my beretta..
my beretta..
I have seen this poor car sitting long enough, and I want to attempt to fix it. I have no prior experience with quad fours and could use some help rebuilding this.. Is there a newer version GM engine that would fit a H/O beretta GTZ (1990) and still put out the same HP? Should I consider converting to v6? I am really confused and don't know where to begin. The oil pump apparently went and the engine seized.. it's been sitting for months and it breaks my heart. I just want it to run again.. any help, or maybe even some local members coming to help me, could really help this project move along. I have
- laptops
- some video games
- some power tools
** I really don't want to get rid of this car, I'd prefer to fix the engine that is in it.. It's sucky that I put so much money into it and had the timing chain and gaskets done, all for nothing.
- laptops
- some video games
- some power tools
** I really don't want to get rid of this car, I'd prefer to fix the engine that is in it.. It's sucky that I put so much money into it and had the timing chain and gaskets done, all for nothing.
- Money pit Beretta
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Re: my beretta..
The 2.4 twin cam would fit, but you are only talking 150hp. I thought that 1988GTU was willing to sell you and engine.
keep'em flying!
- scd88ga
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Re: my beretta..
Keep it a 2.3 quad 4, that is by far the easiest solution! Rebuild or replace.
For starters you should...
Step 1: Remove the engine.
For starters you should...
Step 1: Remove the engine.
'94 Quad 4 H.O. 5 speed Z26, Red & Rare! 1 of 896 Quad Z26's and of those it's 1 of 167 red paint/gray interior!
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Re: my beretta..
I'm willing to buy a replacement if that's my last option, but I feel like this could be rebuilt, and my limited budget makes it hard, I have to go with the cheapest option to restore this car to running condition.
- berettaboi
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Re: my beretta..
if you want to keep it a quad, that W41 offered to you in your other thread is you best bet i think! really if you are going that route, you may want store the car till you guys are comfortable and set in your life. when the jobs are going good, and money flow is good. then you can keep up on the maintenance no problem.
you could make it interesting by plopping an ecotec in there. might be a bit more reliable (i haven't really looked into them, but a friend has one, and has beaten it quite a bit, and still it persists to run good and hard... and also idle at 200 rpm... lol). they also come stock with forced induction in the cobalt ss... that makes things more interesting.
you could make it interesting by plopping an ecotec in there. might be a bit more reliable (i haven't really looked into them, but a friend has one, and has beaten it quite a bit, and still it persists to run good and hard... and also idle at 200 rpm... lol). they also come stock with forced induction in the cobalt ss... that makes things more interesting.
4th one's a charm, 5th one is, beginnning to sound like this is an addiction...
95 black z26, '96 White z26 awaiting new life, and 2.5 mazda trucks

95 black z26, '96 White z26 awaiting new life, and 2.5 mazda trucks

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Re: my beretta..
If you want to really change it up, do what I want to do:
I want to go find a 2013 impala or even a 2012 impala and the the v6 and its trans from the junk yard.
Then make it all fit, the whole impala cradle into the Beretta. Mix & match parts, and it should work.
power and gas mileage, solves 2 problems at once.
(Don't take me seriously, I don't even know if my bright idea will work, I only thought of it a few weeks ago.)
I want to go find a 2013 impala or even a 2012 impala and the the v6 and its trans from the junk yard.
Then make it all fit, the whole impala cradle into the Beretta. Mix & match parts, and it should work.
power and gas mileage, solves 2 problems at once.

(Don't take me seriously, I don't even know if my bright idea will work, I only thought of it a few weeks ago.)
- berettaboi
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Re: my beretta..
i like your thinking, but i'm not sure Tom will... i think he's still slightly attached to the quad and also keeping the car closer to original
4th one's a charm, 5th one is, beginnning to sound like this is an addiction...
95 black z26, '96 White z26 awaiting new life, and 2.5 mazda trucks

95 black z26, '96 White z26 awaiting new life, and 2.5 mazda trucks

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Re: my beretta..
ah, I see.
I know every so often I see a quad 4 with manual trans all complete shows up with low mileage.
The car gets wrecked or to rusty and they usually only have about 110,000 miles give or take.
I saw one about 4 weeks ago, I wanted its trans, but never realized the trans is different for a 4 cylinder, I have the v6.
Anyways, last week we found someone took the whole cradle with engine and trans, everything.
If he is that far with the quad 4 rebuild, he is probably better off finishing it. When its done it will last a long time.
A little each day and it will be finished before you know it.
I do know that the quad 4 was a test design to see what would be needed for the north-star v8 that GM was planning to build.
And if I'm not mistaken, the quad 4 can outperform the v6 of the time?
I know every so often I see a quad 4 with manual trans all complete shows up with low mileage.
The car gets wrecked or to rusty and they usually only have about 110,000 miles give or take.
I saw one about 4 weeks ago, I wanted its trans, but never realized the trans is different for a 4 cylinder, I have the v6.
Anyways, last week we found someone took the whole cradle with engine and trans, everything.
If he is that far with the quad 4 rebuild, he is probably better off finishing it. When its done it will last a long time.
A little each day and it will be finished before you know it.
I do know that the quad 4 was a test design to see what would be needed for the north-star v8 that GM was planning to build.
And if I'm not mistaken, the quad 4 can outperform the v6 of the time?
- berettaboi
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Re: my beretta..
He is getting married soon, and not much money to play with, so that's why i think he hasn't jumped on any offers yet.
the quad and the v6 of the time (particularly the 3.1 in 1990) were very comparable down the dragstrip as far as previous owners timeslips show.
the tranny can be pulled apart and bellhousing swapped to use with a v6 if wanted, previous members have done this. the first 2 gears were specially designed for the quad though... the v6 has lots of low end torque and doesn't need those gears! (well doesn't really need first in most situations) lol
the quad and the v6 of the time (particularly the 3.1 in 1990) were very comparable down the dragstrip as far as previous owners timeslips show.
the tranny can be pulled apart and bellhousing swapped to use with a v6 if wanted, previous members have done this. the first 2 gears were specially designed for the quad though... the v6 has lots of low end torque and doesn't need those gears! (well doesn't really need first in most situations) lol
4th one's a charm, 5th one is, beginnning to sound like this is an addiction...
95 black z26, '96 White z26 awaiting new life, and 2.5 mazda trucks

95 black z26, '96 White z26 awaiting new life, and 2.5 mazda trucks

Re: my beretta..
I'd prefer to keep it a quad, unless it was going to be equally or more powerful and/or cheaper to swap to 3400. The vicious tendancies of the quad engine always atrracted me to the gtz, although the 3.1 is conisiderably more dependable.
- scd88ga
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Re: my beretta..
I would cost a hell of a lot more to swap to a 3400!tvc3-gtz wrote:I'd prefer to keep it a quad, unless it was going to be equally or more powerful and/or cheaper to swap to 3400. The vicious tendancies of the quad engine always atrracted me to the gtz, although the 3.1 is conisiderably more dependable.
'94 Quad 4 H.O. 5 speed Z26, Red & Rare! 1 of 896 Quad Z26's and of those it's 1 of 167 red paint/gray interior!
Need A Quality Used Part? Contact me at Posihead Auto Parts!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Posihead ... 3779691724
Need A Quality Used Part? Contact me at Posihead Auto Parts!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Posihead ... 3779691724
Re: my beretta..
ok, then I'm sticking with the quad, which is what I was originally planning anyways. I am working on so many projects, good news is a 2 layer corver is being put on it, so it wont have to sit in winter without a cover.. I'm sad because I'd love a heated garage to work on this, but all in good time I will have the sapce I need to bring her back to life. My saab isn't getting any younger either, but it's dependable enough to get me through the winter.
Re: my beretta..
berettaboi, did you put the indy rims on your tuck?!?!
Re: my beretta..
There is a quad 4 at a yard that i go to in holland mi. If you want i could grab some parts before they decide to crush it. just get me a list of stuff and Ill get you some prices. Ive dealt with them in the past and they will do package deals. Just let me know.

1989 Beretta Base 2.8
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Re: my beretta..
berettaboi wrote:He is getting married soon, and not much money to play with, so that's why i think he hasn't jumped on any offers yet.
the quad and the v6 of the time (particularly the 3.1 in 1990) were very comparable down the dragstrip as far as previous owners timeslips show.
the tranny can be pulled apart and bellhousing swapped to use with a v6 if wanted, previous members have done this. the first 2 gears were specially designed for the quad though... the v6 has lots of low end torque and doesn't need those gears! (well doesn't really need first in most situations) lol
Wait. Pause and rewind.
The bell housing can be swapped out so as to let the I4 manual trans fit the 3.1L v6 engine?
Darn. Now I wish I took that trans from the junk yard.
Sorry if I'm hijacking but I have to ask:
Okay, will the bell housing from the 3.1L v6 automatic trans go onto the I4 manual trans so I can use the manual trans on my v6?

I'm away at school, I can't do anything relevant till I get back home and do things; so I have to ask.
My issue is getting the trans to mount on the engine. The rest is manageable like the clutch parts, other mounts.
(As for the extra torque from the I4 gearing, that will be fun for the occasional burnouts. Plus the way I am with a stick, I tend to stall the engine easily.)
That's nice to hear. I wish I had a heated garage too.tvc3-gtz wrote:ok, then I'm sticking with the quad, which is what I was originally planning anyways. I am working on so many projects, good news is a 2 layer corver is being put on it, so it wont have to sit in winter without a cover.. I'm sad because I'd love a heated garage to work on this, but all in good time I will have the sapce I need to bring her back to life. My saab isn't getting any younger either, but it's dependable enough to get me through the winter.
You could do like me and jack the car up on stands and then lay in the snow after setting up a wind shield. Other than the cold tools, its warm enough.
Could always use a torch to heat things as long as there is no gas. haha
