New Member From Michigan (Page 1/2)
OldFiero87 AUG 28, 03:29 PM

Hi all,

My name is Sean and I am a new member to the forum. I've been a long time lurker. I previously (just over 20 years ago) owned an 85GT with T-Tops and an 86GT that was mint. I moved on to a Firebird then a host of other vehicles. Currently, I'm 41 with two children. I am very thankful that my youngest, at 14, is showing interest in cars. It gives me the great opportunity to get him off his phone and out in the garage. We have been talking about cars lately because he gets his permit in January. I showed him pictures of my old Fieros and he fell in love. I have been watching Facebook marketplace for a while and just happened to come across a deal we couldn't pass up. It is a 2 owner 87 GT with only 55k miles!! My son was very interested and after talking to the owner so was I. I immediately committed to buying it sight-unseen and borrowed a trailer. It ended up being over 10 hours of driving but I got home with an awesome car. The paint is burned on the hood/roof/spoiler but there is absolutely zero rust anywhere! I'm certain my wife is annoyed with how many comments I have made about the lack of rust. The interior is good with the exception of the driver's seat. I actually think the PO swapped it with his other Fiero.

My son Owen and I have already been spending a ton of time on it. We changed everything to LED and are fighting the nuances of that. I think we have a grounding issue with a front socket since I've got the turn signal indicator now illuminated when parking lights are on. I'm following the Ogre's documents to troubleshoot that. We upgraded the radio and speakers. We are currently replacing pads/rotors and installing stainless brake hoses and bleeding the whole system. It will need front tires at a minimum before regular road duty. The engine surges and idles high so I have been tracking down vacuum leaks and testing/replacing sensors. All new plugs/wires/cap/rotor installed. We replaced the headliner with some cheap microsuede that looks pretty good compared to the saggy cloth.

Before Owen gets his license we hope to paint the car. This may end up being DIY. I have done some painting in the past but not an entire vehicle. I have some older paint that I purchased for my Firebird project and never used. It's Audi Mica Blue which I think would look great on a Fiero. We will sort that out as we go.

The forum is an awesome resource. I have been reading pages and pages about projects and troubleshooting. I think eventually I will have my son Owen sign up as well but for now I will just be the one posting.

A little bit about myself: I work in the automotive industry running a test lab for driveline components. My family and I love to hunt and fish and have way too many toys (snowmobiles, seadoos, boats, cars). My other car project is a 79 Chevette that I swapped the complete driveline from my old Firebird into. 5.0 with a T5 and 7.5" rear axle. It actually feels like everything I own is older and requires a ton of maintenance. At least I mostly enjoy the work. Owen and I both joined the Michigan Fiero Club. Hope to get to know some of you and maybe help someone else along the way.







Patrick AUG 28, 03:49 PM

quote
Originally posted by OldFiero87:

CLICK FOR FULL SIZE



Welcome, Sean... and eventually Owen!

The Fiero looks pretty good, although its engine is surprisingly dirtier than mine. Try the tips in This recent thread if you dare.
Mike in Sydney AUG 28, 03:54 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by OldFiero87:


…We changed everything to LED and are fighting the nuances of that. I think we have a grounding issue with a front socket since I've got the turn signal indicator now illuminated when parking lights are on.


Did you install a ballast resistor when you installed the LEDs in the turn signals? I had the same problem and I tallying a ballast resistor solved it. You may also want t change the blinker to a solid state unit instead of the bi-metallic unit that the car comes with.
mafv8 AUG 28, 04:32 PM
Welcome to the madness, I am just down the road from you in Northville, looks like you have a great car to start with.

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84SE, aero body, 4 speed and an injected 355 V8

OldFiero87 AUG 28, 09:44 PM
Patrick - I've read that thread and it's high on the list to clean the engine.

Mike - I haven't done the ballast resistor yet. I thought I had everything working but realized I ordered red LED bulbs for the turn/parking lights. It seems like when I changed those for white everything went out of whack. Same brand bulbs. Been trying halogen back in their place with mixed results. Hence why I'm leaning towards bad ground.

MafV8 - looking forward to meeting you. Are you part of the MFC?
BingB AUG 29, 11:17 AM
I have never painted a whole car before and I don't really have a good place to do it.

So I am looking into vinyl wrap. I would prefer a paint job, but I have more faith in being able to do a wrap with no experience than a paint job. No matter how much research I do it seems like I always mess something up when I do it for the first time.

But it sounds like you already have a good bit of experience with painting. Just not an entire car.

[This message has been edited by BingB (edited 08-29-2024).]

Kitskaboodle AUG 29, 11:18 AM
High idle? Check and/or replace your egr tube.
Also, thou shalt replace thy dogbone whenever the rubber looks worn. Your motor mounts will surely thank thee for this action. 😊
Kit
Dennis LaGrua SEP 02, 08:53 PM
When I replaced all the taillights with 12 LED lights, I just plugged everything in and all worked fine. There are 1157 style direct plug in LED lights that serve the taillights/brake lights and separate led bulbs for each of the turn signal lights. While the current draw for the turn signal lights was enough to work the old style flasher, I switched that to a solid state unit.
The front lights are Trucklite Xenon that provide plenty of light for nighttime driving.



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" 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 "

cliffw SEP 03, 08:55 AM

quote
Originally posted by OldFiero87:



I love it that your Son wants to wash your Fiero, .

Welcome.
OldFiero87 SEP 14, 05:04 PM
Hey guys,

Small update:

We've determined that the passenger front side marker light is the primary culprit for the lighting issue. No matter what type of bulb I put in that socket the troubles start. I'm assuming a grounding issue. I haven't had time to troubleshoot further.

We upgraded the radio to a single DIN touch-screen with android auto and carplay. The thing is pretty terrible. It's completely based on android OS with some weird issues. It already started having connection issues and sound would cut out. We are swapping it out for a single DIN Alpine. Converted to 4" round Kickers in the back and 5.5" round in the dash. Did the Tang Band sub upgrade. May improve the Amp in the future.

The engine still surges pretty bad when cold and idles high. It settles a lot once warm. I've replaced some vacuum hoses and the IAC and MAP. I have a coolant temp sensor for the ecm but haven't had time to install. Still sounds like there us an exhaust leak on the front firewall side. Not looking forward to dealing with that. All in all just not running well yet.

The transmission doesn't hold gears vary well. Seems like mostly 2nd. Sometimes it's totally fine and other times it slips. I'm going to try TV adjustment. At 55k miles I wouldn't expect transmission issues. Fluid is clean and not burned.

The brakes are definitely better now but feel under-boosted. Confirmed good vacuum at the booster. Might do S10 booster in the future.

@cliffw - that is my son Owen washing the car. It actually belongs to him. He saved up for a long time and bought it himself! I'm very proud of him.