New owner of a Fiero (Page 1/3)
AngelOf86 JUL 10, 07:05 PM
Hi my names Hailey, I just got my first car a 1986 pontiac fiero gt. I bought it with the engine blown and in currently doing a 3800 supercharged swap.
Anyone else have a 86 gt that they can give me tips on and this car? I bought the car because it looked fun honestly I thought I'd be disappointed but once I sat in the driver's seat I was sold I love him. I just don't know the first thing about fieros or maintenance on them. How often should I do everything? I'd love some help with learning about my new car.

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AngelOf86

Patrick JUL 10, 07:47 PM

quote
Originally posted by AngelOf86:

...currently doing a 3800 supercharged swap... don't know the first thing about fieros or maintenance on them.



Welcome. If you're capable of swapping engines, then regular maintenance should be no issue for you. You may wish to familiarize yourself with the forum's Search function. There's 25 years worth of PFF information at your fingertips.
IMSA GT JUL 10, 07:50 PM
And also please post photos.
AngelOf86 JUL 10, 07:51 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Welcome. If you're capable of swapping engines, then regular maintenance should be no issue for you. You may wish to familiarize yourself with the forum's Search function. There's 25 years worth of PFF information at your fingertips.



I have a mechanic doing it but I'm helping out in order to learn. I just bought the fiero today and immediately dropped him off for necessary repairs. Thanks for the tip ill definitely be using that.

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AngelOf86

Patrick JUL 10, 08:05 PM

quote
Originally posted by AngelOf86:

I just bought the fiero today and immediately dropped him off for necessary repairs.



I don't suppose the rear upper frame rails were checked for rust before purchasing this Fiero?

I'm not saying that this is necessarily going to be the situation here, but 30+/- year old cars often have frames and/or suspension that are completely rotted away.

Don't start putting money into this car until it's been determined that it was actually worthwhile buying. Not trying to be a buzz-killer, but so many people have come through here over the years and realized too late that they bought a fine "looking" Fiero (because the body panels don't rust) only to discover it's a basket-case under the pretty facade.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-11-2024).]

cvxjet JUL 10, 08:25 PM
1) Be aware of DTO (Drop-throttle-oversteer) You enter a turn going fast- realize TOO fast- so cut the throttle and the tail swings around....just realize that if this happens get back on the throttle a bit which will stabilize the car. I actually practiced the situation on freeway-cloverleaf turns coming home from work every day.

2) Jacking a Fiero can be a bit dangerous- the rear-end of the rocker-panels gets people in trouble- it looks "solid" but is just plastic. Use this diagram- print it and keep a copy in the car;

[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 07-10-2024).]

Mike in Sydney JUL 10, 09:06 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

I don't suppose the rear upper frame rails were checked for rust before purchasing this Fiero?

I'm not saying that's this is necessarily going to be the situation here, but 30+/- year old cars often have frames and/or suspension that are completely rotted away.

Don't start putting money into this car until it's been determined that it was actually worthwhile buying. Not trying to be a buzz-killer, but so many people have come through here over the years and realized too late that they bought a fine "looking" Fiero (because the body panels don't rust) only to discover it's a basket-case under the pretty facade.



Patrick, Looking at Hailey's location (Maricopa County, Arizona), I think rust may not be an issue IF the car lived there most of its life. Also, sounds like a 3800 swap is underway so it sounds like serious money is currently being invested.

Hailey, I'm not saying don't check for rust, Patrick is spot on. Rust never sleeps and on the off-chance that it is a problem, limit your investment and look elsewhere for a solid, rust-free ride.

To learn about your car, get a factory service manual. Lots of places on the web where you can get a free download.
IMSA GT JUL 10, 09:10 PM
Here is her car. I converted her photos from the other thread.
AngelOf86 JUL 10, 09:26 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

I don't suppose the rear upper frame rails were checked for rust before purchasing this Fiero?

I'm not saying that's this is necessarily going to be the situation here, but 30+/- year old cars often have frames and/or suspension that are completely rotted away.

Don't start putting money into this car until it's been determined that it was actually worthwhile buying. Not trying to be a buzz-killer, but so many people have come through here over the years and realized too late that they bought a fine "looking" Fiero (because the body panels don't rust) only to discover it's a basket-case under the pretty facade.



Complete arizona car I'm the 3rd owner I took said mechanic who's a family friend to look at it with me and he found no issues aside from the engine.
UPDATE: Not an all arizona car I ran the vin and looked through the service manual it came with. I. The 5th owner and it was originally in Wisconsin for 15 years. I'll check today for rust.

[This message has been edited by AngelOf86 (edited 07-26-2024).]

1985 Fiero GT JUL 10, 09:44 PM
Well first off, some fun information:

A lot of people will say that it will catch fire, but the only Fieros that had a fire problem were the first model year, 1984, they had several problems that were fixed in following years, and non existent in the v6, and obviously, any well done engine swaps.

Some people will say it is not a safe car, that is totally incorrect. It is the safest car ever produced without airbags and safer than many many cars with airbags, in part due to having the engine in the back, so the whole front end is a huge crumple zone, as well as having such a spacious cabin, with proper seat placement, there's nothing to smash into you. The crash test numbers regarding the chest deceleration and femur load are better than a 2024 Ford F-150 in a head on crash, other test numbers are likely better or equivalent, but I've only researched the head on test.

I bought my 85 gt just over a year ago, as my first car, for last winter I got a beater car, which I sold a few months ago, and picked up another, better beater. With a Fiero, you should keep a cheap beater car around, at least for the winter (not sure how much snow/salt you get, up here where I am in Canada, one winters driving will start enough rust that there's no prevention, just coping with it, and trying to get as much life as possible from it). If it's summer all year round and you can get stuff fixed fast, you might not need to worry about a beater, although it's always a good idea.

[This message has been edited by 1985 Fiero GT (edited 07-10-2024).]