I've been wondering after a conversation in a bar with an ex Alfa Romeo mechanic who suggested putting the 3.0L V6 in my Fiero. Has anyone else considered doing this and is it possible? Its a light weight 375LB motor that puts out 200 ish hp with a glorious sound and to die for looks

http://wapedia.mobi/en/Alfa_Romeo_V6_engine

Yes it is possible. I own several Alfa v6 equipped autos a quadrifoglio verde and a 164s as well as a x19 and have considered a swap into a Fiero.
It's very much like the 3.4 Dohc in character and would be a perfect engine for the Fiero.
The 164s puts out 200 hp for a 12v which is quite impressive for a 3.0.
Put a 24v 3.0 out of a QV and get 240hp in a lightweight alloy v6 3.0.
I am the only Alfa mechanic here in Iowa with the knowledge and experience to service the v6 especially the
24v
Stay away from both engines if you don't like Ferrari style power and maintenance as they get expensive
I am assuming the alfa 75 and 164 are alot more common in the uk than here in the states.
A glorious engine indeed, nothing sounds better imo

[This message has been edited by Erik (edited 09-29-2010).]

My thoughts were maintenace issues. How easy would it be to work on one in a Fiero.

I had enought issues with a Fiat alone.

Hi Erik, I have spent the last 6 months waiting for a suitable American car to use as a doner and had set my sights on the Cadilac STS but they are so rare they have a premium price tag attached to them so its back to the drawing board. An LA3/L81 engine would work as I can use our Vauxhall Vectra fwd gearbox but that doesn't seem very exotic... Hence my excitement at the Alfa lump. I want the performance, the noise and the good looks and i don't mind the repair costs as they would be comparable to an American unit over here

In the UK we can get Alfa 164 3.0 24v s quite cheap although many of them have succumb to our soggy climate and have rotted away and the rest have been sent off due to our Government scrappage scheme. From what I gather (now correct me if I'm wrong) the Alfa has a fairly simple wiring harness ie no security attached to the ecm.

What are your thoughts on the Alfa 166? I can get a running car for less than $500

quote Originally posted by pistonbroke: Hi Erik, I have spent the last 6 months waiting for a suitable American car to use as a doner and had set my sights on the Cadilac STS but they are so rare they have a premium price tag attached to them so its back to the drawing board. An LA3/L81 engine would work as I can use our Vauxhall Vectra fwd gearbox but that doesn't seem very exotic... Hence my excitement at the Alfa lump. I want the performance, the noise and the good looks and i don't mind the repair costs as they would be comparable to an American unit over here In the UK we can get Alfa 164 3.0 24v s quite cheap although many of them have succumb to our soggy climate and have rotted away and the rest have been sent off due to our Government scrappage scheme. From what I gather (now correct me if I'm wrong) the Alfa has a fairly simple wiring harness ie no security attached to the ecm. What are your thoughts on the Alfa 166? I can get a running car for less than $500

The 24v out of the 166 is going to be more diffcult to install than a 12v but the power and the 6 speed would be worth it if you get the 3.2. If it has the 2.5 then might as well go with the 3.0 12v out of a 164S. Otherwise stick with the 3.0 24v out of a 164 QV which puts out comparible power to the 3.2. Of course its going to weigh more than the 12v as well.
You must have the proper tools to set up the timing belt which even then is a pain in the butt but I bet there are alot more qualified Alfa mechanics there you could have them do the dirty work The 12v is alot less difficult to set up the belt ( still a pain in the butt ) and gosh darn it, its a HEMI to boot

Then you have to deal with custom axles and setting up a shifter. I have thought about using a Fiero trans with an adapter plate which would solve getting custom axles to work with the Fiero as well as no problems with the shifter set up but you have the problem of the starter possibly interfering with the Fiero axle tripot, which could be possibly remedied by using a intermediate shaft like what comes on 88-90's FWD GM getrags and of course getting a clutch set up to work as well. Its all a wash in difficulty either way,IMO.

You will have to make custom motor mounts and of course setting up the exhaust and interfacing the Motronic engine ECU with the Fiero wiring harness.

I have thought about running a megasquirt or either a 7730 or 9396 GM MAP based ECM and DIS with the engine as I am not a fan of the Motronic AFM but havent really went in depth as far as if the crank sensor is compatible. Of course you could possibly mount a gm sensor with a custom trigger wheel with a bit of ingenuity. Another way to go if the distributer pickup could be used to interface with the Fiero ECM but it would be step backward and would require some major tuning

I think the Alfa engine is a very doable project though and the sound, power would definately be worth it. Its a gorgeous looking engine. I wish I had time to do it, I have several spare engines laying around for just such a project but currently I am dealing with my N* swap.

[This message has been edited by Erik (edited 09-29-2010).]

as Italian, i can say that old alfa v6 in 164 ,166 and 156 are some of the best v6 i've ever seen ; they're powerful,beutiful sounded, and strong.

Another option, if you are looking at different engines, is the Mitsubishi 3.0 V6. 222 hp stock NA and 300-320 hp turboed. I know there are a number of them in the UK and throughout Europe.

It would take some work to fab engine mounts and interface the wiring but I assume it would take the same amount of work with the Alfa Romeo engine too.

quote Originally posted by Doug85GT: Another option, if you are looking at different engines, is the Mitsubishi 3.0 V6. 222 hp stock NA and 300-320 hp turboed. I know there are a number of them in the UK and throughout Europe. It would take some work to fab engine mounts and interface the wiring but I assume it would take the same amount of work with the Alfa Romeo engine too.

Only the 24V DOHC 6G72 3.0L from the 3000GT had that much power... the older 12V SOHC ones were about 160HP and single overhead cam... the later 3.0L 6G72 from 2000+ Galant or 2001+ Eclipse are 200HP and are 24V but still SOHC... I don't know how the Mitsu engines would be any easier to swap than an Alfa...

There's also the newer High Feature engine in the Alfas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...re_engine#Alfa_Romeo

Don't know if you can get them cheap yet, but they seem pretty interesting. I'd also love to find more info on the transmissions available attached to it. I'm guessing the 6 speed manual is the F40, but can't find any concrete info on that. Would also love to know more about the 5 speed, and the electro-hydraulic 6-speed Magneto Marelli in it.

If I lived in Europe, or anywhere other than the US where I couldn't get simple access to US engine parts... my goal for picking an engine as a swap, would be to pick the engine that had the best driveability, and produced the sweetest sports-car sound.

I'm all about big muscle-car engines with the glug-glug-glug-glug sound at idle.... and the WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!! at wide open throttle...

But the Fiero feels to me as more of a high-rpm sports car, and I think a nicely tuned OHC / DOHC with mutliple venturi type engine would really suit it well.

If the Alfa motor has a sweet sound, then I say pick that one... especially when you're considering engines of that displacement anyway.

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Todd,
2008 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x2
2002 Ford Explorer Sport 2dr 4x2
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter

quote Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: If I lived in Europe, or anywhere other than the US where I couldn't get simple access to US engine parts... my goal for picking an engine as a swap, would be to pick the engine that had the best driveability, and produced the sweetest sports-car sound. I'm all about big muscle-car engines with the glug-glug-glug-glug sound at idle.... and the WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!! at wide open throttle...

You mean like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSZTbR6C6Lw

With the right tuning/build, you can make any exhaust sound that way really. Does get harder and more expensive with a big V8 in a Fiero, rather than a small DOHC engine, though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euHkl9SVYTY

Much, much better than a whimpy Corvette. Cant beat the sound of a 12 cyl AMG powerhouse.

I've just sold my 1999 Alfa 146ti (2 litre 4 cyl), but I knew someone who had put a 12v in one just like it and it sounded GLORIOUS. If it wasn't likely to be so much work, I would do the swap myself.

Where in the UK are you?

quote Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: I'm all about big muscle-car engines with the glug-glug-glug-glug sound at idle.... and the WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!! at wide open throttle...

Think he means more like this =)

Start around 30s in...starts to distort the mic at higher rpm.

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"Grammar is important. Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse & helping your uncle %@&$ off a horse."

quote Originally posted by Cliff Pennock: Reading this thread made me drool and forget my name.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...ture=player_embedded

I'm more partial to this!! These are the cams going into my mustang next winter while she hibernates!

sounds like a milder cam to what my t/a has. They're fun =)

I prefer this.

quote Originally posted by Gandalf: I've just sold my 1999 Alfa 146ti (2 litre 4 cyl), but I knew someone who had put a 12v in one just like it and it sounded GLORIOUS. If it wasn't likely to be so much work, I would do the swap myself. Where in the UK are you?

I Live in Knutsford just a few miles from you.

Im still looking for a suitable doner car for the conversion, when I first looked there were loads of v6s around for the right price.

But with other projects on the go lke a 1968 Reliant scimitar se5, I have put this on the back burner but im always open to ideas

quote Originally posted by pistonbroke: I Live in Knutsford just a few miles from you.

Well if you're ever in need of a hand working on either, feel free to give me a shout! I take it your Fiero isn't on the road? If it is, why weren't you at stars and stripes last year?

6K rpm

or

[This message has been edited by 30+mpg (edited 03-12-2011).]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scFNcpnCNFE

[This message has been edited by Gandalf (edited 03-12-2011).]

quote Originally posted by Gandalf: Well if you're ever in need of a hand working on either, feel free to give me a shout! I take it your Fiero isn't on the road? If it is, why weren't you at stars and stripes last year?

I might just take you up on your offer, you know what a pain it is sometimes trying to work on something on your own (arms not long enough to hold a nut whist working out a bolt etc)

Nope the Fiero was imported in 92 and has never been registered in the UK yet its a non runner bought on FleaBay for £145 so is in need of some TLC

quote Originally posted by pistonbroke: I might just take you up on your offer, you know what a pain it is sometimes trying to work on something on your own (arms not long enough to hold a nut whist working out a bolt etc)

No worries, always happy to help! Its always easier to get stuff done if you've goot a bit of motivation too!

I'm hopefully going to get the water pump and timing chain done on mine this weekend so will have transport again, are you on facebook?