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Pontiac Fiero With A Supercharged 3800 Engine Looks Surprisingly Fun: Video

The most powerful Pontiac Fiero variant ever offered was the GT, which produced a rather mild 140 horsepower from its naturally aspirated 2.8L L44 V6 engine. For this reason, engine swaps in the small, mid-engine sports car have become fairly common.

We’ve seen all sorts of engines dropped in the Pontiac Fiero, from 350 Chevy V8s to Volkswagen VR6 V6s, however a Fiero-obsessed YouTuber recently put together a video explaining why the supercharged GM 3800 V6 engine is in fact the superior motor for this two-seater.

The YouTuber, who goes by Toys4Life, says the acceleration of his own supercharged 3800 V6-swapped Pontiac Fiero is “insane.” While he doesn’t provide any acceleration figures, the clips of his Fiero easily smoking the tires as he accelerates from a dig is evidence enough of this car’s capability. He also showed a clip of him absolutely smoking a second-generation Cadillac CTS-V sedan at the dragstrip – a bonafide performance sedan that produces 556 horsepower. Not bad for a little Pontiac, right?

Our Pontiac-obsessed friend also says the supercharged 3800 V6 sounds great from both the exterior and inside the cabin, and as fans of a loud supercharger whine, we definitely have to agree with him on that point. There are other advantages to this engine swap, too, including low costs, reliability and, perhaps most importantly, how easy it is to modify. With an aftermarket intake, a different exhaust, a ZZ Performance camshaft and a smaller pulley that produces a bit more boost, this owner estimates his car produces around 380 horsepower or so – which explains how he was so easily able to leave a Cadillac CTS-V in his wake.

We don’t want to ruin the video for you, so be sure to check it out embedded below to learn more about the Pontiac Fiero and the often underestimated supercharged GM 3800 V6 engine.

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Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. I had considered one of these as I have a couple buddies doing the change.

    But if I were to do it today it would be the LSV8. Weight is about the same and the parts are more common.

    The only issue is the limited nature of the trans axles.

    Reply
  2. Very respectfully, while the acceleration capabilities are impressive one has to wonder about the system performance capabilities in toto. I really appreciate well-engineered vehicles, operable 365/24 in the lower 48. As a retired automotive systems integration engineer my concerns would be if the modifier competently and thoroughly addressed the F/R weight distribution effects on handling, drivetrain component ratings/durability and the high ambient temperature engine cooling. If so, it could be an interesting conversion.

    Reply
    1. Would the L3B 2.7l 4cyl fit the bill for all around performance in the Fiero?

      Reply
      1. It could as long as it fits and worked with the gear ratios of the trans and had enough cooling

        Reply
    2. I’m very mechanically inclined and own two 3800sc swapped Fieros. I can tell you that this swap is not only insanely quick, it’s reliable. There aren’t any brake or handling issues by this swap. Fieros need those areas addressed anyway. I drive mine whenever i can and have driven across states with no issues. Doesn’t overheat or hesitate in traffic. If it didn’t have such a small gas tank I’d take this car cross country no problem. To sum it up, this is the car Pontiac needed to produce. Too bad this motor came out later.

      Reply
  3. This is what the Reatta should have had from it’s beginning.

    Reply
  4. If The Fiero was allowed to survive, that is the engine it should have been built with.

    Reply
  5. An aluminum block 3800 weighs far less than the iron Duke. The stock 3800 weighs about the same.
    Engineer that.

    Reply

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