Our First 3800 SC Swap

[RobsFieros]

Ok, I know this isn't really a swap but then again it is. We're swapping one 3800 for another. The one we're pulling out has 340 hp and the one we're installing has 240 hp. Then we're going to install the 340 hp engine in an 87 Fiero GT. This is the 97 3800 SC with only 240 hp...

[RobsFieros]

Update he's decide to install it in his 88 Formula and build the second one for the 87 GT.

[oldone]

rob how did that 3800sc get up to 340hp? and where are these motors coming from and how much are you having to give for them normally. the reason i ask is i have one kind of staked out. a 96 series II from a riviera. the motors runs , it makes a little bit of a rattling noise that the j-yard owner says is a bearing in the supercharger. for a complete drop out minus the trans and axles , thats the motor,cradle,harness,computor,and any other parts i need pertaining to the drive train is $300.00. do you do anything to the motors before you swap them in or do you just put them in and drive them until something breaks and you have to rebuilt them? how do you know whether to take a chance on a motor or not? i'd kind of like to get this motor and put it in the corner until i have some money to do the swap. man i sure wish we lived closer together i could definitely use some hands on experience. i've got more time now i got cut back to 3 days a week.

[RobsFieros]

$300 is a good price...but there's a bunch of modifying to do to get the engine in and mounted to the tranny and cradle, mounts to be fabbed. You'll have to build your wiring harness and move the alternator, get rid of the p.s. pump, install an idler pully in its place build an exhaust system, modify your heater hose connections, cables, make brackets from scratch. There's a lot to do, it's not a direct bolt up. Then you have to get somebody to tune or flash your computer or it won't run.

[RobsFieros]

I set the 3800 SC in the 88 cradle today and now it's time to start making mounts. I also moved the alternator down where the power steering pump was, the top alternator bolt was a direct bolt up except for having to grind off a little to line up the belt. I'm taking off tomorrow to get some much needed rest.

[RobsFieros]

Thanks for the links Charlie. They were very useful.

[RobsFieros]

Derek and his dad Rick came down today and finished swaping the wiring harness's in the Grand Prix, then they started working on designing mounts for the Fiero 3800 swap. Derek's coming back down tomorrow and we're going to see if we can get the engine mounted to the cradle.

[RobsFieros]

Ok we got the alternator moved down and the dog bone mount made and a belt tensioner mounted, then installed the belt.



Next is the engine mounts then we can start on the wiring before mounting it in the car.   

[RobsFieros]

I think we've already figured out 3 engine mounts, we've just got to fit the assembly in the cradle to see if they'll work.

[Tinton]

Any chance you could do this same swap on my '86 Fiero? Maybe with a 3800SC Series 3 (260 hp?)? I'd like to keep the 4-speed manual, possibly swapping a couple gears. Could you send me a PM?

[RobsFieros]

Derek's working on the harness tonight and he's bringing his Formula down tomorrow so we can use his cradle since mine is twisted and nothings lining up. We should have the swap in the car by Monday evening. Then we can finish the wiring and hoses.

[RobsFieros]

The tensioner and dog bone mount are being redone at a machine shop and he's also redoing the mounts the way we want them and the thermostat housing. Derek's bringing the finished wiring harness, axles, and oil filter adapter Wednesday. So if we don't get done with it by Friday then we'll probably get done with it by the following Monday.

Then I can start on the 2 87's in Erwin. Shouldn't take as long the second time.

[sonic50]

what trany are you going to be using?

[RobsFieros]

Hey Scott, we're using the tanny from the 3800SC Grand Prix donor. I think its a 4T65E-HD.

[Flyboy81]

It is a 4t65e-HD and it also has a shift improver kit.  Great tranny for any 3800 swap by the way.  NA or SC