Need 2.8 modification input (Bonneville Salt Flat build)

QikNip

QikNip

New member
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
8
Reaction score
1
Points
3
I've been and land speed racing (Bonneville and elsewhere) for five years and hold the 2 liter Classic Production Class record (F/CPRO) with a 1979 Porsche 924. With the Porsche's speed pretty well maxed, I'm considering a new build based on a 2.8 liter 1995 Fiero "donor" car. At issue is pretty much the same challenge I had with the 924: Neither was exactly the most frequently raced car ever :). To challenge for a new record in the class I've targeted I'll need a naturally aspirated 2.8 that putting out at least double it's stock 165 horsepower, or in an ideal world, 350+ crankshaft horsepower. If that can be done I have a real shot at breaking the current 200.5 MPH 2-3 liter Grand Touring Sports car class record.
I did learn that back in the late 80's IMSA used this power plant, so apparently it's doable, but given that was 30+ years ago and that (so far) I can't find any useful modification information, my next land speed project is pretty much on hold. Hopefully someone here might be able to provide some useful direction.
Rick
P.S. In my past life I owned and drove both an '84 Fiero (Indy pace car) and a '76 924 as my daily drivers, so I have a special attachment to both!
 
Huffacker Engineering was the company that did the development for Pontiac. The company still exists so you can try contacting them. You can also try www.fierostore.com . Good luck with your project.
 
Thanks for the tip. I'll call them!
Rick
 
Turbo it or swap in a 3.4 and turbo that ( same engine basically )

Doug in P.R. :cool:
______________________________
 
Might depend on the class rules concerning what he can do, more mods the more likely you end up in a class where you can't be competitive due to budget.
 
92 Sunbird LE said:
Turbo it or swap in a 3.4 and turbo that ( same engine basically )

Doug in P.R. :cool:
Click to expand...

As Melsg5 said, adding a blower puts the car in another (way faster) class. Likewise installing a 3.4 liter engine.
 
Real hard to get the hp number you are looking for on that motor without a power adder.....

Another consern would be front end weight issue (aka lifting at speed)

The Fiero had a crappy Chevette front suspension untill the 88 model.

Doug in P.R. :cool:
 
Appears that going from a 2.8 to a 3.4 moves you from class F to class E but the rest of the class structure is hard to follow, there is a different class for naturally aspirated versus supercharge/turbo. The research is further complicated by the fact that the Southern California Timing Association rule book is not available online, you have to buy it. The only way I found anything is by looking at the Australian version of the organization which has a very very large PDF document, 143 pages.
______________________________
 
92 Sunbird LE said:
Real hard to get the hp number you are looking for on that motor without a power adder.....

Another consern would be front end weight issue (aka lifting at speed)

The Fiero had a crappy Chevette front suspension untill the 88 model.

Doug in P.R. :cool:
Click to expand...

As far as lift goes, I can add weight to the front end pretty easily and lowering the car will reduce lift (and drag). In land speed racing added weight doesn't hurt - indeed it's frequently added generously to add tractability on what is a pretty traction limited surface. As far as steering geometry and suspension are concerned, it a similar matter in that you're going straight and while the surface is bumpy it's not undulating.
Rick
 
92 Sunbird LE said:
Here you go ....it can be done!


Doug in P.R. 😎
Click to expand...

Doug:
Thanks for the legwork and the link! It certainly looks interesting. I'll contact them. As an aside, the "E" license that the driver got in 2018 is a 125-149 MPH license. Assuming he was running as fast as the car would go, that's a very long way from the current F/GT 190.7 record. Typically as a rule of thumb, doubling speed requires quadrupling the horsepower. So if it's really making ~300 HP now and ran just shy of 150, topping 200 isn't remotely in the cards. I really hope he was just being timid on the gas peddle, otherwise, my idea of getting there on 350+ is a pipedream. :(
Rick
 
Just a quick semi-correction. I just noticed that the E license was given at El Mirage dry lake bed (which is a shorter distance event), so perhaps the car is capable of a lot more speed!
______________________________
 
Well after a bit (well a lot) of research on the 2.8, I've come to realize that it's just not the engine to use. It's just not in the cards to squeeze 300+ HP out of one. But after looking at the SCTA's GT class - which allows any engine made by the same manufacturer as the car, it appears that just maybe a Fiero fitted with a modified 3.4 liter LQ1 (dual overhead cam) GM motor might be a viable option. I know it's a fit to the car because it has essentially the same block as the 2.8 and mates to the stock Getrag 5 speed. So, my question is does anyone here have experience / input on the that 200-215 HP engine and the possibility modifying it to deliver ~350 HP without a blower? As always, all input is appreciated.
Rick
 
😎 Got his idea from this build :

LQ1 from a1995 Monte Carlo....
Ported/polished combustion chambers; good bolts in bottom end; hypereutectic pistons; custom intake manifold; 38 lb/hr injectors; Haltech E6K ECU; custom tubular stainless headers and crossover; GT3071r turbo; Tial 38mm wastegate; Fidenza Al flywheel; Clutchnet six puck sprung hub clutch with stock pressure plate; large Ebay intercooler core with custom end tanks/draw fans mounted under car; I spin the engine to 7k with a 7200 rev limiter.

400 hp to the wheels with a turbo.

Doug in P.R.:cool:
 
He dynoed it from another member first who got it from a rebuilder ( stock 218 hp at wheel where it bought from 15k miles , but had too much blowby) then he did a great bunch of mods after without putting the turbo on, he did mods for a turbo but never dynoed it that way.

The other guy died in a dirt track racing accident from what I found.( 400 hp guy)

Doug in P.R. 😎
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top