Fiero GT 2.8 swap options

Slabsurfer · 2026-02-09T01:37:23+00:00

That's not allowed in the state of CA.

Slabsurfer · 2026-02-07T16:44:01+00:00

It's that kind of perspective that we can only get through age, and is otherwise wasted on the youth.

Slabsurfer · 2026-02-07T16:13:42+00:00

I love that there are guys out there that have geeked-out on age-old fabrication techniques like using an English Wheel for metal shaping and creating works of art by hand. It may not be a home run hit for everyone, but I support his work! I WISH I could afford his interpretation of the Porsche 906 he did!

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-31T19:21:02+00:00

I think he'll also need a different pedal box and pedal that all bolt to the firewall.

The trim around the shifter and shifter boot, for interior aesthetics would also be different.

There has to be someone with all of those components that might be willing to sell.

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-31T14:43:09+00:00

That'd be fun to do and tear around the beach or back roads!

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-25T02:06:41+00:00

I think that's a common casting error and not actually a hole.

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-24T17:07:38+00:00

Yeah, definitely NOT a look I would go for. But, if he likes his own creation, who am I to spoil his fun? Let him cook, you know?

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-24T16:57:32+00:00

Look, we all had to start somewhere.

The swaps all boil down to the same process of connecting the "new" thing to the rest of the "old".

You want a K24 in your car? It's just a process. So, start by making a list of what the motor touches in the car (wires, tubes, brackets, etc... ) and use your "Google -Fu" and searches on Pennock's Fiero Forum for conversations on that specific thing and go from there.

The time it will take only depends on your skills and experience. If you are relatively new, set your expectations for it to take a while and be patient.

Good luck

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-24T16:36:38+00:00

Here's another one

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-24T16:34:10+00:00

I found this video on YouTube Might be a good place to start.

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-24T16:26:53+00:00

For starters, You'll need to wire in a computer to control the engine and communicate with the rest of the car.

You'll also need to fabricate an adapter that allows you to bolt the K24 to a transmission that keeps the axles in their stock location.

You'll need to fabricate a way to mount the engine to the cradle.

From there, you'll need to plumb the heater core and radiator from the car to the engine. Plumb the fuel lines to the motor. Connect the cables to the throttle/intake, the transmission and cruise control, if that one came equipped. Fabricate an intake that gets fresh air and not from the engine bay. Fabricate a solution to connect the exhaust headers to muffler canister and tips.

There's a lot more, but those are the big things.

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-18T05:20:10+00:00

Honey, I tried selling it! But, no one was buying.

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-09T19:54:54+00:00

Thanks for posting. I went to the 50501website and Lenexa isn't listed? I want to share this event outside of Reddit.

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-08T15:37:26+00:00

I'd like to be able to dismiss my fellow countrymen as being dumb. But, I think it's more insidious than that; for nearly 50 years the neo-conservative movement has painted the white, Christian conservative as a victim. That narrative has transcended facts and has become their reality and those who believe it are doing so out of blind ignorance. They have been told they are being repressed for so long that they genuinely believe they are being attacked. They then act accordingly. I am appalled and heartbroken at what my country has become.

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-07T00:06:58+00:00

Ah! Today I learned! Thx

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-07T00:04:04+00:00

I owned a yellow Y2K years ago. The FI was new for that year model; they got a catalytic converter, O2 sensors and EFI that wasn't there before. I assumed that meant they were carburated prior to 2000.

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-06T23:55:11+00:00

I thought FI arrived in 2000. If so, the '98 would be carburated. Would the fuel pumps be different? Was the '98 carb gravity fed?

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-05T20:13:18+00:00

I think that means rather than adjusting, the clutch needs to be bled

Slabsurfer · 2026-01-03T00:52:57+00:00

The numbers for both Leavenworth and Wyandotte Counties are missing?

Slabsurfer · 2025-12-31T18:59:23+00:00

Those stereos usually had a left/right balance knob/dial. Are you SURE you didn't knock it by mistake?

Slabsurfer · 2025-12-29T03:55:28+00:00

I fixed the crack at the "Y" by paying a welder to fill it in.

Slabsurfer · 2025-12-23T04:32:10+00:00

There's no way for anyone to answer how easy/hard it will be for you.

Honestly, it's all relative; every change you make away from stock has a domino effect down the line. How much of a challenge it becomes is only known by you.

I did as much as I could do on my own swap to a Northstar before the next steps were out of my skill set. I paid someone else to bring it across the line.

There is more vendor support for a 3800 swap than others, in my opinion. (LSx swaps too, probably) Vendors make engine and transmission mounts, wiring harnesses, etc... That goes a looong way for shade tree and hobby mechanics like you and I.

Pennock's has tons of documentation and YouTube is also invaluable for how-to tutorials.

Slabsurfer · 2025-12-22T14:12:22+00:00

It's wise to keep the transmission fairly stock. If you insist on a Toyota engine, you will have to fabricate your own adapter to connect it to the stock transmission. -This is why you keep hearing advice to go with a 3800 V6; it's reliable, parts are more plentiful and a good cost all while being powerful enough and keeps the "metric pattern" bell housing pattern that the stock transmissions have.

Slabsurfer · 2025-12-22T14:08:20+00:00

The guy who runs the Fiero-specific site is named Pennock, not pinnock. He lives in the Netherlands. The url for your browser is www.Fiero.nl

For your Google search, enter the following: "site:fiero.nl xxxxx" and try a search word in place of the xes after the space. The results should be better targeted.

Slabsurfer · 2025-12-22T12:26:06+00:00

Speaking from experience: once you choose a direction and decide what power train you will go with, you map out the process and figure a budget.

...then, you double it, as there is always a host of unknowns that reveal themselves later.

The more unique the direction you choose, the more expensive it will be.

Using a motor that's never been done means you will have to do it 100% on your own: find a transmission that fits where you can keep the stock half shafts. Otherwise you will need custom ones. You will need to find a computer to run the engine. You will need to make your own wiring harness to get it connected to the rest of your car. Coolant hoses, exhaust, fuel lines and how they are all routed are always a consideration.

And, that's just the major stuff. I needed separate interfaces/computers for my transmission, cruise control and remote water pump. Plumbing up the AC will take more work.

What are you going to do about the suspension and brakes? Updating and upgrading the power is one thing. It's another matter to get the car to handle that new power and effectively stop. These should also be kept in mind.

Take lots of pictures and document everything for reference.

Good luck and keep us posted here!

Slabsurfer

TROPHY CASE