2.8L vs. 4.9L (Page 2/3)
zzzhuh NOV 05, 03:30 PM

quote
Originally posted by Neils88:

The 4.9 is a relatively easy, low cost swap that will be guaranteed to put a smile on your face. There isn't anything in the swap that is particularly difficult for someone with average mechanical skills.

Hopefully you've searched on PFF for the many great threads that document the build. Here's a link to my thread, which also has links to other good 4.9 builds.

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/F...2/HTML/129733-1.html



Your build, as well as Raydar's are excellent builds. I mainly want to see if I can find someone that will make/send me any parts needed to get the engine in the car, and have it drive. It seems that a pulley is needed, since the power steering pump isn't used, etc. I know that a custom exhaust must be made, as well as redrilling a flywheel. I'm capable of being able to bolt these things on, but not able to make these parts.

Anyone have a vendor that will basically send me everything needed? I'm sure someone would be happy to make some money off of me for these parts.

[This message has been edited by zzzhuh (edited 11-05-2020).]

Spadesluck NOV 05, 03:42 PM
The guy to ask would be Johns 4.9, that is his screen name. John has a wealth of knowledge for the Caddy motors. Here is his Facebook link: John, he posts a lot on the V8 Fiero forums and others.

Here is my Facebook business page Spade Customs. I am building a 4.9 as well in case you have any questions.

[This message has been edited by Spadesluck (edited 11-05-2020).]

zzzhuh NOV 05, 05:09 PM

quote
Originally posted by Spadesluck:

The guy to ask would be Johns 4.9, that is his screen name. John has a wealth of knowledge for the Caddy motors. Here is his Facebook link: John, he posts a lot on the V8 Fiero forums and others.

Here is my Facebook business page Spade Customs. I am building a 4.9 as well in case you have any questions.




Awesome! Thank you for help friend. I will be contacting John, and talking to him about getting this done. If this build does start, I will be making sure to update the thread here, as well as post on the Fiero group on facebook. Hope your build goes great!
Raydar NOV 05, 08:58 PM
LSC builds the custom flywheels for the 4.9/manual tranny installations.
Or you can take an 88 V6 flywheel and have it plugged and re-drilled. I went with the LSC.

Edit - John sells mounting brackets, as well as complete header / dual exhaust systems for the 4.9. Other than the flywheel and harness, there's not a heck of a lot else that you'll need.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 11-05-2020).]

zzzhuh NOV 05, 09:45 PM

quote
Originally posted by Neils88:

The 4.9 is a relatively easy, low cost swap that will be guaranteed to put a smile on your face. There isn't anything in the swap that is particularly difficult for someone with average mechanical skills.

Hopefully you've searched on PFF for the many great threads that document the build. Here's a link to my thread, which also has links to other good 4.9 builds.

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/F...2/HTML/129733-1.html



I've been reading through your thread again (I found that I had commented on it back in 2014 as well, must be faith). Did you ever figure out what was causing the ticking noise for your engine?
Neils88 NOV 06, 12:06 AM

quote
Originally posted by zzzhuh:


I've been reading through your thread again (I found that I had commented on it back in 2014 as well, must be faith). Did you ever figure out what was causing the ticking noise for your engine?



It ended up being a really simple problem. A spark plug boot had popped off the spark plug. The sound was actually caused by an electrical arc between the boot and the exhaust manifold. It took me hours to track it down...I shook my head at myself when I saw it.
zzzhuh NOV 06, 03:42 AM

quote
Originally posted by Neils88:


It ended up being a really simple problem. A spark plug boot had popped off the spark plug. The sound was actually caused by an electrical arc between the boot and the exhaust manifold. It took me hours to track it down...I shook my head at myself when I saw it.



Oh shoot! Hey, at least it wasn't a lifter or something more serious. The simple fixes are the ones that I hope to encounter.
Will NOV 06, 07:42 AM

quote
Originally posted by Neils88:

It ended up being a really simple problem. A spark plug boot had popped off the spark plug. The sound was actually caused by an electrical arc between the boot and the exhaust manifold. It took me hours to track it down...I shook my head at myself when I saw it.



A good check is to watch it run in the dark... arcs become VERY obvious in that circumstance.
olejoedad NOV 06, 10:29 AM

quote
Originally posted by Warlordsix:

"The 4.9 is rated for 50% more power than the 2.8 and 60% more torque."

Right, but what makes a 4.9 Fiero such a tremendous, well-balanced, well-mannered, good-handling, quick and fun-to-drive car is a function of much more than those numbers. First, is the powerband of the 4.9...its torque (275 lbs/ft it's vs 170 lbs/ft of the 2.8) comes in under 3000 RPM compared to the 2.8 which comes in at 3600 RPM. Second is the weight of the entire swapped package, which is no heavier than the stock 2.8 Fiero. The result is instant response on the street....a fun-as-hell low-RPM shove in the back whether sprinting between stoplights or passing another car. To me the 4.9 Fiero is a great, practical combo for real world daily driving. Mine is a perfectly reliable daily driver, and it is a rare drive when someone doesn't compliment the car.

And if it's the V8 sound you like, then you won't be disappointed . A 4.9 with the Flowmaster I have on mine makes a deep, muscular rumble that is quiet at idle/cruise but thunders when you put your foot into it. I've got a neighbor with a '67 Shelby GT350 that swears my 4.9 Fiero sounds like our other neighbor's Viper when I drive by.

So, just do the 4.9 and don't sweat it. You'll have a blast with it on the street.

Ernie




Having owned a 4.9/4T60E Formula for 12 years and over 100,000 miles I completely agree with this statement.

I will add this to what he said - Be sure to pay attention to the overall gear ratios and shift points to take advantage of the torque curve.
Mickey_Moose NOV 10, 09:49 AM
4.9l wiring and other info here:

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/098096.html

Wiring isn't as hard as people think it is. If you can connect a garden hose to a sprinkler you can do the wiring. It is as simple as connecting one end from the source to the end just like connecting a hose from the tap to the sprinkler. You just have to do it many times, that is time consuming. If you have thing labelled and organized, it will take you a weekend - if you are experienced, you can do the bulk of the wiring connections in an afternoon.

I prep all the wiring (labelled and separated), bring it all into the car through the firewall. Mount the ECM (stock location), remove the driver seat for more room. Get comfy and start cutting/splicing the wires to the ECM plugs. Labelling everything before hand which wire/groups go to which sensor/etc is the key so you are not wasting time trying to figure out where that blue wire goes.

[This message has been edited by Mickey_Moose (edited 11-10-2020).]