Hey i might come in to some extra money soon and i want to know what would be the easiest cheapest engine swap for my 84 fiero se auto. I want it to be fun but economical. I dont know anything about swaps.. only about my 4cyl engine i just replaced the head on. i'm sure i could do the swap but i'm not sure about the wiring but i'm sure me or my cousin could figure it out. I really just want a engine i could build up later... and cheap
Best compromise of cheap/easy would be a carbed 3.4 from a 93-95 Camaro/Firebird. SBC might be easier but will be more expensive since Archie's kits start at around $900.
The easiest engine swap is to put in another 4 cylinder Fiero engine. Next would be a 2.8 V6 Fiero motor. Then a 3.1L V6 and finally a 3.4L V6. All of those engines basically bolt up and use the stock wiring.
A 4.9 is more difficult because it's going to need wiring and mounts. A manual will need a custom flywheel, and it can't really be built up later.
For ease of swapping you might want to stay in the 60 degree V6 family, (2.8, 3.1, 3.4).
I've looked into the 3.4 engines and actually found a few for sale around me awhile back.... Can someone tell me whats involved with this swap into a 84...like- what trans will i need... what about swapping everything to manual? how hard is that? and how much would that cost? This is the same engine as the 3.4 (fiero) engine so it should bolt of to a 85-88 v6 cradle right? Or should i just fab up some mounts on my cradle... what about axles and all that. whats all the mechanical stuff i need. And what about the wiring!?!?!!ah!
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10:34 PM
Dennis LaGrua Member
Posts: 15733 From: Hillsborough, NJ U.S.A. Registered: May 2000
If you own an 84, you'll need a rewiring job no matter what swap you choose. If you don't want to rewire then just drop a rebuilt Duke shortblock back in. If you want a 2.8L or 3.4L P/R engine then first get an 85-88 V6 wiring harness and be prepared to make a few changes.
The first thing you need to do is study. The answers to all the questions you've asked are in the archives, it'll just take a little digging. The fact that you've got an '84 means that no stock wiring will plug right in, so technically anything you put in is going to be a swap.
For my money, I'd go for a 3.4 pushrod motor from a pre-95 Camaro or Firebird. All the 85-88 engine & transmission mounts will fit. The easiest way is to get the complete motor, wiring, & computer. You're going to have to change out the brain anyway, and this way you know everything is compatible. You'll have to relocate the starter to the other side of the motor, instructions are in the archives.
The best manual transmission is a 5-speed getrag from an 85-88 Fiero or GM F-body. the best Automatic would be a 4L60 or 65.
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11:54 PM
Apr 13th, 2007
Dennis LaGrua Member
Posts: 15733 From: Hillsborough, NJ U.S.A. Registered: May 2000
That would be waaay more work than he would want to do... ( a longitudinal transmission like that would only work in a front engine rear wheel drive car).
Remember than no Fiero came from the factory with a 3.4, and the 84 didn't come with a V6 of any kind, so you are going to have to add the appropriate engine mounts, but it's not too hard.
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12:58 AM
KlingonFiero Member
Posts: 1503 From: Littleton,Co USA Registered: Feb 2002
The 84 is a wee bit more difficult to swap in another motor. besides the wiring issues, and diferent mounts needed, you will also be cutting sheetmetal (to make the needed space for the air cleaner assembly.
I have done this twice and am working on my third 84 engine swap.
the 1st two times was just putting in an 85-87 Fiero V6 - not too bad, but a lot of work for the end result. Do not get me wrong, the Fiero V6 is a VAST improvement over the stock 4-cyl, but it is a wee bit of work!
This time, I am going totally different, kinda. I am putting in the Engine/Trans out of a 91 Corsica.
There really is no such thing as an "easy" engine swap for the 84's, sad to say.
My suggestion would be to do the research on a variety of swaps, determine what you want, ie: Drag car? Streetable Racer? Comfortable Daily Driver? etc...
Then determine the size of your wallet and go from there
In whatever you decide, Good Luck!
------------------ You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.
I keep hearing over and over the problems with 84's and how the are so difficult to do engine swaps on. Out of the 16 3800SC swaps I have done in the last three years 7 have been into 84's. Only thing that makes any difference is the location of the C500 which can very easily be moved far enough towards the drivers side to clear the exhaust of the new engine. Dan
I keep hearing over and over the problems with 84's and how the are so difficult to do engine swaps on. Out of the 16 3800SC swaps I have done in the last three years 7 have been into 84's. Only thing that makes any difference is the location of the C500 which can very easily be moved far enough towards the drivers side to clear the exhaust of the new engine. Dan
Couldn't agree more. Some of the roots of 84's are harder lore is probably due to Ed Parks. He uses prebuilt harnesses and so the move the C500 location over to the driver's side trick isn't a great option for him. And so he then charges a bunch more money if you insist on doing an '84 with him. But if you are doing your own harness the '84 wiring isn't harder than later years - it's just somewhat different.
[This message has been edited by sanderson (edited 04-14-2007).]
Perhaps you misspoke? TH440, 4T60/60E/65E/65HD may be what you meant?
( a longitudinal transmission like that would only work in a front engine rear wheel drive car).
