Home
About Us
Calendar
Fiero Documents
Merchandise
Tips
Links
Members
Message Board
Other Fiero Clubs
VIN Decoder
Speed Calculator
GFC Facebook Page
 

Author Topic: What engines can fit in a 1984 fiero  (Read 13943 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Cdepoy84

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 9
    • View Profile
What engines can fit in a 1984 fiero
« on: February 22, 2021, 10:42:51 am »
What engines can fit in a 84 fiero. I'm looking at engine swapping my fiero but don't know what engines fit in my fiero. With little to no frame work done
« Last Edit: February 22, 2021, 02:06:33 pm by Cdepoy84 »

TopNotch

  • The Duke of URL
  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,984
    • View Profile
Re: What engines can fit in a 1984 fiero
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2021, 12:05:33 pm »
This article explains how to put a V6 in an 84 Fiero.
The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play.

Fierofool

  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 10,709
    • View Profile
    • Georgia Fiero Club
Re: What engines can fit in a 1984 fiero
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2021, 12:17:04 pm »
Small block Chevys, Corvette, Northstar, 3400TDC, 3800 NA & SC, 4.9 Cadillac fit without sheetmetal mods.  Due to the 84 having a totally different electric harness than later years, engine upgrades are more difficult.
There are three kinds of men:

1.    The ones that learn by reading.
2.    The few who learn by observation.
3.    The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.    Will Rogers

GTRS Fiero

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12,510
  • It is what it is.
    • View Profile
Re: What engines can fit in a 1984 fiero
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2021, 01:11:09 pm »
Define fit.  Without mods?  With same transmission?  Without cutting the frame?

GTRS Fiero

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12,510
  • It is what it is.
    • View Profile
Re: What engines can fit in a 1984 fiero
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2021, 01:16:19 pm »
Small block Chevys, Corvette, Northstar, 3400TDC, 3800 NA & SC, 4.9 Cadillac fit without sheetmetal mods.  Due to the 84 having a totally different electric harness than later years, engine upgrades are more difficult.

I believe the frame must be notched for the SBC swap.

I suspect for the Northstar and Corvette engines, also.

For the 3800SC, it depends on how the alternator is placed.

The 3400 DOHC, on the '84, maybe.  It is a tall engine, so the decklid could be an issue.

Fierofool

  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 10,709
    • View Profile
    • Georgia Fiero Club
Re: What engines can fit in a 1984 fiero
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2021, 02:13:09 pm »
Swap to an 85-88 decklid.
There are three kinds of men:

1.    The ones that learn by reading.
2.    The few who learn by observation.
3.    The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.    Will Rogers

pgackerman

  • Paid Members
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,579
    • View Profile
Re: What engines can fit in a 1984 fiero
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2021, 05:21:31 pm »

Today's 4-bangers have more than double the power of your '84's 2.5L and come with a 5 or 6 speed manual, or at least a 4-speed auto.
Guessing their smaller size would allow them to fit easier than a V6.

They also get better mpg out of your sub-10 gallon tank; which might be a concern if your planning on driving further than local auto shows.
Red '88 GT 5-Speed, 7730ECM, 1.6 Rockers, and KEYLESS Entry! 
Now with a trailer hitch for my bike rack.
Southland Jubilee 2019 Best in Class

GTRS Fiero

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12,510
  • It is what it is.
    • View Profile
Re: What engines can fit in a 1984 fiero
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2021, 06:51:36 pm »
All true; however, many of those engines will require a lot of electrical work.

A year ago, I did a lot of research on engines.  Not 4-cylinders, but 6- and 8- cylinders.  I published a bit of that, but still have more than 200 pages of notes.  The most important take-away was that it's all up to your builder.  Only your builder can answer these questions.  So, the Spring articles last year were limited to info about the engines themselves.

Raydar

  • Paid Members
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,016
    • View Profile
Re: What engines can fit in a 1984 fiero
« Reply #8 on: February 22, 2021, 09:37:50 pm »
The real issue is that the C500 connector is very close to where the left (aka "front") exhaust manifold wants to be. Right in the middle of the firewall.
85 and later cars extended that connector over to the area between the battery and the shock tower. Otherwise, any number of engines will fit without a great deal of difficulty. It really depends upon how much power you want.
One "neglected" swap possibility is the LE5 2.4 Ecotec. It was never available "boosted" in any GM car (Those were the 2.0s and 2.2s) but it made more power in NA form than any other Ecotec. (177 HP or so) "The rest of the story" is that it is the motivational force that drives the Polaris Slingshot.
In that application, a nice cottage industry of go-fast parts has evolved. Some of them are very likely adaptable to that engine, installed in a Fiero.
« Last Edit: February 22, 2021, 09:43:18 pm by Raydar »
...

GTRS Fiero

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12,510
  • It is what it is.
    • View Profile
Re: What engines can fit in a 1984 fiero
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2021, 07:14:57 pm »
What engines can fit in a 84 fiero. I'm looking at engine swapping my fiero but don't know what engines fit in my fiero. With little to no frame work done

Frame work?  That eliminates just about every V8.

Many engine swaps necessitate transmission swaps.  Certain transmissions require modifications to the engine cradle/subfeame.  If you add horsepower, you need to beef up certain things.

Who will be building this?