Got the fuel rails on yesterday, relocated the MAP sensor, mounted the EGR solenoid, new plugs, 8.5mm silicone 50 ohm /ft ignition wires. Now figuring out connections to all vacuum ports and when that is done it will be time to mount the engine on the cradle and attach the harness.
Just found out that the air bonnet coupling will fit over a 3 1/2" air pipe and we can attach some 3 1/2" Spectre air hose there. The only problem is that the Fiero air filter box has a 3" flange on it and no one makes a 3 1/2" to 3" coupler. Might have to do some welding there.
Beyond that we found a surplus 4T60 trans bracket for the rear mount and will try to adapt the Cadillac front bracket to the Fiero mount. If you detach the Cadillac front bracket from the mount it looks very similar to the 4T60 bracket. A little massaging might do it. Then we will add the front engine mount and be ready for the harness.
Here are the updates. Finally coming together after two years




and the work continues.......

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

quote Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua: My engine is stock and relatively low miles. Don't think its best to fool with the valve train geometry and wear pattern unless I have to. I found the salvage yard bill and the engine actually has 78K miles not 68K as reported earlier. IMO that's still pretty reasonable mileage But the engine is still old!. I've never tried tipping the cradle to gain clearance but if you lower it an inch or two, very carefully you may be ok. A Fiero mechanic from a while back told me that he always gained clearance to work on the front of the engine this way. I would guess that its an acceptable way of doing things but you just got to be careful not to break a hose fuel line or part of the wiring harness. I would lower the rear cradle gradually and just keep an eye on things.

My engine only has about 50K miles on it....

It was Fieroguru who told me to lower it that way, so I trust the source. I just wish I'd changed the rails while the engine was out. My understanding is that the rails are identical, just made from steel so there shouldn't be any impact on geometry.

...by the way....your engine looks great!

[This message has been edited by Neils88 (edited 08-06-2014).]

quote Originally posted by Neils88: My engine only has about 50K miles on it.... It was Fieroguru who told me to lower it that way, so I trust the source. I just wish I'd changed the rails while the engine was out. My understanding is that the rails are identical, just made from steel so there shouldn't be any impact on geometry. ...by the way....your engine looks great!

Interesting that you would need a new rocker arm rail/support at 50K but those 4.5L rails are rare and expensive when you can find them. If they came my way at an affordable price I might put them in but I have seen 4.9L engines with close to 200K miles on them with the original aluminum rails. My thinking is that if ain't broke don't fix it .Maybe I am off the mark or maybe not. Time will tell.
I think the engine looks OK and thanks for the compliment but I will feel a whole lot better when its installed and running. I work on it part time so its a rather slow process. The objective is to have it in by Sept/Oct.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "