87 GT Restoration, update, upgrade, and swap (Page 1/3)
spartan_chaz JUL 04, 05:56 PM
I was recently given an opportunity to pickup a 1987 Fiero GT that has been sitting for around 8 years (estimated). The previous owner decided to attempt a 3.4 swap on the car but was never able to finish it. He needed the car gone due to county rules of it sitting in his driveway. So, he offered it to me for free!

I went out one weekend to get the cradle placed back in the car (without the engine) in order to get the car good enough to drag up onto a trailer in order to get it into my garage. We were successful in the endeavor despite a few roadblock. And now, the Fiero sit happily in my garage with all of the spare parts, besides the rear bumper and original 2.8 engine block. The last few parts I will pickup once I get everything else organized and find a place for them.

The 3.4 block has been rebuilt already so its a matter of getting everything put back together and put it in (maybe)

The paint is shot, the suspense needs work and one of the stud studs is stripped. One cradle bolt capture nut came off making it impossible for me to get the cradle out, so I will be getting the Rodney Dickman kit to make the rear cradle bolts much better. Just need to figure out a solution for the stripped store mount bolt.
So, the plans for the car is to:
1. tear everything down and replace everything old with new and to restore any parts that cannot be replaced
2. upgrade and update everything I can. Suspens, breaks, interior items such as radios gauges so on and so forth.
3. Perform and engine swap to finish the 3.4 swap. I am debating on either 3800SC with an F40 or F23, or doing a Honda k24 swap. Still very undecided but I want 100% reliability, between 300-400 HP, and ease of finding replacement parts.
4. Get the body panels repaired and painted. Thinking about going with the Gold color the Fiero came with (since I used to own one in that exact color) with a twist to it (going to work with my paint guy to thing of something neat)


So that's where I stand right now. I am going to need some insight on breaks, suspension, wheels, interior, and engine upgrades. I am trying to keep the car overall stock looking (because I love the look of the Fiero completely stock. But wheels HAVE to be upgraded for better tire choices, looks, and overall better performance.

More will follow as I start doing some work on it! Any advice/info on the upgrades or restoration tip is greatly appreciated!
spartan_chaz JUL 04, 06:07 PM
Also, how exactly do I upload pictures to the thread?
spartan_chaz JUL 04, 08:59 PM

[This message has been edited by spartan_chaz (edited 07-04-2021).]

spartan_chaz JUL 05, 12:34 PM
UPDATE POST:

I ordered a few things from Rodney Dickman yesterday. All new cradle bolts, his steel top strut mounting plate for the rear, the floating cradle bolt kit so I can get the broken capture nuts out and get a better setup in there for a more reliable way to remove the cradle.

Also, after going back and forth about swap options with a best friend, we both came to the conclusion to finish putting together the 3.4 engine and putting that in to get the car road worthy. That way, I can enjoy driving the car, make it easy to get to shops for things if needed, and piece together stuff needed for the full swap I want to do. Then get that swap done and sell off the 3.4 complete swap. so I also ordered Rodney deskman's starter relocation jig so I can get that done while I have the engine out.

Pics will start flowing in once I get the parts in and Strat replacing old with new!
spartan_chaz JUL 05, 03:41 PM
Looks like Iv locked down a set of fully assembled struts! That one issue handled.

Next I’m waiting on a steering wheel puller to arrive in the mail. This will let me replace the ignition cylinder so I can 1. Have a set of keys to start it and 2. Be able to actually turn the wheels. Then it’s on to the other locks and the cradle bolts once the stuff from Rodney dickman arrives.
Patrick JUL 05, 04:44 PM

quote
Originally posted by spartan_chaz:

Also, after going back and forth about swap options with a best friend, we both came to the conclusion to finish putting together the 3.4 engine and putting that in to get the car road worthy. That way, I can enjoy driving the car, make it easy to get to shops for things if needed...



Probably a good idea. You might even find that you enjoy the car just fine with a 3.4, and don't really need to go through the added stress/expense of an engine swap.
spartan_chaz JUL 05, 05:20 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Probably a good idea. You might even find that you enjoy the car just fine with a 3.4, and don't really need to go through the added stress/expense of an engine swap.



we shall see. There is always that possibility. Main reason im going to just finish the 3.4 swap is because the previous owner did have the block and heads fully machined and built by a shop (and provided the receipts for the proof)

So that just make it much easier to get the car going so I can restore everything else.

But, with all that said, I do tend to lean toward more power....hell my 19 mustang GT has around 470 wheel HP and I still feel like it needs more lol
Patrick JUL 05, 07:25 PM

quote
Originally posted by spartan_chaz:

my 19 mustang GT has around 470 wheel HP and I still feel like it needs more lol



If 470 wheel HP isn't enough, what's the point of going through a lot of extra work to swap 300-400 HP into the Fiero? A well-balanced car can still be fun to drive without the mega-power to be breaking things.


quote
Originally posted by spartan_chaz:

Still very undecided but I want 100% reliability, between 300-400 HP
spartan_chaz JUL 05, 08:18 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

If 470 wheel HP isn't enough, what's the point of going through a lot of extra work to swap 300-400 HP into the Fiero? A well-balanced car can still be fun to drive without the mega-power to be breaking things.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by spartan_chaz:

Still very undecided but I want 100% reliability, between 300-400 HP


[/QUOTE]

you have a good point there. I used to own an 86 GT with the stock 2.8 in it. while it was fun still just didn't have nearly enough "umph" in it. But it was also old and worn out, both engine and suspension. So maybe with a fresh built and all new suspension it may be a different story lol.
spartan_chaz JUL 06, 10:09 AM
So, I have started the process of ordering parts to start getting things replaced on this 87 GT.

But, first hurdle is the break system. The primary thing I am attempting to figure out is calipers and rotors. I know the front rotors are built in hubs, but i would like to find an option where I can turn those rotors in just hub and use a more normalized rotor setup for future maintenance ease. What are my options?