As the title says I am thinking about a new build for myself. My sons car restoration gave me an itch for these little cars. Granted I have only brought 1 Fiero back to life.....but I have done a LOT of research on these cars to get his running. Am I just a newb or...isnt this supposed to be fuel injected? If not why is the carb so HUGE! Why is the engine coolant tube there. Why is the Drier in the back....why is this engine so weird?
[This message has been edited by Forrest (edited 09-13-2021).]
Yikes! Someone has decided to ditch the fuel injection and install a carb!!! If it was me, I'd find another Fiero, unless you enjoy working on someone's cobbled up job....... There is a high potential for a LOT of work here.......
------------------ Rod Schneider, Ball Ground, Ga. "You can't have too many toys!" 1988 Fiero GT 1988 Porsche 928S4 1987 Corvette 2016 Mustang EcoBoost Van's RV-6 airplane
Run as far away from that car as quickly as possible.
It isn't so much that they installed a 2.8 carb manifold, it is more than there is no decklid, there is no air filter, no PCV valve or plug in the valve cover.
That engine is junk. The TV setup for the 125C is super critical for proper transmission life and longevity, the majority of the carb swaps mess this up. I don't even see it connected, so if this was ever a running/driving carb conversion, the transmission likely burnt up. The wiring on the car will be suspect depending on who did the carb conversion and where/how they decided to alter the wiring. If the car has been sitting long, mice and other critters have likely feasted on other wiring in the car as well.
No Deck lid and no air cleaner with rust on the carb id say that engine and carb are done. That trans is probably also done. Its a parts car. Unless you have a v6 Fiero that ran well when it got stuffed under another car id say hard pass.
The surface rust on every component indicates the engine bay has been open to the elements for a LONG time. Engine likely needs rebuilt. Looks really badly cobbled together, like they just tried to get it running as quickly as possible. Carb is a Holley 4 bbl, probably a 600cfm (way too big for the 2.8), MAYBE the proper 390cfm, hard to tell. If it's originally a Texas car rust may not be TOO bad, unless it's from a flood zone. A/C compressor hoses have been disconnected from the compressor and folded over on top of the engine.
The car probably had an electrical or EFI related issue the owner and/or his mechanic couldn't fix or diagnose, and he decided to convert to carb, and lost interest in the project.
Yup, Engine needs replacement or complete rebuild If can even be rebuilt. No deck lid etc = water got in the engine.
Wiring, Alternator and water pump are likely "dead" too. Car Wiring hate water and sun light (UV)... Water get in at connections then wicks under the plastic and rots the metal. UV rots the plastic. WP etc can "rust" and rust on any shaft made bad seals and more.
Restoring EFI is more work and likely high cost unless you have a donor Fiero w/ same engine and trans.
Has "ripped out" some or all emissions equipment too. Your state may not test/inspect this normally but most states require them and many also require special inspection for "restoring" a "Total" car etc.
Specials Inspection often involve State Police and a lot of doc's to make sure car and parts aren't stolen and repairs are done right. Missing Emissions parts can cause a problem here too.
Hoses and "Can" are AC Compressor lines. "Can" is compressor output muffler not acc/drier. acc/Drier is in the front of car. AC lines/parts open to air = Major problems to everything left.
------------------ 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)
No Deck lid and no air cleaner with rust on the carb Id say that engine and carb are done. That trans is probably also done. Its a parts car. Unless you have a v6 Fiero that ran well when it got stuffed under another car id say hard pass.
Must 100% agree. This also looks like it may have been a failed install. The previous owner scrapped the OEM fuel injection system and the carb looks far too large for a 2.8L engine size. Being left open to the weather it would be a miracle if the engine could be restored. If you want to rescue a Fiero there are far better choices but if you buy the car cheap for a sound body and frame it might be worth a resto project. I would also bear in mind that my experience has shown that much of the time the cost of overall restoration tents to exceed the cost of buying something already in good shape.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Would be a great candidate for an engine swap. Or get a good engine from someone that pulled the V6 for his own swap.
I will have to respectfully disagree with you on that. Its wiring harness is toast and so is the trans. You will need: the rear engine harness Running pulled engine with intact fuel system Good trans Probably also need a new fuel pump and sending unit as those were also probably messed with. This is at a minimum to maybe get it running. I suspect you need an ECU and the cabin harness as well. That is a long long laundry list of parts before you even get to what it probably needs as a 30yo car to drive safely.
OK, I'll be the one to poke the hornet's nest. We haven't heard back from Forest on the condition of the rest of the car. IF it is rust free, and generally in reasonable condition, and not exposed to rain (maybe under a tarp). Then there are ways to make a carb'd 2.8 work. In fact, probably easier than trying to get the fuel injection back in place, as I'll agree, the engine compartment is a mess. Years ago, Arns85GT & Oreif did some pretty good carb work. Any Holley looks big on a 60 deg V6. The secondary venturi look right for a 390.
OK, I'll be the one to poke the hornet's nest. We haven't heard back from Forest on the condition of the rest of the car. IF it is rust free, and generally in reasonable condition, and not exposed to rain (maybe under a tarp). Then there are ways to make a carb'd 2.8 work. In fact, probably easier than trying to get the fuel injection back in place, as I'll agree, the engine compartment is a mess. Years ago, Arns85GT & Oreif did some pretty good carb work. Any Holley looks big on a 60 deg V6. The secondary venturi look right for a 390.
A carburetor is ancient technology, primarily used by Fiero owners that are not knowledgeable about high efficiency fuel injection systems. A carburetoris a stupid device as the settings are fixed. You must use it with a distributor where the timing curve only changes relative to speed. On the other hand a Fuel injection system is constantly adjusting the engine management and considers, air temps, vacuum readings, exhaust gas makeup, speed, load and other parameters. It adjusts the fueling and timing continuously and optimizes mileage, power and emissions over a broad range.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Thank you all for your advice. I will not rescue this one as it is too far gone. The owner said he will take $750 for it. I will share the link if someone wants to take this one on. I spoke to the owner and he said the shop did this. His son drove the car for a little while but after putting him on the spot he admitted it never ran right after the conversion. The next question was how long was the trunk not covering the engine? Son said a year...Dad said a few years....no saving there. Engine is toast. I have found another though.....a manual!
[This message has been edited by Forrest (edited 09-14-2021).]
