hey guys,
im not too sure if this is a FAQ, but i have 2 86's and an 88 with the better suspension and everything. i was planning on using the one 86 as a base platform, and combining the other two into it. is it possible to directly swap the better suspension, engine, cradle, interior, etc. form the 88 to the 86? also, are there any parts that would be usefull to bring along from the 88 as well? and if so, will they all fit?
thanks

[This message has been edited by hillmotorsports (edited 06-07-2006).]

The rear cradle can be swapped but it takes some work. The front cradle is a major fabrication job to swap over, not recommended for the novice fabricator. There are lots of big and little differences among years, it would be easier if we knew exactly what parts from the '88 you want to swap over? Also, what's wrong with the '88, it may be better to just work the swaps from the older chassis to the '88 one.

JazzMan

we have alot of good fabricators at our shop, as well as the technology to make any changes, just a lack of knowledge as far as major re-fab for the fieros. the '86 that i wanted to use as a base is the chopped targa top that was being on here a couple weeks back. originally, i had my 88 and 86, and was going to bring a couple things from the 86 to the 88, and chop it later on, or during the build. but, i saw the targa top, and realized we could pick it up on the way to a race, and save (what i thought) alot of time. I was mainly planning on swaping the better suspension, cradle, etc. from the 88, because, from what i know, and have heard, it was designed by lotus, and is FAR superior to that of the 84-87's. i've been reading up on some past threads about the job, but all of the answers seem to differ, depending on the people's thought process. do you know extactly what needs to be done?
thanks for the help

[This message has been edited by hillmotorsports (edited 06-07-2006).]

No doubt the rear suspension is much better in the 88's because it doesnt suffer from bumpsteer and normally comes with a swaybar (formula/gt's). In the opinion of me and my friend that has a 86GT, we decided that the front suspension is slightly "faster" than the 88 front rack. If I recall, I have seen a pre-87 steering rack swaped onto an 88 on the fourm before.

If you have a whole 88, not just the cradle, then the swapping of the 88 cradle into the pre-87 body is not overly complicated. Just remember that you have to swap the brakes/bearings/brakelines/struts/strut mounts, over from the donar car. HeldMotorsports over here in michigan sells the 88 cradle adapters, they are basicly a boltin deal from what I understand, if you feel like making them I guess that this link can give you an idea.

http://www.heldmotorsports.com/Fiero/KitCarSuspension.htm
http://www.heldmotorsports.com/Fiero/88EngineCradleAdapters.htm

There is alot of stuff on the page, some of which you may be interested in, as there are alot of front suspention upgrade packages on there, but I am mostly unfamilar with them so I wont put my opinions of them in here. The adapters are 2nd or so from the bottom of the page.
Let me guess you got the targa project from a guy in lower michigan, its black and was going to once become a ferarri rebody?

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Check out my 3800 swap thread and lend your advice!

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/072877.html

[This message has been edited by darkhorizon (edited 06-08-2006).]

yah thats exactly what i got. i had my two ready to be built into one, with the idea of choping it sometime this summer during the build. but, once i saw the targa, and its price (or lack of) as well as the fact that we are driving right by there on our way to a race, i decided to pick it up and use it for a base to start from. worst case scenerio, it doesn't work out, i can at least get some ideas from it, and chop my 88.