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| Project Ford Fiero - '86 GT (Page 1/4) |
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Halcyon25
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MAR 20, 02:25 PM
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Whats up everyone, Sorry for the neglect here but Im starting up a new project now with a tentative 5 year goal for completion, though with how motivated my oldest son is I might be finishing this a head of schedule. lol
Huge shoutout to Alex and Adam from LightspeedFieros for hooking me up with this car!
Timeline for the Project in years.
- Strip to bare Chassis.
- Frame modifications, Engine/Tranny setup and Wire management.
- Suspension modifications.
- Start body modifications.
- Finish body mods and Final painting!
The plan is to take, in this case, an '86 GT, and modernize it inside and out with Ford parts and a 3.5L Eco Boost with the 6 speed Manumatic from a '18+ Ford Flex.
Why Ford some may ask? Well, I don't particularly care for GM/Chevy parts and like Ford better.
Everything Im wanting to do as far as the electrical modernization and engine/tranny swap sound extremely hard, but I plan to simplify it by reusing as much from a ford donor as possible, to include the body harness to keep everything simple. I have no issues with electrical work either as this will be as simple as lengthening or shortening sections of the old harness to fit in the fiero.
As far as the Body goes I will be stretching the engine bay to fit the DOHC 3.5l v6 but as to how much I am unsure of right now, but I don't plan to exceed a 6in stretch. Hopefully just a 2-4in stretch will be all that's needed. As well, I am wanting to move the front suspension back 2in max, but this is idea is not set in stone yet due to the complexity.
 Click to show
Interior wise Im looking into either custom fab'ing or modifying the '20+ Ford Explorer or Escape dash layout. Though Im leaning more towards the Explorer at the moment.
 Click to show
To Do List:
- Strip down to the bare Frame.
- Stretch Engine bay no more than 6in for Eco Boost and Tranny.
- 1-2in Choptop, not to exceed.
- Modify Front and Rear suspension.
- ect, Will add to the list as I remember or think of new things... XD
 
 
 
If anyone is in the Albuquerque area and want to lend a hand, shoot me a message and I would love the extra help. Especially in a few months when its time to start modding the frame!
Looking forward to the discussion with everyone!
And to everyone reading, In regards to the prior Tombstoned projects, I am well aware of some of them with one of them being my old 86 SE. Let refrain from the negativity and lets keep it positive here!
I suffer enough from depression and lack of motivation and don't need the constant reminders... Thanks 
I do appreciate the well wishes though! 
I'll have the next post be the running list of YouTube vids as I post them.
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Proud Owner of a 1986 Fiero GT[This message has been edited by Halcyon25 (edited 03-21-2020).]
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Halcyon25
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MAR 20, 02:27 PM
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ltlfrari
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MAR 20, 03:11 PM
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Anything I might say is probably worth what you paid for it, so treat it accordingly!
Dave
www.ltlfrari.com
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Halcyon25
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MAR 20, 08:02 PM
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Started tearing apart the Interior today and called it quites for the day after we got the dash, trim and carpet out...Any suggestions on how to remove the Steering Column?
 
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Rickady88GT
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MAR 21, 06:26 AM
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I like the 1-2 chop. I think the original roof line is to high.
But why the engine bay and front suspension?
Isn't the Flex a front wheel drive?
Why move the front suspension back? If I were to move it, I would go forward an inch or so. This would give me more leg room.
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Halcyon25
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MAR 21, 10:04 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by Rickady88GT:
I like the 1-2 chop. I think the original roof line is to high.
But why the engine bay and front suspension?
Isn't the Flex a front wheel drive?
Why move the front suspension back? If I were to move it, I would go forward an inch or so. This would give me more leg room. |
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Agreed, always felt it seemed high as well and didn't think a short chop would detract from the original look much.
Engine bay stretch is to make room for the dohc 3.5l twin turbo'ed v6...
Moving the front rearward though mostly has to do with personal preference, I don't like how far forward everything is and want to move them rearward to reflect the more exotic apperances. Also, Im 5'9" and in my previous 86 SE I had a lot of trouble finding a spot for the seat were I was comfortable with. Either the pedals were perfect but the wheel was in my chest (or it felt like at least), or the wheel was perfect and I had to reach for the pedals and I hated life... Love the car, just trying to make it more comfortable. I am also not worried about loosing the 2 inches as many of my taller 6+ft friends had more than enough leg room.
The Flex is AWD actually but yes its a fwd transverse setup.
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Habanera Hal
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MAR 21, 12:58 PM
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A very ambitious project. As far as your time line goes, I'd be more inclined to say that when (if ever) it gets done, your son will be collecting social security.
Check out all the Construction Zone builds here that have failed to see the light of day, that were nowhere near as complicated as what you are proposing.
That being said, I do hope I am wrong and that you are successful. Good luck with the project!
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msweldon
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MAR 21, 02:00 PM
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Make sure you change the water pump on the ford 3.5 ecoboost, as I believe they put the water pump at the top of the V behind the timing cover so when the pulley bearing goes, driven by the timing chain, it dumps coolant into your oil system
Putting a gm twin turbo in myself which is about the same size and you should be able to fit the ecoboost without much bay modifications, even reroute the charge pipes..
I would recommend getting the electronics sorted, engine in and running before any serious frame mods begin. One phase at a time, keep the car drivable as much as possible..
As others have said, the list of tombstoned fiero projects is a bit disheartening...
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Halcyon25
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MAR 21, 07:09 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by msweldon:
Make sure you change the water pump on the ford 3.5 ecoboost, as I believe they put the water pump at the top of the V behind the timing cover so when the pulley bearing goes, driven by the timing chain, it dumps coolant into your oil system
Putting a gm twin turbo in myself which is about the same size and you should be able to fit the ecoboost without much bay modifications, even reroute the charge pipes..
I would recommend getting the electronics sorted, engine in and running before any serious frame mods begin. One phase at a time, keep the car drivable as much as possible..
As others have said, the list of tombstoned fiero projects is a bit disheartening... |
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Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely need reminded of this after I get the engine, probably sometime closer to winter hopefully...
I would be ok if the engine fits fine with zero frame modding, but from what I've been glimpsing, I may need to do at least a 2in stretch, and if Im going to need to stretch it. I might as well stretch it to a comfortable length for everything, again though not to exceed 6in...
Electronics setup is, on paper at least, already sorted and any modifying to them is dependent on the changes to the frame I make. But you're right, one step at a time... First step right now is gutting and cleaning. next up is getting the engine and making any mods to the frame that are needed. In the Short term I plane to reuse the current fiero suspension so I can roll it around places but They will all get modified later in favor of a better setup and performance as well as custom knuckles for modern hub bearings...
And to everyone reading, In regards to the prior Tombstoned projects, I am well aware of some of them with one of them being my old 86 SE. Lets refrain from the negativity and lets keep it positive here!
I suffer enough from depression and lack of motivation and don't need the constant reminders... Thanks
I do appreciate the well wishes though! [This message has been edited by Halcyon25 (edited 03-21-2020).]
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Spadesluck
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MAR 22, 12:46 AM
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You are not "to" far from me! If I am ever in that area I will try and reach out. Will be watching your build.
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