Removed, cleaned, painted, replaced some "O" rings and sold it all in one week.
Pull the power steering out of that thing.
[/QUOTE]
Question(s); how is it that Zimmer figured out how-to apply power sterring earlier than GM in 88? If there wasn't any issues using the Zimmer p/s unit- why the need for the electric one? Are the p/s racks the same regardless of the type of p/s system? Enquiring minds would like to know.
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02:46 AM
darkhorizon Member
Posts: 12279 From: Flint Michigan Registered: Jan 2006
To answer the above questions Curly--I do not have an answer for you as I do not know.
darkhorizon and Patrick---The person that told me about the car told me that after I removed the P.S.(the 1st day) it was stripped of just about everything. I have not been back to confirm. Sorry.
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08:28 AM
Dennis LaGrua Member
Posts: 15477 From: Hillsborough, NJ U.S.A. Registered: May 2000
To answer the above questions Curly--I do not have an answer for you as I do not know.
darkhorizon and Patrick---The person that told me about the car told me that after I removed the P.S.(the 1st day) it was stripped of just about everything. I have not been back to confirm. Sorry.
Those unique Zimmer body parts are quite rare so if you own one of these tanks they would be worth keeping. If I am not mistaken that power steering setup looks like one from an old Ford Pinto.
------------------ " 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 WILDCAT" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
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08:35 AM
hyperv6 Member
Posts: 6091 From: Clinton, OH, USA Registered: Mar 2003
Originally posted by madcurl: Question(s); how is it that Zimmer figured out how-to apply power sterring earlier than GM in 88? If there wasn't any issues using the Zimmer p/s unit- why the need for the electric one? Are the p/s racks the same regardless of the type of p/s system? Enquiring minds would like to know.
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.
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11:25 AM
PFF
System Bot
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
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.
Thanks Rick for detailed info. To add to what you've mentioned- I was wondering too about the retooling R&D involving the darn electro p/s units, especially since most of the old style p/s parts could've been picked from the parts bin. Heck, that R&D could've been spent on a better v6. GM- the more I think about them, the more my blood pressure increases.
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12:36 PM
Patrick Member
Posts: 37674 From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Registered: Apr 99
The dash looked hurt on the top but the glove box may be usable.
I think if you look closely at the interior picture you'll see that the top of the dash is probably fine. I believe it's just some sort of a "sun/UV" protector sitting on top of the dash that looks weird.
quote
Originally posted by LT188GT:
The person that told me about the car told me that after I removed the P.S.(the 1st day) it was stripped of just about everything.
I guess that shouldn't come as any great surprise. You were very fortunate you got what you did!
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-08-2009).]
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01:33 PM
htexans1 Member
Posts: 9114 From: Clear Lake City/Houston TX Registered: Sep 2001
Originally posted by madcurl: Thanks Rick for detailed info. To add to what you've mentioned- I was wondering too about the retooling R&D involving the darn electro p/s units, especially since most of the old style p/s parts could've been picked from the parts bin. Heck, that R&D could've been spent on a better v6. GM- the more I think about them, the more my blood pressure increases.
i could see you rockin one of these dude
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02:08 PM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
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.
The '88 suspension didn't take away the "need" for power steering I don't believe (though it did reduce steering effort). The internal letters regarding the '88 power steering cite problems with the units coming out of the Saginaw plant, not any kind of financial reason for nixing the elctro-hydraulic power steering that was supposed to debut on the '88's. Just FYI. If you have further info, please share! I am collecting everything I can.
[This message has been edited by FieroFanatic13 (edited 03-09-2009).]
Thank for the sig. Bobadoofunk
<---- did you buy Cliff a beer?
GM- the more I think about them, the more my blood pressure increases.
