Here are 265-50-15's. I did not look much but they seem to also have 215-60-15's. I think that is the tire size some have used in the front in place of the 245-50-15's. Maybe some 55's are available? One would have to do some searching. Google tire sizes. Most go to Tire Rack. They only sell popular sizes.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
You may want to first try with only the 1" lowering ball joints and see what happens after the suspension settles. Then cut the spring coils as required but only if really necessary since this could scrap the springs.
Nelson
quote
Originally posted by Rick 88:
Thanks Nelson,
I know my current gap is about 4.5 inches! I will measure the ground to the top of the fender opening height. It is hard to tell on the picture of your 88 but it seem to have a larger gap than on the 87.
Based on this I should use a 1 in. lowering ball joint and an 88 spring with 1 coil removed to get a 2 in drop. At least that is what it think.......
I recently had to buy some off brand 265 x 50 x 15 tires for one of my cars since the Dunlops are no longer available. These were bought locally and I can supply the brand/cost info if someone is interested. I have around 5K on them now without any problems.
Here are 265-50-15's. I did not look much but they seem to also have 215-60-15's. I think that is the tire size some have used in the front in place of the 245-50-15's. Maybe some 55's are available? One would have to do some searching. Google tire sizes. Most go to Tire Rack. They only sell popular sizes.
opened the garage after doing leaves all day and found this......so i guess i 'finna need new meats, now too! not sure what kind fit my CenterLine rims but i am going wide. as wide as possible. think Pantera, Lambo....i have seen a couple of Aldino kit with the "fatties" all grip baby....... oh and yeah, after living the "I am not gonna get a swap" lie over the Summer, i have decided that even if its just a 3.4L (thanks Rick ) i am going to need this car to be way faster. you know, for all the people who think its a Ferrari!! even with the emblems on the back a guy recently made me "prove it"..... I opened hood, bingo!
anyway.... its time to tear apart the Mera for the first time. this is the first real bad thing to go wrong. the Temp gauge was broke when i got it, so that dont count.....such a good car
later... with pics of the other side of my mystery rims/wheels/spins......what ever they be called......OUT!
d
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 10-30-2010).]
DAN do a sbc... its cheap and fairly easy. and dan my tires are 325/35/19 in the rear of mera 7071. about 14" wide. and to everyone else the 19x11 wheels and tires fit the fenderwells very very nice with no lowering needed. but ferrari f430 wheels and tires were $4200.00 for that look
you said the word.......cheap. actually it depends on how much i can collect before i get too impatient. i got a highschool friend w/ a '97 3800 Eng, comp, auto trans......and the knowledge to do it here. sooo......thats most likely gonna be the ticket. unless i gets the MAD CASH.....then i will have you do somethime for me Mike......you got the F-car and P-car good stuff.
them 325 are Fatties.....i thought with all this tire talk lately, since i do not have the cromodoras.....that i can do whatever. and to upsize the wheels was a thought. good show, man. but i kinda like the clearence for the more extreme turns and bumps. the 16's i have in back are almost there......but i see 17's in the future....if not back ot OEM gold lacy's.....i have been a lookin'
to end on a good note with the flat......no soap bubbles after i took to get air in it....and i found a stamp on the inside 01/98. coiensides with the First CarFax date for registeration here in MI before it was sold to my Seller, Heath. thats cool. an answer to where/when they may have been swapped on there from the OEM, Lace.
heres one for ya..... big hunk O' aluminum. with bonus new break calipers.....sweet. aint got to worry boot them for awhile!
It is overkill but I do have 295 x 50 x 15 (installed on Chromadoras) on the rear of one of the Meras. BTW, that was not my doing but the car came to me that way.
It is overkill but I do have 295 x 50 x 15 (installed on Chromadoras) on the rear of one of the Meras. BTW, that was not my doing but the car came to me that way.
Nelson
I think that is a little wide for a 7 in wheel. Pics please?
ok so get this.... y'all saw the flat tire yesterday??? well i go out before dawn to see me flat again?? oh.....no, not this time. its fine?????
would if say maybe, i checked the tire pressure recently ..... well can one hold open the valve stem or make crooked or something and get this result??
its cool that it happened in the LOCKED garage yesterday and all but i do not want it to happen on the road.....so close to the end. but the money is not in the cards for new ones till next year.......dam! FIX-A-FLAT here i come
ok so get this.... y'all saw the flat tire yesterday??? well i go out before dawn to see me flat again?? oh.....no, not this time. its fine?????
would if say maybe, i checked the tire pressure recently ..... well can one hold open the valve stem or make crooked or something and get this result??
its cool that it happened in the LOCKED garage yesterday and all but i do not want it to happen on the road.....so close to the end. but the money is not in the cards for new ones till next year.......dam! FIX-A-FLAT here i come
get ya sum!!! Daniel
If you are using the metal/chrome valve stem caps, I have had the rubber seal turn sideways inside the cap which pushes on the valve stem when you tighten the cap. That causes a small, slow leak. Also if they are too thick from the manufacture, you can overtighten them and cause the rubber to press on the stem. Just make sure the rubber seals are seated in the caps properly.
[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 10-31-2010).]
It is overkill but I do have 295 x 50 x 15 (installed on Chromadoras) on the rear of one of the Meras. BTW, that was not my doing but the car came to me that way.
Nelson
too much tire in my world is never enough!! i cannot get X to "roast the tires". mostly the Automatic and all but, i feel the fatter the tire the better the traction. i drive Mera X like i stole it.....so i need all the grip i can get. granted i will have wheels that accomidate the larger width. i also have always liked the fatter tire in the back look......its meaner lookin'. the Aldino is perfect case in point.
what do you all say about the OEM lace style wheels.....wonder what is the Maximum safe width is on these babys?? since these are OEM Fiero its thhe best choice for me.
unless Mike knows something about some Performance ones i plan on the suspention and break upgrades sooner than the Engine swap......most likely next year.PERIOD. i got to do something before anything goes bad.....Exahust can wait......but cooling pipes need work, the afore mentioned breaks (Front) and suspention is the mosy pressing. hopefully with this winter, some gainful employment can be had and i can do these little thing over the comming rough season! and speaking of BURRRRRR.....
first below freezing i have seen..... i am sure its not but 1st to me...so, let the season begin!
Dan, if you are going to run factory 87 lace wheels, the stock mera tire sizes will fit fine, Apparently, even the 295's like Nelson has on the back of one of his cars. On the front I think the 245's are the biggest I would go.
If you are using the metal/chrome valve stem caps, I have had the rubber seal turn sideways inside the cap which pushes on the valve stem when you tighten the cap. That causes a small, slow leak. Also if they are too thick from the manufacture, you can overtighten them and cause the rubber to press on the stem. Just make sure the rubber seals are seated in the caps properly.
hahahahaaaa......its funny you mention this. i just went out again with the sun up and took off the cap and noticed there is a rubber seal or something in there but it was right way in. but it did raise the question of maybe a pebble form the lot where i put air in. or like you said the rubber thing.
now i am all paranoid and will not be going to far from home. glad the season is almost over so i can address this issue/non-issue.we'll see.
thanks IMSA GT! good call.
i thought i got a little too aggressive with the pressure checker. i do it like 5 times. EACH!! tilted the stopper in the stem?? just like checking the oil. dipstick in. dipstick out. 5x......pathetic i know. and quite anal even i say so myself. oh well. whats a boy to do.
off to check to see if i just overtightened the cap......
Dan, if you are going to run factory 87 lace wheels, the stock mera tire sizes will fit fine, Apparently, even the 295's like Nelson has on the back of one of his cars. On the front I think the 245's are the biggest I would go.
right on!
see i plan (and do every semi-sunny day) to drive the crap out of Mera X. so i feel the smaller the tire wall the better off, i would be. you guys know more about this than i do. i'd love to hear what you guys think.
my favorites are the 90* turns. we got 2 nice sets 1/2 mile away. thats why i know i need suspention work
Mikes ideas of the larger wheel/rim is talking to me..... i can have bigger wheels but smaller tire walls. so they dont "Roll" on me and get rid of some of my gap in the wheel wells. plus with the "Fatties" in the back for traction off the line. ITS GO TIME!!! should be one less thing till the swap.
dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 10-31-2010).]
Once I upgraded to 17" wheels, the handling really came into it's own. It handles like a slot car now. There's more road feel, but not objectionable. I wouldn't go to 18s or larger, 17s seem to be a real sweet setup.
I just took the requested measurements on the grey Mera and the floor to top of the wheel well measurement is about 25" and the top of the tire to the top of the wheel well is approximately 2.5 inches. Note that the top of the wheel well measurement was taken on the outside of the fender and not in the center.
Nelson
Nelson, my car is 27.5 inches to the top of the wheel well. I may have to go to a 2 in drop to get the look of the gray car in front. Does the front spoiler alway scrape in normal driving?
Once I upgraded to 17" wheels, the handling really came into it's own. It handles like a slot car now. There's more road feel, but not objectionable. I wouldn't go to 18s or larger, 17s seem to be a real sweet setup.
and the 17" would fill up the gaps quite nice i would think
that would probabaly do it for me. i want some space for the hard corners......at the track. we got a road track in SouthHaven MI. 40 miles away. GingerMan raceway. i want to run with the Viper and Corvette clubs. and beat them!!
i am sure he would make a deal?? he was gonna hook me up for cost. super swell. hes a good guy. i have talked to him on the phone. was gonna buy a heaily modded 3.4 from him when i had a job.
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 10-31-2010).]
dan, as far as 17" wheels i think that is a good choice. check out vw new beetle, subaru wrx, audi tt, vw jetta, scion, and dodge neon wheels. all of these cars use 5x100 bolt pattern and aftermarket wheels for some of these are cheap and look good. just check and research the backspacing. and when you decide to do suspension and brake upgrades give me a shout and i will hook you up.
The front spoiler does not scrape during normal driving. However, there are issues with steep hills, declines, driveways, speed bumps, etc. and I will have to do something about that to protect the front air dam/spoiler.
Nelson
quote
Originally posted by Rick 88: Nelson, my car is 27.5 inches to the top of the wheel well. I may have to go to a 2 in drop to get the look of the gray car in front. Does the front spoiler alway scrape in normal driving?
[This message has been edited by hnthomps (edited 10-31-2010).]
Originally posted by batousai666: and the 17" would fill up the gaps quite nice i would think
that would probabaly do it for me. i want some space for the hard corners......at the track. we got a road track in SouthHaven MI. 40 miles away. GingerMan raceway. i want to run with the Viper and Corvette clubs. and beat them!!
D
In this pic, there is still room for lowering the wheel and tire combo still fills things out nicely. If anything, I might drop it one inch but no more.
[This message has been edited by Joe 1320 (edited 10-31-2010).]
Just picked up a set of compomotive 3 piece wheels for my 308 kit !!! Need to disassemble clean and reseal and of course add some rubber. Appear to be 17 x 10 rears and 17 x 8 for the front but will run them by a tire store for proper measurement. Will be replacing these that are currently on the car.
to get "the look" i am running with vitaloni california mirrors from a real 308 gtb grouppe 4 car. and of coarse the f430 19x11 rear wheels and f430 19x8 front wheels with michelin pilot cup tires and f430 monster brembo brakes with 13" cross drilled rotors. coupled with the zz4 383 sbc with 180 degree headers and restyled headlight covers to resemble the f308 and a non sunroof skin to make 7071 look like a real gtb it will be very hard to tell my car isnt an fcar. most likely you would have to be one of us here to be able distinguish the difference.
edit; BUT. mine will blow the doors off of a real f308 lol.
[This message has been edited by mera7 (edited 10-31-2010).]
Yep. It's a glass contour issue and will be corrected along with a few other items before the final paint. It's only noticed when you stare at that point for any length of time. I've got to change mirrors, move the antenna, fix that wheelwell contour and clean up the beltline. I swear, replicas are never really finished.
so this seasons numbers are in and looks like i drive Mera X...... alot.
5/01/2010=70400 miles 11/01/2010=73308 miles
total of 2908 miles for 2010 season.(so far!!) divided by 6 months =485 mi divided by 31 days/month =15.64 miles a day.
dam....i do not drive Mera X everyday.!!!! when i am working its not an option for i work in remote locations sometimes. thats a job for the Jeep. and lest not forget the lovely rain days.....i did almost but 100 miles on yesterday, alone to see if the tire would hold it did!! even at speed.....triple digits!!
and i have been known to make a 3 mile trip to the grocery store take 2.5 hours to get too and about 60 extra miles....
it just makes up for the no mile winters up here....
hey. i going to inqiure about the possibality of the 1986 Mera Proto-type showing again at the 2011 Detroit AutoRama. hopefully!!!
i will crawl up in that beast for the truth to our cars.....i gotta confirm the non-powered drivers mirror.... this is the best early, early trait, we have found so far. getyasum!!
D
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 11-01-2010).]
Mera 7014 is an early model and has powered mirrors.
Nelson
quote
Originally posted by batousai666:
so this seasons numbers are in and looks like i drive Mera X...... alot.
5/01/2010=70400 miles 11/01/2010=73308 miles
total of 2908 miles for 2010 season.(so far!!) divided by 6 months =485 mi divided by 31 days/month =15.64 miles a day.
dam....i do not drive Mera X everyday.!!!! when i am working its not an option for i work in remote locations sometimes. thats a job for the Jeep. and lest not forget the lovely rain days.....i did almost but 100 miles on yesterday, alone to see if the tire would hold it did!! even at speed.....triple digits!!
and i have been known to make a 3 mile trip to the grocery store take 2.5 hours to get too and about 60 extra miles....
it just makes up for the no mile winters up here....
hey. i going to inqiure about the possibality of the 1986 Mera Proto-type showing again at the 2011 Detroit AutoRama. hopefully!!!
i will crawl up in that beast for the truth to our cars.....i gotta confirm the non-powered drivers mirror.... this is the best early, early trait, we have found so far. getyasum!!
Mera 7014 is an early model and has powered mirrors.
Nelson
true but Mera #7005 is a real early Mera and also has powered Mirrors......but the earliest Mera #6001 and Me do*unconfirmed* not i feel this is a very good sign. for me its hope, anyway.....
hey you guys seen this ditty....from CarDomain website????
quote
Pontiac's own supercar?
The inside story seems to be that, with the gas crisis behind them, the design team at Pontiac secretly wanted to turn the little "commuter car" project into a world class sports car (similar to the Ferrari 308 which influenced the design and two of which were purchased by Pontiac during the Fiero's development). But that would mean developing a car that could also become a "Corvette killer" and GM executives would not approve of Pontiac offering a car that promised even anything near Corvette like performance at around one-third the price tag, especially with the Camaro, Firebird and Trans Am already providing a lower-cost alternative to higher priced sports cars, including GM's flagship Corvette, and never back such a project. The Chevrolet division also has a history of "lobbying" against the production of sports cars from other GM Divisions. (What happened to the waiting list only, faster than a 'Vette Buick Grand National by the way?) But Pontiac (with the GTO and Firebird) and even Buick (with the Grand National) have a history of rebelling against the authority and dictatorship of their parent company once in a while like out of control teenagers. They dont like to always do as they are told (often breeding contempt and causing backlash rather than gaining respect for taking initiative)! Did they get carried away with the Fiero? More than the public knew.....
The Fiero flying pegasus badge which graced the front of the car - sort of a combination of Ferrari's rearing horse badge (on the left) combined with the Firebird's insignia of a winged bird. My opinion is that the 308 (pictured below) was likely the primary design influence for the Fiero. Pontiac had several 308's in its possession during the development of the Fiero. Ferrari is known to have later sued Pontiac after re-bodied Fieros were sold at Pontiac dealers which were near exact replicas of the Ferrari 308GTB/308GTS (1987-1988). These Fieros are known as Meras and are the most valuable dealer-sold Fieros today, selling for up to around $30,000.
huh?? Pontiac SuperCar!!!! the Mera! hahahahaaa.......AFTER MIKE'S DONE WITH IT.....HELL YEAH!!
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 11-01-2010).]
The Fiero Mera - the most common 'kit car'. Note the stock 1986/7 Fiero GT wheels & interior! A Fiero-based Pantera replica A Fiero-based Enterra replica A Fiero-based Ford GT replica Some Fiero-based Ferrrari replicas - now we're getting serious! Some Fiero-based Lamborghini replicas - now we're getting ridiculous!
The innovative Fiero space-frame design and chassis lent itself to all kinds of creative interpretations. Aftermarket retailers created a variety of body kits that could turn a lowly Fiero into an exotic looking sports car. The key word here is 'looking'. The factory body panels could simply be unattached in a few minutes (which made repairing these cars very easy) and replaced by those from the kit manufacturer. Often the replica was built from a used Fiero that also had an engine-swap. The engine compartment was designed to accommodate a larger engine (which is why the factory V6 fit so well). I've seen Fieros that had 3.4L V6s from GM's mid-size cars (from a Grand Prix), 3.8L V6s (from a Firebird), or even Northstar V8s (from a Cadillac) installed in a Fiero. Most people who spent the money on one of these kits wanted a powerful engine too. But (and there's always a but) keep it mind the rest of the car was created from GM's 'parts bin' Late model 1987 GTs and 1988 GTs, Formulas, and Coupes had significant suspension improvements. Most fans mistakenly believe that the 1988 model was the only one to have the major performance improvements - but like everything else about the Fiero, Pontiac gradually introduced improvements designed to turn the Fiero into a real sports car. It was a classic case of "too little too late". Only the 1988 Coupe had significant suspension changes; many of the improvements to the GT were introduced along with the new body style and 5-speed Getrag transmission in 1987 (except for the monochrome paint treatment and different front/rear wheels and tires). SO.... while a Fiero-based kit car may look like an exotic foreign sports car at a distance; it may actually have the suspension of a Chevette. (No, not a Corvette)
Still they are fun to look at and every so often one appears on Autotrader or eBay when the owner doesn't know what to do with it anymore. Usually they appear at Fiero enthusiast shows and everybody gawks at them, but I wouldn't consider this a collectible car. In fact, most auto 'experts' do not consider ANY Fiero to be a collector's car - at least not yet. They are not classic Corvettes or even Mustangs. But (here we go again) they were unusual and produced in limited numbers (especially the 1988 GTs) due to declining sales. And it was an unusually innovative product from General Motors; not known for being innovative. So I believe the time will come when the Fiero gets the respect from car collectors that it should. Prices for 1988 GTs in showroom condition with under 15K miles have reached the 5 figure range - which was unheard of just a few years ago. Considering a fully-loaded GT with T-Tops topped at about $15K; its amazing that some people are asking that much for a used one today. And then there are some that time forgot.....
In 2010, a dealer was advertising this 'brand new' never-titled Fiero GT for $40,000 WOW!
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 11-01-2010).]
thank you for the compliment dan. according to gm the gmpp zz4 383 with fastburn heads and lt4 hotcam option makes 450hp at the flywheel. i will put 7071 on a wheel dyno after its done and see what she makes at the rear wheels. who knows she might have a 150hp shot of nitrous hidden away as well... lol can you say 600hp mera lol
true but Mera #7005 is a real early Mera and also has powered Mirrors......but the earliest Mera #6001 and Me do*unconfirmed* not i feel this is a very good sign. for me its hope, anyway.....
hey you guys seen this ditty....from CarDomain website????
[QUOTE] Pontiac's own supercar?
The inside story seems to be that, with the gas crisis behind them, the design team at Pontiac secretly wanted to turn the little "commuter car" project into a world class sports car (similar to the Ferrari 308 which influenced the design and two of which were purchased by Pontiac during the Fiero's development). But that would mean developing a car that could also become a "Corvette killer" and GM executives would not approve of Pontiac offering a car that promised even anything near Corvette like performance at around one-third the price tag, especially with the Camaro, Firebird and Trans Am already providing a lower-cost alternative to higher priced sports cars, including GM's flagship Corvette, and never back such a project. The Chevrolet division also has a history of "lobbying" against the production of sports cars from other GM Divisions. (What happened to the waiting list only, faster than a 'Vette Buick Grand National by the way?) But Pontiac (with the GTO and Firebird) and even Buick (with the Grand National) have a history of rebelling against the authority and dictatorship of their parent company once in a while like out of control teenagers. They dont like to always do as they are told (often breeding contempt and causing backlash rather than gaining respect for taking initiative)! Did they get carried away with the Fiero? More than the public knew.....
The Fiero flying pegasus badge which graced the front of the car - sort of a combination of Ferrari's rearing horse badge (on the left) combined with the Firebird's insignia of a winged bird. My opinion is that the 308 (pictured below) was likely the primary design influence for the Fiero. Pontiac had several 308's in its possession during the development of the Fiero. Ferrari is known to have later sued Pontiac after re-bodied Fieros were sold at Pontiac dealers which were near exact replicas of the Ferrari 308GTB/308GTS (1987-1988). These Fieros are known as Meras and are the most valuable dealer-sold Fieros today, selling for up to around $30,000.
huh?? Pontiac SuperCar!!!! the Mera! hahahahaaa.......AFTER MIKE'S DONE WITH IT.....HELL YEAH!!
) i am going to need this car to be way faster.
but ferrari f430 wheels and tires were $4200.00 for that look 
.jpg)
Mike? 
......wowweee!!!!
