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| Basic Performance Improvement for 87 GT (Page 3/3) |
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La fiera
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AUG 22, 03:03 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:
A fast easy and inexpensive engine swap that would get you to 200HP and 275 ft lbs of torque is the Cadillac 4.9L engine.
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I thought the man said he wanted to keep it stock appearing, just like mine! 
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Patrick
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AUG 22, 03:05 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by RayOtton:
At this point I tried manually shifting because it felt like the automatic was leaving something on the table...
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IMO, the best performance increase for a 2.8 powered Fiero would be attained by tossing the slushbox and running a manual transmission! 
But yeah, I get it... you work with what you've got. Good list of mods Ray, I agree with your assessment.
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RayOtton
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AUG 23, 07:27 AM
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Bad hip and big feet led me to the automatic.
Truth is, I'm not as down on the little old 3 speed that so many owners knock. The shifts are quite crisp and now that the rockers gave me a decent top end it's more than acceptable, it's actually fun.
FWIW, I did replace the clunky T-shift handle with a handle that has the button on top. I added a 1/2 spacer to the top of the button so now I can downshift just by pushing down with the palm of my hand. It doesn't sound like much but it makes a world of difference.
PS - By "spacer" I mean a horn shell button from my wife's button collection and it matches the Beechwood interior too. It wasn't easy prying it out of her hands but a little judicious begging worked
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BillS
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AUG 23, 12:32 PM
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On suspension, uprated sway bars are very worthwhile. I did that on both my 87 and 88. On the 88 I also installed Konis but left the springs alone as the spring rates seemed appropriate.
Back when I built my turbo engine, there weren't any 3.4 core engines around so I based it on the 2.8, but one mod I did would be worthwhile for you - if you were going to rebuild your engine. Pick up a good used 3.1 crankshaft (also used in the 3.4) which drops right in, and order up a set of new 3.1 pistons (the compression height is different than the 2.8). Doesn't sound like much, but the bump in torque in an rpm range you are in a lot was pretty welcome.
And given that you can get around 8 bhp from some simple machining on the crappy stock exhaust manifolds, that is a no brainer. There is also a restriction in the cross over, but that's not as easy to fix.If you want to go further, there are lots of threads on improving engine breathing - restrictions in the intake manifold etc.
PS - if you decide to change cams, I'd advise against the Crane 260 or equivalent - not all that much difference from the stock cam. I run the 272 in my 3.4 engine and have been pretty happy with it.
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Frenchrafe
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AUG 23, 04:02 PM
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Put decent "sticky" tyres on the car to start with.
It's the very best 1st performance option that goes!
(The number of times I spun out when my Fiero was original and on cheap tyres doesn't bear thinking about!)
Rafe------------------
"Turbo Slug" - '87 Fiero GT. 3800 turbo. Sticky tyres. Driven hard!
https://www.youtube.com/cha...1wZvWQlkYxTjivW_0XNg
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Patrick
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AUG 23, 05:49 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by RayOtton:
Truth is, I'm not as down on the little old 3 speed that so many owners knock. The shifts are quite crisp...
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It's off the line that I feel a lot is lost. I have a relatively low mile automatic '86 GT (has been in storage for quite awhile now), and my 5-spd '88 Formula (even before a few engine mods) could blow the doors off the GT from a standing start.
| quote | Originally posted by RayOtton:
FWIW, I did replace the clunky T-shift handle with a handle that has the button on top.
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Good move, I did the same thing. The original factory T-shift handle seems so large and clunky within the restricted confines of a Fiero interior.[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 08-23-2020).]
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RayOtton
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AUG 24, 07:06 AM
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Yep, off the line, even with all the mods, I cannot chirp the tires. However, the mid range power more than makes up for this and honestly, it is still sprightly enough off the line that I don't miss that feature.
Besides, If I need to burn rubber I take this beast out - 
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MarkS
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AUG 24, 08:37 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
It's off the line that I feel a lot is lost. I have a relatively low mile automatic '86 GT (has been in storage for quite awhile now), and my 5-spd '88 Formula (even before a few engine mods) could blow the doors off the GT from a standing start.
Good move, I did the same thing. The original factory T-shift handle seems so large and clunky within the restricted confines of a Fiero interior.
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Yeah, agree. I had (2) 86 V6 SE's. One a 50K mile auto & one a 4 speed that even as it approached 135K was faster than the auto, especially from a standing start. But passing gear on the auto was better I think. I also replaced the auto's T handle with a Chebby knob, that made a nice difference.
BR's,
Mark
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Patrick
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AUG 24, 03:37 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by RayOtton:
Besides, If I need to burn rubber I take this beast out...
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Heh heh, I'm not into burning rubber. At appropriate times (like at autocross). I just want to get going quickly from a standing start. 
And it may seem like a trivial thing, but I love the sound an engine makes when it's revved up and "growls" as the clutch is being released. Never tire of that motor music. 
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