I loved my Fiero back in the day …I bought it brand new in 85 …. But now I guess you could say that my Corvette C8 is the modern version of it and I love it ❤️ …. Your knowledge and attention to detail is wonderful to watch . Keep up with the great content 👍🏻
Love the Fiero content! I've got an '85 that is waiting to get the Duke pulled out. I'd like to start with a full rebuild just to honor it, *should* be good for ~130hp... end goal is the 3800 SC. Your videos do such a great job explaining your setup, and I'm sure I'll have to rewatch in a few years! Thanks!
Try working on a freaking Subaru, I've worked on both. I'll take the fiero any day. No the Tahoe made in 2008 has a ton of room, but it's also got about 13 modules.. I hear Lamborghinis are easy. My point is not to be a jerk, I think it's all kind of relative don't you think?
Find that hard to believe. I frequently go junkyard hunting (mainly Fieros but like to walk the yard and pull other similar era parts at times. Compared to others 80/90s cars, there is a ton more room in the engine compartment. Heck some of the GM V8slike the vette required half the spark plugs be removed from under the car.
9:22 lol @ pop the headlights out to slow down. i have a 2007 grand prix gt with a built ~400hp 3800s/c and i'm always keeping my eyes open for a fiero project. nice job.
I'm in the process of building a turbocharged version... 👍🏽 Your videos have been very helpful thank you! Ever check out Richard Holdener's series on the 3800? Very informative.
Depending on your 'daring' level (IF it's street driven!), if you want an easy weight saving, take your door skins off and remove the crash bars. They're about 50-60% the total of the door! Not kidding. It's incredible how heavy they are.
Oh, and pull all the carpets. And sound deadening material from under the dash, under the carpets, and up behind the seat. Coupled with the above post, there's your 200lbs right there!
You have done what I always wanted to do.There is a 88 GT that I put away over 15 years ago.Been thinking about reviving it.Would like to pick your brain on the swap to 3800 huffer power.
Everything you need is well documented on pennocksfieroforum.com. Search their archives - this is a swap that has a lot of good writeups so you can do what fits your preference the best.
@Toys4Life Thanks man got the gears grinding on it.Almost time for a new project I've got my 65 Dart GT 273 4bbl on the road and have room in the shop.I like a broad spectrum of vehicles.
I had a GT & always wanted to put a V8 or SC 3800 in it! Now you’re giving me motivation to buy another & race my brother in his. C8😂 Also how much do you charge to install the SC 3800? Nice race too with the C8..! Just a few more tweaks and you’ll beat the next one.
I would not because you will be tempted to boost it to higher HP/Torque levels than the transmission can handle. Many of the 4t65e-hd trans performance hard parts are not longer available or cost $$$$$ used. Just my opinon.
@@Toys4Life You're right the transmission would need to be upgraded, but the idea of a 600hp fiero is appealing. Jeff H. proved a single turbo seems to be the highest hp combo for the engine which makes sense considering the history of the engine. That Eaton is going to be hard to beat off the line though. I'd be interested in seeing a track comparison of turbo vs supercharger on the 3800
I'm not sure but the turbo guys break them often and a lot of times all they can get are aftermarket replacements which aren't as strong as the original GM stuff was so it probably depends on if you've got an original GM axle components or aftermarket Chinese junk. Mine have lasted for years but I'm underneath there fracture limits apparently.
Hi, I’m a big fan of the channel. I’m having some problems with my 3800. I don’t know where one day it just started.Hunting at idle I’ve thrown the parts canon at it and changed all sensors with no luck. My efr looks like a pendulum. Have you had any issues like this?
No codes. I feel like I hear a lot of chatter on the top of the motor. I put a new sc coupler in when I did the motor. I would love to send you a video
What is the built sheet list for your 3800 and 4T65E-HD transmission? That would be very helpful to those looking to use your Fiero as a template. Good video that would be great with details about why your specific example is so quick. Enjoy! I love my 88 too (3800SC Intercooled 12s 1/4 mile)
I don't have the specs unfortunately. I had it built right before I started my RUclips channel. I have a tranny guy and I just asked him to eliminate all of the normal weak spots. It's not a high dollar build. It's only lasted this long because I'm just below the torque level that likes to break hard parts. Sorry I don't have more information but it seriously isn't exotic.
In retrospect I think I should have done a 3.8 SC automatic. I love the SC sound, it’s fantastic but I love the V8 sound more so that’s the way I went many years ago. The A/C compressor setup ain’t great on mine with very little wrap (not that it matters, I haven’t fixed the Freon leak behind the compressor in many years.) if I had the time and the money I think I’d swap it back to the 3.8 SC just for its much more simple setup. Oh well, maybe when I retire in a long time 😂 or my kids get older. I bet I could at least break even on the swap with my V8 being a hopped up ZZ4 with full roller rockers and LT4 HOT cam…I could probably get decent money for it.
@@Toys4Life for sure. They were a pretty decent amount when I was in college in the late 90’s, but nowadays months ago by and I don’t see one. I will tell you one thing, the V8 sound turns A LOT heads and gets a lot of questions whenever I stop for gas or anywhere for that matter.
90s Fieros V8 swap was king. 10's Fieros 38SC was king. Will definitely be 4 bangers going forward as the top engines are all 4s now. Heck even some exotics are 4 bangers. Light turbo 4s are taking the crown for fuel and power and handling
OK it's finally been answered.. I thought it was the 3.8L V6 which was a lot more powerful than the 2.8L they were putting in them.. There was a guy local to me back in the day who had a turbo'ed 2.8L GT Fiero and that thing really moved out.. In 1989 he was beating all the Vetts around tracks with no problem once he turbo'ed it.. I think it was a 5 speed manual.. But it was fast..
Well, time and money for the modification has got to be a tad over 5 grand.A rust free (chassis) Fiero might be at least 5 grand. I think I would use the 87-88 body style because they don`t look like a Fiat. Your front and rear suspension is nice as hell for drag racing and I`m guessing on the street flooring it gets the heart pumping, if you had to turn suddenly.Really,really cool.
You have a very interesting, well thought out Fiero. Well done. How hard was it so shoehorn the Buick 3.8 litre engine into a Fiero? What kind of brand, type and viscosity of oil and transmission fluid are you using in it?
Since the 2.8 V6 that came with these as well had such a wide intake manifold, the 3.8 actually fits better IMO and all 6 spark plugs are even easier to change!
4t65e-hd with just a basic rebuild of known weak parts. It has held up for 8 years now and hundreds and hundreds of pulls. I am surprised 1-2 isn't going out actually!
I have a 1988 Iron Duke version. How much would it cost to have a decent shop install a supercharged 3.8? I want to keep everyting else in the interior and exterior as stock 2M4 as possible.
The reality is, If you have to pay somebody to do the whole installation, it's going to cost much more than the car is worth unfortunately. It really needs to be something where a guy does most of the work himself or you have a very healthy checkbook and a passion for this particular car.
@@Toys4Life Whatever it would cost would be worth it to me, but I have an engine (body?) hoist on standby as there seems to be excellent aftermarket support for the procedure. Thanks for the reply.
Is there a Way to contact you via email?? I wanted to pick your brain on E-85 for my 1988 Fiero Formula that I have a 3800 SC with a NIC cam from zzp and 60 LBS injectors ls6 springs and lifters. The ECU is from a 1997 Pontiac GTP with HPTuners on my Laptop. Just looking for any tricks and hints about switching from E-85 and 93 GAS. I am going to be racing in Sickweek 2025 and wanted to be the First Fiero to make it all the way thru the event.
@@Toys4Life The tune is good, I'm sure. I was just saying the shift kit could help with quicker shifts, too. Less overlap between gears, which manufacturers do to make shifting smoother and less of a jolt. I did the same with my 727 trans when it was built for my stroked and bored 440cid Mopar (496cid now) because the factory shifting just wasn't made for that kind of power.
The atmosphere supplies about 14.7 psi of air pressure. It's not boost technically, but it's still pressure and that's why cars are a lot slower in Denver than they are and Florida at the same temperature of course.
@@Toys4Life atmospheric pressure doesn’t register on a gauge though. What your talking about is O2 air density that’s the reason why you need boost to make same power at higher elevations. Just like how it’s harder for us to breath the higher you go the less O2 is in the ambient air so it requires more total volume to get same O2.
@Thumper68 I believe atmospheric pressure and barometric pressure are the same thing., barometric pressure measures your air pressure and You can convert it to PSI if you want. Denver is at like 12.4 #psi and Florida's like 14.7 so the air is denser with the higher pressure as they're directly related and therefore every breath of air in Florida contains more oxygen. I'm not sure what you're getting at.
@@Toys4Life I’m just saying that oxygen density in the air changes with the elevation and that’s why it’s harder to make power at elevation. We like to think of our engines needing air,fuel,spark to run but it’s really oxygen in the air that’s important. For open fire to burn you need like 16% O2 minimum obviously not the same as combustion in an engine but just for reference. The air we normally breath is around 21% at sea level the effective amount of O2 in aspen colorado is 15.4%. So the get the same amount of O2 in the engine that’s why we need boost. I mean technically the same amount of O2 is in the air it’s just not as dense or as you said as much pressure. I just hate referring to it as pressure because to our engines it’s not measurable as pressure so using density is better terminology imo.
Superchargers, if the engine isn't running nitromethane, are fucking stupid. Google parasitic losses. Either RPM or turbochargers, are vastly superior.
![Twenty One Pilots - The Line (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Audio]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XCz7WUotXs8/mqdefault.jpg)
Always liked the Fieros. Nice job!
Thank you, sir!
GMs upper management killed the Fiero even before it was released
This fiero is no Joke
Love the Fiero. 👍❤ been here for over a year. 🙏😈🦅
Thanks for waiting!
I loved my Fiero back in the day …I bought it brand new in 85 …. But now I guess you could say that my Corvette C8 is the modern version of it and I love it ❤️ …. Your knowledge and attention to detail is wonderful to watch . Keep up with the great content 👍🏻
I appreciate that!!
I always thought those were cool cars, especially the 1988 GT models. The only time I see one is at a big car show.
Love the Fiero content! I've got an '85 that is waiting to get the Duke pulled out. I'd like to start with a full rebuild just to honor it, *should* be good for ~130hp... end goal is the 3800 SC. Your videos do such a great job explaining your setup, and I'm sure I'll have to rewatch in a few years! Thanks!
Always interesting, informative videos!
Thank you 👍
Wow!!! I didn’t know your Fiero was such a monster!!! That’s awesome, you have a lot of fun cars!
Awesome video. Always loved the Pontiac fiero and for you to almost put a whooping on a c8 just made my jaw drop.
Glad you liked it!
Fantastic job with this video and nice ride! 💪
Thanks a lot!
Back when the fiero I was a mechanic at the Pontiac they were a pain in the ass to work on
Try working on a freaking Subaru, I've worked on both. I'll take the fiero any day. No the Tahoe made in 2008 has a ton of room, but it's also got about 13 modules.. I hear Lamborghinis are easy. My point is not to be a jerk, I think it's all kind of relative don't you think?
Find that hard to believe. I frequently go junkyard hunting (mainly Fieros but like to walk the yard and pull other similar era parts at times. Compared to others 80/90s cars, there is a ton more room in the engine compartment. Heck some of the GM V8slike the vette required half the spark plugs be removed from under the car.
9:22 lol @ pop the headlights out to slow down. i have a 2007 grand prix gt with a built ~400hp 3800s/c and i'm always keeping my eyes open for a fiero project. nice job.
Thanks! They are getting harder to come by!!!
l love the old fiero.
This was pretty good. You do a damn fine job of explaining things. We have ZERO E85 here.
I'm in the process of building a turbocharged version... 👍🏽 Your videos have been very helpful thank you! Ever check out Richard Holdener's series on the 3800? Very informative.
Yes, he has great videos on this motor!!!
Depending on your 'daring' level (IF it's street driven!), if you want an easy weight saving, take your door skins off and remove the crash bars. They're about 50-60% the total of the door! Not kidding. It's incredible how heavy they are.
Oh, and pull all the carpets. And sound deadening material from under the dash, under the carpets, and up behind the seat.
Coupled with the above post, there's your 200lbs right there!
...didn't know what to do with a worn out '84 SE until I picked up an old Hot Rod from '95 and saw a supercharged 3800 in a Riviera...
You have done what I always wanted to do.There is a 88 GT that I put away over 15 years ago.Been thinking about reviving it.Would like to pick your brain on the swap to 3800 huffer power.
Everything you need is well documented on pennocksfieroforum.com. Search their archives - this is a swap that has a lot of good writeups so you can do what fits your preference the best.
@Toys4Life Thanks man got the gears grinding on it.Almost time for a new project I've got my 65 Dart GT 273 4bbl on the road and have room in the shop.I like a broad spectrum of vehicles.
I had a GT & always wanted to put a V8 or SC 3800 in it! Now you’re giving me motivation to buy another & race my brother in his. C8😂 Also how much do you charge to install the SC 3800?
Nice race too with the C8..! Just a few more tweaks and you’ll beat the next one.
It is a lot of hours and has to be a labor of love. Unfortunately, I would have to charge more than it is worth $$ to do a swap.
2850 is damn light. Especially compared to modern “muscle” cars.
True- but 90's Mustangs and corvettes weren't so heavy!
@@Toys4Life that’s for sure my 68 camaro is around 3200 pounds.
With the bigger engine and automatic it's over 3000.
Time for Turbo'd 3800 in the Fiero! Gonna try that in a Fiero GT
I would not because you will be tempted to boost it to higher HP/Torque levels than the transmission can handle. Many of the 4t65e-hd trans performance hard parts are not longer available or cost $$$$$ used. Just my opinon.
@@Toys4Life You're right the transmission would need to be upgraded, but the idea of a 600hp fiero is appealing. Jeff H. proved a single turbo seems to be the highest hp combo for the engine which makes sense considering the history of the engine. That Eaton is going to be hard to beat off the line though. I'd be interested in seeing a track comparison of turbo vs supercharger on the 3800
At what power do you think you need to upgrade the axles? Is there even a stronger axle for it?
I'm not sure but the turbo guys break them often and a lot of times all they can get are aftermarket replacements which aren't as strong as the original GM stuff was so it probably depends on if you've got an original GM axle components or aftermarket Chinese junk. Mine have lasted for years but I'm underneath there fracture limits apparently.
Damn, Mid 11s? Holy crap. That is really nice for what you have going on there.
Hi, I’m a big fan of the channel. I’m having some problems with my 3800. I don’t know where one day it just started.Hunting at idle I’ve thrown the parts canon at it and changed all sensors with no luck. My efr looks like a pendulum. Have you had any issues like this?
I have not. Any codes?
No codes. I feel like I hear a lot of chatter on the top of the motor. I put a new sc coupler in when I did the motor. I would love to send you a video
Nice you making me want to
install a 3.8 Supercharged engine in my 1987GT I am
trying to keep it original but I love a sleeper car 😂😂😂
Insane fun!
That was awesome!
Glad you liked it!
What is the built sheet list for your 3800 and 4T65E-HD transmission? That would be very helpful to those looking to use your Fiero as a template. Good video that would be great with details about why your specific example is so quick.
Enjoy! I love my 88 too (3800SC Intercooled 12s 1/4 mile)
I don't have the specs unfortunately. I had it built right before I started my RUclips channel. I have a tranny guy and I just asked him to eliminate all of the normal weak spots. It's not a high dollar build. It's only lasted this long because I'm just below the torque level that likes to break hard parts. Sorry I don't have more information but it seriously isn't exotic.
In retrospect I think I should have done a 3.8 SC automatic. I love the SC sound, it’s fantastic but I love the V8 sound more so that’s the way I went many years ago. The A/C compressor setup ain’t great on mine with very little wrap (not that it matters, I haven’t fixed the Freon leak behind the compressor in many years.) if I had the time and the money I think I’d swap it back to the 3.8 SC just for its much more simple setup. Oh well, maybe when I retire in a long time 😂 or my kids get older. I bet I could at least break even on the swap with my V8 being a hopped up ZZ4 with full roller rockers and LT4 HOT cam…I could probably get decent money for it.
Fiero's are getting rare - keep it and plenty of time to do another swap - if you feel the need!
@@Toys4Life for sure. They were a pretty decent amount when I was in college in the late 90’s, but nowadays months ago by and I don’t see one. I will tell you one thing, the V8 sound turns A LOT heads and gets a lot of questions whenever I stop for gas or anywhere for that matter.
90s Fieros V8 swap was king. 10's Fieros 38SC was king. Will definitely be 4 bangers going forward as the top engines are all 4s now. Heck even some exotics are 4 bangers. Light turbo 4s are taking the crown for fuel and power and handling
Honda?
I just bought a 87 Pontiac fiero gt and I’m really wanting to supercharge it how?
Pennocksfieroforum.com Ton's of 3800 swap threads in there from years past - that's how I got 90% of the info to get started.
Love this car!
OK it's finally been answered.. I thought it was the 3.8L V6 which was a lot more powerful than the 2.8L they were putting in them.. There was a guy local to me back in the day who had a turbo'ed 2.8L GT Fiero and that thing really moved out.. In 1989 he was beating all the Vetts around tracks with no problem once he turbo'ed it.. I think it was a 5 speed manual.. But it was fast..
Well, time and money for the modification has got to be a tad over 5 grand.A rust free (chassis) Fiero might be at least 5 grand.
I think I would use the 87-88 body style because they don`t look like a Fiat. Your front and rear suspension is nice as hell for drag racing and I`m guessing on the street flooring it gets the heart pumping, if you had to turn suddenly.Really,really cool.
You have a very interesting, well thought out Fiero. Well done. How hard was it so shoehorn the Buick 3.8 litre engine into a Fiero? What kind of brand, type and viscosity of oil and transmission fluid are you using in it?
Since the 2.8 V6 that came with these as well had such a wide intake manifold, the 3.8 actually fits better IMO and all 6 spark plugs are even easier to change!
bring it to GM Nationals at Carlisle, PA!
I'd love to, but man that's a long ways from Minnesota!
What transmission do you run in that.
4t65e-hd with just a basic rebuild of known weak parts. It has held up for 8 years now and hundreds and hundreds of pulls. I am surprised 1-2 isn't going out actually!
awesome car.
My 87GT needs this boost
I have a 1988 Iron Duke version. How much would it cost to have a decent shop install a supercharged 3.8? I want to keep everyting else in the interior and exterior as stock 2M4 as possible.
The reality is, If you have to pay somebody to do the whole installation, it's going to cost much more than the car is worth unfortunately. It really needs to be something where a guy does most of the work himself or you have a very healthy checkbook and a passion for this particular car.
@@Toys4Life Whatever it would cost would be worth it to me, but I have an engine (body?) hoist on standby as there seems to be excellent aftermarket support for the procedure. Thanks for the reply.
Screaming Fierobird
Is there a Way to contact you via email?? I wanted to pick your brain on E-85 for my 1988 Fiero Formula that I have a
3800 SC with a NIC cam from zzp and 60 LBS injectors ls6 springs and lifters. The ECU is from a 1997 Pontiac GTP with HPTuners on my Laptop. Just looking for any tricks and hints about switching from E-85 and 93 GAS.
I am going to be racing in Sickweek 2025 and wanted to be the First Fiero to make it all the way thru the event.
Push it HARDER! until you get into the 1 second range. Little bastard 👍
1 second.... hmmmm (:-)
Fiero GT needs a Coyote swap.
Love the videos....yours among some others convinced me to swap my '88. #fierojesus
Weight, the answer is weight.
It is about 2850 est. Not light like a Civic, but not as heavy as a Camaro...
Fiero GTP >:)
Sounds like the ol suburban 😂
Is in super thrasher?
It sounds like that transmission really needs a shift kit. Those shifts are slow, with a lot of overlap.
I've got the shift tables maxed in the tune, I think it's getting a little tired and yes I agree, shift kit would help (:-)
@@Toys4Life The tune is good, I'm sure. I was just saying the shift kit could help with quicker shifts, too. Less overlap between gears, which manufacturers do to make shifting smoother and less of a jolt. I did the same with my 727 trans when it was built for my stroked and bored 440cid Mopar (496cid now) because the factory shifting just wasn't made for that kind of power.
@GlassWolfLH agreed and I appreciate that 🙏
Did you use the pontiac transmission or the buick ?
Buick / GM. 4T65E - HD
Atmosphere doesn’t provide boost your engine is an air pump sucking in air.
The atmosphere supplies about 14.7 psi of air pressure. It's not boost technically, but it's still pressure and that's why cars are a lot slower in Denver than they are and Florida at the same temperature of course.
@@Toys4Life atmospheric pressure doesn’t register on a gauge though. What your talking about is O2 air density that’s the reason why you need boost to make same power at higher elevations. Just like how it’s harder for us to breath the higher you go the less O2 is in the ambient air so it requires more total volume to get same O2.
@Thumper68 I believe atmospheric pressure and barometric pressure are the same thing., barometric pressure measures your air pressure and You can convert it to PSI if you want. Denver is at like 12.4 #psi and Florida's like 14.7 so the air is denser with the higher pressure as they're directly related and therefore every breath of air in Florida contains more oxygen. I'm not sure what you're getting at.
@@Toys4Life I’m just saying that oxygen density in the air changes with the elevation and that’s why it’s harder to make power at elevation. We like to think of our engines needing air,fuel,spark to run but it’s really oxygen in the air that’s important. For open fire to burn you need like 16% O2 minimum obviously not the same as combustion in an engine but just for reference. The air we normally breath is around 21% at sea level the effective amount of O2 in aspen colorado is 15.4%. So the get the same amount of O2 in the engine that’s why we need boost. I mean technically the same amount of O2 is in the air it’s just not as dense or as you said as much pressure. I just hate referring to it as pressure because to our engines it’s not measurable as pressure so using density is better terminology imo.
Speed density relies heavily upon the MAP sensor. Manifold absolute pressure. Anyway, I think we're just getting into semantics?
Superchargers, if the engine isn't running nitromethane, are fucking stupid.
Google parasitic losses.
Either RPM or turbochargers, are vastly superior.
lol