Hello All,

I'm picking up my NEW 86SE this weekend!

Here is the kicker...

Rebuilt 3800 Series I N/A w/ Rebuilt auto w/ a shift kit.

Only a couple problems:
1) The decklid doesn't fit right, and hits the power steering pump. Is the power steering easy to remove, or what is the best way to get the decklid to close flush?

2) The speedo is 15mph faster than proper calibration. How can I fix that?

3) From the 2 engine pictures, it doesn't look like there is a top dogbone mount of any sort. He said it had one... Where else could it be? Or how can I add one later?

Lastly, what would you guess the market value of this Fiero is?

Thanks for your input,
Greg

PS - A special thanks to Matthian for buying my 88 GT quickly to make this happen.

[This message has been edited by FieroGTguy (edited 04-20-2004).]

Hmmm... I've seen that green color somewhere before I kind of like the way that car looks

Looks like quite the nice find! As for market value - tough to guess... that early 3800 swap is certainly not too common (everyone wants a S/C ). But considering that everything else is in pretty good shape I'm sure something around $2500-$3500 wouldn't be unheard of (heck - nice 86SE's with 2.8s sometimes sell for that much!)

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Looking for Fiero posters?

[This message has been edited by MinnGreenGT (edited 04-20-2004).]

if its something with the puter could pull the chip out and get it reprogrammed?

not sure on the other questions, why on earth does it have the power steering pump on it still? other then that it looks fantastic not to mention that color

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88 5spd Modified 3800 Series II Supercharged Formula

quote Originally posted by MinnGreenGT: Hmmm... I've seen that green color somewhere before I kind of like the way that car looks Looks like quite the nice find! As for market value - tough to guess... that early 3800 swap is certainly not too common (everyone wants a S/C ). But considering that everything else is in pretty good shape I'm sure something around $2500-$3500 wouldn't be unheard of (heck - nice 86SE's with 2.8s sometimes sell for that much!)

I'll give you some credit for pushing me over the edge... I've never been much into a green car until I saw yours. It goes very nicely with the tan interior. It will look a lot better with the 17" Focal wheels with green centercaps with the cf design.

PS - Can you post links or pics of other series 1 N/A Fiero engine bays? I'm interested to see what they did for a top engine mount, and how they cleared the decklid.

Thanks Elite Linkmaster of PFF!

Greg

nice car, love the color.

i was watching that car on ebay.

thought about it but want an '88.

The factory dogbone in the donor car would have been right in front of the alternator (the back of the passenger seat). Maybe they tied it into there somehow, or underneath.

Anyways, that is not a Series I, is it? I thought the Series I had a plastic cover on the top that said 3800 or 3800 Series I? I was told that these were infact just a 3.8. I have two of the motors that are pictured above. One is in an '88 Cutlass Ciera which I am going to be swapping into my '86SE over the summer here. The other I am gonna rebuild & turbo it similar to a GN, then replace the N/A one. I also have two of the th440-4/4t60(e?) trannys, but am going to mate the running motor to my 5spd Isuzu if I can finda 3.8 flywheel. I will be sure to take LOTS of picures now that I have a digi cam to do so.

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--Jess
'86SE
'85SE
"If you expect the unexpected, was it really even UNexpected in the first place?"

quote Originally posted by jlhuber: The factory dogbone in the donor car would have been right in front of the alternator (the back of the passenger seat). Maybe they tied it into there somehow, or underneath. Anyways, that is not a Series I, is it? I thought the Series I had a plastic cover on the top that said 3800 or 3800 Series I? I was told that these were infact just a 3.8. I have two of the motors that are pictured above. One is in an '88 Cutlass Ciera which I am going to be swapping into my '86SE over the summer here. The other I am gonna rebuild & turbo it similar to a GN, then replace the N/A one. I also have two of the th440-4/4t60(e?) trannys, but am going to mate the running motor to my 5spd Isuzu if I can finda 3.8 flywheel. I will be sure to take LOTS of picures now that I have a digi cam to do so.

I'm not sure which motor is which, but it does appear to be a late 80's motor. I had an 88 Buick Century that had the 3.8. It was quite nimble for its' weight, so I'm sure I'll love this Fiero. Anyone know the hp/tq of this motor, or gas mileage?

PS - The owner said it was a Series I, but he didn't seem very knowledgable. He buys/sells cars from a dealership buddy.

Greg

wow, car looks awesome, but maybe i'm a little biased. =)

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Nice.
Looks like mine, minus the misaligned decklid an sick 3800 powerplant.

That thing must melt those 14" tires down to nothing without trying !!

My sis's cutty had the same engine. It was fairly quick. I love the color! It looks like the same paint my 91 GTA had. That dark metalic green looks so good on a sunny day when its just been washed...the only problem is, you gotta wash it constantly to keep it looking that good. Congrats on the purchase!

edit: ps. That green goes really good with gold wheels. I wish I knew how to work pip so I could include a pic of my old car.

[This message has been edited by PontiacRcr4evr (edited 04-20-2004).]

It looks like the 3.8 V6 I had in my 88 Buick LeSabre. (not the 3800). If it is just the regular 3.8 you're looking at 150HP.. if it really is the 3800 (which it might be, I can't tell just from the pics), then it would be something like 165HP or in that neighbourhood.

EDIT:
Well I took a look at a picture of the engine of my old LeSabre and everything looks the same except the ignition coils. I'm pretty sure that you have a 3.8 V6 not the 3800. I would say you are looking at the 150 HP engine.

[This message has been edited by ThaFieroMunk (edited 04-21-2004).]

i really like the color.
and i dont like many colors.

quote Originally posted by ThaFieroMunk: It looks like the 3.8 V6 I had in my 88 Buick LeSabre. (not the 3800). If it is just the regular 3.8 you're looking at 150HP.. if it really is the 3800 (which it might be, I can't tell just from the pics), then it would be something like 165HP or in that neighbourhood. EDIT: Well I took a look at a picture of the engine of my old LeSabre and everything looks the same except the ignition coils. I'm pretty sure that you have a 3.8 V6 not the 3800. I would say you are looking at the 150 HP engine.

Sweet... An extra 10hp. Anyone know if the 3.8 auto gets better gas mileage? I know the 3800's could get 30+mpg. Well, anything would be better about now. My 2.8 GT seems to be in the 15-18mpg city.

Greg

Dang, you're going to have fun with that! What does the significant other thing of fieros?

quote Originally posted by FieroGTguy: I'll give you some credit for pushing me over the edge... I've never been much into a green car until I saw yours. It goes very nicely with the tan interior. It will look a lot better with the 17" Focal wheels with green centercaps with the cf design. PS - Can you post links or pics of other series 1 N/A Fiero engine bays? I'm interested to see what they did for a top engine mount, and how they cleared the decklid. Thanks Elite Linkmaster of PFF!

Greg - Thanks for the compliment! The green isn't for everyone, but very few people don't like the color combo when they see it - especially in person! Which style of wheels (you mentioned Focal - but which model?)... curious as I'm looking at a different brand/style of wheel - but I'll still get them re-coated in the same gold I currently have

As someone else mentioned, I'm not sure if that's an early "3.8" or a Series I/3800...? But Kev used to have an early series 1 (he now has a "late" series 1) ...here's his engine bay with the 1st engine:

You can see the custom dog-bone that was made for it - and he wasn't running the PS pump... but I'm not sure if all that was needed was a shorter belt - or if he had to have an idler or tensioner pulley added (Kev - you reading this? ).

I know what color my next Fiero will be painted. Do you know the name of it and what models it was on? From the pics, I'm guessing a later GM green but would like to know for sure...

I rented a car with the Fiance, and even brought our Lhasa Apso to pick up the 86 SE starting in Indianapolis to Delaware. The drive there was long, but scenic. We finally get there, and find the 86 SE looks to be completely restored! Almost perfect interior, polished wheels, painted calipers, and in really good shape.

A few unexpected findings... It has power windows, power mirrors, power trunk release, cruise, and A/C. Since there was an engine swap, I didn't expect cruise or A/C to work (or even be hooked up). Ironically, this is now the FIRST Fiero I have owned (out of at least 15) that has had a working cruise control. That really helped on the way home.

I was expecting this to be my first out of state road trip home in a Fiero without breaking down because it has a rebuilt engine/tranny. Welp, halfway back... The alternator seized! It wouldn't have been so bad if I was near a parts store somewhere I could work on it, but it was in mountainous terrain, and on a Sunday. LUCKILY, a courtesy guard was driving by and stopped to help find a towing + repair place. The tow took awhile, and it took the mechanic awhile to find the right alt. because I never did find out what year this engine is out of (and I forgot to ask after it was fixed). I just told him that it was probably out of a late 80's or early 90's Buick or Oldsmobile? Anyway... It was pretty "classic" riding in a tow truck in West Virginia with my Fiance and growling Lhasa.

Anyway, the only other problem with it is that it makes a clunking noise shifting into 2nd gear during WOT. If you drive it normal, it drives and shifts great. Any idea where to start? It does have a top engine mount against the firewall, and has rubber bushings.

Overall, $200 for the car rental, $300 to tow + repair, and about $150 in food + gas. I'm happy with the purchase. I always have to answer when a road trip calls. Especially when there is a Fiero at the end.

Greg

what is needed to make that engine work in my car would i need an adapterplate for my stick tranny what about a flywheel? i wouldnt mind makin my next car one of them those motors are pretty common in the yards around my place