Besides being sure it's FWD iron head, what do I need? I need a bottom end soon and cheap, will the 2.8 flywheel not work? Anyone got this swap documented in detail. Not looking for a power increase or any radical mods, just want to get the 86SE back on the road to turn my attention to the 88. Checked the cave but didn't find anything and what I found in the archive was kinda vauge. Car is an 86SE 2.8 4spd, don't think it's the original trans, will be getting the casting numbers off it and researching that when I pull the cradle for the swap. Guy I bought it from swears it's the 4:10 gear and that the clutch was replaced when the new trans was installed.

for the 3.1L you will need the neutrally balanced flywheel from a 1993-1995 camaro, or probably one from a 1988-1994 v6 5 speed cavalier beretta or corsica will work, however why would you do a 3.1? go 3.4L its much more effective in the long run, i like a dummy did the 3.1L and wasnt impressed at all, and i still have all kinds of problems. just go find a low milage 3.4L and swap it right in, just drill the starter holes, put on the fiero's intake system and be done with it! oh and hte extra 30HP will really kick you in the pants.

matthew

I thought the 3.1 was the most straight forward swap? Are you saying the 3.4 is easier, is there still a flywheel issue with the 3.4 or is it a straight bolt up less the starter issue? I'm not looking for more power, just ease of installation. I want the car on the road to tweak the suspension/brake mods before going to a permanant engine solution. Maybe I should just look for a used 2.8 FWD but they seem to be harder to find as opposed to the 3.1 and 3.4.

The 3.4 is just about as easy as a 3.1 swap. Move the starter for the 3.4.

They're both easy, except with the 3.4 you need to drill new starter holes. The thing with 3.4 is, the difference doesn't seem that huge (to me, anyway). You can MAKE it huge if you make it breathe better, change headers, fuel reg., etc. etc.

I had my 2.8 rebuilt into a 3.1 - bored and stroked. Sure, I have headers and performance cam but it runs about as good as a bone stock 3.4.

To answer your question, the 3.1 (iron head) IS the easiest upgrade, i.e. nothing needs to be modified except for the neutrally balanced flywheel. The 3.4 is probably the second easiest.

One last thing. There are more GM cars which use the same neutrally balanced flywheel. I got mine out of a '98 (couldn't tell you which car because I don't remember) and it was like new for fraction of the cost.

That's about the only change you need to make.

Good luck.

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