Curious, since I am tempted to stay with a 4 cyl (I dunno why)
Was reading on the Quad 4
Simultaneous to the engine's release in 1988, Oldsmobile attempted to further the Quad 4 name through highly publicized events featuring such cars as the Oldsmobile Aerotech. Another such event was the 1988 Indianapolis 500, Oldsmobile was chosen to pace the Indy 500 that year with a convertible version of their Cutlass Supreme, and a pre-production turbocharged Quad 4 was the engine of choice for their pace car. Although, it was publicized in 1988 that the Quad 4 was forthcoming in a 180 hp "HO", as well as a 250 hp turbocharged version (the same engine that was in the pace car that year), GM never released the turbocharged version as an option. Also, the engine in Oldsmobile Aerotech was a purpose-built, turbocharged example, it was solely meant to showcase the capability of the engine's design.
250HP? Well, that is with quite some work, but 190HP would be good enough for me...
W41
The W41 was the highest output Quad 4. The 1991 and 1992 W41 were rated at 190 hp (142 kW), while the 1993 W41 lost five hp, and was rated at 185 hp (138 kW) as a result of the first round of NVH reductions; exhaust port size reduction. The additional 10 hp (7 kW) came from longer duration cams and a different PROM. A part of the W41 drivetrain was a specific version of the HM-282/NVG-T550 with a gear set otherwise unavailable. All W41 5 speed transmissions had a FDR (final drive ratio) of 3.94:1 whereas the 1988-1992.5 LD2 & LG0 transmissions all used a 3.61:1 FDR; the 3.94:1 FDR was used on all 1992.5-1994 LG0 transmissions, but retained the standard HM-282/NVG-T550 gear set.
This is noted as being used in the "1992–1993 Oldsmobile Achieva SCX" (more focused on the 92 at 190HP) ----- 1992-1993 Quad-4 2.3 L (140 in³) I4, 185-190 hp and 160 ft·lbf (SCX W41)
Which appears it could use the same transmission for the Fiero ----- 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic 125
It does not have the same tranny bolt pattern as the Fiero transmissions... and you wouldn't want to use a high strung motor like that with the 3 spd auto anyway... No it is not an easy drop in... requires mount fabrication and you need to use the donor ECM...
This is really old news, plenty of old threads on this swap...
[This message has been edited by carbon (edited 03-11-2010).]
IP: Logged
12:02 AM
Quad GT Member
Posts: 1624 From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Registered: Aug 2002
Its an old motor, with old tech.. but a viable swap. Fieros are a bit rough with them compared to the cars they used to be in... The fiero gets alot more traction, and weighs more than the 442/scx did... so they are not really a huge upgrade in the fiero world. The power comes on alot at the top side, and not so much out of the gate where the fiero really REALLY shines.
The swap is quite simple, and a "shift shaft" conversion could be done on the quad trans to make it directly work with a fiero. (assuming you had a whole fiero getrag you would want to tear apart)
IP: Logged
02:35 PM
Scoobysruvenge Member
Posts: 550 From: Richmond Virginia Registered: Apr 2009
The HP potential is there… there is a guy named Jim Fueling that pushed one of these little engines over 200 MPH at the salt flats.
He is mentioned in Corky Bell’s book “Maximum Boost” a good read by the way!
Going the 4 banger route has some advantages lots more room for a header, a turbo or a supercharger and less heat in the engine compartment.
A small supercharger (m62) would fit nicely between the fire wall and the engine and would take care of any low end the quad may be lacking in stock trim. Then let the 4 valves per cylinder take over on the top end.
IP: Logged
03:09 PM
Jatwaa21 Member
Posts: 165 From: Virginia Beach VA USA Registered: May 2009
Hmmmm., what would be a good output minimal risk and short learning curve engine drop that would still be a 4 banger with near the same Fiero set up (As original as possible)?
I don't feel like spending $1500 on a V8 install kit
IP: Logged
03:44 PM
FFIEROFRED Member
Posts: 751 From: GULFPORT, MS Registered: May 2008
Go with a ecotech, newer, aulm block/head, you can get them with a overdrive auto, and the early ones didn't have drive by wire. Finding a good Q-4 is the hard part. some of the ecotech's had TC or SC. I was looking for a base ecotech for a mpg fiero/dd, untill I got a deal on a 3500 dohc/4t65 ( compleat car ) set up cheap. Got the hole car for $500. take you time, look for a wrecked slowbalt ( cobalt)
IP: Logged
06:43 PM
ozzy83 Member
Posts: 87 From: ozark mo. usa Registered: Nov 2009
Weights for reference 1991 olds calise 442 2798 lbs, 1992 olds achieva 2 door 2738 lbs. 1987 pontiac fiero se 4 cyl 2567 lbs. 1887 fiero gt 2708 lbs. So I have to disagree about either of these cars being lighter than a fiero of any sort. May same as for a 88 gt but not lighter. 2 cents
------------------ Say no to socialism communism marksism maoism and say yes to Freedom! God Bless America! 1986 black gt fast back 4 spd recently rescued. 1987 gt fastback 5 speed! Hopefully swapped before end of summer.
IP: Logged
08:11 PM
MarkS Member
Posts: 694 From: Flemington, NJ Registered: Mar 2006
Years ago (mid-late 09's) when I was a FOCOA member (Fiero Owners Club of America?), there was a guy in northern New Jersey that had Quad 4 conversion mounts; lord knows if he is still doing this stuff. If I can dig up some of the old FOCOA mags I'll look up the guys contact info. Get the W41 and the matching 5 speed trans together if you can. Rodney Dickman can probably set you up with the trans shifter conversion parts. Meantime here are a few websites to look at. Myself, a blueprinted W41 with the weber carb conversion manifold would howl like no other just behind your right ear. Red mist stuff. I think you have to notch the deck lid rail to clear the the cam drive housing.
Fueling Eng. did the aerotech engines. The quad 4 was a good engine but it could have been so much more. When I worked at GM Research back in the mid 80's to the mid 90's we worked with BOC Powertrain on the quad 4 program. We were making 275 hp from a very mild turbo setup on an olds toronado trofeo with a getrag 5 spd. They also had an '88 cutlass supreme w-body that had a supercharged quad 4 and a 4t60 trans. The supercharger was very similiar to the one that GM Performance Parts sellls for the 2.4 motor.
IP: Logged
09:27 PM
PFF
System Bot
Mar 12th, 2010
darkhorizon Member
Posts: 12279 From: Flint Michigan Registered: Jan 2006
Weights for reference 1991 olds calise 442 2798 lbs, 1992 olds achieva 2 door 2738 lbs. 1987 pontiac fiero se 4 cyl 2567 lbs. 1887 fiero gt 2708 lbs. So I have to disagree about either of these cars being lighter than a fiero of any sort. May same as for a 88 gt but not lighter. 2 cents
Fieros always ended up heavier in reality than most cars, even more so after engine swaps.
IP: Logged
08:06 AM
Jatwaa21 Member
Posts: 165 From: Virginia Beach VA USA Registered: May 2009
"When I worked at GM Research back in the mid 80's to the mid 90's we worked with BOC Powertrain on the quad 4 program. We were making 275 hp from a very mild turbo setup on..." Jerry455, you worked there? That is awesome!
I am tempted to attempt the Quad 4, I have another car so its no biggie, but there are no shops around here that I could store it to work on it. Seems to be a good engine, I am just concerned about the learning curb (I am a swap rookie with little mech experience) I want her on the road, but don't want to risk her not running again thanks to my "genius"
I had a 92 achieva with the quad 4. It had so many head issues it wasn't funny. After I bought it, the cylinder head cracked. Got it swapped out with another engine. That engine was the weaker one, and later blew its cylinder head. Then got a third head installed, and sold off the car. That car was nothing but problems, and everyone I knew (at the time) with that engine had the same problems as me. I think GM had a letter to owners extending the warranty on those heads. Personally, I would stay far from that engine and go with something a bit more durable.
IP: Logged
09:39 AM
Jatwaa21 Member
Posts: 165 From: Virginia Beach VA USA Registered: May 2009
What other inexpensive easy 4 cyl drops are there for the Fiero with as much bang for the buck? The potential is great on the engine but I am always open to suggestions LOL
IP: Logged
10:16 AM
wftb Member
Posts: 3692 From: kincardine,ontario,canada Registered: Jun 2005
i have an ecotec 2.2 in my 86 gt .look up "ecotec swap" in the construction zone .i found it an easy swap but thats because i used all the donor cars electronics .if you have little mechanical experience , no place of your own to work on the car then i would suggest a simpler swap like a 3.4 pushrod motor .i took the quad motors off my short list because the block is cast iron and the cylinder heads had chronic problems .some of them are good motors but none have the performance potential of an ecotec .
IP: Logged
01:13 PM
jerry455 Member
Posts: 238 From: sterling hts mi usa Registered: Jun 2006
It was alot of fun working on those future ideas. Too bad we never persued the super or turbo quad 4's, they were very impressive. Not sure why GM did not go forth with the programs , we used to have alot of fun embarrassing some of the hot foreign cars back then.C.J. Batten did alot of development work also on the quad 4 but I am not sure if they are still around. Mantapart,I think they are in Ohio, used to run quad 4 cars in scca and they also sold race parts. Fueling did the work on the aerotech engine that A.J. Foyt drove at Ft. Stockton.
IP: Logged
01:57 PM
Jatwaa21 Member
Posts: 165 From: Virginia Beach VA USA Registered: May 2009
* 1991-1994 Chevrolet Lumina Z34 and the Euro 3.4 sedan * 1991-1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme * 1991-1996 Pontiac Grand Prix * 1995-1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Z34 * 1995-1997 Chevrolet Lumina LS * 1997 Chevrolet Lumina LTZ * 1990 Pontiac Fiero prototype (was all set and ready for production, but GM canceled the project at the last minute)
The last in the list makes me tear up a bit, lol
IP: Logged
02:41 PM
wftb Member
Posts: 3692 From: kincardine,ontario,canada Registered: Jun 2005
you want the 3.4 from the camaro .get rodney's kit to drill the starter mount .if you have an iron duke presently you will need the 2.8 fuel pump and ecu and mounts etc .if you have a 2.8 right now you can just swap the parts over after using rodney's kit.mantapart is still around , only now they sell ecotec parts as well .
Those are the 3.4 DOHC (Dual Over Head Cam). You can do that, but it's harder.
They mean the 3.4 PR (Push Rod) that came in the 1993-1995 V6 Camaro or Firebird. Wiring is a direct fit for the V6 Fiero including mounts. You have to redrill the starter and use the Fiero upper intake plus distributor (unless you use the 7730 ECM and use the DIS). Stock its only about a 10 HP upgrade from the stock Fiero 2.8L. There are also some who have built this motor up to 200-230 crank HP...
Of course the 3800 Super Charged Series 2 motor makes 240 HP and you can buy mounts and a harness here to basically make it "plug-n-play" so it drops into the car. Mounts run around $400, harness around $400, program the PCM around $100, Fuel Pump around $100. That leaves you spending $500 less then the Archie mounts... Oh yeah, some people get 28-32 MPG on these swaps, although you have to run premium fuel so it costs a little more.
As much as I have in my 3800sc swap I could have bought some of them in the Mall for less and not had the frustration...
as much as I love the quad 4, I don't know if there is any support for it. The 2.4 from the sunfire is the next version of the quad 4. I think that the eco tec is probably the best 4 cylinder to use for a swap. There is a lot of support from GM for the eco tec and there is some in the aftermarket.
IP: Logged
09:46 PM
PFF
System Bot
Mar 13th, 2010
FFIEROFRED Member
Posts: 751 From: GULFPORT, MS Registered: May 2008
Get a spair cradle, do the swap on that. leave your car alone untill you are ready to put it in. TAKE your TIME! Get a driveline by buying a whole car. It's a lot cheaper. If your car is a stick or auto, get a drive line that is the same. If you live in a rented place, buy a house. If you can't do that, buy a fiero with the swap already done.
If you want the lightest fiero you can get, go with the ecotech. ( with very good MPG ) if you want one that runs EVERY day, use a 3800 II ( and keep it stock ) The 3800 was built for people that don't want to know about how to open the hood on their car. My 1998 park ave gets 30 mpg @ 70. One of my fiero's has the same driveline in it. ran 14.4 after being flooded in Katrina. Whats not to like?