Well my engine is on it's way. I have purchased another 88 cradle to build the swap on, and have a line on a custom wire harness, and exhaust system. I'm going to drive the 3.4 PR till the DOHC is ready to be swapped in. A Mera should be able to rev easily to 6500 rpm, and sound exotic doing it!!
Well my engine is on it's way. I have purchased another 88 cradle to build the swap on, and have a line on a custom wire harness, and exhaust system. I'm going to drive the 3.4 PR till the DOHC is ready to be swapped in. A Mera should be able to rev easily to 6500 rpm, and sound exotic doing it!!
RIGHT ON!!!
hope you got a bigger brake swap.....not sure but it seems, 240 HP gets fast.......FAST! glad I stepped up to the vented Grand Am set.....but the 12in Vette set is probably least, for the best
Rick, you are gunna love this swap....the Power is intoxicating!!
*EDIT*
and since you mentioned cats.....curiosity got this cat. I am wondering which "year" I guess is best way to rate HP are you getting?
the early version 200-210 hp but the '96-'97 states 215 hp. 220 tq the latter having better flow and all.....is your crate order engine old(er)? like of the era??
quote
It was built from 1991 to 1997. From 1991 to 1993, it used tuned multi-port fuel injection, made 200-210 hp (150-160 kW) at 5200 rpm and 215 lb·ft (292 N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm. From 1994 to 1997, it used sequential port fuel injection, making 210 hp (157 kW) at 5200 rpm and 215 lb·ft (292 N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm. In 1996, the heads were redesigned for better flow as well as now making the engine an interference design and adapting the engine for federally mandated OBDII emissions. Output for the 1996-1997 LQ1 is 215 hp (160 kW) and 220 lb·ft (298 N·m). It had four large valves per cylinder.
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 09-18-2014).]
The crate engine I purchased is a 95 SFI (sequential fuel injection) version. The car will have factory R134 A/C and cruise. The cruise will be the more modern electronic version instead of the vacuum controled unit from the Fiero. All factory gauges and controls will function properly, but the tach will now be able to reach redline easily. The Getrag 5-speed gear ratios are a great match for the DOHC engines power band. Highway mileage should be in the 27 to 30 mpg range if I can keep my foot out of it.
Stock 88 vented disc brakes are much better than the 84 to 87 solid rotor versions if they are properly maintained. I may install more agressive brake pads, and slotted rotors to dissipate more heat. I have not decided on a muffler yet but it will be based on the sound it produces. The more European sounding the better.
I picked this engine because of its broad rpm range and the 60 degree engine sound. Also, it was going to be an option in the still born 89 Fiero.
Stock 88 vented disc brakes are much better than the 84 to 87 solid rotor versions if they are properly maintained. I may install more agressive brake pads, and slotted rotors to dissipate more heat.
That mod seems to be a big improvement. Not sure about having to take a hammer to the car for clearance though........ Anyone here done this mod?
if I am not mistaken when OleJoeDad swapped in the 3800 and I mentioned the bigger booster....he said something like "its not needed" I can reconfirm if you want Rick.....but I got the "GrandAm" vented swap on both cars and am very happy
While the car is down for the swap, I will freshen up the brakes and install new rotors. I may install slotted rotors this time. I had drilled rotors on my previous 88 GT and you could hear them (made a whirring noise) under hard braking. Since I am keeping the 15 in Cromodoras, there is not really any room for bigger rotors.
While the car is down for the swap, I will freshen up the brakes and install new rotors. I may install slotted rotors this time. I had drilled rotors on my previous 88 GT and you could hear them (made a whirring noise) under hard braking. Since I am keeping the 15 in Cromodoras, there is not really any room for bigger rotors.
The GrandAm upgrade doesn't change rotor size. The rotors are upgraded to vented and the calipers and M/C are changed. Braking is much better and fade due to heat is much reduced. The upgrade will fit behind your wheels.
The GrandAm upgrade doesn't change rotor size. The rotors are upgraded to vented and the calipers and M/C are changed. Braking is much better and fade due to heat is much reduced. The upgrade will fit behind your wheels.
My 88 already has vented rotors front and rear. What is the advantage of the Grand Am calipers over the 88 Fiero calipers? Is the Grand Am master cylinder larger than the Fiero one? I thought this upgrade was only for 84-87 cars with the solid rotors.
My 88 already has vented rotors front and rear. What is the advantage of the Grand Am calipers over the 88 Fiero calipers? Is the Grand Am master cylinder larger than the Fiero one? I thought this upgrade was only for 84-87 cars with the solid rotors.
I did not realize your MERA was an 88. You are correct on all counts.
You might be able to squeeze the 12" corvette rotors in there. They fit with the 15 x 7 lace wheels.
Are those rotors for a C4 or C5? My wife drives a C5 and I have her take off rotors. I put Z51 rotors on her car. Do they make custom brackets to space out the caliper for the addtional diameter of the Vette rotors? Also they would have to be drilled to the 5x100 pattern of the Cromadoras........
Maybe I will dig them out and see how they fit inside the wheel. I do have Rodney's 1 in. lowering ball joints. Would there be a clearance issue using Vette rotors?
The clearance issue on the inside of the wheel would be with the caliper. The rotor may touch the end of the front lower control arm under susp3nsion compression (which can be clearanced). Fieroguru can supply brackets. The inner profile of the cromadora wheel may not allow the larger rotors (or it may), the 7" wide lace wheel barely clears, the 6" front (88) will not clear. Again, its entirely dependant on the profile of the inside of the wheel.
The clearance issue on the inside of the wheel would be with the caliper. The rotor may touch the end of the front lower control arm under susp3nsion compression (which can be clearanced). Fieroguru can supply brackets. The inner profile of the cromadora wheel may not allow the larger rotors (or it may), the 7" wide lace wheel barely clears, the 6" front (88) will not clear. Again, its entirely dependant on the profile of the inside of the wheel.
The Cromadoras are 7 in. wide and I believe 30 offset. I will have to verify the latter. Does that compare to the 88 rear wheel?
I finally broke down and put a CD player in my MERA. I put in a Pontiac factory player with matching gray buttons. Works fantastic. Now I need to send one off to have the aux plug put in it.
At last a Mera got a bit of respect. My red t-top just took "Best of Class - 1980 to Present" at the Silver Springs All GM Show. There were a lot of very nice cars there and I am quite pleased with the result.
Congrats Nelson! Is that the one with the Amida Dash in it?
Yes it is. Strangely, this is the second time I have attended this show and managed to get the same award a few years ago. Now I have matching crystal beer mugs. I will make use of at least one when I get back home sometime tomorrow evening.
Yes it is. Strangely, this is the second time I have attended this show and managed to get the same award a few years ago. Now I have matching crystal beer mugs. I will make use of at least one when I get back home sometime tomorrow evening.
Nelson
Congratulations Nelson..........I was thinking it would sure be nice to see some pics of the show winner though.....just sayin'.
Congratulations Nelson..........I was thinking it would sure be nice to see some pics of the show winner though.....just sayin'.
Cheers
I will see if I can get a picture of the car posted sometime tomorrow after it is cleaned a bit. I just got home and want to take a break after this weekend. My image resizer suddenly stopped functioning and I had to download and learn a new one today. Here are a few pictures of the Red T-Top Mera that got me a crystal beer mug Saturday.
Nelson
[This message has been edited by hnthomps (edited 10-07-2014).]
I am looking to install Homelink in my MERA. I will need to be a very clean install and look factory. I will be trying it on a few spare broken plastic trim pieces I found in the junkyard and then I will do a thread on it.
I finally broke down and put a CD player in my MERA. I put in a Pontiac factory player with matching gray buttons. Works fantastic. Now I need to send one off to have the aux plug put in it.
I am running the 91 to 94 Bonneville CD in mine. This radio has the same style two round knobs on the left, plus the 5 band EQ just the the stock Fiero Cassette EQ. It looks like it came with the car and the red lighting is a dead on match to the stock Fiero illumination. This radio works with the factory sub and sounds great. I think it has a more powerful amp than the original cassette. You will need the GM harness and antenna adapter kit to make it a plug and play 10 min install.
anyone know of a very nice MERA for sale. I have a clinet looking to purchase one
RonT Fiero Historian
RonT Is your client looking for a manual or automatic? Color preference? There was a red automatic for sale at a classic car dealer in the Chicago area...don't know if its still for sale.
I will see if I can get a picture of the car posted sometime tomorrow after it is cleaned a bit. I just got home and want to take a break after this weekend. My image resizer suddenly stopped functioning and I had to download and learn a new one today. Here are a few pictures of the Red T-Top Mera that got me a crystal beer mug Saturday.
anyone know of a very nice MERA for sale. I have a clinet looking to purchase one
RonT Fiero Historian
What are his requirements: '87/'88, GT, T-top, swap, leather, wheels, shipping? Most important what is his price window? I have several search agents going, will pass along anything that pops up.
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Dick Mera #8046 (Miss January, Mile High Fieros 2014 calendar) 1987 GT T-boned (RIP) 1988 GT T-Top (The Fiero Store Calendar: Miss February 2012) 1987 McBurnie Daytona Spyder
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