Sorry if this upsets some of ya but I figure after some reading this is one of the better sites to get some actual straight knowledge from.
I ride a bike 90% of the time (other than a work van, don't even own a four wheeled vehicle) but my knees are going bad and am considering changing to a trike. A little research and it seems a Fiero would be a decent car to turn into a trike.
So far all I've got in mind is a V6 which means 85 and up right? Which would be better the auto or the stick? Which stick?
What sort of engine control systems are in place on these cars? Any known problems with years to look out for?
Can different size tires be run? Larger, fatter ones possibly.Can the rear diff be changed for different ratios?
Intention which may or may not stay the same is to retain the rear end of the car and add the trike front end. This way the motor isn't bothered by being used year round in the St Louis area with rain and snow.
I've seen several front end wrecks in local junkyards so I know the cars are out there.
End use would be a trike that will get in the area of 20-30K a year with some years much, much more. Used in all weather and all road surfaces from gravel to long slab trips with nice twisties perferred.
Sarge - Thanks for any info. Flame suit on for any upset folks.
Welcome to the insanity that which is this forum. There's one I've seen around this area. If I see him in a parking lot somewhere, I'll see if I can get some contact information. So yes, it can be done anyway. Just not sure of the details because he was going one way and I was going the other, so I didn't get a really good look.
------------------ Whade' "The Duck Formerly Known As Wade" Duck '87 GT Auto '88 Ferrario '84 Indy (8/26/06)
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09:02 AM
ltlfrari Member
Posts: 5356 From: Wake Forest,NC,USA Registered: Jan 2002
I plan on something nicer than the one in the link. As for better cars...VW's are the most common used but fail to meet some standards of mine. No power being the first one to come to mind. Why a Fiero? IRS, easy or fairly easy to switch another motor in. Most of the rear end work is done already and from what I've read a good handling one at that. Would need to relocated rad but not that big of a problem.
I'm "assuming" there's a computer involved somewhere. Where's it at?
Sarge
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09:28 AM
CompYellowFiero Member
Posts: 397 From: Hebron,Maryland,USA Registered: Mar 2006
Not to disuade you from using a Fiero but have you considered a Corvair or Corvair/VW powertrain? Have seen several trikes done with Corvair power; parts are available to do whatever you desire (www.corvair.com)from Clarks corvair's to rebuild and modify for more power. Engine is air cooled too so no need to relocate a radiator. In my younger days I had several Corvairs; had one with a modded engine (high compression, cam, headers and Holly 4 barrel) as well as a factory turbo (Spyder). Could also use a Toronado/Eldorado front wheel drive setup; saw a trike built that way once. I would imagine a 455 trike would have plenty of power
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02:19 PM
EightBall Member
Posts: 237 From: Edwardsburg, MI Registered: Jul 2005
Id say just grab the cradle assembly with the transmission and engine out of a fiero and build off of that, I saw a guy make a buggy like that because he lost an arm and needed an automatic.
Now if you wanted something really cool you could swap in a carbed small block 350 and that would also get rid of having to deal with the computer.
[This message has been edited by EightBall (edited 10-25-2006).]
Yeppers, I've considered the Corvair/VW route but neither are easily located around here even tho trikes from those are everywhere. Most shops that deal with either are very picky who they sell to now. I've had to lie to even get a chance to look at possible project trikes. Biggest reason tho was a test ride. The VW was good off the line but topped out early unless well massaged which ran the cost up. Corvairs are sorta rare here and I didn't like the way it handled.
Hence thinking of a Fiero. The 2.8 is a decent motor by itself. I've owned two vehicles with that motor, a Jeep and a S10 Blazer. But if I felt the need for more power the Fiero is easily adapted to other motors. Relocating the rads no real problem and in fact on a Fiero would solve something I see as a weak link...the long hoses. Don't those long hoses make the vehicle harder to burp?
If it's just one computer then no real problem relocating it either. I would prefer no computer but I sorta like FI. Just the cradle is an idea tho as I could make custom panels and build some storage in.
I've no thought to buying a Fiero in good shape and cutting it up BTW. Whatever I get will be a wrecked one. Two reasons. I dislike cutting up (that much at least) something that someone else might be able to restore and get some pleasure from. Also using a wrecked one will keep costs down.
Why not start with a Cadillac cradle and a 4.9, anything your going to do with a Fiero cradle you could probably do with a Caddy. Unless you want a standard.
Never even thought of a Caddy in all honesty. Front wheel drive? Transaxle? Part of the deal with the Fiero is that while not knowing much about them I drove one a long time ago and loved it. But the motor/tranny/rear end seemed a nice small package.
Here is one for you. Guy is looking to sell, emailed me about it. All I know is he is in the USA.
Hello,, My name is Jeff Wolfe, I built this trike a few years back and looking for a good home for it. If you know anyone that might be interested in it give me a call at (631)236-8593. email GRNHNT50@aol.com Got alot of man hours in it. It's a 86 with 64K . 2.5 5 speed.
It is a 2.5 4cyl but it has the right trans. In my opinion the only trans that should even be considered is the Isuzu 5spd. Probably squeak 150mph out of 5spd Isuzu with the right engine.
Hello,, My name is Jeff Wolfe, I built this trike a few years back and looking for a good home for it. If you know anyone that might be interested in it give me a call at (631)236-8593. Got alot of man hours in it. It's a 86 with 64K . 2.5 5 speed.
------------------ 85GT 5spd ,93 Eldorado 4.9 Dual O2 Custom Chip, Archie Clutch. Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything 245/50/16's Not Your Average 4.9 Capt Fiero Com --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Stock.
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10:47 PM
Capt Fiero Member
Posts: 7657 From: British Columbia, Canada Registered: Feb 2000
Does the 350 bolt up or is there some mods that have to be made?
Sarge
The 350 requires a V8 adapter kit. The bell housing is the wrong pattern for a fiero trans axle. www.v8archie.com can help you out with all that stuff.
Or you can use the Aluminum 4.9 Caddy V8 as it does not require an adapter, however its lower reving high torque nature may not make it a choice engine for a bike. The Caddy motors can be had complete with fuel injection for around 700 bucks.
Edit to add.
Caddy motor into fiero is what I meant, not using the caddy cradle.
You asked about bigger tires. Yep you can go pretty large. Up to a 22" rim and although I don't know how wide on a 22" rim I have seen 255's on the back of Fiero's with smaller wheels. I know you can go tall and I know you can go wide, I just don't know about tall and wide. Better ask Curly about that. (resident expert on 20's and Fiero's)
In a trike configuration, You probably won't need to go any bigger than a 225 before you start ending up with front wheel lift issues. Unless you really stretch out the frame and put the main driver seat almost over the front wheel. Even the rather meek 2.5 would be enough to darn near pull the front end from the ground. Let alone a hopped up V6 or V8. The only trikes I have seen done with serious power plants, they move the engine up froward and the rider straddles the engine. I have seen a couple using 350's with a conventional transmission out to a standard rear axle. With a drive shaft about 6" long.
If you hadn't guessed I have looked into Fiero Power Plants for use in other ideas. I really want to build a Fiero off road buggy. Something like the old VW based sand rails, only using the fiero V6 and a 3spd Auto. For a sand rail an auto would be more than enough. As you are almost never doing above 80mph sustained.
------------------ 85GT 5spd ,93 Eldorado 4.9 Dual O2 Custom Chip, Archie Clutch. Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything 245/50/16's Not Your Average 4.9 Capt Fiero Com --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Stock.
[This message has been edited by Capt Fiero (edited 10-25-2006).]
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10:51 PM
Scurvy Member
Posts: 865 From: Richmond, Va Registered: Nov 2005
Keep looking we will have you on 4 wheels before you know it
The Fiero drive train is a front wheel drive only its in the back of the car. You can do pretty much the same thing with any front wheel car it will just take some work. If you really want to stay away from the computer then you could always go with a 5 speed out of a Fiero and a carb on a Caddy 4.9 best of both worlds.
LOL!! For the few times I've had a four wheeler it's got to have lots of room. I dislike being in a small little box as much as I like the handling usually associated with said little box. Not ruling it out tho. I seem to remember it was surprising how much room there was in it. And no, I'm not all that big. 5'10" (short legs and longer upper body) and about 175 or so. Been riding two wheels since I was about 13-14 and 44 now.
I looked at the 4.9 but the cost will keep me away for a bit at least.
For those who may still have reservations if I retain the rear I plan on making it look good. No hillbilly stuff. Even tho I'm kinda known for low buck mods that function over looks. Most of my bikes could be easily called rat bikes.
One more question. Ok two. Where's the gas tank and what's the capacity? Searching basically got me cornfused on capacity. Not sure I even read where it was located. But then I probably missed it. Will be searching again.
The fuel tank's located between the seats. Hence the large hump in the floor. Capacity is about ten or eleven gallons. The later years being the bigger tanks.
------------------ Whade' "The Duck Formerly Known As Wade" Duck '87 GT Auto '88 Ferrario '84 Indy (8/26/06)
OK that trike posted got me thinking. If I pick up a 2.5 in any year other than 1984 most of the swap info is still correct right? Not a lot of info (that I could find) on swaps for the 2.5 motors. Did enough reading to know not to throw much money into the Iron Duke.
All depends on what you want to do. What you want. If you want horsepower, go V6 or better. But the duke will get great gas milage and, if you need to come up with a different design for a fuel tank, milage may be of some concern. The duke, do to it's size, is also easy to work on. But if you're cutting everything up back there anyway, you could probably make a bigger motor easy to get to too.
------------------ Whade' "The Duck Formerly Known As Wade" Duck '87 GT Auto '88 Ferrario '84 Indy (8/26/06)
That one is mine. I started out building a Fiero-based trike but eventually ended up with virtually no Fiero in it. I have a few other projects to finish first but hope to get back to my trike project next year. I am building from scratch now and will be selling frames, when I get all the bugs worked out. I was supposed to have the first prototype on the road this past summer but found out that the guy I was going to have build the frames for me was pretty shady - fortunately before any money was spent. I found a new fab shop to going to build the production frames now, after I get the first prototype sorted out.
Not sure when the next updates will be but you can watch my madness here. I'll probably post here in the O/T section too when I finally get rolling again, since my now defunct obsession with Fieros "fathered" my trike concept.
------------------ toddshotrods.com - wanna ride? crazy projects, features, articles, art & more
[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 10-27-2006).]
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07:12 PM
toddshotrods Member
Posts: 1177 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Aug 2004
Here is one for you. Guy is looking to sell, emailed me about it. All I know is he is in the USA.
It is a 2.5 4cyl but it has the right trans. In my opinion the only trans that should even be considered is the Isuzu 5spd. Probably squeak 150mph out of 5spd Isuzu with the right engine.
Talking to him right now. Has the Gertrag tranny in it. Stock rad/ecm/gas tank/electronics/gauges. Good job on the front end, basically a leading link which is about the best you can have on a trike. Gets rid of a lot of the old handling problems. He takes a ribbing decently.
I'm just not fond of the seating and galvanized box covering rad/ecm/gauges/etc. Plus he's being real coy on price. Finally came out with somewhere in the 5K range.
Sarge
[This message has been edited by VSarge (edited 10-27-2006).]
All depends on what you want to do. What you want. If you want horsepower, go V6 or better. But the duke will get great gas milage and, if you need to come up with a different design for a fuel tank, milage may be of some concern. The duke, do to it's size, is also easy to work on. But if you're cutting everything up back there anyway, you could probably make a bigger motor easy to get to too.
Understand that but if due to budget I end up with a 2.5 at first are the swap options the same? I can say pretty sure I'll want a V6 or better later.
Sarge
------------------ St. Louis, Missouri 1997 Honda VF750C2 Magna (Maggie) [broken] 1983 Honda VT500C (El Barato) Semper Fi No child should live in fear (http://www.bacausa.com) If you wanna live life on your own terms you have to be willing to crash and burn.
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10:25 PM
Oct 28th, 2006
toddshotrods Member
Posts: 1177 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Aug 2004
Originally posted by VSarge: Now that's a decent idea right there. The one you started with...
That's basically my point. You can build a much better trike IMO by just building off the cradle. I think it would look better than having half a car behind a motorcyle front wheel. If fabrication or cost is a concern, you can just use a couple wide street rod style fenders in back and build a box over the powertrain. Unless you have a need to ride two people at a time, your passenger can ride tandem like a conventional motorcyle.
I understand why you chose a Fiero, but in all honesty I found that some of the front-wheel-drive cars out make much better power/drivetrain donors - if you are not using the car body as I mentioned above. When I switched to the Cavalier cradle it was much better suited to what I was doing and would have required much less work.
------------------ toddshotrods.com - wanna ride? crazy projects, features, articles, art & more
Gotta be a two seater and the back seat has to be a bench. Wife has arthritis of the hip and has to change her seating position fairly often to stay comfy.
You should go the other way and use the back half of the motorcycle and front of the Fiero
The nice thing about a three wheeler, most states look at them as motorcycles not cars so a nice lightwight frame in the front and a kickass mororcycle motor in the back would still be a motorcycle. You could leave out the windshield if you want to feel the wind The handling around corners would be much better, it wouldnt roll as much. If I ever come into some money I want to build something like that.
According to the Brits, that would be a "proper" trike. As far as their concerned a trike has two front wheel and one rear. It does have some handling advantages. Sorta simplifies things too. No real changes to power train needed, ecm (if there is one) is already in place and need not be relocated, and possibly less fabrication.
For those who sent me email about the Fiero trike.
First, I’m glad you kept your “polite remarks” offline. Yes, that was sarcasm.
1. WHY A FIERO????
Several easy reasons actually.
A stock Fiero weighs in between 2400 and 2700lbs whereas a trike will run around 1700 and possibly less. Hence the mileage and performance will be both benefit here.
As the Fiero is a mid engine vehicle the work of setting up the engine/tranny/suspension has already been done by someone who actually went to school for it.
The suspension is pretty darn good out of the box or so I read from most of y’all. Due to the weight reduction it may not need beefed up for spirited riding.
From what I’ve read on many different boards it is easier to upgrade performance wise thru engine swaps than most other vehicles used.
Nice and low.
My basic research shows that a Fiero trike could make more power and handle better than the common VW trike for less money.
2. The brakes are weak and you’re dropping one of them??!
Trikes have survived with just back brakes with no problem for a long time. It most likely wouldn’t be much of a problem to make sure the front brake is a good one
3. Trikes handle like crap and are ugly.
No, old corp trikes handled like crap. Trikes thrown together without much thought are still bad handling. However there are custom trikes out there very capable of skid pads numbers from .8 to over 1G. Recent GoldWing trikes are very good handling trikes in fact. They can hang with or pass a lot of two wheelers in twisties. I’m no Chris Carr or Freddy Spenser but I’m decent if the curves and I’ve been passed by trikes…with no tire squeal or slide. As for ugly, that’s in each person’s opinion. I’ll agree some are down right ugly but others are not.
4. You’re a #$@%^ or *&^%#$ or *!@*(.
OK, these may be true.
Sarge
------------------ St. Louis, Missouri 1997 Honda VF750C2 Magna (Maggie) [broken] 1983 Honda VT500C (El Barato) Semper Fi No child should live in fear (http://www.bacausa.com) If you wanna live life on your own terms you have to be willing to crash and burn.
LOL, I like your response. I'm sure that you're not going to get a lot of love from most of us for cutting up a Fiero. Mostly because most the "trikes" that have been based on the Fiero are butcher jobs. If you do a great job you may even change a few minds. A good friend of mine was seriously thinking of doing the same thing but it's just to hard to get a home made trike certified and insured up here in Canada. I hope you show us how it's coming along once you get into the build.
Nolan
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01:18 AM
Jermz238 Member
Posts: 1637 From: Newark, California Registered: Jan 2006
Well your other option if you want it to be much better would be find a formula that has been in a front end munch and use that. The 88's have a much better suspension and braking system. Also the 88 engines were both balanced much better than the early years. V6 got internally balanced and the 4 poppers got balance shafts added. I may get a few nasty PMs over suggesting that you use an 88 due to there rarity, but hey if its already been wrecked hopefully no one will freak out too much.
There's one I've seen around this area. If I see him in a parking lot somewhere, I'll see if I can get some contact information. So yes, it can be done anyway. Just not sure of the details because he was going one way and I was going the other, so I didn't get a really good look.
