85 Vette/Fiero (pics)
08-17-2007, 09:19 PM
#22
Intermediate
I heard recently but dont remember where, that the Fiero was built to compete with the Corvette. When I heard that I thought it was strange because the Fiero's biggest engin was a v-6. However, a while back I saw Fieros competing against Corvettes at a gimcanna and they really handled well.
You might say the Fiero is a red-headed Corvette step-child....
08-17-2007, 09:44 PM
#23
Race Director
There was a prototype 2.9L turbo engine Pontiac put together for the Fiero before it was killed off.It pushed the Fiero 12.9 in the 1/4..chevy screamed and GM said NO...no way to have that car outrun the Flagship of GM sportscars,whic is the Vette eh?
08-11-2009, 01:43 PM
#24
"hey, I got it! listen to this concept: independent suspension on all 4 corners, mid-engine, two seats, aluminium brake calipers... Just like a Ferrari! Oh yeah, and let's put that 90hp 2.5L 4-cylinder in there!"
08-11-2009, 02:26 PM
#25
Burning Brakes
chevy must have screamed really loud of the sleeper looking buick grand national's and GNX of those late 80's days beating the vette right off the showroom floor
08-11-2009, 04:56 PM
#26
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08-12-2009, 12:08 AM
#29
Drifting
The Fiero needed the Olds Quad 4, and then it would have been great. Yeah, those V8 Archie kits are quite common, but getting a Fiero to handle well with its Chevette/Citation suspension was no easy task. The '88 Fiero was really the best one since its suspension was totally different.
The car above also seems to have its roof chopped.
The car above also seems to have its roof chopped.
Last edited by Scream And Fly; 08-12-2009 at 12:10 AM.
08-12-2009, 12:59 PM
#30
Team Owner
wow, no biggie though as the B2K Corvette would annihilate it.
08-12-2009, 02:10 PM
#31
Safety Car
If you look at the picture from the rear below the rear window there are two black vents behind the driver/passenger. The area of the deck lid between these vents is black on an '84, then body color on '85 to '88.
BTW the fire issue was caused by a batch of faulty connecting rods coupled with the 3 quart oil capacity of the 1984 cars. When oil levels ran low connecting rod bearings could seize and snap the poorly cast rods, punching a hole in the block and blowing oil all over the hot exhaust. The connecting rod issue accounted for less than 1% of fiero's made in 1984 but the cars were quickly known as "death traps". GM claims that every Fiero susceptible to engine fires were recalled and corrected by adding shields to protect the exhaust from leaking oil and increasing the oil capacity to 4 quarts.
BTW the fire issue was caused by a batch of faulty connecting rods coupled with the 3 quart oil capacity of the 1984 cars. When oil levels ran low connecting rod bearings could seize and snap the poorly cast rods, punching a hole in the block and blowing oil all over the hot exhaust. The connecting rod issue accounted for less than 1% of fiero's made in 1984 but the cars were quickly known as "death traps". GM claims that every Fiero susceptible to engine fires were recalled and corrected by adding shields to protect the exhaust from leaking oil and increasing the oil capacity to 4 quarts.
I had that car for only 6 months though, paid 1/5 of what I sold it for. Drove it through a MI winter and was fine with it. I put a taillight housing on and changed the EGR valve. 88 Duke 5sp Notchback.
08-12-2009, 02:11 PM
#32
Burning Brakes
I am a huge fiero enthusiast, 60 degree v6 and corvette enthusiast..
glad to see fiero conversation make it to the corvette forum!
I have owned as many fieros as vettes....and I must say, its a hard choice to chose between the two, really. (well a modified fiero anyway...like the one I just gave to my brother...
It seems some of you know your fieros, and know that they aren't death traps. I get sick of hearing that!
as far as parts shared.... mirrors, and head light motor are the only two I know of. Oh and hood prop if that counts.
glad to see fiero conversation make it to the corvette forum!
I have owned as many fieros as vettes....and I must say, its a hard choice to chose between the two, really. (well a modified fiero anyway...like the one I just gave to my brother...
It seems some of you know your fieros, and know that they aren't death traps. I get sick of hearing that!
as far as parts shared.... mirrors, and head light motor are the only two I know of. Oh and hood prop if that counts.
08-12-2009, 02:16 PM
#33
Safety Car
I also forgot to say that the Fiero community is a nice tight knit group. The guy I bought the taillight from threw in a bunch of parts for the $15 I paid. Never even installed the new fender and front bumper(tiny hole from a hitch in both), just passed it on to the kid who bought it for $1k.
08-12-2009, 05:49 PM
#35
Melting Slicks
westcoastfiero.com also sells kits to install the 3.4L DOHC 60 degree v6 (externally a huge engine), but the character is the same as the Lotus Lt-5.... They also do the GM 3800sc engines (3.8L supercharged Grand prix, etc).
The fiero is a fantastic car (for the price). I had an 85', 86', and an 88' GT. the 88' was, by far, the best geometrically designed of the three (i.e. suspension revised)
Archie is currently installing LS-x engines and even the 6-speed out of the Pontiac G6 sedans!
I've even seen a turbo LT-1 backed by the stock 5-speed getrag transmission in these fieros. Tons of room for just about any engine.
The GM 4l60e or 4l80E (FWD) transmissions have also been mated to the Fiero's and prove to be bullet proof in high HP applications.
The epoxy coated frame is awesome too! Holds up very well to the elements.
The earlier cars suspension short comings can be remedied with a few quick items (i.e. solid engine cradle mounts, seem to clean up A LOT of the suspension slop).
Rear-engine cars are awesome, and they handle in a unique way (don't lift off the throttle mid-turn!!!)....
think about it, how many rear-engine, rear-drive cars are there (that are afforable, and tuner friendly)?
MR2
NSX (not cheap)
Lotus (not cheap)
Fiero (HUGE aftermarket support, with ultra exotic pieces)
porsche (not cheap)
The fiero is a fantastic car (for the price). I had an 85', 86', and an 88' GT. the 88' was, by far, the best geometrically designed of the three (i.e. suspension revised)
Archie is currently installing LS-x engines and even the 6-speed out of the Pontiac G6 sedans!
I've even seen a turbo LT-1 backed by the stock 5-speed getrag transmission in these fieros. Tons of room for just about any engine.
The GM 4l60e or 4l80E (FWD) transmissions have also been mated to the Fiero's and prove to be bullet proof in high HP applications.
The epoxy coated frame is awesome too! Holds up very well to the elements.
The earlier cars suspension short comings can be remedied with a few quick items (i.e. solid engine cradle mounts, seem to clean up A LOT of the suspension slop).
Rear-engine cars are awesome, and they handle in a unique way (don't lift off the throttle mid-turn!!!)....
think about it, how many rear-engine, rear-drive cars are there (that are afforable, and tuner friendly)?
MR2
NSX (not cheap)
Lotus (not cheap)
Fiero (HUGE aftermarket support, with ultra exotic pieces)
porsche (not cheap)
08-12-2009, 10:47 PM
#36
Instructor
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hey everyone. im merlots brother. i now own/have owned more fieros than vettes. ill change that one day. once i get this car tuned in a couple weeks, im looking to be pushing 250-270 whp. in a little light car like that, ill beable to keep up with or beat a c4 LT1. BIG maybe if ill keep up with merlots 4.10 geared LT4. we will see one day. but this engine is pretty peppy for a untuned (by a pro) modified 3500 LX9 v6 from an 06 malibu. felt faster than my c4 when i first drove the fiero. it has a 7730 ecm swap, port and polish heads, uim, lim, headers, 4.3 vortec 70mm TB, wot-tech 1280 grind cam, 36# injectors, and a 255 lph walbro fuel pump. (did i get everything jonny?) oh, and its solid motor mounted, tranny and cradle mounts too.
he gave this to me for my 25th birthday and hes known ive wanted one since i was 14. love it. but i still want another c4. i wont flip it this time jonny. nor wreck it. drive like an idiot or anything else that will make you make sure im dead
he gave this to me for my 25th birthday and hes known ive wanted one since i was 14. love it. but i still want another c4. i wont flip it this time jonny. nor wreck it. drive like an idiot or anything else that will make you make sure im dead
