After rumors, speculation and a little guess work on my part I have come to the conclusion that the power steering itself was not the issue or problem. The reason for the Elecrto Hydraulic power steering was better fuel economy. The hope was that the electric hydraulic pump would use less energy over time than a constant running mechanical pump. Then figure in all the money for research and development and the drop in sells of the Fiero thru the years. Each year the Fiero sold, they sold a smaller number of them. So GM realized a "need" for power steering in the pre88 but "salved" the need by implementing the 88 suspension. For any further "need" of power steering, GM would need to sell a lot more cars to pay for the retooling and all other costs associated with a major change like power steering. GM decided the need and cost of the system would not pay off so they dropped it then killed the Fiero all together.
Funny that they would do it as a cost saving measure when they retooled the whole chassis line and respec'd the cradle and back half of the car for the suspension upgrades in 88 and then sh*t canned the car.
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06:02 PM
Mar 10th, 2009
Rickady88GT Member
Posts: 10648 From: Central CA Registered: Dec 2002
Funny that they would do it as a cost saving measure when they retooled the whole chassis line and respec'd the cradle and back half of the car for the suspension upgrades in 88 and then sh*t canned the car.
Well GM has been crapping on there own feet for a while. The Fiero should have debued with the 88 suspension. Then they said "lets save money" so they held off on the 88 suspension and spent money on adapting other stuff (must have made sense to somebody at the time?) So the crappy pre88 suspension was to hard to steer, so they enterained the idea of power steering. My guess is that they decided the 88 suspension did not need the power steering like the pre88 did so they stopped the program.
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12:27 PM
jaskispyder Member
Posts: 21510 From: Northern MI Registered: Jun 2002
Well, I also think that the power steering was put on hold because it wasn't perfect and with the bad rap the Fiero got, do you really want to give the media more ammo by putting in a noisy, or limited use electric steering? The Fiero was going to be canceled anyway, so why not just stop the use of the steering unit?
J.
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06:17 PM
Mar 11th, 2009
The_Ikon Member
Posts: 629 From: Mississippi, USA Registered: Mar 2004
damn, not too great of a design, but i love their front trunk space. but still, what a rare find to end up in a junkyard. i woulda tried to get the whole car, repair it and hide it away.
I was deployed when this thread was posted, wish I knew about it. I have been working on and off on restoring a quicksilver. I could have used some parts off of it, more importantly I could have got you to snatch anything off of it for future use. I recall that car being for sale the past year or so.
if thats U Pull it(and it looks like it) its not there anymore, i just went there recently i would have noticed it.
BTW, i drove a real Zimmer Quicksilver once, when i worked valet. Long nose ,auto transmission and the thing was not fun. The same guy who owned the Zimmer used to go to a house down the street from me, so i saw it many times long before i drove it.
if thats U Pull it(and it looks like it) its not there anymore, i just went there recently i would have noticed it.
BTW, i drove a real Zimmer Quicksilver once, when i worked valet. Long nose ,auto transmission and the thing was not fun. The same guy who owned the Zimmer used to go to a house down the street from me, so i saw it many times long before i drove it.
My grandfather bought his brand new, gave it to me 2 years ago. I dont mind driving something that is 1 or 170 every blue moon lol.
thats too bad, I would have taken all of those emblems thats for sure. Even the front bumper.
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04:09 PM
Dennis LaGrua Member
Posts: 15442 From: Hillsborough, NJ U.S.A. Registered: May 2000
But the best of pimps would be proud to own this car. . All you need is the black hat with the white feather to complete the effect.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles, 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 "
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05:20 PM
Spoon Member
Posts: 3762 From: Sadsburyville, PA. 19369 / USA Registered: May 2004
Never heard of a Zimmer. I would of walked past that car 100 times with no clue what was under the body.
Spoon
ps: Now for the research.....
------------------ Two yeast spent their entire life "about 2 days" discussing what the purpose of life could be and not once did they even come close to the fact that they were making champagne. Quoted by: Unknown
(must have made sense to somebody at the time?) So the crappy pre88 suspension was to hard to steer, so they enterained the idea of power steering. My guess is that they decided the 88 suspension did not need the power steering like the pre88 did so they stopped the program.
