Quad 4 swap (lot of pics) (Page 30/31)
Dennis LaGrua JUL 06, 10:05 AM
I envy your perseverance in completing the Quad Four swap. Looks like a really clean install. Over the years we have read mixed reviews on this engine but any swap is a work vs reward project. Look in the archives for posts from a member named bryson. He completed a turbo quad four project and was shooting for 400HP.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman 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 "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 07-06-2016).]

sardonyx247 JUL 06, 12:07 PM
I remember bryson's build, he didn't do enough research and blamed others when he blew it up.
The mixed reviews I have always read about this engine are usally from people who didn't have one or just "what they read on the internet" so it must be true right they did have problems with bad head gaskets, but that was fixed, but people only remember the bad. Like these cars catch on fire right

I think this is a fun engine to drive, with a huge, wide power band. I went through everything on this engine when I built it and was amazed at all the tech GM put into it. It's not an engine for the masses as the masses whine too much about noise and vibration, thus why they had to keep detuning it. I think it's fun though
Quad Raider JUL 06, 12:14 PM

quote
Originally posted by sardonyx247:

I think this is a fun engine to drive, with a huge, wide power band. I went through everything on this engine when I built it and was amazed at all the tech GM put into it. It's not an engine for the masses as the masses whine too much about noise and vibration, thus why they had to keep detuning it. I think it's fun though



That's a great way to put it. My GTZ was my daily driver for four years, so I was running that HO Quad on a 65-mile round trip every day. The struts were worn out, the body was rusting through underneath and the AC didn't work, but damn that car was fun to drive and I miss it every day.
Dennis LaGrua JUL 06, 12:38 PM

quote
Originally posted by sardonyx247:

I remember bryson's build, he didn't do enough research and blamed others when he blew it up.
The mixed reviews I have always read about this engine are usally from people who didn't have one or just "what they read on the internet" so it must be true right they did have problems with bad head gaskets, but that was fixed, but people only remember the bad. Like these cars catch on fire right

I think this is a fun engine to drive, with a huge, wide power band. I went through everything on this engine when I built it and was amazed at all the tech GM put into it. It's not an engine for the masses as the masses whine too much about noise and vibration, thus why they had to keep detuning it. I think it's fun though



Years back I knew two guys (Joe Wynman and Bruce Cutter) that drove H.O, Quad Four Fiero's. Both cars had the stick, they enjoyed driving them, had reliability and liked the performance. They remarked that the power band was very strong above 3000 RPM. As for bryson; there is some good info on his posts in the archives. He put a lot of money into a questionable Q4 build and dire consequences resulted..

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman 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 "

sardonyx247 JUL 06, 01:05 PM
I was posting in brysons thread, so I am very well versed in his build, he wouldn't answer any questions, that fell on his dad to answer, he was too busy trying to show off. I even talked to him on the phone, and all he wanted to do was to try to sell me his failed parts. But he was young at the time too. And I do give him some credit for trying, but he really didn't know what he was doing.

And yea, the power band is from 3000rpms up, it REALLY pulls hard from 3k all the way to 7,400. The power does not taper off either, that part is great.
Joseph Upson JUL 06, 01:53 PM

quote
Originally posted by sardonyx247:

I was posting in brysons thread, so I am very well versed in his build, he wouldn't answer any questions, that fell on his dad to answer, he was too busy trying to show off. I even talked to him on the phone, and all he wanted to do was to try to sell me his failed parts. But he was young at the time too. And I do give him some credit for trying, but he really didn't know what he was doing.

And yea, the power band is from 3000rpms up, it REALLY pulls hard from 3k all the way to 7,400. The power does not taper off either, that part is great.



Given your intended transmission swap and your penchant for revs, are you sticking with 5W30, or moving to something with a little more bearing protection from the pounding. Some performance cars I've read have a recommendation to switch to a higher viscosity oil for track use. I use 5W40-50 synthetic due to high compression. Some anticipated I would have bearing problems from the increased compression but so far none in the past 4 yrs. The wider the spread between the first and second number, the greater the viscosity index; 5W40 offers more protection than 10W40 and 20W50, etc. It's an under appreciated topic but the oil comes off the bearings hotter than coolant temps and the hotter it gets over ~220 deg the thinner it gets. Keep that in mind, otherwise nice work.
Lunatic JUL 06, 04:07 PM
I've enjoyed reading this thread from the beginning. I can relate to this engine as I owned a 1990 GTZ years ago. The original engine had issues and was replaced with one from an Achieva SCX. I had a hollowed out cat, K&N filter and a performance chip from JET. None of my mechanic friends liked this engine but I did. 7500 RPM, 3rd gear, 180 KM/H no problem. I loved the way this engine sounded and performed. I couldn't find one recently so I decided to install the naturally aspirated 2.2 Ecotec into my Fiero. I'm finishing off the cradle mods and I hope to hear this run within the month.

Shayne
Quad Raider JUL 06, 10:47 PM
I remember when the Quad came out and all the positive attention it got. I had friends who bought new Quad-equipped cars and loved them, until the head gaskets blew. Typical GM, all that time and money engineering the power plant and then a substandard secondary part costs the company major reputation points. I say this as a lifelong fan of GM products.

In some ways the Quad's story is just like the Fiero's. A lot of thought went into its production, but there were some problems. Anyone who knows how to correct the problems will be treated to a real treasure.

[This message has been edited by Quad Raider (edited 07-22-2016).]

sardonyx247 JUL 07, 05:06 AM

quote
Originally posted by Quad Raider:

In some ways the Quad's story is just like the Fiero's. A lot of thought went into its production, but there were some problems, Anyone who knows how to correct the problems will be treated to a real treasure.



What a great way to put it.


I found my oil leak, a crack in the oil pan, right where the bracket I said to leave off, the bolt hole. So I pulled my spare pan, wire wheeled off the grease, prepping it for paint, and found a damn crack in that one too. but that one is in the bottom so hopefully it can be fixed.
I handed it off to my friend Chris to weld it up at his work, (I don't have the equipment to weld aluminum) So hopefully tomorrow It will be fixed, or I will be scouring the yards looking for a pan, but they are getting harder to find. I want everything fixed by Friday so I can take it to the track. I have alot of work to do in the next 2 days. I might make it, I might not. I have pics to come, but want to get it all done first. I still love this engine.
Quad Raider JUL 07, 09:48 PM

quote
Originally posted by Lunatic:

I've enjoyed reading this thread from the beginning. I can relate to this engine as I owned a 1990 GTZ years ago. The original engine had issues and was replaced with one from an Achieva SCX. I had a hollowed out cat, K&N filter and a performance chip from JET. None of my mechanic friends liked this engine but I did. 7500 RPM, 3rd gear, 180 KM/H no problem. I loved the way this engine sounded and performed. I couldn't find one recently so I decided to install the naturally aspirated 2.2 Ecotec into my Fiero. I'm finishing off the cradle mods and I hope to hear this run within the month.

Shayne



I love your build thread, too. Your work is amazing. Your thread has me thinking about trying the same swap, if I ever get this freaking Quad swap finished. As Sardonyx said, Quads are getting hard to find in the salvage yards, but Ecotecs are everywhere.