Learn me about Fieros

I have searched several times but I haven’t been able to find the info I’m looking for. I have also spent time on the Pennock site.

I would like to know more about the different models and people’s general impressions. Also I know that the 88 had updated suspension but how different are they from earlier years.

Lastly I’m interested in building a rough driver. In other words this would be used for pure driving fun on the weekends. Ok dropping in a V8 sure sounds nice…..

Thank you for your time and thoughts. RS

Well, I've looked into some more unorthodox engine swaps than the following, but these are some popular ones:

the SBC, whether an LS1 or an old 350. The 3800 Series II - Supercharged is another very common one, for those that don't want all the weight of a 350, even though it's all iron. The EcoTec I4 is becoming popular too

Those three tend to cover the broadest and most popular engine swaps. Finding one set up for transverse mounting are gonna be a little less of a headache, although you won't have any problem finding a way to get that SBC in there.

Pennock's is the place to go for Fiero information. Check out the links on their site and especially keep an eye on some of the suspension component manufacturers. You can swap in the '88 pieces to pre-'88 cars relatively easy, so I wouldn't avoid a good pre-'88. Some GT-specific parts, like taillights, can be hard and expensive to come by, even though I think they look much better

84-87 all had the same suspension and brakes. 84 cars had more electric trouble than the others. The clutch pedal is aluminum through mid-86 and bends with time. Replace with a later pedal and master cylinder. External clutch arms on 4-speed cars are stamped steel, they flex and break. Replace with cast piece. These upgraded parts were available at dealers back in the day, and most cars have already had the changes made. Best bang for the buck is a 86-87 GT. Clean cars can be had for $3500, running rats for $500 and up. Interior parts are the hardest to get, watch for busted dash corners. 88 GT and Formula cars are the best, but are getting rare. The rear suspension can be swapped to an earlier body with some work, but not the front. The is an aftermarket company here in MI that makes a complete suspension and brake upgrade for the early cars, but it ain't cheap. V8 engine swaps are kind of overkill IMHO. The guys who put in 3.8's seem really happy with them. (and they are a lot less work) Supercharging optional. I've had several of these cars, and they are a lot of fun to drive. EDIT: found the suspension site http://www.westshorefabricators.com/

Just my 2 cents, but I have seen 3.8 swaped cars listed for sale at far less than the cost of just the swap. I'm not an automatic transmission fan though.
The cars are also very rear heavy. I compare them to Hammers because both seem designed to swap ends. So I would never want to add more weight to the rear. (Unless you don't plan to turn.) I added a ton and a half of rear camber to my car and it has helped.
Oh, and they are much heaver than they look. Like 2,700 lbs.

On the plus side I did enjoy the lack of rust when I painted my car. And since they are not seen often, they do get a lot of positive attention. (Oh and stock motored GTs can place in the top 6 at the Challenge autocross)

You can do a 3.8 with a 5-speed

Buy someone elses failed project there are tons of them out there. I have an 86 GT with a Northstar.

They are more fun as 6cyl's then V8's...

AutoXR wrote: Buy someone elses failed project there are tons of them out there. I have an 86 GT with a Northstar. They are more fun as 6cyl's then V8's...

As an owner with a V8, I'll respectfully disagree

To the OP -- if you want to see a project from beginning to end, take a look here:

http://orphancars.com/fiero.html

My car with the V8 actually weighs LESS than the V6 it started out with!! To be fair I removed weight from the interior and wherever else I could with the car, but it is possible. Mine with the V8 weighs right in the area of 2600 pounds.

As far as which swap is the <> one -- there isn't any one right swap. I like my V8 -- I also like the Design One Northstar swap that uses the caddy engine and auto trans. The supercharged 3800 is also an awesome swap as well -- all three of these are slightly different -- just depends what you want out of the car. I personally like the 3800 SC swap because it basically just swaps in place of the existing V6 and you double the available HP from stock.

The one caveat about the SBC swap is the method to mount the engine can be an issue. The kits out there mount the engine solidly from the front and allow the trans to use the factory mounts. Also, if the trans is kept in the stock position, the drive for the waterpump will be in the wheelhouse and LT1/TPI motors will have interference problems between the intake and the RR shock tower. Moving the engine/trans 2.5" to the left will help all of these problems but require custom axles.

I like how my Fiero turned out, but make no mistake -- it was a packaging nightmare. I've since moved on and am tackling something that is less of a packaging nightmare -- putting C4 running gear and an LT4/T56 into a TVR 2500M

hope this helps...

-jeff d

I have looked into the SBC conversion.. I will take the SC3800. Less work, most of the power, still a lot of the handling.

Check http://www.thefierofactory.com/ I've gotten some good info from them. They also sell Fieros in verying condition.

Good Luck

I know the guy who runs this shop:

www.hausofguru.com

...and have been for a ride in his orange/black SBC/Weber car ( )... He recently built a 3800 s/c car as well as a VR6 car... He apparently has a customer who has been threatening to commission him to build a TDI Fiero... That could be interesting... especially since it wouldn't be much different that what he went through to build the VR6 car (electrical integration-wise). Fortunately, his "day job" is running his German car repair shop, so it's not a big deal for him.

If you couldn't find "general impressions" and general model info on Pennock's, you weren't trying hard enough. Make this same post over on PFF and you'll get plenty of responses.

If you want a fun driver that you might fix up in the future, you'd be doing yourself a favor if you start with an '88 GT or Formula, those are the best models from the factory and even good ones come fairly cheap. In addition to a much better rear suspension design, the '88s also have much better brakes (vented instead of solid). If you just want a beater that you don't plan on doing much with in the future, you'd save a few bucks getting an earlier V6 car. IMO, the V6 5 speed cars are the easiest to live with for a daily driver.

Bryce

Interesting that this thread came up... I've been looking more and more into picking up a mid-engine car (all I've ever had are FRs with stick axles, so I'd like to explore some other options). For my budget, it seems like the only real options are a Fiero or an MR2.

After everything I've looked at, I've decided that if I do pick something up, it'll be the Toyota.

The fastest Fiero currently isn't a V8

it's a 3.8 SC block with a turbo , and it's running 10.30's int he 1/4 with an auto.

I bet a TDI fiero could be both fun and REALLY good on fuel

You Guys are So funny all of you think pure driving fun means you have to have big horsepower .nobody toke the time to asked the original poster of this thread what he meant by pure driving fun maybe its just cruising down the road with the top off in a nice looking reliable car.

I have a Fiat X1/9 and on the road it's just another slow old sports car but I don't care with the top off windows down Cruzen down the road it's a blast. as far as I'm concerned that's pure driving fun

My car can corner like a bat out of hell I know most modern cars can but my car so smooth and quit it doesn't look or sound fast most modern cars look all sloppy and squealing tires and loud that will get cops looking at you.

Keep in mind that the 1988 4cylinder car had the same suspension and brakes as the GT and Formula. The springs were softer and it did not have the rear sway bar. If you are doing an engine swap anyway, these cars can be had really cheap if you shop. The suspension source for 84-87 is HT motorsports. Their site is: http://www.westshorefabricators.com/

RCRX19 wrote: You Guys are So funny all of you think pure driving fun means you have to have big horsepower .nobody toke the time to asked the original poster of this thread what he meant by pure driving fun maybe its just cruising down the road with the top off in a nice looking reliable car. I have a Fiat X1/9 and on the road it's just another slow old sports car but I don't care with the top off windows down Cruzen down the road it's a blast. as far as I'm concerned that's pure driving fun My car can corner like a bat out of hell I know most modern cars can but my car so smooth and quit it doesn't look or sound fast most modern cars look all sloppy and squealing tires and loud that will get cops looking at you.

Well the original poster of this thread pretty much blatantly stated that he was interested in a V8 swap, so i think we all derived his intent from there. Just sayin'.

RCRX19 wrote: You Guys are So funny all of you think pure driving fun means you have to have big horsepower .nobody toke the time to asked the original poster of this thread what he meant by pure driving fun maybe its just cruising down the road with the top off in a nice looking reliable car. I have a Fiat X1/9 and on the road it's just another slow old sports car but I don't care with the top off windows down Cruzen down the road it's a blast. as far as I'm concerned that's pure driving fun My car can corner like a bat out of hell I know most modern cars can but my car so smooth and quit it doesn't look or sound fast most modern cars look all sloppy and squealing tires and loud that will get cops looking at you.

My daily driver is a BMW 318ti.. it's only HP mods are an exaust and a "fogged" airbox.. so it might put out a whole 145hp (over the stock 138, provided it still made stock HP when I started) but like your X, it does not need HP to corner.. as many an M3 owner has discovered

IIRC, the very last model year was the best, really a good car in many respects. Then GM killed it.

yup, the last year of production is what you want.

Hey thanks for all of the responces.

The idea is to have a car that will be rough and afforadable to build. It would use for a track day evey now and then or a trip over the mountains. I don't see this car being something my wife would like to go for a trip in.

Again thank you all so much. RS

Oh one last thing, I posted here because a "general" car forum will give you wider opinions that a site dedicated to one brand or model. That said if you ask here what car to buy the answer is always a Miata and yap I have a Miata.

honestly, even when it comes to specific model questions.. I often come here first. The dorks here knoe everything!