I'm thinking of building a F355 kit car with my dad and want to know if the is an engine out there that gets about 400hp. I'm ok with completely rebuilding the engine and slapping a supercharger on it, I just need some guidance, also im planning on getting one of those new Pontiac transmissions so I can mount the motor sideways if needed.

quote Originally posted by BanditBushman: I'm thinking of building a F355 kit car with my dad and want to know if the is an engine out there that gets about 400hp. I'm ok with completely rebuilding the engine and slapping a supercharger on it, I just need some guidance, also im planning on getting one of those new Pontiac transmissions so I can mount the motor sideways if needed.

1) Series II or Series III 3800 V6 supercharged bottom end, with a turbo setup, big turbo, plenty of lag. 400+ hp, easier to drive down low due to turbo power up top

2) Crate 383 stroker easy 400+ hp all motor, a little tougher to drive. <--- this gets my vote for a 355, because you could turbo the crap out of it and make scary numbers.

3) 454 if you want to cut your car all apart and have it look nothing like a 355.

4) disgustingly high boost ecotech

you have many many options. Even a bmw v12 has been put in one of these fieros before. Amazingly little vehicle.

[This message has been edited by jasonfox (edited 11-23-2012).]

Where are you getting the 355 kit from?

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My World of Wheels Winners (Click on links below)

3.4L Supercharged 87 GT and Super Duty 4 Indy #163

new turbos dont have much, if any, lag time. like the GT3582BB or the precision 6262 on a 3800 would hit your goal and then some if built properly

Read this.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/...a-freeway-crash.html
The 3800SC II, should be plenty of power,close to 300HP,and because of the Fieros light weight,its going to feel like 300HP.
If youve totally lost your mind (no offence intended),then how about the LS9?
LS9 6.2L/638HP Supercharged Engine

The stock 355 ferrari has close to 400hp and weighs almost as little as the fiero. I don't think he's lost his mind wanting to match it in horsepower.

A real 355 can be had for 40 - 60k. How much do you forcast as a final cost to complete? (not including your own labour) From what I've seen, the final cost ends up being around double what you expected (hoped for). This proved true with my 4.9 swap. Of course there is the fun of the project, fabrication, a sence of accomplishment, and bonding experience you can't get with buying a real 355. It seems like it is becoming one of those cars where building a clone isn't much cheaper than buying a real one.

quote Originally posted by fierosound: Where are you getting the 355 kit from?

I was thinking about the CarKit Inc one. But I haven't really researched it enough to be 100% sure about it.

quote Originally posted by BanditBushman: $7500-$10000 total. And im only 16, I am going to be buying most of this stuff when ever I get good deals on craigslist and eBay. Right now I have found a fiero for $300 and a Pontiac 6 speed for $260

Your best bet is to start with a partially completed project.

If you buy the kit new it's 5k, add another 5k for fiberglass supplies and paint, emblems and lights. That doesn't even begin to start your engine conversion.

EIther buy a partially completed 355 kit, which can be had fairly cheaply (I once sold a mounted 355 spider body for a measly $600 due to circumstances,) or get a fiero that already has an engine swap done to it.

The suspension in PARTS ALONE is over $1200 from held motorsports. Without it your tires will be 3" too far in from the wheel wells, and spacers will cause your car to turn like **** and be downright dangerous.

The replica wheels are another $2000 between the rim and the rubber. Upgraded brakes can be upward of another 2K.

Long story short it's NOT a cheap process, you really might consider starting with a nearly completed or completed engine swapped fiero or a 355 body.

quote Originally posted by James Bond 007: Read this. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/...a-freeway-crash.html The 3800SC II, should be plenty of power,close to 300HP,and because of the Fieros light weight,its going to feel like 300HP. If youve totally lost your mind (no offence intended),then how about the LS9? LS9 6.2L/638HP Supercharged Engine

Hmm I was thinking about the 3800SC II as it is well documented on this site. My only problem with it is nobody seems to put up spec of the engine, like 0-60 times for example, also aprox top speeds, any ideas? I have sourced a 3800 SC II for $300 and a supercharger for $150

quote Originally posted by BanditBushman: Hmm I was thinking about the 3800SC II as it is well documented on this site. My only problem with it is nobody seems to put up spec of the engine, like 0-60 times for example, also aprox top speeds, any ideas? I have sourced a 3800 SC II for $300 and a supercharger for $150

Don't buy them seperate. The 3800 series II and supercharged series II are different bottom ends/heads.

The fastest fieros out there right now are turbo 3800 setups, but with the appropriate camshaft changes, rockers, pushrods, springs, supercharger intercooler setup, you can make amazing numbers off the supercharged version.

If you're looking for a bonding experience, start with the engine swap. That can be a great experience. Tearing an engine down to the block and building it back up is an amazing learning experience. Once you've got your hands dirty like that, then you should consider doing something as aggressive as a 355 kit.

You could also make your life a lot easier by buying an already completed swap with a naturally aspirated 3800 and upgrading it to the supercharged version.

quote Originally posted by BanditBushman: $7500-$10000 total. And im only 16, I am going to be buying most of this stuff when ever I get good deals on craigslist and eBay. Right now I have found a fiero for $300 and a Pontiac 6 speed for $260

Well, your on the right track; ask all the questions now, before you find out the hard way when your neck-deep into it...

Unfortunatly, your budget will not get you to the finish line. As others have already pointed out, your going to need allot more than $10k to get your project driving. Maybe double that number and add another 50% (another $10k, $30k total) and you should have a very good shot at puting together a nice 355...

Although maintenance & insurance is a fraction of what a real 355 would cost, so would be the resale value of your kit. 355's will hold steady and eventualy rise; where-as the Fiero kit will decrease in value before you even get it on the road.

My suggestion, buy your Fiero, swap in the 400hp motor of your choice and blow the doors off of 99% of the cars on the road. Then maybe after you finish school, you can throw the 355 kit back on the radar...

With a 400hp fiero and a light driver, he probably will blow the doors off a real 355. Horsepower to weight ratio will be superior in the fiero, as long as his transmission gearing is good he will get a better 1/4 time.

How an where would I look for partially completed kits? That would deffinately shave off a couple grand. Well at least I can do a project I have the space (I built a 25x35 garage) and tools (dad). And this would be my second car, my parents gave me their 2006 Ford Explorer, and my dad let's me drive his 600+hp Turbo BMW 750iL occasionally, so I don't see a problem in that area, but how would I go about buying the items, should I get the the cheaper car and trans first or should I save up and get the high-$ stuff first? And my only concern for this project is that since my dad is 6'9" and I'm already 6'2", would I be able to fit? I heard switching out the stock fiero dash does wonders for the legroom, but would this car be comfortable for general driving? No trips or anything long-distance where I would face discomfort and fatigue.

[This message has been edited by BanditBushman (edited 11-24-2012).]

My advice?

Buy a 5 speed fiero or auto, whichever is your preference.

Make sure it's a notchback. You and your dad weld two 1" by 2" pieces of square steel from crossmember to crossmember.

Cut the roof off. Notchback convertibles look sick.

Install some Rodney dickman lowering ball joints, then consider a coilover setup if you want to slam it.

Next upgrade your breaks. Grand am upgrade isn't too expensive.

Then start a 3800 series ii supercharged swap. Go all out, zzp stage ii or iii camshaft, rockers, springs, pushrods, and a smaller pulley. Install water/meth progressive to control the increased knock.

You'll have a sick ride at a reasonable price.

Check out this one someone did:

[This message has been edited by jasonfox (edited 11-24-2012).]

quote Originally posted by BanditBushman: Lol, yeah me and my dad were talking about the engine today, I think it would be nice to have the same power as the Ferrari and do it for less than 10k. Also have you noticed the difference in insurance between a 1986 Fiero and a 1995 Ferrari 355?! I'd take the fieros rates any day. Also it would be a GREAT project for me and my dad.

I agree it will be a great father/son project! I used to fix up classic mustangs with my dad. I am one cheap SOB and am into my 88 4.9 for a total of about 5k so far. That's doing all the work myself and making countless trips for cheap parts from the local pick n pull. Kinda hoped my 13yr old would express some interest and help out.
I say GO FOR IT! Just make sure to plan, plan, plan. Buying someones faded dream car project will save you thousands if you are into a 3-5 year project. I'm trying to tackle one project at a time so I can drive and enjoy my fiero and not have it become a thorn in my side and a never ending project. That being said, I spent 10months on the snowballing engine swap and got to drive it a few times before the snow hit the ground.
Best of luck!

quote Originally posted by jasonfox: My advice? Install water/meth progressive to control the increased knock.

I would get an air to water intercooler before running meth.

A stock LS3 will give you 400 at the wheels. No boost, no internal mods, no rebuilding. And it puts out a lot more torque than a 3800.....and sounds good as well.

A supercharged 3800 SC Series III with a few mods can generate more than 300 hp and 300 ft/ lbs torque at the wheels when used with a manual transmission. The stroked 383 can give you 400 hp plus and around 400 ft. lbs. of torque when paired with a manual transmission. Both engines are quite nice and look/sound very good in a Fiero.






Nelson

Dont forget to use the youtube search box for Fiero 3800 series II, its an awsome ride,watching on line.You can allso find kit car videos on youtube.

quote Originally posted by jasonfox: If you buy the kit new it's 5k, add another 5k for fiberglass supplies and paint, emblems and lights. That doesn't even begin to start your engine conversion. EIther buy a partially completed 355 kit, which can be had fairly cheaply (I once sold a mounted 355 spider body for a measly $600 due to circumstances,) or get a fiero that already has an engine swap done to it.

Right on about the kit http://richmond.daype.com/a...Kit-Ad-30766574.html

A "drive it away" F355 with everything you want and plan to do.
http://www.easyautosales.co...o-Base-77362076.html

Sounds expensive, I know. But since you're starting from scratch, you could end up spending that much anyway + the labor/time.
The project then becomes one of those with stories of "IF I'd have known then how much it would cost..."

This one only needs the engine you want and interior (still stock).
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymot...&hash=item2577ebea5c

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 11-24-2012).]

Don't get hung up on numbers. Just build a good running/driving dependable drive line. But to make up your mind, GO ride/drive 3800SC and sbc v8 and 4.9 caddy V8. and 3800 turbo fiero's. Spend the money to go to the cars to ride them.
1. get a spare cradle and make a cradle stand. Start the drive line swap on that.
2. do every thing you can to the fiero Other than body work.
3. put the drive line in the car.
4. do the 355 body kit.
After you get past #3 you might just want to drive it for a while.

A F355 build diary - lots of picture of what you're getting in to.
http://www.brastic.com/fiero/log.html

Yikes! Looks at these 3" wheel spacers on the rear.

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 11-24-2012).]

quote Originally posted by fierosound: A F355 build diary - lots of picture of what you're getting in to. http://www.brastic.com/fiero/log.html Yikes! Looks at these 3" wheel spacers on the rear.

Wonder how long them wheel bearing will last...

Well thanks for the replies, i will be picking up a fiero off of craigslist here soon, maybe this next spring to work on.

Ummm, that is definitely the wrong way to widen the suspension. As for changing the body, here is my philosophy on Fieros and body changes; If you spend a bunch and do a really good conversion, then blow off a 911, the 911 driver will probably think, "Hey, it was a Ferrari- it's twice as much as my 911!".....But if you do all the same suspension and driveline changes so it performs great, but leave the body as a Fiero, then burn down a 911, the 911 driver will probably need a lifetime supply of Viagra, and will definitely be dangerously dehydrated from all the tears ....Do a widebody, maybe even chop the roof, but leave it an Identifiable Fiero.

quote Originally posted by cvxjet: Ummm, that is definitely the wrong way to widen the suspension. As for changing the body, here is my philosophy on Fieros and body changes; If you spend a bunch and do a really good conversion, then blow off a 911, the 911 driver will probably think, "Hey, it was a Ferrari- it's twice as much as my 911!".....But if you do all the same suspension and driveline changes so it performs great, but leave the body as a Fiero, then burn down a 911, the 911 driver will probably need a lifetime supply of Viagra, and will definitely be dangerously dehydrated from all the tears ....Do a widebody, maybe even chop the roof, but leave it an Identifiable Fiero.

I love the body of the 355, but I would plainly badge it fiero o Pontiac power for this very reason. +1

quote Originally posted by cvxjet: Ummm, that is definitely the wrong way to widen the suspension. As for changing the body, here is my philosophy on Fieros and body changes; If you spend a bunch and do a really good conversion, then blow off a 911, the 911 driver will probably think, "Hey, it was a Ferrari- it's twice as much as my 911!".....But if you do all the same suspension and driveline changes so it performs great, but leave the body as a Fiero, then burn down a 911, the 911 driver will probably need a lifetime supply of Viagra, and will definitely be dangerously dehydrated from all the tears ....Do a widebody, maybe even chop the roof, but leave it an Identifiable Fiero.

I'll probably end up doing something like that, just do a chop-top fiero and use my money to get a bad to the bone engine, would you recommend a good tranny to use besides the stock? Deff a manual, probably a 6 speed

I have nothing to add but here's some inspiration

quote Originally posted by BanditBushman: My only problem with it is nobody seems to put up spec of the engine, like 0-60 times for example, also aprox top speeds, any ideas?

See signature for mods.



Also

dizmon_85GT: 13.03 @ 100mph (SC3800-II, 3.4" pulley / 4T65E-HD)

That was the previous owner's best et in the Quarter MIle. Best Trap speed was 105.5 MPH.

Just food for thought.

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[This message has been edited by TheRealShadowX (edited 11-24-2012).]

Whoo those are some decent numbers, how much horsepower do you think your getting? Also what app is that?

quote Originally posted by BanditBushman: Whoo those are some decent numbers, how much horsepower do you think your getting? Also what app is that?

My, and others estimate is about 260whp.

I believe that particular app is called "Pocket Dyno" for iPhone and such.

quote Originally posted by BanditBushman: How an where would I look for partially completed kits? That would deffinately shave off a couple grand. Well at least I can do a project I have the space (I built a 25x35 garage) and tools (dad). And this would be my second car, my parents gave me their 2006 Ford Explorer, and my dad let's me drive his 600+hp Turbo BMW 750iL occasionally, so I don't see a problem in that area, but how would I go about buying the items, should I get the the cheaper car and trans first or should I save up and get the high-$ stuff first? And my only concern for this project is that since my dad is 6'9" and I'm already 6'2", would I be able to fit? I heard switching out the stock fiero dash does wonders for the legroom, but would this car be comfortable for general driving? No trips or anything long-distance where I would face discomfort and fatigue.

First off, welcome to PFF.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Madmechanics forum. http://www.madmechanics.com/forum/forum.php Should be the best place to find a project 355. Also, if a new kit is your direction, look up Bartman. He has the molds for the Air Dynamics 355. This is the best, most accurate 355 kit available for the Fiero.

Bob

Here you go kid.

http://albany.craigslist.org/pts/3418159935.html

quote Originally posted by BanditBushman: I was thinking about the CarKit Inc one. But I haven't really researched it enough to be 100% sure about it.

PLEASE,PLEASE !!!!!!!!, rethink this company. I have been there 3 diff times and seen several production kits they were actually sending out,including the 355,worst fit and quality EVER!! Full of bondo to cover up their ill fitting molds,warped body parts

quote Originally posted by jasonfox: Here you go kid. http://albany.craigslist.org/pts/3418159935.html

Would you recommend me getting this one? Hmm, I would have to arrange monthly payments or take out a loan, that looks like a good deal. Thanks will talk to my parents about it.