Upgrade order (Page 1/2)
alecbeard OCT 21, 02:22 PM
I have a fairly stock 88 Formula and want to slowly upgrade it. I don’t want to do a complete overhaul all at once but rather slowly replace parts and make modifications. I was thinking maybe others are in the same boat and could use some inspiration.

With that in mind, anyone want to share a list of upgrades you’ve made or are planning? What order will you do them in?

I think I will start with exhaust and intake, especially since my muffler is shot. After that I’m not sure. I’ve browsed the Fiero Store and everything looks great but I’m not sure what’s worth the money
kevin OCT 21, 02:54 PM
alecbeard,
Welcome to the Forum. I think the best way to answer your question is to ask what type of mechanical aptitude you have? We can all make some wonderful, marvelous and happy ideas that will enhance your motoring experiences. But, we want to know if our recommendations can be utilized by you? Tell us your background. Take a picture of your Fiero. ( inside and out)
Cordially,
kevin

[This message has been edited by kevin (edited 10-21-2017).]

alecbeard OCT 21, 05:27 PM
Thanks for the reply Kevin

I guess I thought this advice could help everyone and not just me. For example: here's the first upgrade I would do, price, result in terms of performance, and skill level. After that I would do this. Etc. But maybe I should just focus on my own car.

I'm intermediate. I don't have a lift or a spacious shop so major engine and transmission work is off the table. If it can be accomplished with some jacks, muscle, and perseverence, then I'm game. I have all the common tools but not many specialty items. I can MIG weld, not that I imagine many upgrades would require much of that.

Basically I'd like to keep upgrading my fiero one project at a time instead of doing it all at once. So this week I could put on a magna flow exhaust. Next week I do something to the air intake. Then I upgrade the suspension. With the suspension done and a little more HP, I might want to get better brakes. Etc. My preference is for simplicity and function over complicated technology or a pretty exterior. If there are ways to strip things from the car that are luxuries I'd be down with that too.

That's what I was thinking. So anyone who's upgraded their Fiero in this way, maybe you could share the order the jobs were done in and what you learned.

I don't have any pics handy. It could use a paint job but I'm not focused on aesthetics. The interior's solid. The car's in great shape overall and only has 37k miles. I would love to do something crazy like an engine swap but my engine is practically brand new.

Thanks
Alec
OldGuyinaGT OCT 22, 03:53 AM
I've owned my 88 GT for about 18 months. Since it had 142k miles on it and had been mistreated some before I got my hands on it, a lot of what I've done so far has been repairs (mine needed a LOT) your car probably doesn't need. But there may be some items that are still original on your car that should be replaced just due to age. Depending on the type/age of your tires, you might want to make a change there.

Some upgrades I would have made were already done by one of the previous owners. When I bought the car, it had polyurethane bushings throughout the front suspension (I plan to do the rear), and stainless steel braided brake lines on all corners. Several on this forum have upgraded the brake booster for greater power assist; the stock one is fine with me. A few have fitted power steering. I may do that if I can find an electric unit that's not too bulky or too big a pain for my taste.

I'm not sure what your preferences/tastes/priorities are, but I can tell you of some upgrades I've made. I had the windows tinted (In my case, re-tinted. What was on the car when I bought it was not good). It's amazing how much greenhouse effect you can get in these cars - tint is a big help. I upgraded the stereo to a digital media player with Bluetooth (PO had already upgraded the speakers). I added a remote keyless entry kit. I added a really small rear view camera (monitor in the rear view mirror). I was having trouble seeing the driver side rear when backing the car.) I changed all the lamps to LEDs. I added some LED driving lights. Changed starter to a GM mini unit like the one listed for many later GM cars. Just two weeks ago I installed 1" taller front lower ball joints from Rodney Dickman to correct the "nose up" attitude the 88's have. WAY happier with the way the car sits now.

Stuff I plan to do at some point (but likely not in the order listed):
I have a 1227730 ECU to swap in.
My car's an automatic, and I may cut down the shift lever unless I figure a way to make an aftermarket unit work and just replace it.
I intend to swap in a 3.4L and 4T60.
Considering adding a glovebox and cupholders.

One simple mod I made that I really like-
The Seat hinge/recliner mechanisms on most 80's-early 90's seats are interchangeable. I swapped in some from a GM 2-door that had inertial latches. These allow you to fold the seat forward without having to use the reclining part of the mechanism and made the space behind the seats usable storage. The space isn't big, but I can put a sunshade and the snowbrush I hope I don't need back there. Could probably stow the sunroof shade there.

Every car I've ever owned I'd consider a "work-in-progress" inasmuch as I've never gotten a car to the point where I'd just leave it alone. If you're of the same mind, I'm sure you'll find any number of projects for your Formula. Good Luck!
RayOtton OCT 22, 07:01 AM
I was hesitant to get involved in these discussion because I've seen many of them devolve into pissing contests pretty quick but in the end I documented all of my mods here:

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/139779.html

And my weight reduction program here:

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/140453.html

The car is now well balanced in handling and power. No Corvette Killer but a big improvement over stock.
alecbeard OCT 22, 09:35 AM
I love the idea of weight reduction. I've contemplated stripping it down completely and turning it into a dune buggy or go kart. But I'd rather not mess up a perfectly good car. That would be a good project for a fiero that's been wrecked. It'd be fun to take the doors off. Those things are heavy!

I guess I should be more specific. If I replace my exhaust with a magnaflow catback, will I notice a difference? Would it improve more if I replaced the intake?

Maybe a better question is which expensive items for sale on the Fiero Store are worth the money? Do "performance" parts do anything? There are a lot of ways to spend money and I'm wondering if it'd be better just to leave my car stock and if I want more power, swap engines.

To keep the pissing contests at bay, how about everyone just share their own experiences and not talk about what other people should or shouldn't do.
Easy8 OCT 22, 11:10 AM
Gaining power from stock Fiero engines is not the easiest thing to do. Can it be done, yes... can you get a major increase... yes. Is it cheap and easy.. No.

In my mind there are two paths for these cars. Restore em to the way they were and enjoy them stock or swap the motor out and mod them to your hearts desire.

If you want more performance on the cheap, which it sounds like you do. I would look at a 3.4 swap. Not much to get one of those done and it still looks stock with a pretty nice performance increase. To me putting money into a stock fiero motor is some what a waste of time and money. Yes guys I know you can work a 2.8 and gain power.. put the torches down. I am just saying that it is not the normal route for these cars.


Other than motor mods the only performance mod you can get are wheels/Tires and brakes. The up side with this one is for most of the big brakes you can put on a Fiero you need bigger rims. So you are somewhat forced to do a mod the to cars looks to get the brakes and as a bonus you should end up with better rubber on the road.

As far as just straight looks go.... well the sky is the limit. You can do simple painting, lights, body panel replacement, all the way up to vented hoods and complete rebody of the car if you like.

I kind of get what you are asking about but with the lack of ability to pull much easy power out of the fiero motor there is not really a road map to upgrading a Fiero. From what I have seen here most do the brakes, maybe rims and tires, then shop for a motor swap.

Now all that said, here is the path I took. Skip to the end for the short version.

I picked up an 87 GT with a 5 speed with my heart set on a V8 swap from Achie. I did Grand AM brakes all the way around, then I pulled the body off the car and painted it....looked at the bank account and the cost of the V8 and waited...... Then life got in the way, Moved twice, retired from the military, took a job overseas for 18 months.. and the sale of my 86 automatic GT (guess you can have to many cars) After all this I finally had the cash to swap that V8 in the car, of course Archie had retired, making it a little harder to do but not impossible. Browsing this forum for which motor to put in and how to go about it I happened across a guy selling a T Top with a V-8 in it not to far south of me.... Lights and bells went off in my head, why not buy one that already has the V-8 in it. Down side to the new plan... those cost more. Plan B is on hold....

So then one day browsing this site I came across a thread in the mall... "Pedro's choptop" I click and the add and see one of the baddest sexiest fieros I have ever seen. It has a V-8, is a chop top and I am in love... it runs but is not drivable due to... who cares. Emails were sent and calls made, 4 hours of driving later I bought the car. A long week later the car is in my drive way and then the real fun... long story short, it took about 6 months of this and that to make it run right.

So my path is branched. I have the 87 basically stock and a V-8 chop top. I found it was cheaper and easier for me to pick up where some one left off on a project than start one by myself. Some how I doubt this helped much with what you are looking for but like I said there is no real set path of fiero mods.
olejoedad OCT 22, 11:25 AM
If the bushings in the suspension have never been replaced, there is a very good chance (even on garage-stored cars) that they have oxidized, hardened and cracked.
If the shocks and struts are original, low mile units, chances are very good that they have lost their original performance characteristics.
Check your brake lines for rust where the under-car line to the rear brake distribution block is above the coolant tube bracket. (Passenger side, behind rocker, at rear of door under the car)

If you decide to go with larger diameter wheels, seriously consider installing fieroguru's 13" brake upgrade.
alecbeard OCT 22, 01:09 PM
Thanks for taking the time to respond! All this info is helpful.

Sounds like I should modify if I want something to do with my time and money, but in terms of performance the gains will be hard won and easier to accomplish with a full engine swap.

Maybe a better question would be this: when a part wears out or could use replacing, which parts do you replace with stock and which do you go aftermarket?

For example, my exhaust is rusted out. Is it worth the money to get Magnaflow? It'll sound louder, but will it boost HP at all?

Some parts confuse me, like "performance" ignition. What will the "performance" ignition coil do for me except lighten my wallet? I can't imagine a more powerful spark will improve anything.

To avoid this becoming negative, maybe it'd be better to only mention things that ARE worth spending more money on as opposed to things that AREN'T.

I imagine suspension, brakes, and wheels would be a good place to spend money. What about air intake and exhaust? Seems like that might be worth it. I don't plan on doing this anytime soon, but what about injectors or camshafts? I'm getting the impression that most of these won't be worth it and I might as well run this one into the ground and then get an new engine.

Thanks again for the responses!

Semper Fiero
Kevin87FieroGT OCT 22, 01:44 PM
“I'm getting the impression that most of these won't be worth it and I might as well run this one into the ground and then get an new engine.”

I’d say your on the right track with it. I’ve always seen it as the most cost effective way to increase hp is to swap and enjoy the stock rated hp from the swapped engine. Short of buying a bad used engine, you get the reliability of a OEM engineered engine and no aftermarket headaches, plus the extra hp and torque that comes with it. True a swap is costly, but so is adding a aftermarket cam, rockers, fuel injection, and the like. There are plenty of good basic swaps here on PFF to follow. The 3.4 comes to mind as a easy way to get some cost effective hp.

All said, why not just do a good basic tune up (plugs, wires, cap rotor, AC ICM, time engine), port your OE exhaust manifolds and y pipe, check your cat and muffler, freshen your O2 sensor and go down the road in a nice running Fiero.