Can of worms- which one is all around better for upgrades 84-87, or the 88? (Page 1/3)
branger NOV 04, 07:43 PM
So I have an 86 2M6, and am trying to restore and also do some brake upgrades. It made me wonder if a fellow was gonna drop turbo charged engine, do brake upgrades, suspension upgrades etc, etc... which Fiero is the best (most economical/easier.) to use as a platform... the 84-87 or the 88 Fiero?
Gall757 NOV 04, 09:11 PM
88s are good enough to keep stock and have an enjoyable car. Use earlier Fieros for major upgrading...they will thank you for it.
cvxjet NOV 04, 09:29 PM
The 88s are better at being stock- the earlier cars are better for mods- the front suspension is easier to get parts for and somewhat more durable, and then you can get an 88 rear subframe/suspension and swap it in- I went with 88 brakes all around, also.

The earlier cars have a bit more room between the shock towers for engines and stuff- the 88 won't limit your engine choices- but you just have a bit more room around the upper sides of the engine.

Get the lightest wheel/tire combo and the car will feel and work much better- 40 lbs off the unsprung/rotational weight equals taking 200 lbs off the car....

There are also some upgrades to the early cars from the later cars; The oil sensor and the headlight motors are much better (the headlights are 87-88 and the oil sensor is 88 specific- not too hard to swap in to early cars)

Just checked on ROW52 and there are 2 88s in the JY "Near" you; One in Lake Stevens, WA and one in Sherwood, OR...You could go get the rear subframe from one of them

[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 11-04-2019).]

branger NOV 04, 09:51 PM
Thanks for your thoughts...love the Fiero community!
Will NOV 05, 08:26 AM
If you put big sticky tires on any Fiero, you'll kill stock rear wheel bearings quickly. The '84-'87 cars are easily upgradeable. The '88's are not easily upgradeable.
olejoedad NOV 05, 08:37 AM
All Fieros use the same rear wheel bearings.

Perhaps you meant to say front wheel bearings?
wftb NOV 05, 09:56 AM
The OEM rear wheel bearing seems to hold up fairly well. New replacement wheel bearings are getting destroyed all the time by people that are in to Lemons and Chump car etc.
As far as which car is better to mod mine is an 86 GT and I have modded the crap out of it because I got it cheap and it was meant to be my hobby car. And it was not in good enough shape to think about restoring. If it had been a pristine 88 GT I probably would have done nothing to it except drive it and maintain it. 84 to 87's are mostly cheap and plentiful cars, so who cars if you hack one up?

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86 GT built 2.2 ecotec turbo
rear SLA suspension
QA1 coilovers on tube arms

Will NOV 05, 10:18 AM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

Perhaps you meant to say front wheel bearings?



I did not.

'84-'87 cars can take hub carriers from FWD A-body cars with JA2 brakes and 27 spline 5x115 hub bearings. They can also take hub carriers from U-body Dustbuster minivans with 33 spline 5x115 hubs. Modifying those hub carriers to accept through bolts allows the carriers to accept 33 spline C7 Corvette wheel bearings.

There's no such upgrade path for '88's.

'84-'87 FRONT wheel bearings also survive use with slicks better than '88 front wheel bearings.

[This message has been edited by Will (edited 11-05-2019).]

Tesadorn NOV 05, 12:17 PM
Hey guys... I have the opportunity to pickup a 5 speed 86 GT with 60K.... seems to be in good shape 100% stock... any MAJOR issue with using this as a starting point (to rebuild and possibly do a 3.8 swap) I already have a 87GT parts car (I think the frame is bad)
Thoughts?

[This message has been edited by Tesadorn (edited 11-05-2019).]

wftb NOV 05, 01:17 PM
The most expensive part of fixing up an old car is getting it painted. So to me if you can find one that doesnt need a paint job that is a big plus. You have an 86 with the 5 speed getrag, the best of the stock transmissions.Nice seats if it has them are a bonus and save money.At 50,000 miles you might think it would be rust free but check it carefully, peel back the trunk carpet, look under the battery and get it on a hoist and check cradle, frame and suspension bits. And all the usual belts and hoses but you should be able to make a nice car out of it. If the engine runs well, drive it and enjoy it maybe you will just leave it stock. Can't see there being much wrong with it being that low in miles.

------------------
86 GT built 2.2 ecotec turbo
rear SLA suspension
QA1 coilovers on tube arms