Top 5 Reasons to Swap a 3800 Supercharged into your Fiero. (Page 1/3)
DimeMachine JUN 19, 09:05 AM
You have or are thinking about getting a Fiero. But you know the stock 2.5 is underpowered and even the 2.8 V6's 135HP is not very motivated.
I am here to give you a little nudge to take the plunge and start the project.

Here's why!

------------------
84/87 NB, 3800SC, E-85, VS Cam, 2.8 Pulley, 4T65E-HD, HP Tuners, AEM Wideband, Regal GS Gauges, S-10 Brake Booster. 1/4 mile -11.85 at 114mph

Dennis LaGrua JUN 19, 11:45 AM
Lots of good points being made. The power is great, the engine fits perfectly, gets good mileage and I will add that the torque comes on very quickly with the 3800SC . On the other side of the coin the engine is not particularly light ,and getting quite old having last been manufactured in 2007. Finding a low mileage example of an engine this old is getting harder to find.
If I would pick a new swap to do today, I would go with the LFX engine; super light, flex fuel, 11.5:1 compression ratio, high redline and with the premier version 318 hp@ 6800 rpm & 275 lb⋅ft @ 4900 rpm (stock). Offers more power (all versions are over 300HP) far lighter weight and more modern technology but a rather difficult swap where few swap parts are available. I believe that this engine was last offered in 2020 so it can still be found.

------------------
" 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
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

DimeMachine JUN 19, 12:37 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

Lots of good points being made. The power is great, the engine fits perfectly, gets good mileage and I will add that the torque comes on very quickly with the 3800SC . On the other side of the coin the engine is not particularly light ,and getting quite old having last been manufactured in 2007. Finding a low mileage example of an engine this old is getting harder to find.
If I would pick a new swap to do today, I would go with the LFX engine; super light, flex fuel, 11.5:1 compression ratio, high redline and with the premier version 318 hp@ 6800 rpm & 275 lb⋅ft @ 4900 rpm (stock). Offers more power (all versions are over 300HP) far lighter weight and more modern technology but a rather difficult swap where few swap parts are available. I believe that this engine was last offered in 2020 so it can still be found.





Hey Dennis - appreciate you thoughts and comments always - thank you!!

I am thinking about another serious Fiero project down the road and an LFX or similar engine is an absolute possibility! Agreed that 3800's are getting a little harder to come by as the years go by - but I have to think since they are 20 years newer than the stock fiero 2.5 & 2.8 engines AND there had to be several times more of them made (Grand prix, Bonnevilles, Regals, Ultras, Rivs etc), they should be around for a while. One might have to settle for a 3800 NA and put a small turbo on it perhaps? Wish the 4t65e -hd could handle 500 HP though!!!!

Anyhow - thanks for taking the time to comment and your participation in this forum!

Ken
Notorio JUN 20, 12:27 AM

quote
Originally posted by DimeMachine:

You have or are thinking about getting a Fiero. But you know the stock 2.5 is underpowered and even the 2.8 V6's 135HP is not very motivated.
I am here to give you a little nudge to take the plunge and start the project ...




This might be the first video posted to the Forum containing a Trigger Warning.

But seriously, that is The Swap that I want to do but regrettably the all-knowing, all-wise State of California won't let us do it because (wait for it ...) the 3800SC engine was never offered with a Manual Transmission. (If you have an automatic you can do the swap and get better gas mileage, produce friendlier emissions, and apparently blow doors off many modern cars.) Yes, I am bitter. BTW, your swap looks really nice and clean. Well done!

[This message has been edited by Notorio (edited 06-20-2021).]

gjgpff JUN 20, 01:39 AM

quote
Originally posted by Notorio:


This might be the first video posted to the Forum containing a Trigger Warning.

But seriously, that is The Swap that I want to do but regrettably the all-knowing, all-wise State of California won't let us do it because (wait for it ...) the 3800SC engine was never offered with a Manual Transmission. (If you have an automatic you can do the swap and get better gas mileage, produce friendlier emissions, and apparently blow doors off many modern cars.) Yes, I am bitter. BTW, your swap looks really nice and clean. Well done!




Regarding a 3800sc and a manual transmission: You can't do a 3800sc, but you can do a 3800NA because it was offered with a manual on Camaros, right? If that's true do you then have to find a 3800NA from a Camaro with a manual? That would be challenging.
DimeMachine JUN 20, 07:32 AM

quote
Originally posted by Notorio:


This might be the first video posted to the Forum containing a Trigger Warning.

But seriously, that is The Swap that I want to do but regrettably the all-knowing, all-wise State of California won't let us do it because (wait for it ...) the 3800SC engine was never offered with a Manual Transmission. (If you have an automatic you can do the swap and get better gas mileage, produce friendlier emissions, and apparently blow doors off many modern cars.) Yes, I am bitter. BTW, your swap looks really nice and clean. Well done!




Ha, so far no one had gotten too upset. Thanks for the positive feedback! Sorry about CA being "anti-creative" when it comes to car crafting.

Cheers!!
Notorio JUN 20, 12:52 PM

quote
Originally posted by gjgpff:
Regarding a 3800sc and a manual transmission: You can't do a 3800sc, but you can do a 3800NA because it was offered with a manual on Camaros, right? If that's true do you then have to find a 3800NA from a Camaro with a manual? That would be challenging.



That's a good point about the NA being an option. No, your source motor wouldn't have to be from a manual per se BUT you'd still have to reconstruct the emission control system that a 3800NA/Manual would have come with, I think. If the Camaro didn't come with a specific transmission control module then you could use any manual trans you wanted, I think, because the engine control module wouldn't be talking to the transmission. Confusing ...
coolink13 JUN 20, 04:43 PM
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and information. I am at the start of a 3800 SC build as we speak. It will be a manual F23 My 3800 is completely machined and built with some of the best parts available. Just waiting to get a price on custom length pushrods. Ounce I have them I can start sealing up the engine. it will a long project. I'm in no rush.
Dennis LaGrua JUN 25, 06:39 AM

quote
Originally posted by DimeMachine:
Hey Dennis - appreciate you thoughts and comments always - thank you!!

I am thinking about another serious Fiero project down the road and an LFX or similar engine is an absolute possibility! Agreed that 3800's are getting a little harder to come by as the years go by - but I have to think since they are 20 years newer than the stock fiero 2.5 & 2.8 engines AND there had to be several times more of them made (Grand prix, Bonnevilles, Regals, Ultras, Rivs etc), they should be around for a while. One might have to settle for a 3800 NA and put a small turbo on it perhaps? Wish the 4t65e -hd could handle 500 HP though!!!!

Anyhow - thanks for taking the time to comment and your participation in this forum!

Ken



Your thoughtful courteous and helpful posts speak for themselves. I strive for that as well. As for the 3800 engines, I believe that GM made something like 1 million of them during their life span. Making the assumption that they will be around for a while is a sound one but as they age, rebuilds start becoming more of an option let alone a necessity. IMO, the close bearing tolerances that these engines need to keep from having a spun bearing may be key. While I have rebuilt engines in the past, my thinking today is towards the LFX swap. The engine is much lighter, provides 300 HP stock ( about equal power to the LS4) but it is a difficult swap. This is not to say that the 3800 isn't a great engine (I have that swap) but its a matter of old vs new technology. According to what I have seen at the shows the 2.5L's and 2.8L's still seem to be what most Fiero owners have. As these engines age to the 40 year point; it is possible that more engine swaps will need to be done.

------------------
" 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
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

DimeMachine JUN 25, 08:27 AM

quote
Originally posted by coolink13:

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and information. I am at the start of a 3800 SC build as we speak. It will be a manual F23 My 3800 is completely machined and built with some of the best parts available. Just waiting to get a price on custom length pushrods. Ounce I have them I can start sealing up the engine. it will a long project. I'm in no rush.



Sounds like a fun project! As you probably already know, this forum is a treasure of current and past posts to help you through any of the different parts of the installation!