4 cyl swap?

[heheheha]

Hi all...
Been gone for a while...thnigs have happened (unexpected and unplanned mostly...and costly). Have had a few more cars since the Storm, but ultimately am wheel-less.

A few cars have caught my attention, IE Nissan 240SX(SR20 swap, or turbo the KA20), Civic EG Hatch (mmm, B16), Acura Integra...Of course, then I remembered the lil car I have always  wanted.

There are issues though. Power. Reliability. Age. The 4 banger these things come with is crap, and while the V6 sounds nice, doesn't seem a good match for the car. The answer? Why, an engine swap of course!

Throguh my experience and life lessons, I would like to stick with a 4 cylinder. This eliminates any of the V8 and V6 swaps. However, my love for a pushrod 4 cylinder is non existent. What I need is a free revving, tuneable 4 cylinder. That can be boosted. A new engine is reliable, economical, and far more versatile.

So my question; what other 4 cylinder swaps are available, tried, or being looked at? I was thinking Ecotech, simply for staying with the GM nameplate, price, and availability. Of course, the new Honda K20's seem freakin sweet, especially with that 6 speed (New SI is FAST). Then again I enjoyed my little play time with a Nissan SR20...Any sites or write ups, products, or anything of any help?

And I do know the intensity and depth of said swap. Which is why I'd like a lil opinion, guidance, etc before making a choice. If overall it is just not worth it, or not feasable, the Fiero will remain a dream car.

[2ML67]

If you want to stay 4 cylinder then I would definetely go with the eco tech its as much power as the 6 the Fiero came with with a lot less weight. Basically you can pick this engine up with your bare hands its so light. GM is already super charging it and turbo's are also working nicely. It is light but also very strong only thing is massive amount of rewiring needed for use in a Fiero.
Two main problems is 1) it wants to see the factory stereo but that can be over come or even use the factory one it comes with. 2) It also is looking for the factory gauges in order to run. this can also be overcome by doing a Nissan 240SX dash swap while at it as the factory Sunfire gauges fit nicely in the Nissan dash.
This engine also has a large amount of upgrades available direct from GM. Have done a lot of research into this one and have already got the wiring for one finished as I am building one for my eldest daughter. Also prices are decent the one I am going to get is from a 2004 Sunfire and I am getting the engine, tranny (5speed), wiring harness, PCM and everything else I need for $1,500. The engine only has 447km on it. Dan

[heheheha]

I supected the Ecotec would be the best bet Factory power upgrades can't be beat, and with how heavily GM has been playing with it's new 4 banger...that's alot of stuff to play with

Since you are doing the swap, I would very much appreciate any and all info needed. I guess the first being how difficult is the swap, or at least how difficult does it APPEAR to be? Aside from mounst and wiring, I assume it should mostly be a drop in affair? Also, how difficult has the rewiring been? Why the stock stereo, and what is needed to bypass this? And how hard is graftin the Nissan dash into the Fiero? And...where did you grab your motor and parts? OK, finally how long have you been goin at it?

Judging by what you have offered...just the engine swap seems to be a relatively cheap and easy swap when compared to say a N*. So why aren't more people jumping with it? At a cost of under $2g for engine, wiring, tranny, and PCM, why not do it?

Thanx a lot, it's nice to see I'm not the only one who is considering this...

[heheheha]

If anyone cares, I FINALLY found a link in regards to an Eco swap, tho for an auto and not a 5 speed.

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/057830.html

[2ML67]

I think it is ego's that keep most from doing this swap, doesn't have that large awe factor of a 3800SC or a N. Wiring is very hard on this one that is compared to the 3800SC's I usually do. All GM 2000 and newer are needing the factory stereo but kits can be bought from stereo places to solve that problem, for mine I am going to use the nice am/fm/cd player the Sunfire came with. The Nissan dash I am using is from a 1989 and it fits pretty easily just a little efort to make it work. The edge by the windshield needs work to fit and for defroster to work and the area by the console will also need some touching up.
 I won't be doing much more on this till I finish up all the upgrades I am doing on my 3800SC Fiero then once that is done I will get at the eco tech swap. I will take lots of pictures and notes when I finally get at it. Dan

[heheheha]

After reading, it looks like the security system is why the car will require the stereo and gauge cluster? Well, seeing as how I don't see the point of subs in a Fiero, I think I could live with the stock stereo. And I would chase a nicer dash then the stock Fiero's anyways... As to awe factor...Awe is for show cars, I want to kick ass. I think a goal of 250HP with a turbo is a decent goal, and not too overkill.

Hmm, thanks a ton. This is deffinitely a strong consideration now. I won't be able to grab a car till after income tax is taken care of...Will deffinitely be considering it. And I will follow your project with great interest. I will be sure to let you know if this is what I decide to go with. I don't have an ego problem



Oh, and wondering...does the tranny come with an LSD option, and does it spin the right way so that one is not stuck with 5 reverse gears?

[2ML67]

The tranny works just fine but the shifter linkage will require some work something similair to Rodney Dickmans kit for using front wheel drive Getrag tranny's in Fiero's. Dan

[heheheha]

Having not actually seen the gauge cluster from a newer cavalier/sunflower, would the gauges pop into a Firebird dash, or need some modifications? I seen a pic of the Firebird dash and it is just wayyyy to sweet...but also, cost and ease of installation would play a role. I don't want to spend 5 months doing interior work...

OK, so I am thinking this is what I want. Still playing with other ideas, as well as cost, time, parts availability, etc, as well as other car thoughts...but this one is most intriguing, not to mention a Fiero. I am considering purchasing a Duke Fiero, preferably a notch back with a GT front end. Drive that for a while, but at the same time aquire an Eco (haven't decided on size), and turbo as well as a few other modifications. Then once the motor is done, pule the old motor, wire and drop in the new. Find somewhere to run an intercooler (hood modification probably). Swap in the dash of choice, hook up sound and gauges, then do suspension and brakes. From there, dyno and tune, then drive it and eventually work in rims and tires, possibly paint, mild body work, etc...

Probably a question with a no for an answer...anybody sell drop spindles for Fiero's, or am I looking at dropping it via the more traditional techniques?

[aaron88]

Probably a question with a no for an answer...anybody sell drop spindles for Fiero's, or am I looking at dropping it via the more traditional techniques?

No drop spindles that I know of but you can get lowering ball joints from Rodey Dickman.

Aaron

.

[GoFast88]

anybody sell drop spindles for Fiero's

http://fieropride.com/forsale/parts_for_sale.htm

half way down the page.