WHICH OIL PUMP AND PAN SHOULD I USE? (Page 1/1)
eti engineer JAN 20, 08:16 PM
Gents,

Just finished the rebuild of the rear suspension on my 88. All new bushings, new gas struts, new hardware, etc. So now when my engine gets here, I can devote my time to it.

I think I have most of what I need to do in mind as far as the engine is concerned, having picked the brains of many of you in here, but I have read different things about which oil pump and pan I should use.

I have the pan and pump with pickup from the original original engine (but I would get a new pump and pickup if this is the one I should use, because I don't want to use the old one), and I have a new pan for the 3.4 (supposedly) and Melling pump assembly with pickup for this application, too.

My questions are which pump and pan should I use and what are any precautions in doing so? I see no baffles or a windage tray in either of these setups. I would think that if one was driving a Fiero hard, through curves, and such, that the possibility to starve the oil pump could exist. I also have seen videos on how to make sure the pickup baffle is correctly located within the pan, but again, I need to know which pan to use.

As usual, and and all input is appreciated.

Thanks...
Spadesluck JAN 20, 08:22 PM
This a stock 2.8l? Just make sure you are using the 87-88 oil pan, better design. I did a high volume oil pump when I rebuilt my motor and have not had any issues.
olejoedad JAN 21, 07:40 AM
If the engine is a 3.4, use the 3.4 oil pump and pickup, and modify the baffles in the pan to accept the larger pickup head.

Do not use a 2.8 pump and pickup on a 3.4.
Dennis LaGrua JAN 21, 10:52 AM
The 3.4L P/R engine oil pan will fit the 87-88 2.8L directly. The front cover will align with it. The 3.4L oil pan will not align with the 85-86 2.8L timing chain front cover. You can purchase a high volume oil pump for these engines.

------------------
" 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, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
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Blacktree JAN 21, 12:15 PM
I would recommend the '87-88 Fiero oil pan. I tried using the F-Body 3.4 oil pan, and had issues with exhaust clearance. The Fiero V6 oil pan doesn't have those issues.

Also, the 3.4 oil pump is better than the 2.8 pump. You'll need to trim the baffle in the Fiero oil pan to make it fit. But a pair of tin snips will make short work of it.

I'm not aware of any sources for baffles to install in the oil pan. That would be nice, though.

Edit to add: If you want a windage tray, you can use one from a 3.4 TDC. The main bearing bolts on the 3.4 TDC have a small threaded stud on the end. The windage tray installs onto those threaded studs, with small nuts. So you'll need the main bolts and those nuts to install it. You'll need to cut a slot in the windage tray for the dipstick to go through. But aside from that, it's a direct bolt-in.

I did the above in my own engine (3.4 V6 crate engine), and it worked great. See photos below.



[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 01-21-2021).]

eti engineer JAN 21, 04:48 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

The 3.4L P/R engine oil pan will fit the 87-88 2.8L directly. The front cover will align with it. The 3.4L oil pan will not align with the 85-86 2.8L timing chain front cover. You can purchase a high volume oil pump for these engines.




What would be the main advantage of the windage tray? I know I would love to have baffles in the pan, but does the windage tray offset the action in the oil created by crankshaft movement/oil action in the crank?
eti engineer JAN 21, 04:52 PM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

If the engine is a 3.4, use the 3.4 oil pump and pickup, and modify the baffles in the pan to accept the larger pickup head.

Do not use a 2.8 pump and pickup on a 3.4.



I had a strange suspicion that this would be the case. Thanks. It looks like I will have to do a slight mod to the 2.8 pan and use the 3.4 pump setup if I am reading you and others in this thread correctly. I appreciate the information. Thanks..