There are four engines I want to put together right now, but I have very limited funds so it will be a stretch to build even one of them this year. Given that I can only do one, which should I do first?

The four engines I want to build:

1) 3.0 liter Super Duty
Purpose: Driven 95% of time on the street.

2) Turbo 2.5 basically stock with some off-the-shelf SBC pistons, turbo Sunbird ECM.
Purpose: Test everyone's hypotheses on "how much the duke can take"

3) "Bolt-ons" engine (for the Pace Car)
Purpose: to see what you can get out of the easy stuff like a header, ported head, Holley TBI and Holley intake, FS Perf cam.

4) Max-effort non-SD engine. Using no SD parts, and only commonly available stuff, how much power can be made?
Purpose: Fun daily driver engine, provide non-BS answers for once to people looking for more 2.5 power.

(Most of) the pile of parts collected to date:

I would go with the super duty motor just because if done right, you can have the ultimate "sleeper" car

If you decide to do a "performance Duke" build (i.e. not a Super Duty), then it would be a good idea to use a forged crankshaft. The crankshaft in the stock Duke is one of the weakest links in the chain.

Limited resources and performance don't usually coincide. If you want to have nearly a bolt in insall, and intend to use the power, why experiment? Just go with the SD4. However, it may cost more to build this engine than many of the more popular swaps.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE WILDCAT"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

option 4

quote Originally posted by KurtAKX: There are four engines I want to put together right now, but I have very limited funds so it will be a stretch to build even one of them this year. Given that I can only do one, which should I do first? The four engines I want to build: 1) 3.0 liter Super Duty Purpose: Driven 95% of time on the street. 2) Turbo 2.5 basically stock with some off-the-shelf SBC pistons, turbo Sunbird ECM. Purpose: Test everyone's hypotheses on "how much the duke can take" 3) "Bolt-ons" engine (for the Pace Car) Purpose: to see what you can get out of the easy stuff like a header, ported head, Holley TBI and Holley intake, FS Perf cam. 4) Max-effort non-SD engine. Using no SD parts, and only commonly available stuff, how much power can be made? Purpose: Fun daily driver engine, provide non-BS answers for once to people looking for more 2.5 power. (Most of) the pile of parts collected to date:

I'd vote for starting with #4, then progress to #3 (they seem to be pretty similar anyway). #2 if you have a second engine around and don't mind if it blows up.

Careful Kurt you're starting to get like me. Before you know it you will have enough parts to make multiple kickass engines. And none will be in a car.

# 1 , the SD4 3.0L. I'm collecting parts for the same thing, probably will take a couple or 3 years to get everything. Got the mercruiser 3.0L crank and 801 head. Intake and block will be the biggies.

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85 GT 3.4
14.9 @ 90 1.9 60' Old TH125/3.06
Unknown New 4T60/3.42

I say option 2 or option 4 I want to see what the duke can make so I can do it myself in the future if I decide to keep the fiero and not do a V8 swap first

Hey Kurt,
This needs a bump and I wanted to touch base here anyway. I'm from the Yahoo group and recently started lurking around here.
Your #3 build looks similar to what I did on my S-10 build, almost 30K miles on that one now. I can offer up "what I would do differently now" type of input.
Re: #1 build. I have recently aquired a SD block and 3.625 Pontiac crank so I'll be following this with interest when it gets started.
My block and crank purchase also inluded a Cosworth 16V head kit, so I'm in a bit of a quandry where to go from here. Common sense tells me I don't even have the budget to do a Cosworth build along with my other projects right now. So will probably continue to try to get a pushrod SD head. (yes Stickman I'm watchin) Of course if anyone has a Spice chassis they just want hauled off ...
#4 just looks like plain ole' shadetree fun, maybe you should move it up the list as a test mule for #2 and #3.

How are you progressing on the engines? I am watching as I want to go the # 4 route myself. I do like the mileage of the 2.5 (38.5 on long trips) and until I can find employment that pays well, the Fiero is my daily driver. I want to do the S-10 head and Grand Am intake mod. And if it can be done(if I can get the funds) have the head and intake ported. May be do some thing with the exhaust manifold. I find my 2.5 starts to "pull" at wot from 4,000 range on up past 5,000. I think this engine would continue to on to ? RPM, but I am afraid to take it past 5,000 based on recommendations from forum members. For some reason it spark knocks lightly on 87 octane, not to bad on 89 and not at all on 91. Not on a heavy load as much as cruising steady with light throttle pressure. Usually around 70 mph. Yes all the sensors have been replaced, egr, new TBI, prom, ECM. All the things you can think of. I wonder if this engine is some how off timing a little? Some fluke from the factory?

Sorry I get off track. Any way I am wondering how the mods are coming?

Steve W.
NE Grand Rapids, MI
88 Coupe

Kurt hows the progress on the engines?


Steve W
NE Grand Rapids,MI
88 Coupe

is the Mercruiser 3.0 crank in standard dukeblock option still in your targeting focus?
if yes i vote for it