Hello all,

Long time Fiero owner first time poster... I'm actually in the process of having a 3.4L installed in my 88GT. I did have plans of having the car painted this summer and in the fall I was hoping to purchase a ported Intake Manifold for a small winter project from the Dawg… But unfortunately, my poor little GT overheated one day and it blew the head gasket… After sitting at the shop for a few days I was given the bad news that the heads were in bad shape and the total bill was much more than I had first anticipated. So, I had it towed across town to a shop that specializes in muscle cars restores and race cars and began putting money towards the 3.4 swap… This is the second Fiero I’ve owned and I plan on having it for a long time.  

While waiting for my next paycheck to come in to throw more money at the swap, I started searching around the internet looking at performance options for the 3.4L, when I ran across this new intake from Street Solutions.

http://www.tlg-store.com/High_Performance_Fiero_Intake_Manifold_p/4010104.htm - http://www.tlg-store.com/High_Performance_Fiero_Intake_Manif old_p/4010104.htm

I’ve been poking around different Fiero sites looking for more responses on this new intake and I didn’t see it listed on this one… So, I thought I’d be proactive and post it here for anyone that might have missed it…

Thanks everyone,

1Shamrock

Thanks for the post, I am really interested in reading more on this...and interested in how your 3.4 install works out, are you local?

Cheers, Brian

No Problem on the post Brian...

And I'm local... If you consider Minnesota, local... jk...

This intake definitely looks awesome, and since they’re located in northern Minnesota (only about 2 hours away from me) I contacted them directly to see if they could cut me a break on the price if I dealt with them directly… Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case… But they seem to be very friendly and answered any questions they could in regards to this intake. Currently, from what I’ve been told they are working on a fully finished install of one of these (the one pictured is more of a prototype I guess) on a Fiero with a ported lower intake manifold and a full exhaust setup. I was told that they would be posting more pics of this install along with some numbers after they get it Dyno’ed!

If it performs as good as it looks… I’m going to take the plunge and get it next summer…

I’m not much of a gear head, but I would think with this a 3.4L would SCREAM!

I’ll keep you posted on the 3.4L Swap as details come out…

So far, I got a freshly rebuilt 3.4L out of 94 Camaro with the starter relocated to the other side of the block… Most of the other parts ordered should be in by Monday… Now, I just need to pay the remaining balance for the labor…

Thanks Brian!

AL

Very cool Al...I am at work so my reply is short:)...keep us posted with your build also, we all like to see nice Fiero's...and I am not much of a mechanic either, but I do performance drive at autox & track days, so my 3.2L would enjoy this system.

Cheers, Bb

Will do Brian!

Yeah, I bet any Fiero would benefit from one of these intakes! Makes me almost wish I stuck it out with my 2.8 for another couple of years and just upgraded to one of these instead. I’m really curious to see what kind of numbers they’ll pull out of this thing once they do get around to tossing it on a Dyno and seeing how it compares to the Trueleo and other ported intakes…

Just out of curiosity, how did you end up with a 3.2? Did it start off as a 2.8 or a 3.1 and juiced it up from there?

1Shamrock wrote: ...new intake from Street Solutions. http://www.tlg-store.com/High_Performance_Fiero_Intake_Manifold_p/4010104.htm - http://www.tlg-store.com/High_Performance_Fiero_Intake_Manif old_p/4010104.htm

It ain't cheap!

$650 plus shipping your OEM manifold and TB back to Street Solutions (or losing the additional $50 core charge). That's $700, which doesn't include the air intake/filter kit (another $250) plus other optional add ons. Altogether it would cost about $1200 for everything.  And for how much additional power over the stock 2.8's 140hp?

IMO, a 3800SC swap would make a whole lot more sense (dollars spent/power gained).

I don't know if I would spend $250 for the other part of the intake though. K&N universal filters that fit the stock throttle body are only $40 each, and aluminum tubing is both cheap and very easy to weld.

And of course an engine swap will always be the best dollars/HP ratio, but sometimes it's fun to push an engine as far as it will go just to see what you end up with. =)

I have to agree… It ain’t cheap!

If it were say $700 with the air intake/filter kit included, I’d order it up right now! But with a price tag floating around $950.00 to $1,200.00 and with an unfinished 3.4L swap going on for me right now I honestly can’t justify getting right now. But by next spring I wouldn’t mind picking one up…

I’m really curious to see how much more power can be achieved by using this setup versus other intakes on the market today. It really does look promising.

Although, I doubt a stock 2.8 using this intake will be blowing the doors off of any SC 3800’s anytime soon… It is considerably cheaper than doing a swap and if it “breathes” new life into a 20+ year old engine to make it more competitive then by all means it should be considered a winner even if the admission to ride is a bit steep at first.

1Shamrock wrote: Although, I doubt a stock 2.8 using this intake will be blowing the doors off of any SC 3800’s anytime soon… It is considerably cheaper than doing a swap...

Well, maybe just the cost of this intake is "cheaper" than an engine swap, but let's compare apples to apples. 

Please don't take this as a criticism ('cause it's not!), but I would be curious what your costs have been to put in that 3.4 compared to say, club member Harrison's cost to swap in http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2375&PN=1 - his 3800SC ?

I'm not a big fan of the 2.8 (and the several variations of it, including the 3.4). Limited power, no matter how much money is thrown at it.

The 3900 is still the 60-degree, pushrod V6 we all know and love, and it makes a stock 240HP and 240ibs-ft of torque, and that's with natural aspiration. You can make good power with the little buggers, but you are right in saying it's far easier just to swap to a blown 3800 Series II.

Besides, I stand by my opinion that it's fun to try and do the things no one does, just to see what you can do.

Romeo wrote: Besides, I stand by my opinion that it's fun to try and do the things no one does, just to see what you can do.

Like what, autocrossing a duke? Been there, done that.

Hi Al...yes I bought my car from a buddy bone stock, blew the engine a month later, then the Dr. with our club did a full rebuild to a 3.2.

I have had many other updates since...I pretty much race the car only now, it was more of a show car until I visited a friend one day for autox and that was it...wife has hated him ever since...lol

Romeo wrote: It would've been easier for Johnny Boy to simply buy a body kit for his Fiero. But he didn't, he wanted to do something entirely unique. And what he ended up with is easily one of my top five cars of all time as a result. Not only because it's beautiful, but because he did what he wanted.

Yes, Johnny did what he wanted. Is RBS beautiful (any longer), very difficult to say...

1Shamrock wrote: ...with the cost being what it is for me to have done by any of the shops in my area it would've been completely out of my price range. Drop in a SC 3800 for $10,000

...... Is there no one in your area who posts on Pennock's who does these swaps? Sounds like the shops there are terribly expensive.

1Shamrock wrote: Just curious here, but how much did that other SC3800 swap go for?

You may not want to hear, but perhaps Harrison (who did it himself), or Johnny (who paid to have it done) will chip in with a round figure.

1Shamrock wrote: Hey Brian, It took you an entire month to blow up the engine? What took you so long? Jk... Wow! That must of sucked! I actually want to stay married so we probably shouldn't talk any more... jk...

It happened and I spent some good money on my car, close to $15k now over 6 years I think. She was a looker that took a few car show ribbons:

This was a fun day at Blair's...miss ya man:)

Here we go guys...my first time autox with car show stock...even a loaner helmet...

To how she pretty much is now, with my beautify wife/navigator...new tread and a few things...had V710's in this pic, have to have those again

Memories...sorry Patrick I know the pics are big...go ahead and edit

Cheers, Bb

Bassman wrote: Memories...sorry Patrick I know the pics are big...go ahead and edit

Pictures are fine.

See Gary the finish we had...feel bad I let it go with all the racing excitment...thaks for compliment...love your beast

And I picked this up today for $104...I got home and was going to post but CT site was down for update, the special I bought is not listed anymore, this is now the price...lol.  If bought seperate would be $350...perfect for me and my small space:)

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/6/Tools/1/CompressorsAirTools/Compressors/PRDOVR~0997813P/Mastercraft+Compressor+%26+Tool+Kit+Combo.jsp?locale=en - http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/6/Tools/1/CompressorsA irTools/Compressors/PRDOVR~0997813P/Mastercraft+Compressor+% 26+Tool+Kit+Combo.jsp?locale=en

D_sensitized wrote: I don't know exactly how much it ended up costing me in the end, but certainly nowhere near 10k. I would say under 3k. I did it slowly over a couple years so don't remember everything.

It's a nice looking (and performing) car. Now if you can just work out these latest little bugs and get your baby back on the track!

Romeo wrote: ...does anyone know if those "ribs" inside the 2.8's head can be either ground down, of at least trimmed a little?

Tons of info at Pennock's about porting Fiero heads. I can't remember all this stuff offhand, but some of the bumps and ribs and whatnot you find in various places in the heads are beneficial for turbulence or flow or whatever it is. 

It's not always best to grind everything off. I know that's not what you're asking, but best to check before removing.

Are you going to add the http://www.somender-singh.com/ - Singh Grooves ? I would if I had my heads off.

Romeo wrote: Hm, no, wasn't planning on doing that.

Too revolutionary for you?  Tons of info on this on the 'net. Lots of pictures http://www.herningg.com/projects/groovyheads.html - Here .

See, that looks to be beyond the scope of what I can manage with a carbide tip and various dremel bits. Also, wouldn't that decrease fuel efficiency? You're essentially introducing a quench location right in the combustion chamber... And also pushing the gaskets to their limits to, by allowing the pressure wave to push in past the edges of it...

This is me being skeptical.

Romeo wrote: Also, wouldn't that decrease fuel efficiency

Did you read ANY of the volumes of info available online?

Hey Patrick – Good point on the Pennock’s Forum… I actually didn’t even think of looking for any other Fiero enthusiasts before searching locally. But now I kind of wish I had…  But with the head gasket blown and with Winter approaching fast I needed to get the car somewhere quickly so I started my search looking for shops within the surrounding 30 miles because I didn’t want to have to go beyond that distance for the work needed. Which narrowed my search considerably, leaving me only 3 shops… The first two flat out said they couldn’t do a 3800 swap and the third was very reluctant to do it which is why I think they gave me such an insane amount for the swap (they actually said the ball park figure was between $8000 and $11,000 but couldn’t be more specific since they had no prior experience doing that type of swap before and they were basing their est. off of what they’ve read online).  But the 3^rd Shop did have some experience with 3.4L swaps in the past and gave me a price I could work with.

To Harrison – I’m envious of your automotive skills and patience to work your way through a build like that… With the ability to fabricate and modify the parts needed to do a swap like that is an awesome feat!  Unfortunately, my sorry butt has to pay for parts or the time of someone else to fabricate parts needed to do something like that which leaves me marooned and at the mercy of what my pocket book will allow.

Brian – Wow! Nice car!!! So let me get this right, it went from a street car to a show car to a race car… Nice progression… Do you ever just scoot around town in it anymore?

I don’t suppose any of you guys would happen to have an open exhaust, headers, Y-Pipe, etc. just sitting around looking for a good home that I could use for my 3.4 swap? I’m almost positive that my exhaust is almost all original (except for the manifolds which were replaced 4 years ago). I’ve been looking for a decent set but they all seem to be a bit pricey… Any suggestions?

Thanks again everyone!

Al

1Shamrock wrote: The first two flat out said they couldn’t do a 3800 swap and the third was very reluctant to do it which is why I think they gave me such an insane amount for the swap (they actually said the ball park figure was between $8000 and $11,000 but couldn’t be more specific since they had no prior experience doing that type of swap before and they were basing their est. off of what they’ve read online).

Al, unfortunately this is what inexperienced shops do... They jack up their estimate to some obscene amount hoping to either scare the potential customer away, or to pay for their mechanic's learning curve as he stumbles through an unknown procedure. And then it's probably botched up anyway as he doesn't know what the hell he's doing and he's pressured for time.

It's really beneficial to find someone locally who's previously done the swap and will perform the service for a fair price. That's what John Carlo was fortunate enough to do here with the 3800SC swap into his Fiero.

Romeo - Dang...

That's too bad... Don't suppose you're feeling chipper enough to go outside and unbolt them, are ya?... jk..

Thanks though! I appreciate the gesture!

Patrick - Yeah, I hear what you're saying about what a lot shops do to try to justify their cost on doing this type of work. But I do feel a little bit better knowing that at least the one shop had done a successful 3.4L swap in the past. And I actually met the guy who owned it once and he was happy with the work that they did...

So, I'm being optimistic about the work that is being done on mine.

1Shamrock wrote: But I do feel a little bit better knowing that at least the one shop had done a successful 3.4L swap in the past. And I actually met the guy who owned it once and he was happy with the work that they did... So, I'm being optimistic about the work that is being done on mine.

The 3.4 will be nice. I wish I had one in the '84 that I use for autocross. (The Mighty Duke just doesn't have any balls!) 

Patrick - Yeah, I'm really hoping I'll get some enjoyment out of the 3.4L... Which is why I was looking at upgrading the Intake Manifold and Exhaust System. It's tough to find any real reviews on this setup since most people shoot straight to the SC3800 or even the DOHC3400 installs.

And I can vouch to the fact that the 2.4/4 Bangers aren't as much fun to drive. My first Fiero (may it rest in peace- or pieces now) was a Red 86 SE w/ a 4 cylinder in it... and it rarely ever ran right... Some days I'd start it up and it would run great, 2 days later it would run doggy for a week straight... Then the stars would align in the heavens again and it would run great again for a day...  I never did figure out why...

In any case, I sold it… and regretted it… 2 weeks after I sold it, it was in a head on collision with a Chevy S10 pickup! OUCH!

The guy I sold it to hit a 35mph corner at 70mph and hit the corner wide taking out the S10. He wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and walked away with only bumps/bruises and a pierced tongue from when he bit threw it from the impact. The S10 driver suffered a broken leg. Both vehicles were totaled!  

I might still have some pictures of it from the accident somewhere if anyone is interested in seeing a dead Fiero...

1Shamrock wrote: 2 weeks after I sold it, it was in a head on collision with a Chevy S10 pickup! The guy I sold it to hit a 35mph corner at 70mph and hit the corner wide taking out the S10. He wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and walked away with only bumps/bruises and a pierced tongue from when he bit threw it from the impact. The S10 driver suffered a broken leg. Both vehicles were totaled!

Some guys shouldn't be allowed to drive.

Yeah, in hindsight if I would’ve known that he was an idiot with a death wish I would’ve just kept the car…

Now there’s one less Fiero in the world…

Sorry everyone!

1Shamrock wrote: Yeah, in hindsight if I would’ve known that he was an idiot with a death wish I would’ve just kept the car…

The problem is, he's probably still able to breed!

Patrick wrote: 1Shamrock wrote: Yeah, in hindsight if I would’ve known that he was an idiot with a death wish I would’ve just kept the car… The problem is, he's probably still able to breed!

True that... Makes me almost wish the Fiero didn't have a 5-Star Crash Test Rating...

Sorry that was mean...

But after almost 16 years I'm still upset about it...

So… If you were in my position with a 3.4L being installed and was kicking around the idea of a new Intake Manifold for a few extra ponies…

Would you suggest going with a Modified Original, the Trueleo,  the Street Solutions, or something else entirely?

Depends on what sort of budget you have, how much time you have and what your mechanical prowess is. Obviously modifying the original is cheap and quick, but it also requires you know how to work a dremel, and that you of course have a dremel to trim the metal. Buying an after market set-up is optimal, but then the price reflects that.

Personally, I know you said you don't have a welder - buy one. Then, head down to a local exhaust shop, and ask for their leftovers. Then just weld up a header that fits your requirements.

Romeo - Let’s see here… My mechanical prowess… hmmm…  I’d say on a scale from 1 to 10, and 10 being Mechanical Guru over all things… I’d rate myself a solid 3…  I can change oil, check fluids and even put air in the tires when they’re low!

I know, I know… no need to tell me… it’s pretty impressive… jk…

So I’ll most likely need to purchase an Intake regardless if it’s a modified original or an after-market…

And if you knew me you probably wouldn’t want me playing with a welder…  Not saying I couldn’t learn to be proficient with one over time, but it would be in my best interest to leave it to someone who actually knows what they are doing with one rather than leave me alone in  a locked room with one for any given amount of time because I can be mischievous…

But say if anyone of you guys know your way around a welder and would be willing to fabricate a decent set of headers for me at a good price, I’d be willing to pay for your expertise and know how…  And you would undoubtedly be saving me a trip to the ER and would have my wife’s gratitude for not burning down the garage..

Romeo -

Thanks for the vote of confidence! But, I'm not exactly local... I'm in Minnesota... I wish I was local because I wouldn't mind learning how to do it... But if you get some free time over the winter months and feel like you'd want to take a stab at making a set... let me know...k?