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| Modernizing a Fiero? (Page 1/2) |
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Wichita
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JAN 09, 05:41 PM
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Though it is very common for the Fiero community to modernize the powerplant, suspension, braking system and lighting system, I wonder how much further we can go to modernizing the Fiero to near modern standards, maybe even post 2000, if maybe post 2010 level of modernization.
I believe there has been some attempt to have motorized fold-in side mirrors. There also has been successful attempts at digital or modern gauges and switches, maybe a modernized power widow motors or even a more modernize HVAC controls.
One thing about the Fiero that it is ran off of 12V system. Modern cars are really controlled by LIN or CAN systems. Since I now have a modern (2014) power plant and a vehicle control unit that has several CAN and LIN inputs/outputs that I could possibly use to control various things, from gauges to ancillary systems. It can be a bit complicated, but learnable for sure. I wonder what I can do to use these, or just it's just way more trouble that it is worth and to leave it alone.
I'm curious if anyone has going through and used LIN and CAN systems in the Fiero beyond the power plant system?
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theogre
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JAN 09, 07:54 PM
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"Modernizing" Often is not Better or more reliable... More so when involves CANBUS et al.
Example: Many things on CANBUS are serialize and must match numbers stored in PCM &/or BCM. This is to stop DIY and other "unauthorized" repairs. Is a "spin off" of VIN Locked "Radios" used in many 90 to now GM cars because the "Radio" also has Chime Box functions AKA "Blue Dingy Thingy" built into it. Even GM Dealers can only replace these w/ same unit when old unit is "dead."
E2A-->Not just "cars..." Ask many John Deere owners about getting recent models fix and wait days or weeks for dealer service because need to recode SN for a lot of parts and only JD Authorized Dealers have Legal "Scanners" w/ JD © Software.
Unlike F16 and everything since military w/ Drive/Fly by Wire... All DbW for cars are made Very Cheap and have Many Problems not just Toyota w/ run away cars causing a huge Recall a few years ago.
That before trying to add "Super Cruise" and other names for "self driving" cars that's hurt and killed people but MSM ignores most because neg for current narrative.
Power Mirrors now has not change much on how made since the 80's... still break a lot and can't adjust at all when that happens. Power/Auto Folding just adds another motor and gears to break down.
Worse, when these newer mirror get hit hard they often break totally and have a large bill to replace the whole thing on top of whatever cost of repair to the car where mounted to.
Many old PW uses Relays and other things like auto open module to power the motors and does not need a BCM controlling them.
But that cost more and why Fiero and a F lot more have switches getting full power to run the motors.
BCM control them now but BCM just has 1 input or output dead means you replace the BCM that cost way, Way, more the a dead switch or relay.
BCM controls everything...
So 1 dead NTC thermistor buried in AC/Heater box and AC don't work. Fixing that means tearing out the entire dash to get at the heater box in many "cars." Often means "dumping" AC charge and pulling apart AC to replace 1 sensor. If a shop fixes that cost Many Hours of Labor alone...
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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)
The Ogre's Fiero Cave[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 01-09-2023).]
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Australian
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JAN 09, 11:12 PM
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hyperv6
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JAN 10, 06:47 AM
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fieroguru
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JAN 10, 07:10 AM
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Over the years several people have included BCMs with their swaps to retain some of the later model features. Rickady88GT probably went the furthest with his LS4 swap.
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum3/HTML/000114.html
I think the lack of all those features is what makes the Fiero such a good base to start with and and easy platform to swap.
However, with my LS4/Turbo swap I will be installing traction control to help keep the car pointed the right direction. http://www.racetcs.com/
I am also upgrading to a double din head unit with nav and backup camera capability.
The car already has cruise, PW, PL & AC.
Beyond these items, I don't really see a need for more complexity to add more features.
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MarkS
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JAN 13, 02:38 PM
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If there was just clean well documented straight forward path to getting to a high feature 3.6 w/ a six speed auto or manual I'd be very happy. Wouldn't even need direct injection for me.
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Raydar
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JAN 14, 08:59 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by fieroguru:
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Beyond these items, I don't really see a need for more complexity to add more features. |
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Awww... You mean you don't want it to "see" an approaching car, in a curve, on the other side of the road, and slam on the brakes?
Honda told a friend of mine that that behavior is "normal".
Right. We just turned off most of that crap, in our Honda. I'm grateful that we still have that option. For now.
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Trinten
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JAN 15, 08:17 AM
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(apologies for the dovetail here)
If FieroGuru is figuring out Traction control, then hopefully that will bring adaptive cruise control into the realm of possibilities!
One of the things sitting around to go in my car is a blind spot indicator, it comes with lights that go in the cabin, but as we are looking at side mirrors that had blind spot indicators built in, we want to wire this sensor system into those (once we settle on said aftermarket side mirror. I've been looking for ones that had Blind spot indicator and built in turn signal indicator on the front of the housing, and that wouldn't require more than some adapting to the mounting point on the Fiero... we're getting closer, best fit so far is out of the 2020-2022 Mustangs. Going to pick up a late model FourRunner XLE mirror to test out next).
About Ricky's car - he's modified it so extensively, California recognizes it as a modified Monte Carlo! lol (he talks about it in his thread when going to get emissions done). Wild stuff!
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60Greyhound
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JAN 16, 07:47 AM
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I'm modernising quite a lot on my 88 Formula as it actually makes hooking up and releasing the potential of my engine swap a lot easier, as well as being a fun project to play around with.
2008 Z28NET engine (not sure of american designation) ... 2.8 quad cam, vvt, hybrid turbo with tubular manifolds, charge cooling system and high flow custom inlet manifold. aiming for 500+ to wheels
lightened solid flywheel with high torque clutch, F40 6speed with Quaife ATB Diff
VAG group 330mm vented front and rear brakes
DTA S80 ECU and Throttle controller, wheel speed sensors all round will enable Launch, Traction and Slip control
AIM technologies PDM32 (Power Dristribution module) fully programmable unit the replaces most fuses, relays etc in the car. Includes logging and 10" customisable dash. The dash unit should just fit into the original surround and replace all gauges/warning lights.
I know there are far cheaper/easier ways to go about getting big power, but I see this engine as the natural predecessor for the original 2.8 v6 so thought i'd have a go at it!
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MarkS
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JAN 16, 08:55 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by 60Greyhound:
I2008 Z28NET engine (not sure of american designation) ... 2.8 quad cam, vvt, hybrid turbo with tubular manifolds, charge cooling system and high flow custom inlet manifold. aiming for 500+ to wheels |
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Hi, this is the Euro / Ausie version of the GM High Feature DOHC V6. Dave "BMWGURU" started one of these swaps years ago. Don't know what became of it:
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/091238.html
BR's,
Mark
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