After much diagnosis for a no-start condition on my '85GT, I finally managed to get it running and driving. I replaced the Fuel Pump, Sending Unit, Fuel Filter, Fuel Pressure Regulator, and Injectors. The car runs pretty well but I believe there are a few vacuum, oil, and exhaust leaks. I'd like the forum's opinion on how to proceed. I have the time and funding to do a rebuild, although not an extensive rebuild. I want to do more of a refresh. I'd like to replace all the gaskets, seals, and vacuum lines. My plan would be to drop the engine and clean everything, then build it back up. I know a lot of people say that if you're gonna drop the engine, you might as well do a swap. I don't think I'm prepared for a swap yet and I'd like to keep the car stock for now. If I do drop the engine(I'd like y'alls opinions first of if I should), are there certain sensors or parts that typically wear out and should be replaced with the rebuild?
I'd just like genuine thoughts on this from everyone. I've never done a rebuild and I'd like to start with something simple and fun. Thanks!
(And a special thanks to all the people who helped diagnose my no-start condition in my other threads)
Just to get it out of the way; if you're gonna drop the engine you might as well do a swap
BUT, if that's not what you wanna do, I'm of the mind that you should smoke test it first, figure out your leaks and see if it even *needs* to come out. You can just about every gasket except for the lower intake manifold and heads (maybe I just couldn't) with the engine in the car, but the only reason you'd need to replace those is if they're actually leaking or you're burning coolant. Don't fix what ain't broke! As far as sensors, I'm gonna say the same thing. New parts are worse than what came stock on that car 90% of the time so if they're still working, let em be. I'd say change out your water pump for sanity's sake, if it hasn't let go already it probably will soon given age. That's about it though.
All of that goes clean out the window if you're wanting to actually rebuild the whole engine with a new cam and bearings and whatnot.
Let me be the first one to say... if you're going to drop the 2.8 for a "refresh", why not refresh a 3.4 from a Camaro instead? Everything on your 2.8 would bolt up to it. The only thing that would need to be done is the starter mounting holes would need to be drilled, but it's a simple process. You'd get a bit more grunt out of this engine with very little extra effort/expense.
Let me be the first one to say... if you're going to drop the 2.8 for a "refresh", why not refresh a 3.4 from a Camaro instead? Everything on your 2.8 would bolt up to it. The only thing that would need to be done is the starter mounting holes would need to be drilled, but it's a simple process. You'd get a bit more grunt out of this engine with very little extra effort/expense.
Could you go into more detail on this one or reference threads about a basic 3.4 swap? I don't know much about the 3.4 but I would assume you might have to change out the ECM along with other things rather than just the starter mounting holes. It's not truly that easy, is it?
What generation camaro is it from? My GT is an automatic so would that create any issues?
Could you go into more detail on this one or reference threads about a basic 3.4 swap?
There are dozens and dozens of threads to be found Here covering this topic. If someone doesn't mention one specifically, they'd be easy enough to find.
There are dozens and dozens of threads to be found Here covering this topic. If someone doesn't mention one specifically, they'd be easy enough to find.
Only problem is that those engines are becoming not easy to find. At least not in my area, I was going to swap a 3.4 into my 88 S10 but couldn't find a single 3.4 in any yard for 250 miles. It was ridiculous.
jumpmonkey: I'd like to replace all the gaskets, seals, and vacuum lines. / I'd like to keep the car stock for now.
As a stock/factory fan; an engine swap is the last thing I will suggest. If you really like to keep the car stock for now - don't swap the engine!
But IF the original V6 is 'worn out" AND the engine must be dropped, the majority of Fiero engine swaps is for the members which they wanted more power/torque than a stock rebuild.
To Me - you can "refresh" your engine and address the vacuum, oil, and exhaust leaks without dropping it.
So, my advice: make a 'problem' list and tackle them one-by-one as I'm doing the same on my '88 GT.
One Tip: Avoid 'cheap' aftermarket parts and as far as sensors; I replaced the majority of them with Genuine GM / AC Delco parts.
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Could you go into more detail on this one or reference threads about a basic 3.4 swap?
Read this thread as it has ALOT information including many links about the 3.4L engine:
Kinda just going to echo what others have said... the Fiero is a great platform to put a lot of different engines in... but if you like the stock look, a 3.4 V6/60 swap is pretty much the limit for getting more power and keeping it stock looking.
I read through the link that Patrick posted... it's actually a really good threat from the original poster. Bottom line is that, just like intake that came with his car (93-95 Camaro / Firebird), the intake sucks above 4,500 rpms. That's basically the same on our engines. Someone will have to correct me, but with the smaller displacement (2.8), the engine can't really produce power above 5,000 because it's choked off. There's the whole DAWG mod that you'd need to do to the intake plenum... which really wakes up the motor (even a stock motor).
Lots of things you can do to make more power.
But like the poster talked about in that other thread... the 3400 motors just produce so much more usable power. You could drop an entire 3400 from a Grand Am GT into there, and it would be night and day a different car. But then it's not stock looking anymore... so it's really whatever you want.
I'm going the 3.4 V6/6 route. I already bought a crate 3.4 rebuild, I have professionally ported heads, headers, a new cam, etc. And when I put it all back together, it'll look 95% stock except for the fact it'll have shorty headers... which more or less look like really expensive exhaust manifolds. I'm expecting about ~210hp with everything that I'll be doing. The only parts I haven't worked out is the DAWG mod... but I have three plenums, so I'll eventually get it done. I'll be really happy with that outcome. It'll be a low/mid 14 second car, sound like a stock Fiero, if not a little bit more throaty, and that's all I'll want from it.
Sorry, I missed this. Yeah, Vintage-Nut's links are correct.
I think I paid less than $1,800... but that was probably almost a year ago now when I first bought it. It took a couple of months for it to arrive (was rebuilt in Mexico by NuTech). I'm pretty happy with what I received... everything was STD size (I know because I took the cyl heads off), so I know it wasn't some really beat to **** motor, but an actual decent fairly low mileage motor that was rebuilt. The problem I have of course is that stock isn't good enough for me. I figure this will be the last engine I ever put in this car because I don't want super high performance... I just want modern performance, and as much horsepower as I can get with everything looking totally stock. I don't want to get passed by pickup trucks and Toyota Camrys on the merge lanes.
It shows ~$2,200... which, if I'm being completely honest, is really not a bad price at all. You're basically getting a drop-in motor that all you need to do is drill one hole, and tap another.
I went a little overboard, and I just purchased a set of DOHC pistons to bump my compression to ~9.5-9.7 (I guess I'll find out), as well as a Crane H272 camshaft, and port / polished cyl heads with SI stainless swirl "tulip" valves... along with some other odds and ends. My goal is 200hp, which I think I'll get. I'm also going with West Coast Fiero shorty stainless headers, and swapping in a 5-Speed Getrag that I have sitting on the shelf from a Fiero GT that had only 30k miles when it was T-boned (I think I either bought it from Blacktree or someone else on here like 20 years ago... just sitting in a crate).
