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View Full Version : Buying a Fiero

bdc87
10-19-2008, 09:33 PM
OK guys I'm thinking about buying a Fiero for a side project. I would love to have something a little faster then the Yaris for around the town and what not. (withdraws from a Mustang GT) My plan would be to get a V6 version and just hack away at, like the removable all the exterior panels, hood, glass, interior and some of the frame work then build tubular frames around it. The fiero's weigh about 2600lbs and I was hoping to take about 800-1000lbs off which would leave me with about an 1800lb car with around 130hp and 160tq. What do guys think about this, and are my estimates of weight reduction close? And what type of performance do think this would net? Just would like some input.
TheRealEnth
10-19-2008, 09:38 PM
and then make it look like a ferrari!!!
bdc87
10-19-2008, 09:58 PM
and then make it look like a ferrari!!!

Ah, No. I don't care for kitcars. I plan to do something like the Ariel atom where the exoskeleton is the body.
Bob_VT
10-19-2008, 10:00 PM
Check out the Fiero V8 conversion site:

http://www.v8archie.com/v8Archie/home.htm
TheRealEnth
10-19-2008, 10:02 PM
Well if you really want speed... Just Get a Miata.. hack at that (dont really need to) then put the v8 in there and you are set
bdc87
10-19-2008, 10:13 PM
If I were to do a sawp it would be with the 3800SC. But it's more then just throwing an engine in there, I would like to create performance through weight reduction. 2 reason, 1 it's cheap and 2nd it helps all aspects of perform then just straight line. If I wasn't happy with the performance after the "Hack" then I would consider more HP. Thaen theres the destructive side to me. Man I love my Sawzall.
TLyttle
10-19-2008, 10:21 PM
Why Fiero? Think about it: GM and Toyota started with the same sheet of paper, GM came up with overweight, poor-handling Fiero, Toyota built the MR2. I see that as no contest: GM stands for Garishly Mediocre...
bdc87
10-19-2008, 10:30 PM
Well the Fiero is less expensive compared to the MR2, more options, universal parts, orginally designed by DMC and I believe part of lotus.
GeneW
10-20-2008, 12:20 AM
OK guys I'm thinking about buying a Fiero for a side project. I would love to have something a little faster then the Yaris for around the town and what not. (withdraws from a Mustang GT) My plan would be to get a V6 version and just hack away at, like the removable all the exterior panels, hood, glass, interior and some of the frame work then build tubular frames around it. The fiero's weigh about 2600lbs and I was hoping to take about 800-1000lbs off which would leave me with about an 1800lb car with around 130hp and 160tq. What do guys think about this, and are my estimates of weight reduction close? And what type of performance do think this would net? Just would like some input.

Free Advice;

If you get one go here www.helminc.com

Get the Shop manual for the year in question.

The reason I suggest this is because I've been told that the wiring harness in Fieros are an absolute pain in the ass to troubleshoot. A shop manual will help a great deal with this.

Gene

PS

It's helminc.com Sorry.
kou
10-20-2008, 12:25 AM
make sure to keep a fire extiguisher close by, those things are known to go up in smoke.
bdc87
10-20-2008, 12:36 AM
make sure to keep a fire extiguisher close by, those things are known to go up in smoke.
The larger of the two reported numbers of cars with fires (260), amounts to 0.07% of Fieros produced. The fires affected almost exclusively the 2.5 L engine, and mostly 1984 models. Fires were caused by low oil levels for those who are Idiots and do not check their oil levels.There was a saftey recall that fixed these issues. My plan is for a 86-88 with the 2.8L.

I understand Toyota loyalty but it's nice if we could make nonbias post.

And for GeneW, haven't heard anything about the harness but, even with my Mustang I had harness problems and I always have a manual for a car no matter what car it is but, thanks for the input.
kou
10-20-2008, 01:19 AM
looks like your all set.good luck with the build.
TEHxFALLEN V1.2
10-20-2008, 03:03 AM
Buy a CRX!
TLyttle
10-20-2008, 12:57 PM
Toyota loyalty? Not really, the MR2 is simply a better car. I'm all for the CR-X suggestion as well; that is a fun car, and accepts considerable modification. As far as "universal parts availability" is concerned, I know that will be important with a GM product.

A buddy of mine has a Fiero, and it spends more time being repaired than it does on the road. It was never neglected, and is in wonderful shape, low mileage, never hit; doesn't matter, there is always something going wrong. There are just too many better cars around than the Fiero...
TheRealEnth
10-20-2008, 01:03 PM
Why is noone with me on the miata suggestion? Do I have a fault in bringing that car up? what makes it not such a good choice?
33OH
10-20-2008, 02:52 PM
There's a turbo'ed Fiero GT around here. It is decently fast, but it is also always in the shop.
bdc87
10-20-2008, 04:34 PM
Well I like the CRX but looking for a Mid Engine design. I love the miata but theres no way I could fit in there. Getting alot of post about the Pontiac be bad is not the question as I'm familar with american cars breaking down and having problems thats why I have a Toyota. Unless I can find a cheap MR2 or decide to go another way I might stick with the "GM" car like I said it's going to be an around the town car and not a daily driver but who knows my ideas could change. And I do appreciate everyones feedback as is the reason I posted this. My only other Idea is and old Supra or Subaru.
33OH
10-20-2008, 04:35 PM
My friend just bought a '91 Legacy AWD Turbo sedan for $1500 bucks. 70,000 miles on it. The thing is a beast!
bdc87
10-20-2008, 04:41 PM
See there we go. But you live in OH and im in CA so things here are alot more.
33OH
10-20-2008, 04:45 PM
Well he got a hell of a deal too. But with Ohio all of our cars have the weight reduction (and price reduction) mod called RUST. Haha.
bdc87
10-20-2008, 04:48 PM
lol. Would be nice to have AWD.
33OH
10-20-2008, 04:50 PM
lol. Would be nice to have AWD.

Yeah the thing launches like no other.. It was an amazing buy.

But good luck with whatever you do. I'll stop Subaru-whoring your thread. :wink:
KCALB SIRAY
10-20-2008, 04:58 PM
Check out the Fiero V8 conversion site:

http://www.v8archie.com/v8Archie/home.htm

Damn you Bob, I was just about to post that site. lol.
blktiger60
10-20-2008, 05:18 PM
I paid $1500 for my 85 MR2 back in 95.
I just sold my 85 CRX.
The CRX doesn't even compare to the MR2.
When I went looking for a 4 cyl sports car I looked at quite a few. I decided against the fiero pretty early on.
bdc87
10-20-2008, 05:40 PM
Well I'm finding a couple Subaru Legacy's around 3K but in the Wagon form. I'm going to look more into the Subs in the next couple days but it will take some time to get the funds. Looking towards Febuary.
33OH
10-20-2008, 05:52 PM
There's an MR2 Turbo about 30 minutes north of me for $1700. get it shipped! haha.
PetersRedYaris
10-20-2008, 06:20 PM
GM's 2.8 V6 is one of the worse engines of all time...

I though Fiero's we're cool when my sister got taken to prom in one, but that was in 1990 when I was 10 years old.
TLyttle
10-20-2008, 11:28 PM
Miata, now THAT is a direct connection to Lotus, and the pure sportscar handling of the Miata shows it. All reports that I have read have been nothing but positive, except for the occasional tireburner teenager that think it is a "girlie car". Just leave it as it is, learn how to really drive it properly, maintain it, and it will give you years of true driving pleasure. When pushed, it will leave ANY Fiero in the bushes on a winding road. You will find the real meaning of "balance"...
jclo3313
10-21-2008, 10:39 AM
Dude I had one way back and loved it. The only reason I still don't have it is a buddies gf wiped out on our wat to a party. She hit me with her minivan.
33OH
10-21-2008, 10:42 AM
My friend has an '01 Miata 6 speed. Stock except for a full Borla exhaust system. He drifts that thing like no other!
kustom play
10-21-2008, 10:48 AM
i have a 92 MR2

doesnt even compare to the Fiero in anyway

the MR2 has lotus engineering
firemachine69
10-21-2008, 01:12 PM
The Fiero is a great project car. If I were still looking to build something trackable, that'd be it. I agree, the fanboyism on this site is horrible.

I'm looking to build up an LS400 as a low-and-slow ride. Hence why the Fiero does not apply to me.
nsmitchell
10-21-2008, 03:40 PM
Why Fiero? Think about it: GM and Toyota started with the same sheet of paper, GM came up with overweight, poor-handling Fiero, Toyota built the MR2. I see that as no contest: GM stands for Garishly Mediocre...
I was just about to suggest an MR2! Super cool little car... or a Honda Del Sol!