first impressions of my new to me fiero. (Page 1/1)
richard in nc JUL 02, 10:53 PM
ive had a 1984 ho camaro and then a 1989 camaro convertible which i loved until someone made it a foot shorter by not watching where they were going.my brother had a fiero gt 2.8 auto.he never went anywhere so i only rode in it maybe twice.i looked at mgs miattas 2005 to 2009 mustangs..i have a 1989 buick reatta which my dad bought new with a 3800[3.8]and transmission that runs great at 150000 miles. .except a 17 year old girl turned left in front of it and totalled it.the drive train was ok except a broken oil dipstick,i started watching for fieros and caviliers for sale to make me a hotrod with great mpg.the problem with the caviliers was front wheel drive.front wheel drive hot rods just spin a lot.
the problem was as soon as i saw them for sale they were sold.i finally was able to buy a 1987 2.5 auto fiero with aleged 126 thousand miles.im assuming its a se but theres no badges.
the bad news is the only options this car seems to have is rear window defogger and ac.unless automatic trans and power brakes was an option.i bought this car to transfer the 3800/four speed automatic power train from the reatta into.you will say that the reatta hp is 160 and the 2.8 is 140 but im assuming the torque difference is much larger.btw i was pleasantly surprised by how quick the 2.5 is around town.i was also surprised how low the seats are.i have to basicly fall into them.ive not gone above 50 yet but this car is peppy.the steering is harder because of no power steering but not a problem.the supposed power brakes will need looking into.it takes firm pedal pressure not to hit the minivan in front.no cruise control.no power windows.no power locks.no power trunk release.no power engine cover release.gas guage doesn't work.tachometer is way high.no center console guages speedometer might be ok.its a fixer upper but it drives nice.the po said he lowered it and maybe he did.i might just swap the four speed auto from the reatta.

[This message has been edited by richard in nc (edited 07-03-2023).]

richard in nc JUL 03, 04:21 PM
i looked at it better today despite the heat.the front antisway bar looks to have been narrowed by welding with the mounts bolted at front and welded at back.my guess is it was from a third gen camaro.it has lowering springs and kyc?struts.the front rotors are 9.5?inches and the rear rotors are around ten inches.im guessing the po used front calipers on the back too.no provisions for the parking brake.im STILL waiting for the champion radiator i ordered off ebay.looking into grand am brakes since these need replacing anyway.
fredtoast JUL 03, 06:26 PM
We all want pictures.

Even if it looks rough, we all know that these are the "before" pictures.
Dennis LaGrua JUL 12, 09:53 AM
Good luck on your new acquisition. No doubt a 35 year old vehicle will need some TLC. They are certainly fun cars to drive If you decide to do an engine swap I would advise not using the 3800 in the Reatta. The power and torque is greater but IMO the work needed to do this swap doesn't provide a real great return in cost per horsepower.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

Jncomutt JUL 12, 10:27 AM
Congrats on the fiero, they're addicting. I've done multiple 3800 swaps and may be able to assist if you go that route. I may be local depending where you are.

[This message has been edited by Jncomutt (edited 07-12-2023).]

richard in nc JUL 12, 05:57 PM

quote
Originally posted by Jncomutt:

Congrats on the fiero, they're addicting. I've done multiple 3800 swaps and may be able to assist if you go that route. I may be local depending where you are.



you are very local.
richard in nc JUL 13, 05:49 PM

quote
Originally posted by Jncomutt:

Congrats on the fiero, they're addicting. I've done multiple 3800 swaps and may be able to assist if you go that route. I may be local depending where you are.



i need a spare tire,jack and mounts.do you know of any fieros in junk yards?