'88 Fiero

[XII]

So I was at our monthly Fiero meet here in Winston-salem NC, and my friend had just swapped in a 3800 series II supercharged in his '86 GT. It's really fast, I did have the fastest Fiero but he walked away from all of us without even putting down half the throttle!

When we got to the meet there was a lot of Grand Nationals too, and it wasn't long before I got interested in what they could do.

So I got to thinking about what kind of engines can fit into a Fiero, and did a little research on the web before I found someone who swapped in a 305 small-block longitudinally. I thought about it for a minute and realized how easy it would be to put in a longitudinal LC2 V6. So I drew up some plans for a single turbo regal motor and I think they looked pretty good.

But then I thought, what if I put in a twin turbo?

A little crazy, yes, potential to blow the doors off anything on the east coast, **** yes.

Now I have my mind set on a stroked twin turbo, twin intercooled 400hp longitudinal V6 mounted to a 5 speed. I'm gonna have two scoops, one on each side, that act like a shaker hood but with the intake piping, a new black on white paint scheme, suspension overhaul, maybe a full underpan... I call it, the Formula TT version.


But first things first, what motor can I get really cheap that's easy to make into a twin turbo similar to the GNX? I live in Winston-salem, NC, and I think this would be a really cool project, considering the '88 fiero formula is lighter than the corvette and all.

[TurboDave]

First and foremost, GNX's aren't/weren't twin turbo, so let's lay that myth to rest.
Next, IMHO you would be money and headaches ahead if you stick with one turbo, remember the KISS principle? There are plenty of Turbo Regal's out there making well in excess of 800HP on single turbo setups.

Getting a stick shift mated up to an LC2 is going to be a major hurdle however, but there are plenty of experts around that can chime in on that.

[Orlando_87GN]

Yikes. Good luck. I'd love to see the plans that were 'drawn' up. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

[2QUICK2B6]

how fast is the fastest 1 u know of in NC ? I seen 1 go 11.80 with a series II 3.8 and a big turbo last sat in Rockingham

[Future_T-Type]

Originally Posted by XII

But first things first, what motor can I get really cheap that's easy to make into a twin turbo similar to the GNX?

Awesome.

Originally Posted by XXI

Now I have my mind set on a stroked twin turbo, twin intercooled 400hp longitudinal V6

There is no nead to go twin turbo to hit only 400 hp with a turbo charged buick engine. Pretty easy to get there with just a few bolt ons and all.

Originally Posted by XXI

mounted to a 5 speed.

This is NOT easy to do. There was/is another guy who wants to put a TB 3.8 in a Dolorean and he was thinking 5 speed at first as well...then he found that the parts are simply not available with enough strength to do that. Not saying it can't be done, it is just not cheap or easy. Easier to find a transaxle that will support the horsepower then find the right kind of bell housing

[XII]

Hey guys, Thanks for responding to my thread so quickly.

GNX's aren't/weren't twin turbo

Sorry, I meant like a GNX (Aren't they the best ones?) but TT.

IMHO you would be money and headaches ahead if you stick with one turbo, remember the KISS principle? There are plenty of Turbo Regal's out there making well in excess of 800HP on single turbo setups.

Oh I understand turbo dynamics and what a pain it is to have EXACTLY equal length piping and how complicated the computers are, I built a twin turbo Camaro. I understand a single turbo would be good too, but a TT that's set up right can be a lot more responsive.

I'd love to see the plans that were 'drawn' up.

They're in my sketchbook and I don't have a scanner.

I seen 1 go 11.80 with a series II 3.8 and a big turbo last sat in Rockingham

I don't know the fastest in NC, but I was just saying in our group. He might pull low-mid 11's

Awesome.

There is no nead to go twin turbo to hit only 400 hp with a turbo charged buick engine.

Haha, I'm not very good at first drafts. I meant to put in "???-400 with the control at low boost for daily driving, and 600-660+ at high boost"

And like I said, responsiveness. A high response is extremely important to me.

This is NOT easy to do.

GM never made a BOP 5 speed transaxle?


I do have another question though, what would the advantages be to a 3800 Series II over an LC2 to have the same layout with the GN intake and stuff? What makes it any better than a GN motor?


Cheers!

[theraf8100]

Originally Posted by XII

I do have another question though, what would the advantages be to a 3800 Series II over an LC2 to have the same layout with the GN intake and stuff? What makes it any better than a GN motor?


Cheers!

One guy sure likes his series II in his turbo buick http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/gen...-national.html

[TurtlePimp]

Gm never made a BOP anything trans for a Fiero, but the only manual GM front drives of that era were generally behind Quad 4 s.

I had a customer that an 86 GT back in the day. He ate clutches ever six months and also managed to eat the hard line from the master to the slave. Imagine the joy. However, if memory serves it is just a front drive platform in the back of the car. That gives you options out the wazoo. Think of a simple 245 horse series2 with a four speed auto designed to handle that kind of torque. And realise that the car is light, usually 2700 pounds with driver. Five hundred horse on a mild tune would be dangerous. Heres why.

Twenty years ago Fieros were the hot item. They handled well, plenty of power around town, and got decent mileage. Push it and it was a different animal. Wayy too much weight out back, not enough weight trasfer to the front. Fiero people were always a breed to thier own. If you didnt wreck it the first six months, they either traded out of them, or became the sicko known as Fieroman. They knew when to hold them, they knew when to fold em.

My suggestion is this, build up whatever is in there and drive the car for awhile. They are a car like no other. They have very little suspension travel, coupled with a tail heavy issue, it will not react like a full frame 80's Regal. They have a different view over the hood and they prefer smaller statures.

If they are for you I see a supercharges Series 11 and transaxle out of a 03 MonteSS. I also see an itty bitty pulley on the end of that supercharger.

Have fun,

Andy

[B4turbo]

This should help you some but it's with an auto, not a stick. Same basic platform though.

LG3 3.8 Turbo Century - Build Pictures - TurboBuick.Com

[XII]

Originally Posted by TurtlePimp

Gm never made a BOP anything trans for a Fiero, but the only manual GM front drives of that era were generally behind Quad 4 s.

I mean longitudinal, kind of like in the tornado I guess, just V6.

I had a customer that an 86 GT back in the day. He ate clutches ever six months and also managed to eat the hard line from the master to the slave. Imagine the joy. However, if memory serves it is just a front drive platform in the back of the car. That gives you options out the wazoo. Think of a simple 245 horse series2 with a four speed auto designed to handle that kind of torque. And realise that the car is light, usually 2700 pounds with driver. Five hundred horse on a mild tune would be dangerous. Heres why.

I've had the same clutch for years, still hasn't gone on me. I've driven a series II fiero and it's not incredibly fast.

Twenty years ago Fieros were the hot item. They handled well, plenty of power around town, and got decent mileage. Push it and it was a different animal. Wayy too much weight out back, not enough weight trasfer to the front. Fiero people were always a breed to thier own. If you didnt wreck it the first six months, they either traded out of them, or became the sicko known as Fieroman. They knew when to hold them, they knew when to fold em.

Mine already handles like it's on rails when I'm pushing it, now imagine what that will be like with a more 50/50 weight distribution, lower center of gravity, and a better footprint that would all come from the new suspension modifications.

My suggestion is this, build up whatever is in there and drive the car for awhile. They are a car like no other. They have very little suspension travel, coupled with a tail heavy issue, it will not react like a full frame 80's Regal. They have a different view over the hood and they prefer smaller statures.

If they are for you I see a supercharged Series II and transaxle out of a 03 MonteSS. I also see an itty bitty pulley on the end of that supercharger.

I've been driving the fiero for a few years now, it's not like I just bought it. I'm not some clueless kid getting in over his head.

Besides, you talk like a few extra horses will make the car uncontrollable, you know people have been putting 500+hp vette motors in these right? They seem to be doing fine. The '88 Fiero is a car that just needs to be refined like any other customized car has been. Theres no limit to what you can do with any vehicle, you just have to know where to go with it.

[Future_T-Type]

And be willing to spend the cash to get there.....

[TurtlePimp]

Originally Posted by XII

I mean longitudinal, kind of like in the tornado I guess, just V6.



I've had the same clutch for years, still hasn't gone on me. I've driven a series II fiero and it's not incredibly fast.



Mine already handles like it's on rails when I'm pushing it, now imagine what that will be like with a more 50/50 weight distribution, lower center of gravity, and a better footprint that would all come from the new suspension modifications.



I've been driving the fiero for a few years now, it's not like I just bought it. I'm not some clueless kid getting in over his head.

Besides, you talk like a few extra horses will make the car uncontrollable, you know people have been putting 500+hp vette motors in these right? They seem to be doing fine. The '88 Fiero is a car that just needs to be refined like any other customized car has been. Theres no limit to what you can do with any vehicle, you just have to know where to go with it.

Cool, so you are that Fiero guy. I built two for a guy around 92 or 93. Its been awhile. I put carbed built 403s in them and there was nothing like 450 pounds of torque in a light car.

I am not saying Fieros are hard on clutches, I am saying this guy was. He eventually lost it and as expected, broadsided a telephone pole. He lived and the car was a loss, but it hold him together.

Did not mean to offend you in any way, just saying that I was in the trade when these things went out of warranty. There were three performance cars that made me cringe every time I saw a work order on one. Camaro/Firebirds, Buick turbo cars, and Fieros. None of which had the staying power of an F150 or a 1500 Chevy of the day. As an owner of a 86 Turbo car, it is only fast for a limited time. When she runs good, your eyeballs bleed. When she goes out of tune, two days with a test light and an ohm meter.

I wish you luck, I just know what fits me. At 6'7" I still remember the cars I contort myself into. Several hunderd Fieros. Too many Miatas.Ok, I simply do not fit into a Miata, ever. But I have done several 302 conversions into.

Do the gameplan, and post many pictures. You have won the power to weight game simply by registering the car.

Andy

[Joe 1320]

The motor fits, finding a place for the intercooler is tough, lots of custom fabricating to be done. Then there's all the heat that it generates, the back window is going to get pretty toasty. Then there's the fuel tank. You'll be stopping quite frequently at the local quickie mart. ;)

[1ATony]

Sounds like a cool idea.Would have liked to seen that GT.

[B4turbo]

Originally Posted by 1ATony

Sounds like a cool idea.Would have liked to seen that GT.

I know you're new here Tony, but are you a vendor? Most of us don't have a sales add for a sig.