Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
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88 Fiero Formula LS4/F40 6 speed swap

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Old Feb 18, 2026 | 09:09 AM
  #621  
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That’s why I suggested if it’s a common plumbing size, they might have that size.
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Old Feb 18, 2026 | 06:38 PM
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Originally Posted by AAIIIC
The bends look purty darn good with the spring worked in there. Clever idea, never heard of that one. I can imagine it would be a bear to get back out!
It actually wasn't bad at all. Just rotate the spring and pull and it shrinks sligly and comes out 1-2" at a time. In a minute or two it is fully out.

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Old Apr 18, 2026 | 07:11 PM
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Been slacking on updates...
Drove the car for 25 miles today... still need to put the hood on.



Here are some in process pics:
The frozen boost A2W intercooler type 26 has been istalled:







Installed a 15 row heat exchanger on the fuel return line. Temps in the fuel tank were reaching 140+ degrees due to the large fuel pump and return fuel system upgrade. At some point I might switch to returnless and PWM, but for now this was a pretty simple fix that will help lower fuel temps.




Added a couple of battery terminals in a more accessable location with the battery under the the passenger headlight.



Removed the heater core return line that dumped into the passenger coolant tube and reconnected the heater core return to the passenger coolant tube up front. I already have a 3/8" restrictor on the hot supply to the heater core (reducing its flow) and the car is never driven in temps below 50 degrees, so I don't need much heating capacity, but didn't want to just eliminate it entirely.




Upgraded from a 3-core champion to a 4 core radiator. Had to further mod the upperr and lower brackets and isolators for it to fit, but it does. The end caps go from 2-1/2" to 2-7/8, and the depth of the core goes from 2" to 2-3/8".


Here is one of the earlier test fits of the front mount frozen boost type 101 heat exchanger:


Then the brackets to bolt it to the front bumper:




Brackets supporting heat exchanger:


Intercooler pump bracket and install:




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Old Apr 19, 2026 | 07:18 AM
  #624  
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From: Little Austin
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How do you like working with the Haltech?

Andrew
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Old Apr 19, 2026 | 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Project GatTagO
How do you like working with the Haltech?

Andrew
I am mostly happy with it.

After using HP Tuners with E67 and E40 tuning, I really liked the HP Tuners scanning software.

It took me a bit to figure out that with the Haltech trims for fuel, spark, and idle I don't really need to log anymore, unless I am specifically looking to narrow something down.
I have it controlling the cruise, boost by gear, and open loop boost control. Installed a front wheel speed sensor and want to play with traction control. I am also planning to try and use it for my clutch tamer once I get it installed.

Overall, it is very feature rich and was looking for a single ecm/controller and eliminate all other modules. I have a 12 I/O expansion module and the 8 button CAN button panel. As I continue to enable features, I might need another I/O expansion module.
My three gripes are:
  1. Harness is way too long and and has too many connectors to make it universal
    • I knew this going in and depinned the stock Rebel LS harness and made a new one for my swap with no extra connectors.
  2. No misfire detection (in mass or by cylinder).
  3. The trims do not allow you to only apply 50% (like HP Tuners paste 50%).
    • I have an excel file where I can just paste the base VE table, paste the trims, and them copy the 50% trims applied back to the VE table.


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Old Apr 19, 2026 | 07:44 PM
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Up to about 90 miles since I got it back together and just doing some shakedown runs

The car needs to go on a diet as it tips the scales at 2980 lbs (1320/1660 44%/56% F/R split) w/o me. My goal is to have it weight just shy of 2899 lbs.

The car has the LS4/F40, twin disk clutch, Turbo with A2W intercooler and heat exchanger, 3 mufflers, helmholz tube, 4 core radiator, 17/18 wheels, 13" brakes, sound deadening on the floors, side/door panels, and roof, 5 channel amp, 8" sub and dual 6-1/2" speakers in the doors, power window, power locks, cruise and A/C. So it has everything to make excessive power, while keeping the car a very nice daily driver.

I really love "feeling" the music in this car!

Also need to swap out the notchback panel to get rid of the last of the yellow stripe (it used to go from bumper to bumper).






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Old Apr 19, 2026 | 08:09 PM
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From: Little Austin
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What speakers are in the doors?

Andrew
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Old Apr 19, 2026 | 08:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Project GatTagO
What speakers are in the doors?

Andrew
All the speakers are alpine. 6-1/2" in the doors, 5-1/4" in the dash and an 8" sub under the passenger dash.
Amazon Amazon
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Old Apr 20, 2026 | 08:23 AM
  #629  
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From: Little Austin
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Originally Posted by fieroguru
All the speakers are alpine. 6-1/2" in the doors, 5-1/4" in the dash and an 8" sub under the passenger dash.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079G199KB...n_title_5&th=1
The reason I asked is the speaker pods in the doors looked much bigger than 6.5".

Andrew
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Old Apr 22, 2026 | 04:26 PM
  #630  
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Awesome build!
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Old May 1, 2026 | 11:07 AM
  #631  
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Originally Posted by Project GatTagO
The reason I asked is the speaker pods in the doors looked much bigger than 6.5".

Andrew
Fieros are just that small
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Old May 24, 2026 | 02:17 PM
  #632  
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Was able to finish up the new radio and 4 gauge cluster:









Also swapped out the old notchback panel to eliminate the yellow stripe





Frame rails are looking good for 38 years and 300k+ miles:




After 1000 miles of daily commutes, work trips and driving in the rain. Nothing some power washing can't fix.


Just a few more things to wrap up before the HRPT.
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Old Jun 12, 2026 | 08:54 AM
  #633  
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I saw your Fiero on HRPT on Monday at Joliet. Car looked great. Its so low key and so well done, that nobody realizes what they are looking at. Unless you know there is a turbo hidden under there you wouldn't know. It looks like a V8 swap...which has a total factory vibe. The only standout was the mount for your laptop in the interior.
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Old Jun 15, 2026 | 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Zanie
I saw your Fiero on HRPT on Monday at Joliet. Car looked great. Its so low key and so well done, that nobody realizes what they are looking at. Unless you know there is a turbo hidden under there you wouldn't know. It looks like a V8 swap...which has a total factory vibe. The only standout was the mount for your laptop in the interior.
Thanks! The HRPT was great!




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