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General => Lounge => Topic started by: 20th anny 5.o on January 11, 2006, 06:10:02 PM

Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: 20th anny 5.o on January 11, 2006, 06:10:02 PM
Because ever since i have seen this GT over in Devoux shopping center, i have been wanting to get in contact with the owner, the thing has been sitting there for like roughly 5-6 months without plates. The only problem is that there is no for sale sign either, and seeing as i want a junker that i can put liability on thats a perfect candiate i think.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Cougar8775 on January 11, 2006, 06:23:59 PM
there very tiny! i have a hard time in em and seat all the way back. can't really close the door too.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Red_LX on January 11, 2006, 06:59:23 PM
They had problems with engine fires...although I think that depends on the year.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: oldraven on January 11, 2006, 07:03:29 PM
Cool little car. Puting the ebrake on the left never did make much sense to me, though. You pull the handle, then you have to climb over it to get out.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Thunder Chicken on January 11, 2006, 08:14:43 PM
The Fiero was absolute shiznit from 84-86, then when GM finally straightened everything out and fixed all of their problems they killed the car. They had the front suspension and drivetrain of an X car (Citation, Skylark, Phoenix) mounted in the back, and the front suspension of a T car (Chevette) in the front. You could get an Iron Duke (2.5 4-cyl) or a 2.8 MPFI V6. Both engines were available with a 3-speed auto or 4-speed manual. I think the 4-cyl may have had an available 5-speed, but the V6 didn't get a 5-speed until the later years (87 or 88). Remember, GM did not initially market the Fiero as a sporty car - it was considered to be a frugal commuter car.

As Red LX said, they had problems with engine fires, but this was addressed through a recall (although how effective the repair was is unknown to me). They also had problems with cooling hoses (they run from the rear engine to the front radiator) and IIRC they had an assload of other problems as well, though just about any car has its "quirks" (Lord knows these Fox cars do).

I'd love to have an 87 or 88 GT fastback, but they're ed near impossible to find (especially 88's) and when you find one it's like it's made of gold.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Cougar8775 on January 11, 2006, 08:29:16 PM
humm my grandma has a gt in her gurage v-6 just not too sure on year. may be a 88 but not 100% also its been sitting for 5 yrs untouched. and i belive she is trying to sell it too.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Clayton on January 11, 2006, 08:34:01 PM
my cousin had one, he was driving down the road and started smelling somthing burning......he stopped...the car was on fire.... he lost his diploma and everything that was in the car

not cool bro firehazzards
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: 20th anny 5.o on January 11, 2006, 08:36:13 PM
Well there is a gold Gt in devoux shopping center, pretty much right across the street from me. Like I mentioned but i have a feeling that it may be stolen and left for dead as seeing that it has been sitting there for 5-6 months no for sale sign no plates.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: 88FoxBird on January 11, 2006, 08:38:33 PM
I like them little cars. The engine fire thing I'm pretty sure was adressed in the later years. Only thing is the engine bays are alittle cramped and that tends to make things tricky. One of the plusses is that you wont have to worry about rust! I still want to get one and swap in a built 4.3 (or 350 if I feel like taking a few years).

Carm- Theres quite a few of the 87-88 fastbacks here but the few that are willing to sell one want some big$$$.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: 20th anny 5.o on January 11, 2006, 08:40:51 PM
Why would i not need to worry about rust is it a fiberglass coffin?
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Thunder Chicken on January 11, 2006, 08:44:50 PM
It's plastic with a steel space frame (And to think Saturn claims they did it first). The body won't rust but you've still gotta worry about teh unibody rusting...
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: 20th anny 5.o on January 11, 2006, 08:46:52 PM
Ahh learn something new every day
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: 88FoxBird on January 11, 2006, 08:49:10 PM
Almost entirely fiberglass. All of them I worked on barely even had rust on the parts that were metal. Still trying to remember the exact reason they caught on fire, think it had something to do the coolant lines next to the fuel lines.

EDIT-  my slow typing.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: nirvanagod on January 11, 2006, 08:52:10 PM
The biggest reason that i've heard for these cars being taken out of production was the fact that insurance companies ran them into the ground. This was due to the fact that they were built on a new "spaceframe". Insurance companies didn't have the foresight to see that that production method was very efficient and reliable, and if GM hadn't put the kybosh on it, it would have become much much cheaper to work on in the long run, as body shops and such would have the jigs to set them on. Now-a-days those space frames are starting to rot out, even though the rest of the car is in perfect condition. Also something to note, is that these cars are excellent for a lot of different engine swaps, namely the 350. If I had the money (cliche I know) I would be picking up a mint 88 gt, and doing a v8 swap on it.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: 20th anny 5.o on January 11, 2006, 09:00:29 PM
Well i just want it for a car that i dont have to keep full coverage on like i do with the cougar. And for you that say i dont HAVE to keep full coverage im the only one in my family that hasent been in a major accident and if she ever is i want to be able to piece her back together.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: 84t-bird on January 11, 2006, 10:35:37 PM
ive drive a lime green one with drop springs neerly 5 thousand miles and have love every minute of it. the bigest problem with it is it belongs to my friend not me.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: slamedcat on January 11, 2006, 10:45:10 PM
Anybody rode in one that had a 355 V8? (http://www.centralillinoisdomestics.org/vb3/images/smilies/scared.gif) I could have sworn I wet my self when he floored it.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has one like this. It has next to nothing for miles on it.

(http://www.indypacecars.com/photos/84-press.jpg)
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: nirvanagod on January 11, 2006, 11:00:50 PM
I think this is one of the better examples i've personally seen.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Thunder Chicken on January 11, 2006, 11:09:10 PM
That red one is nice - that's the bodystyle I like. I think I'd rather do a supercharged 3800 swap into one though - lighter and would probably fit better
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: nirvanagod on January 11, 2006, 11:20:33 PM
Quote from: Thunder Chicken
That red one is nice - that's the bodystyle I like. I think I'd rather do a supercharged 3800 swap into one though - lighter and would probably fit better

You'd be rather surprised about that one. There is a place near Chicago that does the v8 swaps as a fulltime business (along with body mod part fabrication), and they've found that in the end the average weight difference is typically no more than 85lbs swaping from a v6 to v8, and 150lbs from a I4 to the v8.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: slamedcat on January 11, 2006, 11:33:59 PM
You would also be supried about the amount of room in there also.

Here we go. This is my friends Fiero (http://"http://jeff.boingy.org/fiero.htm"). As you can see he sold it though
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: 84t-bird on January 11, 2006, 11:50:54 PM
i like how the notchback ones look better.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Red_LX on January 12, 2006, 12:34:13 AM
I've heard of people putting Northstar's into Fieros too.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: kyle2ooo on January 12, 2006, 01:35:27 AM
my ex wife had one when we first met it was a fun lil car 'cept on icy roads oh and its like sitting on the road too
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: LSX on January 12, 2006, 01:47:27 AM
I was a at a  autoshow a couple of years back and somone has a 1st gen Fiero and stuffed in a LS1 from a Caprice. The guy said it loved to melt rubber.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Ifixyawata on January 12, 2006, 02:06:46 AM
(http://b-bspyder.com/red_roadster.JPG)


(http://b-bspyder.com/formula_convertible2.JPG)

Those are teh realest hawtness.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Red_LX on January 12, 2006, 02:53:30 AM
Quote from: LSX
I was a at a  autoshow a couple of years back and somone has a 1st gen Fiero and stuffed in a LS1 from a Caprice. The guy said it loved to melt rubber.


Doncha mean LT1? The Caprice never came with an LS1.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: LSX on January 12, 2006, 03:23:36 AM
My bad
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: LSX on January 12, 2006, 03:27:12 AM
As to the convertables, I dont think they were Factory, I read that GM did do a feasibility study and it didn't pan out. I have the book showing the Concept 1st Gen.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: LSX on January 12, 2006, 03:40:40 AM
(http://www.tigerskitten.com/images/fiero1.jpg)


Here is a 1986?ish GM prototype Convertible Fiero with a left hinged rear deck and functioning convertable roof .

 I have 3 others photos of either concept or prototype Fieros if anyone is intersted, post here and I'll post them
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: nirvanagod on January 12, 2006, 09:57:20 AM
Here's one of the LT1 Corvette engine conversions:
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Cougarcruisin on January 12, 2006, 10:22:46 AM
A while back... when I had my white cougar. My friend had this one, it also had engine problems and broke at 80k.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: CougarSE on January 12, 2006, 02:30:38 PM
Caddy 4.9's a  near bolt in affair.  Just have to fab motor mounts.  Bolts to the v6 tranny.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Ifixyawata on January 12, 2006, 05:50:20 PM
Yeah, I know the 'verts weren't factory.  I got the photos from a site that sells kits or actually converts them.  They also sell a vette re-body kit to make any '84 - '96 look like a 2000 model.  $1k for that re-body kit seems cheap to me.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Haystack on January 13, 2006, 03:22:51 PM
Quote from: Thunder Chicken
That red one is nice - that's the bodystyle I like. I think I'd rather do a supercharged 3800 swap into one though - lighter and would probably fit better

hey,.... I gots that chevy super I would let you have for cheap,... Came off of a 3800 too:D
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Haystack on January 13, 2006, 03:28:05 PM
Quote from: CougarSE
Caddy 4.9's a  near bolt in affair.  Just have to fab motor mounts.  Bolts to the v6 tranny.



hmm,... you guys got me thinking about my buddies 89 cavilier with the 2.8 v-6......
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Thunder Chicken on January 13, 2006, 03:43:39 PM
Quote from: Haystack
hmm,... you guys got me thinking about my buddies 89 cavilier with the 2.8 v-6......

I saw a website once where somebody did it in a Corsica. If it'll fit a Corsica it'll fit a Cavalier...
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Funky Cricket on January 13, 2006, 04:47:43 PM
i've always liked the fieros. Friend of the familiy had one, got to drive it  a few times. 4 banger with auto, but still a fun car. and it really does feel like your ass is sping the road while driving.

I couldn't imagine one with a 350, would be fast as all get out.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: Cougar8775 on January 13, 2006, 05:54:05 PM
well if a 2.8 will fit then the 3.1 and .38 will as well!
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: cougarcragar on January 13, 2006, 06:05:19 PM
That red Fiero looks friggin' awesome. The wheels give it a Lotus Esprit V8 look, not a bad thing at all.
Title: Whats the track records of those pontiac fieros?
Post by: JeremyB on January 13, 2006, 06:11:15 PM
...some headers a guy made for a V8 Fiero.
(http://www.hotrodder.com/emarsh/images/headers1.jpg)