Buying a Fiero

[bdc87]

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]

and then make it look like a ferrari!!!

[bdc87]

Originally Posted by TheRealEnth

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]

Check out the Fiero V8 conversion site:

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

[TheRealEnth]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by bdc87

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]

make sure to keep a fire extiguisher close by, those things are known to go up in smoke.

[bdc87]

Originally Posted by kou

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]

looks like your all set.good luck with the build.

[TEHxFALLEN V1.2]

Buy a CRX!

[TLyttle]

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]

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]

There's a turbo'ed Fiero GT around here. It is decently fast, but it is also always in the shop.

[bdc87]

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]

My friend just bought a '91 Legacy AWD Turbo sedan for $1500 bucks. 70,000 miles on it. The thing is a beast!