northstar in a custom fiero?

[georgemanolov]

I am thinking of buying a running cadillac 96 up and using the engine and transmission for a drive train in my fiero. i am planing on doing most of the work myself and i am worried or uncertain so to say of all the computers and sensors and wires. Is there a simpler way of doing that and can i avoid messing with stuff that can be excluded? or in other words is it possible the engine to run properly without all the cadillac's wires and components? I also heard that only a chip can boost the horsepower pretty good??? that is the car I am working on for some time...
Thank you for your help!!!

 

[MikeHalloran]

You might want to source an older engine, like a Pontiac V8 older than the Fiero. Do check; it may bolt up to the Fiero transmission. If it does, I'd use the Fiero's transmission and something close to the stock rear tires to protect it.

The Northstar is unlikely to run at all without most of its original harness connected to _something_.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[IceStationZebra]

First, I have heard of Northstar swaps into Fieros before. I don't know what tranny they used, but there are several sources of info just a short google away. I think the bellhouseing is almost the same as a 2.8l v6, which was optional in the Fiero. I also think the transverse mounted 2.5L I4 is the same as the V6, thought the tranny will be weaker. (The longitudinal 2.5's had the 350 chevy pattern)

Second, if memory serves correct there was a manifold with a carb base offered. I'm not sure if it was the 1st or 2nd gen Northstar though. One place to check is chrfab_dot_com. You could also make your own.

ISZ

 

[georgemanolov]

thanks that helps a bit I was thinking of using the cadillac transmission but i might not be able to if there are too many computers and sensors.... that i wasnt sure about how interconected is everything.. I had considered a carburetor on a northstar but the set up might be as expensive as the cadillac itself. I do know most of how mid engine kit cars are set up but i was kind of looking to get away with less $$$
small block adapter plate fiero transmission and axles is most likely going to be the price of 2 totaled cadillacs. I do like the idea of carburetors a lot more.

 

[LionelHutz]

The GM ECM's all seem to be capable of reprogramming to eliminate the unnecessary emmissions stuff and so it can run stand-alone. I would not expect the Northstar ECM to be any different. I have seen the Northstar engines used in rods and other transplants before.

If you want to do it mostly yourself, the trick is to completely take apart the harness and identify the required wiring and then cut out the rest. You will end up with a harness with a number of switched and constant power inputs required to run everything. You'll have to be proficient at splicing wiring and following wiring diagrams to pull this off.

 

[evelrod]

Like ISZ, I have heard of this conversion so I thought now would be a good time to do a little Google search...

Duh, all the work is available over the counter! Adapter wiring, instructions, everything!

Rod

 

[MikeHalloran]

I'd be inclined to swap in the 2.6l V6.

It should be easy to find the parts you need,
they'll fit exactly,
it's a sweet little engine that's plenty big for the car,
and it won't make the handling evil.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[evelrod]

Hmmm. I can safely assume that you don't have much seat time in a Fiero GT, eh, Mike? The ONLY one I drove that was fairly impressive was a 80 something Indy four cylinder. It was actually fairly Ferrari like in the handling dept., at least on track. Pretty much the equal of most Euro sports cars of the time...It really needed more power, though. GM's approach was to fill it up with some monster V6 that fit so tightly as to make any form of owner maintenance impossible...Oh yeah, and a marked proclivity to catch fire at inappropriate times. Still, I think with an honest effort with the four banger---modern electronics, sequential gearbox, turbocharging/supercharging and such---the Fiero could be a really sweet ride. Only problem, even after mucho bucks, it still will "just be a Fiero".

Rod

 

[MikeHalloran]

I admit to zero seat time in a Fiero.

I had what I think was that same V6 in an 85 Camaro, where it was small enough to look cute, ran well enough to drag the Camaro around nicely, and sounded good.





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[georgemanolov]

thanks LionelHutz what you wrote really helps me understand a bit more what will be required to have a northstar drivetrain I will really have to decide either to keep it simple with carbureted engine or to go for the northstar. and as evelrod said the fiero will be just a fiero that's another reason i do not want to spent too much money on the car and i thought 1500 2000 cadillac will do it but there is always more to the story
I was looking into rotary engines but they do not have enough torque without the extra modifications but are half the weight of the northstar. with 22 inch wheels i definitely need torque. i am hooking up corvette c5 suspension front and back and will have more time to research and decide. i am drawn toward the northstar and might get it carburated so that i am sure i wont get stuck.
and again would cadillac transmission work ok or it needs "feedback"? that is something am still try ing to figure out how interconected are the engine and the transmission?

 

[IceStationZebra]

Any GM tranny from the 90's on will probably require a controller. That is partly why most swaps stick with the Fiero v6 tranny. It also fits and is cheap. The fourth reason is that the smaller trans helps to protect the equally weak drive shafts, CV's, etc.

If you are going to go through the trouble of mounting C5 component bits, then you can do almost anything you want. But I don't understand how you don't want to spend money to convert the engine, yet you want to spend $$$ to upgrade to C5 parts?

ISZ

 

[FeX32]

you have a lot of crud in your garage


Fe

 

[georgemanolov]

I do not have choice not to upgrade the suspension cause without the it the car is practically unusable it is almost 7 feet wide... i am thinking of a cheaper drivetrain cause a proper drivetrain would cost somewhere from 10 to 20 k. and the fiero would not handle the hp and torque anyways 300-350 hp should be ok. handling in most cases is more important but my car is heavy to begin with. ...what would be the best engine for a light car 700-900 kg with tubular frame?

 

[MikeHalloran]

How much of this car actually exists right now?


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[evelrod]

I once saw an Austin Healy Sprite with a Chrysler 390 in it.
I once saw an Austin Mini with a 390 Ford.
I once saw a 912 with a BBC in it.
What about Jay's Blastolene Special?

Sorry. I guess I should be more sympathetic. I think a 1650 PV-12 would really look cool.

Rod

 

[MikeHalloran]

I'm thinking Toronado/Fiero.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[IceStationZebra]

I have seen a Toronado Fiero. The wheels were so wide compared to the little Fiero body it looks very odd, unless you like the 911 whale tale look.

ISZ

 

[MikeHalloran]

OP has already decided to put 22 inch rims under the car, so we're starting from odd, and it looks like we might overshoot plaid.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[IceStationZebra]

Loved the Spaceballs quote! ISZ

 

[dicer]

There are all kinds of after market engine and transmission controllers, so that part is easy.