I'm getting ready to do an engine swap on a 1987 Ferio GT from a v-6 to a Smallblock chevy (Automatic transmission) I have looked at a few conversion kits but would like to here from a few poeple that may have used them to see if they were happy with what they got in them Any Comments?

I hear archie has some of the best kits. www.v8archie.com He also seems extremely supportive on his product as well.

And welcome to the forum!

[This message has been edited by RandomTask (edited 07-24-2005).]

If you're thinking of staying with the Fiero Auto Trans, save your money, and don't convert to the V8.

quote Originally posted by California Kid: If you're thinking of staying with the Fiero Auto Trans, save your money, and don't convert to the V8.

May I ask why you say this. I was planning on keeping the auto.

I've read in a few places that the automatic would hold up fine with upgraded clutches

quote Originally posted by WWorm: May I ask why you say this. I was planning on keeping the auto. I've read in a few places that the automatic would hold up fine with upgraded clutches

upgrading the clutch in an automatic transmission? might want to get a bit more automotive experience before planing on such a project as the small block swap.

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Defintaly going to want a different trans if your going V-8. Just ask "Tcat55371"

You will want a built 4T60E or a built 4T65E

or the following swap vvv

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87 GT BUILT 3800 Supercharged on 19's
88 GT T-top 1 of very few, 120.4 miles
87 GT custom
90 Grand prix STE Turbo
91 Mitsu Galant VR-4

quote Originally posted by MiZer: upgrading the clutch in an automatic transmission? might want to get a bit more automotive experience before planing on such a project as the small block swap.

Hunnh?

Automatics have clutches. They're internal. As in multiple-plate clutch packs.
Not to be confused with the kind that's used with a manual tranny. I think we all know about torque converters (and certain persons' levels of experience. )

As for the V8 SBC swap, supposedly the Fiero's automatic can be "built" to withstand the power.
Roger Garrison toasted at least two of those "built" transmissions with a 383 SBC before he gave up and sold the car.
You might look at a 4T65E or 4T80E with a stand-alone controller. The controller is under a grand, and will control either one.
I believe that Orville (on this Forum) is using one of those controllers with a 4T65E.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 07-24-2005).]

He probley means the clutch packs inside the auto tranny, and yes, the th125c can be made to hold up to a mild sbc, if you are planning on rebuilding a tranny for this swap, you may want to purchase a 4t60(non electronic) and have it rebuilt.. should be able to find one for cheap, and you would have an extra gear. Its up to you, but gas being what it is it would help to have a 4th gear. Just call or email Archie, Ive heard that he knows people who build the 4t60 trans, Im sure its pretty common for a v8 swap.

quote Originally posted by WWorm: May I ask why you say this. I was planning on keeping the auto. I've read in a few places that the automatic would hold up fine with upgraded clutches

A. I've lost count of the number of Fiero Owners that have wasted that transmission.

B. You don't drop a V8 into a Fiero and keep you foot lightly on the gas pedal.

C. Listen closely to what Archie has to say on the matter.

I can't speak on the matter from experience. but from what I have read on this forum. V8s on Fiero trans = blown-up trans, unless you are really ginger on the throttle ALL the time. which is kind sad since in my opinion shoe-horning a V8 into a small car is all about pedal stomping.

From what I have read, the best swap for the cost if you plan on keeping the automatic is the s/c 3800 swap because the auto trans that comes with that motor will stand up to the abuse of the 260hp of the V6 as well as modded up to about 350-400hp range. there is a Forum member on the forum that had a 3800 Fiero over 500rwhp and was blowing trannies.

I am not sure about the caddy 4.9 and northstars trannies that come with the motors, but if their trannies can be used in the Fiero then those are swaps you might consider as well.

The quad 4 in my opinion is not worth the trouble due to the 170hp which is little improvement over the 140hp of the 2.8.

Bottum line is, if you want reliability in your Fiero, swap in a motor that has a tranny with it. Because honestly. i have heard people say "you can build up this tranny or that tranny and it wont blow" and there will be an equal amount of people on the forum that will counter with "i have, or so-in-so has blown up 3 trannies built"

I have yet to hear of someone swapping in a V6 or V8 WITH the tranny the motor came from and having it blow up under the motors hp and torque (unless the motor /tranny mounts are done wrong that is, or the motor was modified way beyond stock hp)

And Roland is bang on this thread.

The Fiero transmission sucks. Notice I didn't specify which one. That wasn't an accident.

Swap the tranny with the engine and you should be good to go.

all three N*/trannies are holding up for me. I go everywhere with them.

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Archie's Choptop conversion #11, #15, Redux & The Stealth

quote Originally posted by madcurl: all three N*/trannies are holding up for me. I go everywhere with them.

Finally a positive reply!!!

So any of these have SBC ?
if so did you do it yourself ?
what modifications did you make if any?
I could go on ....
Really any words of wisdom would be helpful

quote Originally posted by Roland: The quad 4 in my opinion is not worth the trouble due to the 170hp which is little improvement over the 140hp of the 2.8.

whao whoa whoa there. let me tell you. theres no way in hell a 2.8 has a chance of keeping up with a quad rod. it my just be 30 hp, but thats the weiner quad. the big boy quads had up to 190. call it 180ish for the high outputs. not only am i getting 35+ mpg, i can turn a low 14 second quarter. that aint bad for a 4 banger. you need a lightning or better to best me. (my motor isnt stock, but theres ppl here who can vouch for the power of the quad)

now then. keeping the fiero auto will only lead to more headaches and engine removals in the future to replace the dang things. go with a bigger auto with better power handling capabilities. a 65e-hd would be what i recomend. from what i hear, they're great trannies. just say no, to stock auto trannies on swaps.

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88 Quad Coupe
88 Formula 5spd, t-tops

MY EMAIL IS: sage14823@hotmail.com
"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country."
-Patton

quote Originally posted by madcurl: all three N*/trannies are holding up for me. I go everywhere with them.

Same here.

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Signature courtesy of MinnGreen.

my tranny is freaking incredible!

quote Originally posted by WWorm: Finally a positive reply!!! So any of these have SBC ? if so did you do it yourself ? what modifications did you make if any? I could go on .... Really any words of wisdom would be helpful

All (3) trannies are from the original OEM stock N* with very,very low miles on them (6,000, 8,000 & 15,0000 miles) and are not SBC. I had mine professionally installed by Design 1 Systems in OKC = less headaches.

My best advise to you is, "if you're going to use a automatic, pay the extra monies and by a very low mileage engine/tranny." A low mileage 3800SC auto will just as fine too.

If you want a SBC then buy "new." V8Archie can install a LT1 or SBC using stock Fiero manual. Just make sure the Fiero 5-speed is in good condition and is beef'd up. Call Archie for more info on using a auto.