deabionni (edited 02-24-2007).]

quote Originally posted by pheonix97031: What does it do to your gas mileage? Porting the exaust and intake, i mean. If you cant tell, Im trying to keep this car fairly fuel efficent, and functional, yet making it cool and fun to drive! Since im a college student and everything. The reason I want to do the 3.4 engine if for the added power over the 4 cyl, and it still gets decent gas mileage, and I want to do somthing that most other fieros dont have So, yeah, how does the stuff I mentioned above effect fuel economy? Michael

Basically Michael, if you increase horsepower you actually increase mileage as well, that is if you don't have a lead foot and want to play all the time.

Anything you can do to get more air into and out of the engine will help. Porting the intake, and exhaust, using a more free flowing catalytic converter as well as a more free flowing muffler. Take and add vents on your hood and decklid to cut down on drag at highway speeds. Use skinnier tires to get less rolling resistance. Give the car to me. (Just checking)

If you actually stop and think about it you are adding weight to the inside of the car with the interior, so your kinda defeating your purpose of saving mileage, though I do give you props for it.

Brad

Sorry guys, I diddnt mean to make you think I have no idea. I have done 1 engine replacement before, in a 93 Saturn SC2. It was fairly easy, I just sat the 2 blocks side by side and transferd parts. Thats why I want to do this swap. It should be fairly easy. If only I had a 2.8 block to set next to the 3.4 block, I would be able to just transfer parts

But when it comes to all the other fancy things, like engine mods and upgrades, im fairly clueless. So thats why I ask

Update:

I have found most of the parts I need to do my engine conversion. I am trading them for a Isuzu 5 spd tranny with 70k miles on it. Heres what I got, and im wondering if its a good deal:

Manifolds,
Upper Intake
Middle Intake
Lower Intake
Distributers
Brackets
Injectors
Injector Rails
ECM
Wiring Harness
Alt bracket
EGR tube
Thermostat housing
Throttle body
Timing cover
Oil Pan
Pullys
Water pump


What do you think? Good deal or bad?

Michael

[This message has been edited by pheonix97031 (edited 02-24-2007).]

Also, I need information on the 4cyl to 6cyl V6 swap. A detailed thread would be awesome!

Michael

No?

i think that's a good start for your build. have you tried the search? i think there was a thread on converting 2.8-3.4.
You'll need engine mounts, dogbone, an intake? I'm using a 91 crx intake, bought it off e-bay for like 20 bucks + shipping.

like this one --> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymot...mZ160088375445QQrdZ1

also, you may want to look into porting the stock exhaust manifolds, they're pretty easy to do if you have a dremel.

look at this thread, 2.5 to 3.4 dohc coupe. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/057894.html

[This message has been edited by 88White3.4GT (edited 02-26-2007).]

How about info for the 2.5-->2.8 Swap? I have found lots of info on the 2.8-->3.4 swap, but I havnt found anything related to upgrading to a V6 from a 4cyl in the first place.

Thanks 88! I was starting to think no one was reading anymore

Mike

Has anyone got info on the 2.5-->2.8 swap? What is needed to do it, as far as electircal goes? I want/need to upgrade to the V6 guages, so do I need to run any more wires in the cockpit, from the ECM to the to the guage cluster? Aditionally, I will have to aquire the V6 engine harness, and run it thru the rear firewall to the ECM?


Also, I have ECM questions. I am upgrading the stock 4cyl ECM to the 2.8L ECM to run the 3.4 engine from a firebird. But is the 2.8 V6 ECM from the fiero most efficient at running the 3.4 engine? If possible, I would like to put in the best ECM/chip to run the 3.4 egine to get the best fuel economy and power from the engine.

Any thoughts?

Check this --->
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/079574.html


Also might want to move your thread to the technical section, might get more input over there? i know i've seen a thread for 2.5 - 2.8...

I can try posting in the tech section I guess. but still, if anyone knows anything, post em here!

Hoping to keep this thread alive and do some work this weekend!

Oh, and I am in need of some cheap GT guages. I have a question about the guages. Firstly, are they all backlit? Secondly, do I need to find some guages to match my ECM, or will any set of GT gueages work with any V6 ECM?

Also, I got some parts recently as well. I will list them soon as i make a list.

[This message has been edited by pheonix97031 (edited 03-03-2007).]

you have a PM! and a free bump.

I had to change over the wiring and gauge (tach board) also the ECMs I went from 2.5 to 2.8 harness with a 3.4 if you need more detail lemme know as I am still trying to figure out how to run the reverse light wires myself anyone who can help with that please PM me the solution or a thread on it....

:::EDIT::: to clarify my swap type

[This message has been edited by jack_ink (edited 03-05-2007).]

Sorry, theres not much action here. Im getting ready for finals. So, Bump!!

Alrighty.... time to get ye old thread outta mothballs I think

I have since done a fair bit of work. The dash is completely mounted, and I built my own center console. The next phase of the project will be to get all the electrical's figured out. This includes the power windows I have also installed, power locks, the trunk release and the guages. ( Im planning on making a digital set of guages )

After that, maybe when the weather gets better, I will be starting on body mods. Widebody... side scoops.... shaved handles... etc.

Anyways...

Adios now!