Though it is very common for the Fiero community to modernize the powerplant, suspension, braking system and lighting system, I wonder how much further we can go to modernizing the Fiero to near modern standards, maybe even post 2000, if maybe post 2010 level of modernization.
I believe there has been some attempt to have motorized fold-in side mirrors. There also has been successful attempts at digital or modern gauges and switches, maybe a modernized power widow motors or even a more modernize HVAC controls.
One thing about the Fiero that it is ran off of 12V system. Modern cars are really controlled by LIN or CAN systems. Since I now have a modern (2014) power plant and a vehicle control unit that has several CAN and LIN inputs/outputs that I could possibly use to control various things, from gauges to ancillary systems. It can be a bit complicated, but learnable for sure. I wonder what I can do to use these, or just it's just way more trouble that it is worth and to leave it alone.
I'm curious if anyone has going through and used LIN and CAN systems in the Fiero beyond the power plant system?
"Modernizing" Often is not Better or more reliable... More so when involves CANBUS et al. Example: Many things on CANBUS are serialize and must match numbers stored in PCM &/or BCM. This is to stop DIY and other "unauthorized" repairs. Is a "spin off" of VIN Locked "Radios" used in many 90 to now GM cars because the "Radio" also has Chime Box functions AKA "Blue Dingy Thingy" built into it. Even GM Dealers can only replace these w/ same unit when old unit is "dead."
Unlike F16 and everything since military w/ Drive/Fly by Wire... All DbW for cars are made Very Cheap and have Many Problems not just Toyota w/ run away cars causing a huge Recall a few years ago. That before trying to add "Super Cruise" and other names for "self driving" cars that's hurt and killed people but MSM ignores most because neg for current narrative.
Power Mirrors now has not change much on how made since the 80's... still break a lot and can't adjust at all when that happens. Power/Auto Folding just adds another motor and gears to break down. Worse, when these newer mirror get hit hard they often break totally and have a large bill to replace the whole thing on top of whatever cost of repair to the car where mounted to.
Many old PW uses Relays and other things like auto open module to power the motors and does not need a BCM controlling them. But that cost more and why Fiero and a F lot more have switches getting full power to run the motors. BCM control them now but BCM just has 1 input or output dead means you replace the BCM that cost way, Way, more the a dead switch or relay.
BCM controls everything... So 1 dead NTC thermistor buried in AC/Heater box and AC don't work. Fixing that means tearing out the entire dash to get at the heater box in many "cars." Often means "dumping" AC charge and pulling apart AC to replace 1 sensor. If a shop fixes that cost Many Hours of Labor alone...
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Over the years several people have included BCMs with their swaps to retain some of the later model features. Rickady88GT probably went the furthest with his LS4 swap. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum3/HTML/000114.html
I think the lack of all those features is what makes the Fiero such a good base to start with and and easy platform to swap. However, with my LS4/Turbo swap I will be installing traction control to help keep the car pointed the right direction. http://www.racetcs.com/ I am also upgrading to a double din head unit with nav and backup camera capability. The car already has cruise, PW, PL & AC.
Beyond these items, I don't really see a need for more complexity to add more features.
If there was just clean well documented straight forward path to getting to a high feature 3.6 w/ a six speed auto or manual I'd be very happy. Wouldn't even need direct injection for me.
Originally posted by fieroguru: ... Beyond these items, I don't really see a need for more complexity to add more features.
Awww... You mean you don't want it to "see" an approaching car, in a curve, on the other side of the road, and slam on the brakes? Honda told a friend of mine that that behavior is "normal".
Right. We just turned off most of that crap, in our Honda. I'm grateful that we still have that option. For now.
If FieroGuru is figuring out Traction control, then hopefully that will bring adaptive cruise control into the realm of possibilities!
One of the things sitting around to go in my car is a blind spot indicator, it comes with lights that go in the cabin, but as we are looking at side mirrors that had blind spot indicators built in, we want to wire this sensor system into those (once we settle on said aftermarket side mirror. I've been looking for ones that had Blind spot indicator and built in turn signal indicator on the front of the housing, and that wouldn't require more than some adapting to the mounting point on the Fiero... we're getting closer, best fit so far is out of the 2020-2022 Mustangs. Going to pick up a late model FourRunner XLE mirror to test out next).
About Ricky's car - he's modified it so extensively, California recognizes it as a modified Monte Carlo! lol (he talks about it in his thread when going to get emissions done). Wild stuff!
I'm modernising quite a lot on my 88 Formula as it actually makes hooking up and releasing the potential of my engine swap a lot easier, as well as being a fun project to play around with.
2008 Z28NET engine (not sure of american designation) ... 2.8 quad cam, vvt, hybrid turbo with tubular manifolds, charge cooling system and high flow custom inlet manifold. aiming for 500+ to wheels lightened solid flywheel with high torque clutch, F40 6speed with Quaife ATB Diff VAG group 330mm vented front and rear brakes DTA S80 ECU and Throttle controller, wheel speed sensors all round will enable Launch, Traction and Slip control AIM technologies PDM32 (Power Dristribution module) fully programmable unit the replaces most fuses, relays etc in the car. Includes logging and 10" customisable dash. The dash unit should just fit into the original surround and replace all gauges/warning lights.
I know there are far cheaper/easier ways to go about getting big power, but I see this engine as the natural predecessor for the original 2.8 v6 so thought i'd have a go at it!
I2008 Z28NET engine (not sure of american designation) ... 2.8 quad cam, vvt, hybrid turbo with tubular manifolds, charge cooling system and high flow custom inlet manifold. aiming for 500+ to wheels
Hi, this is the Euro / Ausie version of the GM High Feature DOHC V6. Dave "BMWGURU" started one of these swaps years ago. Don't know what became of it:
Thanks Mark, Thats the one... I was in touch with BMWGuru when i first started... his business took off in a big way and his car got put into storage, not sure if he's got back to it or not. The main complications he was having at the time involved electronic control of the fuel pumps and throttle to try retain the stock ECU, I've done away with all that on my install.
The engine is incredibly well made, forged heads, 6bolt mains etc. The tuner that is doing my programming has ran one at over 650whp completely stock motor (bought off ebay and never even took the cam covers off it!). All he did was inlet, exhaust and turbo mods, plus the ecu to control it al
CAN buses are OK if you're the OEM and you have control over everything, documentation on the protocol for every module, and you're telling your suppliers how to build their parts.
For the DIY garage guy, CAN buses and locked-down black-box electronic modules are a nightmare.
At work, I have the right tools and support to interface with our CAN bus modules, and I still struggle sometimes.
The Fiero has about the ideal amount of tech/complexity for a car; there's no way I'd ruin my automotive hobby experience by adding digital buses to it (unless I happen to understand/control everything that happens on the bus).
[This message has been edited by pmbrunelle (edited 01-16-2023).]
Awww... You mean you don't want it to "see" an approaching car, in a curve, on the other side of the road, and slam on the brakes? Honda told a friend of mine that that behavior is "normal".
Right. We just turned off most of that crap, in our Honda. I'm grateful that we still have that option. For now.
I haven’t had that issue yet but our Caddy over reacts all the time when people are turning to the right in front of us. Dam car pretty much comes to a stop when a slight brake would of taken care of the situation. My favorite is when backing into the garage a shadow can cause the car to perform chiropractor spine alignment on everyone in the car. She once could not move from a shadow in a drive thru, had to turn the car off and back on. In cruise mode that can be turn off but not reverse mode.
I have a 170 degree view camera mounted on one of my Mera license plate holders. The camera is set up to function full time any time I flip a switch and can act to help eliminate rear view dead spots.
I'm sure almost anything is possible with the right time and money, but depending on what you think you're looking to do, I'd focus more on what you want to get out of it.
I'm not a huge fan of BCMs... but I do like modern power plants, all except drive by wire; however, I do understand the benefit.
