i can see em now, nice find.

now take your 4.9 and put it in the 88.

quote Originally posted by GT-maniac: Why ? Every 88 canadian car should have a dual km and mph markings. My 87 does. It's only my 85 that's metric only.

Yes it is "dual", but the MPH are very small and hard to see. Here is a pic of my dash from a distance that I drive from. I find the MPH on the cluster almost useless.



I would say that Capt. should keep it stock or such that he can convert it back to stock.

quote Originally posted by Capt Fiero: Patrick the Gelato, uhm was Closed due to cooler failure. It all melted and they were closed. Coolers overloaded due to the current heat being so much.

Wow, perfect ice cream weather and the cooler packs it in. That's too bad. I bet a lot of our friends south of the border have no idea how hot it can get up here.

By the way, I (as well as everyone else who's posted) still hate you.

I don't plan to sell it, I think I am going to keep this one for as long as my 85GT. (13 years and counting)

The offer of a trip to Florida was kinda tempting. But even Lisa said she would slap me in the back of the head if I even thought about it. She likes the car too.

I drove it again for a little while today after work. It still feels weird. (in a good way) compared to all the other Fiero's I have ever driven. Sure Footed seems to be the best way to explain it.

During the drive today, Lisa plugged in the scan tool for me and started scrolling through the readings. The first thing she asked was why the Prom ID kept changing? HUH it can't do that. But sure as poop it was. So we moved onto a few different things and all the read outs were messed. ECM said we were going 4mph and the coolant temp was going from 68 - 230+ in a fraction of a second. Even an air pocked can't make it move that fast.

So it looks like I will have to swap in a new ECM and try it again. Fortunately Watts reminded me that I can use just about any V6 ECM from 86-88. I found a receipt for a prom chip replacement. I am wondering if they thought it was the chip but really a bad ECM.

Well if it turns out to be that easy I am going to be very happy.

Well I think I am going to go harass the Fiero Racing List for a bit to see what they recommend for upgrades to a stock 88. Doug you here, well I will see you there if your not.

I am thinking first thing, replace all the sway bar bushings with poly.

Awsome find!!!!! Congrats I hate you blah blah blah

Give ya 20 bucks for your 85

quote Originally posted by CentralFloridaFieros: So when is the 4.9 getting installed?????

It shall remain stock. Or damn close to it.
Failure to adhere to this shall result in immediate pummeling, and beating half to death - possibly twice.

I just finished really reading over the receipts and there is close to 20,000 in receipts. Several over 1000 and tons in the 500-800 range. Now I see why she was complaining about repair costs.

Charged her 365 for a shift cable and 250 to install it.

Spent 4000 on a replacement engine.

It is crazy. But nice to have a list of all the parts that have been replaced over the past 15 years.

quote Originally posted by Capt Fiero: I just finished really reading over the receipts and there is close to 20,000 in receipts.

David, for us guys here in the Lower Mainland, it would be very interesting to hear which places charged more than a fair amount for repairs, if you catch my drift.

If you're a little leery of posting names of businesses here, PMs would work.

quote Originally posted by watts: It shall remain stock. Or damn close to it. Failure to adhere to this shall result in immediate pummeling, and beating half to death - possibly twice.

Hey Hey Hey there. I get to make the decision on what I do with the car. Granted I have already decided to leave it 99% stock.

Do you happen to still have that sheet feeder scanner. I think I might want to scan a few of these invoices. I am sure more than a few people will gasp at how much this lady paid for repairs. I sent out my vin to racingman to get a car fax on it. It will be interesting to see how much of what the lady said is totally true.

From the gist of the receipts, it lived it first few years in Kelowna then moved to North Van and after that to Delta.

quote Originally posted by Capt Fiero: I think I might want to scan a few of these invoices. I am sure more than a few people will gasp at how much this lady paid for repairs.

Looking at the time of the last two posts, you must've been reading my mind.

Well the big hitters that scared me.

I have nothing to gain or lose and no affiliation, with any of these places. So here goes.

Barnes Wheaton Pontiac

And

White Glove Automotive in North Vancouver.

I will post more accurate details later.

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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

Capt Fiero, you have a PM.

Thnaks,

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fierogt28

quote Originally posted by watts: It shall remain stock. Or damn close to it. Failure to adhere to this shall result in immediate pummeling, and beating half to death - possibly twice.

i think you should deliver it to me for some plastic surgery. i got my saw ready.

quote Originally posted by Capt Fiero: During the drive today, Lisa plugged in the scan tool for me and started scrolling through the readings. The first thing she asked was why the Prom ID kept changing? HUH it can't do that. But sure as poop it was. So we moved onto a few different things and all the read outs were messed. ECM said we were going 4mph and the coolant temp was going from 68 - 230+ in a fraction of a second. Even an air pocked can't make it move that fast. So it looks like I will have to swap in a new ECM and try it again. Fortunately Watts reminded me that I can use just about any V6 ECM from 86-88. I found a receipt for a prom chip replacement. I am wondering if they thought it was the chip but really a bad ECM.

I know you've thought of this, but I have to ask anyway...

Are you scanning it using the same settings as an 85?
I think the scan tool settings for the 86-88 are different. I know that WinALDL asks for a different setup for the 85, than it does for the 86-88.

Yep was all reconfigured to run as 88 and then tried 87 settings. I know we changed it, as it was setup for the Caddy ECM.

And if anyone comes near the car with a sawzal I will shoot and ask questions later. (well I am in Canada so I guess I can't shoot you, but I will sure butter you to deatch with a butter knife.)

I have some 88 Fiero Beechwood leather seats for sale (non bladder), shoot me a PM for description and if interested.

Nice find Cap'n!

Do me a favor willya? Stay away from the coolant system, please?

quote Originally posted by blakeinspace: Nice find Cap'n! Do me a favour will ya? Stay away from the coolant system, please?

I don't get it? I have no maintenance planned for the cooling system, especially seeing as I have a receipt that it got a new water pump 8 months ago and a cooling system flush only 3000 miles ago. I may add a bottle of water wetter and a 180' thermostat for good measure but thats about it.

quote Originally posted by Capt Fiero: I don't get it? I have no maintenance planned for the cooling system

I'm THINKING that that was a jab at the 4.9 spewing on the highway....

Well I have been zipping around in the car for a week now. I have fallen in love with the smoothness of the car going over bumps and the general feel of being stuck to the road. I don't notice the lack of power as much as I thought I would in day to day driving, with the exception of when I really get on it and expect that pull from the 4.9.

I have kinda went back on my original decision to keep the car 100% stock, I am going to look into non permanent mods, like install a new stereo using an adaptor kit so I don't have to cut anything. Looking into different springs. Something with the same basic spring rate as stock just shorter.

The one thing I miss the most is the sunroof. I find myself reaching up to open it at least once a day if not more, only to find a solid panel.

As for the rest of the car, it looks like I am going to have to pull the top end of the motor apart. When the engine was replaced the rockers were never adjusted correctly and it has has a tick. Reading through the repair bills it has been noted a few times that "there seems to be a valve train issue" causing the engine miss under load at low rpms. Its not a real big deal I know the 2.8 like the back of my hand. Just an afternoon job to reset all the valve lash. I have already installed a new coil and it made zero difference. Countless shops did tune ups and none ever fixed the issue so it must be something a bit further down inside the engine.


I have been reading up on the countless 88 threads on both the forum and the general internet. Even Dickman has a special section just for 88 parts. Which is kinda cool seeing as reputable Fiero parts supplier coming to the aid of such a short run car.

If anyone has anything else to add feel free to post it up.

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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.

quote Originally posted by Capt Fiero: Well the big hitters that scared me. I have nothing to gain or lose and no affiliation, with any of these places. So here goes. Barnes Wheaton Pontiac And White Glove Automotive in North Vancouver. I will post more accurate details later.

So, care to add a few more details?

quote Originally posted by watts: I'm THINKING that that was a jab at the 4.9 spewing on the highway....

yeah it was... and I thought Canadian sense of humor was wierd...

Sorry recent events having long days at work and short nights sleep creates a less than acute sense of humour.

[This message has been edited by Capt Fiero (edited 08-01-2006).]

Yo, congrats on your recent purchase.............Oh bye the way, I just joined the "I Hate You" crowd. Sereously though, I got a Yellow Hardtop 88 GT cept mines an auto So Welcome to the Yellow GT Club!
-Roy

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Real Sports cars only have 2 seats....

Matching numbers GT # 17889 of 26,402 made in 1988, 1of 241 yellow GT's
1987 Fiero GT.......Burgundy in color, 74thousand miles.

dave you lost your sense of haha????....crap better duck guys....hehe...

quote Originally posted by thismanyfieros: Dave you lost your sense of haha????....crap better duck guys....hehe...

You remember at your place when you said I would never survive on an oil field. Well I can honestly say I understand why know. PM Sent.

[This message has been edited by Capt Fiero (edited 08-01-2006).]

Ack someone is going to kill me for asking this. But even FieroChick who loves the 88 understands why.

I just took my 85GT 4.9 V8 5spd for a quick boot around the block. I have not driven it in almost 3 weeks. I could not believe how much I missed the raw torque of a V8 vs the stock V6. The snap your head back pull you into the seat and ability to smoke the 245's on the back at will. With the side exit exhaust man it has a wicked rumble.

You could not wipe the grin off my face with a baseball bat.

I don't think I will be able to live with a stock motor. I know I said I wouldn't change it. But Man I really like going fast, and the stock V6 just ain't gonna do it.

So what I am looking for is suggestions on an engine swap that if I ever so choose to would be able to put the motor and car back to factory stock condition.

The 4.9 even with its relative ease of install does not even really fit the bill. Either with cradle modification for mounts, and or grinding to clear the valve covers.

I am thinking V6 either 3.4 TDC or 3.8 SC. As far as I know both can be mounted without cutting or changing much. Just drop it in and wire it up. I thought about the Turbo 2.8 route and frankly bang for your buck that has never worked out, not unless you have the ability to fab and tune all your own stuff. Which I don't.

The pre-requisites will be must be a semi drop in.
Must be a 5spd.
Must have at least 200hp and 280lbs of torque.
Must not cut any part of the cradle, trunk or frame of the car.

Any suggestions. Maybe I should have a separate topic for this.

Ok I am ducking from the things being hurled at my head. As for the current drive train, it along with the ECM would be put on a pallet, wrapped up and tucked away.

I'd have to say that the 3800sc would be the engine of choice, unless you want to have a High winding engine, if thats the case the 3.4 tdc might be the way to go. since your used to the raw tourqe that the tractors put out, the sc would probably be your preference, but I won't put words ( or cubes ) in your mouth.

It's good to have an open mind,
just not so open that your brains fall out. Joe

go with a 3800SC Dave.

Then when I decide to do mine, you can help me. =p

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FieroChick and I got a sheet feed scanner last night. So all I had to do was drop the huge stack of receipts into it and it feeds them all through one by one, scans them and spits them out. I will finally be able to post up the receipts.

I will have a stack of receipts for people to get a good chuckle out of. I am even including the receipt where she ran the motor out of oil, took it to a shop, told them to fix it. They put in a reman 2.8 and she swiped her credit card to the tune of $5000 bucks. I still think the $700 to purchase and install a shift cable is my favorite though.

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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.

I would be worry that God would get me for that deal. Something good, something bad.

very nice.... when did you say you were going to raffle it off to pff members? lol, j/k

Looking at all those bills, it occurs to me that the lady needed a legal guardian! A new engine? A rebuilt distributor at 68,000 km? THey aren't repair shops, they're rapists.

Although, it also occurs to me that she may have been one of those people that rides the clutch and puts off maintenance in favor of castastrophic failures. (not many receipts for oil changes in all that stuff.)


Anyhow, NICE FIND!!!!

I'd vote for a Northstar (source a spare cradle if you don't want to chop up the one in the new baby!)

[This message has been edited by Brian Lamberts (edited 02-09-2007).]

Amazing car for the money !!! Congrats !!!!!!

quote Originally posted by Ziptar: The issues with the car and making the right decision as what do with it is going to be terribly burdensome and may cause you to have debilitating and possibly permanent mental stress from the worry. I would like to help you out and lift this horrible burden from your shoulders. I suggest that you park the car and leave it as is until late fall or early winter. Before the first snow you should drive it down to Sunny Florida and have yourself an stress relieving and relaxing vaction in the Florida sun. Sit on the Beach, Relax, have a few drinks with little umbrelas in them, and possibly spend a few days visiting some of our many theme parks. You can bring the troublesome and burdensome car to me and I will double your money and pay you $2000.00 (USD) to help compensate you for all the pain and anguish you suffer and take the accursed car off yoru hands. I will also provide you with 2 plane tickets for you and Lisa to make sure you are transported safely home, all while leaving the stress and frustraton behind you many, mnay, many miles away where it could trouble you no more. I know I am new to the board but, I have seen many posts by other members helping each other out when in need, I just want to do my part Capt Fiero and make sure that you don't face this alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ok....... It was worth a shot.................

ROFLOL!!!

Just an update.

I have had this car for 2 years now, parked it the first winter I had it, did a head job on it, (thought it was a burnt valve, which it turned out not to have) Drove it all over heck and back. Put 30,000 kms on it in 2 years of which only 1 year of it being on the road. I drove my 85GT 4.9 while the 88 was parked.
Car drove me through the Mohave (sp) desert, Los Angles, to Las Vegas, to countless Fiero shows around Western Canada and Western USA. The only real problem I am starting to have is the 88 rack is starting to get sloppy. So its going to need a Rodney Dickman rebuild kit. For a $1000 car, let alone a $1000 88GT I can't ask for more. It has been awesome.

Lisa and I used the car for our honeymoon road trip to Vegas, which gives it a huge emotional attachment, so I don't think we will ever be selling it. However if this 2.8 does ever completely go, a 3.4TDC just might be in its future.

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85GT,93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Factory Stock.