Fieros have a lot of potential with performance and looks. With that being said, so far I haven't really found what I liked in terms of exterior design. Probably the nicest looking kit I found via Google was the V-8 Archie Fino, and even some of my own friends disapprove of it. I don't want to give up on getting a Fiero yet, because I may still be oblivious to other high quality body kits out there (fiberglass of course). I also don't want a bodykit that's a replica, unless there are enough people that can't recognize which car the design is established from.

So are there any decent bodykits out there that'll please the eyes of most people? (more importantly myself)

start with these.


http://pisafierohq.com/
http://www.ovis.net/~dmkfiero/fiberglassparts.html
http://www.normsfiberglass.com/Fieroprodintro.html

http://www.aldinokit.com/

If you want a realistic Ferrari kit, there is none better than those by john Watson at AirDynamics.
John's kits are so exact that a lot of stock Ferrari parts can be used. As a matter of fact, all of his 360 kits use stock 360 front and rear bumpers and quarters.
http://www.ad355.com/
http://www.ad360-cor.com/

------------------
The 7th Annual California Coast Run
October 9-11, 2009
http://www.fiero-performance.com

Someone out in Cali has a Fino for sale. I think with a lot of extra parts and the body is mounted. It is priced cheaper than buying the kit much less shipping it.
I think with a few "updates" the Fino/Finale makes a nice car. But then again I own a Fino so I may be partial.

------------------
Why fight to be accepted by people you don't actually want to be like?

http://fierowarehouse.com and that is where both of these beauties molds are at now. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/077825.html Rick B

http://www.coolcustomcars.com/concept.html

Firstly, I would like to thank all of you for the responses. Makes me wonder why my first thread didn't get any... :\

quote Originally posted by Songman: http://www.aldinokit.com/ If you want a realistic Ferrari kit, there is none better than those by john Watson at AirDynamics. John's kits are so exact that a lot of stock Ferrari parts can be used. As a matter of fact, all of his 360 kits use stock 360 front and rear bumpers and quarters. http://www.ad355.com/ http://www.ad360-cor.com/

Please correct me if I'm wrong here. I just feel like I'll be mocked for driving around a replica. When someone comes up to me asking me about my car and he/she finds out that it's fake, then that could make a rather awkward situation. I don't know, I have never ever owned a replica in my entire life, so I don't even know what it'll be like.

quote Originally posted by fierocarparts: Someone out in Cali has a Fino for sale. I think with a lot of extra parts and the body is mounted. It is priced cheaper than buying the kit much less shipping it. I think with a few "updates" the Fino/Finale makes a nice car. But then again I own a Fino so I may be partial.

I believe the Fino/Finale should have some updates. That being said, I'm not sure what an "updated" Fino/Finale would look like. It'd be so awesome if you could show me some pictures of 'em :]

quote Originally posted by Sourmug: http://www.coolcustomcars.com/concept.html

I'm digging the XT55/360 a lot, especially the XT55's front end. That's really close to what I'm looking for. I don't want to confirm just yet, as there may be other kits that I am oblivious to.

Also... Should I aim for a 1988 Formula or GT? I personally prefer the GT due to its better looks even if it weighs a little more.

[This message has been edited by RaDeuX (edited 10-06-2009).]

http://fierofiberglass.com/ JimmyS

[This message has been edited by Hulki U. My-BFF (edited 10-06-2009).]

quote Originally posted by Songman: http://www.ad355.com/ http://www.ad360-cor.com/

Nice kit one of the better looking.

There really isn't a good deal out there as far as complete 'kits' for the Fiero other than rebodies. The market is not strong in 'normal' style (four-piece) body kits for Fieros. With that being said, usually what happens is a lot of owners piece individual components together from different vendors, such as an aftermarket front nose from one person and then rear quarters from someone else. Eventually you will have to fabricate SOMETHING yourself, because you're likely not going to find everything you want/need.

quote Originally posted by RaDeuX: Please correct me if I'm wrong here. I just feel like I'll be mocked for driving around a replica. When someone comes up to me asking me about my car and he/she finds out that it's fake, then that could make a rather awkward situation. I don't know, I have never ever owned a replica in my entire life, so I don't even know what it'll be like.

99.9% of people who 'mock' replicas are ignorant wanna-be auto enthusiast posers who have never owned the real thing - and thats not trying to be funny but it's true. They're the same guys that try to talk big about American muscle but have most of the time never even owned a 'real' American performance car. There's more intrigue behind a replica than awkwardness. Even guys who own real exotics can understand the reasons why people build replicas and kits. I mean when it comes down to it you're building/owning a vehicle that (not all the time but with effort) can look like the real deal that not only costs less but requires a lot less money to maintain. I'd rather pay $400/$500-ish a year to maintain my Fiero engine and chassis that $1995.00 for Ferrari's 15k service & $4995.00 for 30k service (and the other thousands you'll pay for little stuff). That whole pitch that people use in eBay ads about people taking pictures and such of even replicas is true because the good majority of the population out there has no clue that what your driving is fake. You're going to see VERY little ridicule.

[This message has been edited by Fiero84Freak (edited 10-06-2009).]

quote Originally posted by RaDeuX: Please correct me if I'm wrong here. I just feel like I'll be mocked for driving around a replica. When someone comes up to me asking me about my car and he/she finds out that it's fake, then that could make a rather awkward situation. I don't know, I have never ever owned a replica in my entire life, so I don't even know what it'll be like.

You care too much what people think.
If you worry about what other people think of it,then your ignoring your own feelings on the subject to an extent.
That's what makes being an auto enthusiast fun,it's for you and not them.

I'm the opposite,I think the finale,scorpion,ZR2,jalapeno,artero, are some of the ugliest cars i've seen.
However the 355 I think is grace in design,and would love to have a 355 kit.
If anybody asked,I would tell them it's a custom built car based on a fiero.
Same for the lambo,like the design much better.
Regardless of what you build/buy,if someone asks what it is you'll still say "Fiero".
What's the difference?

Building and customizing a car is too much work and money that you don't get back,if you get no personal satisfaction from it
then you'll just be miserable.

Good answers already posted... Bottom line is to build the car for you and not what others think. Plus the fact that anyone who 'disses' your replica as a 'fake' is closed-minded anyway. Some people want to do custom stuff to their car. I don't have to like what they do for it to be good to them. I happen to like the lines of a 355. But regardless of how much money I have I will never buy a real 355. A well built Fiero kit has the looks of a 355, the reliability of a proven GM product, the insurance and maintenance costs of a GM... plus, it won't fall apart if you drive it every day like European exotics will. Why do you think those cars are always so low mileage when you see them for sale?

As you can tell, it really bothers me when people talk trash about replicas/kit cars. There are very few original car ideas out there. Nobody talks trash about all the people with 'skitime' front spoilers or 'warber' hoods or even Mustang scoops.. All of that stuff is copied from the original maker. Just because the original maker isn't Ferrari doesn't make it any less of a 'fake'.

Build your car for you. Give people with nothing better to talk about a good subject.

Very true, I am being extremely self-conscious about owning a replica. I asked my friends today during lunch and they were encouraging me with the idea. That was quite the motivator.

On a different subject matter, I read on the wiki that the '88 Fiero Formula/GT has a completely redesigned rear subframe (or something like that). Are you guys still saying that despite this redesign, there is no significant different between a modified pre-'88 Formula and '88 Formula/GT?

There is no pre-88 Formula. Formulas were only made in 88...

The redesign in the 88 suspension is pretty good. As always, there are two schools here. Some prefer the 88 suspension because it is better right off the assembly line... BUT, it is more expensive to upgrade and harder to find parts for.
Some prefer the pre-88 suspension because it is easier to upgrade and more aftermarket parts are available. Some say you can build a pre-88 to perform better than an 88. Just depends on how much money you want to put into your suspension.

My current little t-top is an 86. It is lowered with Eibach springs, and has Konis all the way around. Also has slotted and drilled rotors on the brakes. For my style of driving, it still doesn't come close to my stock 88 T-top.

So as with most things, it comes down to your particular style.

------------------
The 7th Annual California Coast Run
October 9-11, 2009
http://www.fiero-performance.com

quote Originally posted by Songman: There is no pre-88 Formula. Formulas were only made in 88...

Haha, woops. Shows how much I know about Fieros. To be honest, I was into imports for a while until numbers showed how much potential a Fiero has. No offense, but I'm not very particular to the American car looks except for a select few -- C6, Viper, Cobra.

I might as well post some more questions here, if no one minds.

1.) V6 or V8? I was told to go for a GM3800 if I'm going for a V6 and add forced induction to it. If I'm going for a V8, I was told to get an LSX motor. Personally, I just want something with plenty of power that can outhandle the vast majority of cars out there. I was also told that the stock Fiero can outhandle an S2000 (with present day tires of course).

2.) What kind of transmission should I get? I have minimal knowledge in the realm of transmissions, but the 4t65 and Getrag seem to be popular choices. If I were to go for a GM3800, which one would be ideal? Would I be better off with a 5 speed or 6 speed? (or is that just personal preference?)

3.) In the case where I can't find a stickshift GT, how difficult is it to convert an automatic GT to a manual?

4.) Ultimately, what is the maximum amount I should pay for a Fiero? (separating them in excellent, good, fair conditions in KBB's definitions) A lot of people seem to be able to buy their Fieros for $500, but the cheapest I've seen on craigslist was a base model for $900 and it's not even running...

[This message has been edited by RaDeuX (edited 10-06-2009).]

Why not come on over to the Coast Run this weekend and see a bunch of Fieros and meet a bunch of Fiero owners? That's the best way to figure out what you want. A few people from your area are caravaning down on Friday. Go to http://www.fiero-performance.com for details. A Fiero is not required to attend but you will see some nice ones.

Since you are in CA, some of your answers may be different than for people from other places. Such as, to be able to make it legal in CA you have to pick an engine that came with the same type transmission you want in your car. For example, some 3800SCs never came in stock GM vehicles with manual transmissions. For that reason, CA will not let you register them in another car if you use a manual.

All of your other questions are subjective. Some people love the ground pounding torque of a V8. Some prefer the high revving V6. In my opinion, it depends on the car you build. I don't like a Ferrari-bodied car to sound like a hot rod Camaro with a big V8 in it. Something higher revving like a 3.4TDC sounds a lot better to me in that instance.
Same with the trans. Your style of driving should decide if you want manual or auto. After that, how deep your pockets are can help decide if you want a 5 or 6 speed, or a 4T60 or 4T65. Conversion from manual to auto and/or back is not all that difficult.

quote Originally posted by Songman: Why not come on over to the Coast Run this weekend and see a bunch of Fieros and meet a bunch of Fiero owners? That's the best way to figure out what you want. A few people from your area are caravaning down on Friday. Go to http://www.fiero-performance.com for details. A Fiero is not required to attend but you will see some nice ones. Since you are in CA, some of your answers may be different than for people from other places. Such as, to be able to make it legal in CA you have to pick an engine that came with the same type transmission you want in your car. For example, some 3800SCs never came in stock GM vehicles with manual transmissions. For that reason, CA will not let you register them in another car if you use a manual. All of your other questions are subjective. Some people love the ground pounding torque of a V8. Some prefer the high revving V6. In my opinion, it depends on the car you build. I don't like a Ferrari-bodied car to sound like a hot rod Camaro with a big V8 in it. Something higher revving like a 3.4TDC sounds a lot better to me in that instance. Same with the trans. Your style of driving should decide if you want manual or auto. After that, how deep your pockets are can help decide if you want a 5 or 6 speed, or a 4T60 or 4T65. Conversion from manual to auto and/or back is not all that difficult.

As much as I would love to, it's a bit far for me. I don't get any allowance for gas until my dad gets his paycheck, and my tank is only half full.

I was told that a series II motor is ideal for a swap, though I'm not sure what my options are for a transmission with CA's regulations with everything...

I definitely want a manual transmission car, but only the clean cars are automatic transmission. You never ever see a clean stickshift Fiero...

Depending on how much of a price gap there is with a 5spd vs 6spd, I still prefer to have a 6spd as I do a lot of driving in the mountains.

I still don't get if you are doing a rebody or not. (I don't like the rebodys.. Any of them, I love the fiero look to much)

Also I don't think you can get a stock six speed fiero

SE - four speed
GT - five speed

Or so I believe but I'm not for sure.

And I bet if you look just a little bit harder you can find a decent manual fiero for under $1,000

I did and I live in Kansas

------------------
--FallenShadow

To keep the Fiero looking modified but still be able to tell it is a Fiero, the widebody kits are the way to go....either from Archie or Doug at Fiero Warehouse. I should know

quote Originally posted by FallenShadow 2m4: I still don't get if you are doing a rebody or not. (I don't like the rebodys.. Any of them, I love the fiero look to much) Also I don't think you can get a stock six speed fiero SE - four speed GT - five speed Or so I believe but I'm not for sure. And I bet if you look just a little bit harder you can find a decent manual fiero for under $1,000 I did and I live in Kansas

Well I do like the GT look, but I definitely don't like the Formula/Base model look. Even with having a GT, I still want to do some body modifications on it. But I'm talking about something way way way down the road. I still need to find a Fiero first.

Yeah, I know I can't get a six speed Fiero. I was asking about what my options are with a transmission swap and how much it would cost for a 6spd.

I have a feeling that the engine swap will cost around 5k. Is it possible to complete an engine swap under one day's worth of sunlight? (in one whole day from sunrise to sunset)

[This message has been edited by RaDeuX (edited 10-07-2009).]

I thought I saw one of these kits https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/041016.html for sale in the mall here recently. but i can't find the thread. from what i understand it is 1 of 2 made.

found it

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum4/HTML/042768.html

[This message has been edited by riley (edited 10-07-2009).]

quote Originally posted by riley: I thought I saw one of these kits https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/041016.html for sale in the mall here recently. but i can't find the thread. from what i understand it is 1 of 2 made. found it https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum4/HTML/042768.html

Looks awesome. I have no complaints about the design. Is it choptop? I can't really tell.

quote Originally posted by RaDeuX: Looks awesome. I have no complaints about the design. Is it choptop? I can't really tell.

This is the only body that doesn't resemble a supercar and people still get excited about it. I like it but dont think it does the chassis justice when so many better options i feel available but each to their own if we all liked the same thing artists wouldn't exist.

MERA,MERA,MERA.............an idea maybe..................body done. just need to swap engine.

.
.

.
.


never thought I would own a replicar, but these are awesome. solid, squeak free. option from Pontiac dealer in my eyes
makes all the difference when comparing these Meras to ANY garage built "KIT".
this comming summer will have installed 3800 II s.c engine. then I really dont care what others may say. If I can here them wayyyyyy back there....my 2 cents.... Later
Dan

Mera's are a little harder to find. Every now and then one pops up on Ebay or on here. Make sure you look for Mera and not Fiero as some of them don't get listed as Fieros. That car "Laura" that it shows for sale in the other thread isn't for sale anymore, from what I could tell by other threads about it. Besides, if going to that meet was too far in CA, then getting a car from Europe might be a pretty big jaunt.

You can convert Fieros to 6 speed manuals, people use the F40 out of the Pontiac G6 (that's actually what I plan on doing). Here's my 2 cents on this. Get a fiero (any one will do but if you plan on driving it as-is for a while you might appreciate the 88 year more), and work on making it drive the way you want first. Then after you thoroughly enjoy the way it drives and handles, work on the cosmetics. By that time you'll have had time to go see some other people's cars and decide which look you want. Good luck, this will be a more consuming project than you anticipate, but by that time you won't mind at all.

quote Originally posted by mptighe: Besides, if going to that meet was too far in CA, then getting a car from Europe might be a pretty big jaunt.

I was thinking something similar,if going to a meet up the road is a stretch and your depending on "allowance" than how're you gonna buy a fiero.
Mow a friggin' lawn dude,you wanna eat you better learn to kill it and drag it home.

quote Originally posted by RaDeuX: I may still be oblivious to other high quality body kits out there (fiberglass of course). I also don't want a bodykit that's a replica, unless there are enough people that can't recognize which car the design is established from. So are there any decent bodykits out there that'll please the eyes of most people? (more importantly myself)

Oblivious? Yes you are, but your decision in not wanting a replica isn't. "You can fool some of the people- some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people- all of the time." Therefor, IMO purchase a Fiero that isn't a "kit" but an actual car based upon the Fiero structure and not a clone of a real car. IMO the only one is this;







If you can't find a Enterra- purchase a IMSA kit. The IMSA is truly the only one based upon a actual Fiero's DNA. Otherwise, buy a MadArch widebody kit (it doesn't contain the after taste of a replica).

------------------



"I drive modified Fieros- anything less would be uncivilized."

quote Originally posted by madcurl: "You can fool some of the people- some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people- all of the time."

The idea of a kit car is not to fool anyone. Maybe for some people but not most in my experience over the last 10 years in dealing with kit cars. Most people just want to build a car that they like. And in a lot of cases they build cars that are even better than the originals. I'm sorry, Curly. We're buds and all but that is that narrow-minded thinking I was talking about. You just can't sit there and decide that anyone who builds a kit car is only doing it to try to fool somebody.

quote Originally posted by madcurl: Otherwise, buy a MadArch widebody kit (it doesn't contain the after taste of a replica).

Copycat! Copycat! It's been done. No difference in doing this than there is any other fiberglass addition, whether it be Ferrari or something else. It is still just a copy of something else, just like a kit car.

And the Enterra is pretty dang close to a Bricklin. Not all that original either. I like them but they are not the end-all of Fiero rebodies.

[This message has been edited by Songman (edited 10-07-2009).]

every time I punch up auto trader
then hit pontiac fiero any distance
keyword search in extra criteria: MERA

i get two rather nice ones a yellow one and a real nice red one.
they are kinda expensive over $12,000 but have been there for months.
HIT 'em with a low ball.

The Enterra is the rarest of all variants of Fiero for the most part. Less than 40 of them were made. I almost bought the last one that was sold up in Canada, but paying over $10,000 for a car and then having to pay at least another $2,000 for shipping and then the cost of making it a US car made it look less attractive. That and I was in the process of purchasing a new business. To be honest, that was the only Enterra I had seen for sale in a couple of years. I defintiely agree though if you want something more unique but made for a Fiero, then that's the one. The guy that owned it said he knew a guy up there that had molds made of the body pieces. I don't know if he would be willing to let someone make copies of them, but it's a thought.

Or you could just buy this one with the IMSA bodykit already installed, as well as Northstar engine and 5 speed trans + lots of extras for about 1/2 of what you could build the car for if you did all the labor yourself. $9,500 would buy it!


more details here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymot...geName=STRK:MEUSX:IT

Russ

I'll most likely be buying a Fiero from eBay. Probably an automatic, because as I stated before, all the nice looking ones are automatic. Either that or it's way way overpriced. I'll still keep looking for some on craigslist though. I'm aiming for 1k to 1.5k for the car.

By the way, how much would a automatic to manual transmission swap cost on a Fiero GT? (I had plans to switch to a 5spd/6spd tranny anyway) The biggest thing I've ever done on a car is gut out my pre-cat on my daily driver and put everything back together.

[This message has been edited by RaDeuX (edited 10-07-2009).]

quote Originally posted by RaDeuX: I'll most likely be buying a Fiero from eBay. Probably an automatic, because as I stated before, all the nice looking ones are automatic. Either that or it's way way overpriced. I'll still keep looking for some on craigslist though. I'm aiming for 1k to 1.5k for the car. By the way, how much would a automatic to manual transmission swap cost on a Fiero GT? (I had plans to switch to a 5spd/6spd tranny anyway) The biggest thing I've ever done on a car is gut out my pre-cat on my daily driver and put everything back together.

Today, I rode in a 5.3 V8 automatic at WCF. The next motor I'll get will be this one and installed by Chris West.




On Thursday, the owner is headed to the Referee for CA strict engine swaps.

[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 10-07-2009).]

Going back to the transmission question... F40 for 6spd, and isn't a 4T60/4T65 an automatic transmission? Correct me if I'm wrong here, as I just read the information off wikipedia.

EDIT: I don't think I can get an F40 transmission if it never came with an LS1 or 3800...

[This message has been edited by RaDeuX (edited 10-08-2009).]

quote Originally posted by RaDeuX: isn't a 4T60/4T65 an automatic transmission? Correct me if I'm wrong here, as I just read the information off wikipedia.

Yes.

[This message has been edited by fierobear (edited 10-08-2009).]

quote Originally posted by Songman: Since you are in CA, some of your answers may be different than for people from other places. Such as, to be able to make it legal in CA you have to pick an engine that came with the same type transmission you want in your car. For example, some 3800SCs never came in stock GM vehicles with manual transmissions. For that reason, CA will not let you register them in another car if you use a manual.

This is really disappointing. Every car that I have looked on Wikipedia so far that has the 3800 equipped only comes with a 4spd automatic transmission. Can anyone please prove me wrong by showing me 3800-powered cars with a 5 or 6spd transaxle?

EDIT: I wonder if I could just swap the 3800 directly into a Getrag 282 tranny...

[This message has been edited by RaDeuX (edited 10-08-2009).]

+1 for www.aldionkit.com cuz i gotta support my local bro's

quote Originally posted by RaDeuX: This is really disappointing. Every car that I have looked on Wikipedia so far that has the 3800 equipped only comes with a 4spd automatic transmission. Can anyone please prove me wrong by showing me 3800-powered cars with a 5 or 6spd transaxle? EDIT: I wonder if I could just swap the 3800 directly into a Getrag 282 tranny...

There's a few here in CA using the 3800SC matted with the Fiero 5-speed, but aren't legal.
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/044129.html

quote Originally posted by madcurl: Today, I rode in a 5.3 V8 automatic at WCF. The next motor I'll get will be this one and installed by Chris West. On Thursday, the owner is headed to the Referee for CA strict engine swaps.

OK seriously how ARE you affording all of these projects? Are you looking to adopt any kids? Might I suggest a middle aged, balding, overweight kid in Houston to adopt?