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| Back in the Fiero Game after a few years (Page 1/5) |
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86FieroCentPa
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DEC 08, 07:31 PM
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Back when I was in High School (Class of 2008) I got a 1986 Pontiac Fiero (4 cyl, MT). It was a fun car and I always had big plans for it, but they never panned out. A few years into college I got an Engineering Co-op and needed a reliable car to get me from point A to point B. While my parents were gracious enough to have stored my Fiero in their garage while I was at school, I couldn't afford to get a new car without selling the Fiero. It was a sad day for me, but I always figured I'd pick up another one.
Nearly 10 years later that's finally come true. This time around I've found a 1988 Fiero (4 cyl, MT) with 60k-ish miles. It's not flawless, but it has a good body, decent paint, and seems to have been taken care of mechanically. I've driven it in it's stock state for the summer and fall and now it's time to start the big plans I had so long ago.
I've gathered the following parts to date:
-Ecotec 2.0L LSJ
-ZZP Dual Pass Intercooler Endplate
-GM F40 6 speed Transmission
-Haltech Elite 1500 w/ Wideband O2
-Self-designed strut tower lifting plates
-Harbor Freight Gantry Crane
Major parts to be selected yet include:
-Flywheel/Clutch
-Axles
-Fuel system
While I've always been quick to turn a wrench on a car or anything else, this is my most ambitious project to date. I'll be planning on updating this thread with pictures, ideas, and questions as it progresses. My goal is to have the drivetrain mechanically complete by early spring 2020 and to move on the electronics from there.
Today I started on the process of losing my cradle drop virginity. Everything disconnected and cradle bolts broken free.
The LSJ I picked up to swap in
0-mile F40 from ZZP
My planned Fiero-hoisting setup
A better look at the swapee
 [This message has been edited by 86FieroCentPa (edited 12-23-2019).]
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Raydar
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DEC 08, 10:21 PM
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That's a freaking beautiful car. One of my favorite 87-88 colors, too.
I also own an 88 coupe. Planning an LQ1 swap.
But yours is much prettier...  Good luck with your project. Mine is going to take a while. Have to move, first.
 [This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 12-08-2019).]
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Gall757
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DEC 08, 10:40 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Raydar:
But yours is much prettier...
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Prettier maybe, but that looks like the unusual WO2 package..(only offered in red or white). Is It?
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turbo86se
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DEC 09, 08:19 AM
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I don't know, both those cars are beautiful. White has always been my favorite color on a car, but the med red is beautiful on a Fiero.
86Fiero...You're only an hour or so away from me, man if you need another pair of hands for anything, let me know! Be awesome to help!
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wftb
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DEC 11, 07:11 PM
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Looks like a nice project. I have yet to see anyone on PFF actually finish an LSJ swap. For the F40, get the axles that came with your engine from a Cobalt SS supercharged. The turbocharged axles will not fit Fiero hubs. Also, make sure you get the latest version of the cam chain tensioner, early versions led to cam chain failure. Good luck with it, thanks for posting this. ------------------
86 GT built 2.2 ecotec turbo
rear SLA suspension
QA1 coilovers on tube arms
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Patrick
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DEC 11, 07:36 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by 86FieroCentPa:
My planned Fiero-hoisting setup...
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I'll give you an "A" for effort... but there are two holes on the front trunk wall (under the carpet) that are perfect for hooking a lifting chain into.
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86FieroCentPa
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DEC 11, 08:08 PM
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This evening I was able to progress a bit further
I have to give credit to Nathan Bittinger and Toddster for creating the guide I've been using for disconnecting everything and a engine dolly design. See it here
| quote | Originally posted by wftb:
Looks like a nice project. I have yet to see anyone on PFF actually finish an LSJ swap. For the F40, get the axles that came with your engine from a Cobalt SS supercharged. The turbocharged axles will not fit Fiero hubs. Also, make sure you get the latest version of the cam chain tensioner, early versions led to cam chain failure. Good luck with it, thanks for posting this.
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Thanks for confirming that the Cobalt SS Supercharged axles will work; I'd seen hints and ideas that they would work but was looking for some more information. Unfortunately I'll have to hunt those down at some point; this LSJ came from someone that was planning on swapping it into an off road buggy before deciding to go another direction. With that said I am planning on fully custom axles from The Driveshaft Shop or some other outfit at some point
The tensioner is a good reminder. I've had a number of Ecotec engines in my and family households over the years and I've done a few tensioner replacements.
| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
I'll give you an "A" for effort... but there are two holes on the front trunk wall (under the carpet) that are perfect for hooking a lifting chain into. |
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I've been a lurker and researcher around here for awhile and I'm aware of all of the different philosophies (mostly trunk latch or trunk wall holes) for lifting the rear of a Fiero. While I realize that both methods have been used with success by dozens of people, I'm more comfortable loading something that was designed to take high vertical loads. That and it gave me an excuse to brush up on my Autodesk Fusion 360 skills and test out eMachineShop on a fairly non-critical part.
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Dennis LaGrua
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DEC 11, 08:24 PM
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Nice find and it looks to be in good shape. As for the Ecotec swap, most of them that I have seen were of the very early N/A variety but the LSJ should be doable. Roger Thelin makes swap mounts and parts for that engine. I would check with Roger to see if he has mounts brackets and other items needed for that year engine swap. That engine provided decent power for the Cobalt and Saturn Ion Redline. Stock they ran low 14's in the 1/4 mile. Should work real well in a Fiero.
Good luck with the project and hope you decide to join us and show your work at Fieros at Carlisle in June 2020. ------------------
" 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 "
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Patrick
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DEC 11, 08:26 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by 86FieroCentPa:
I've been a lurker and researcher around here for awhile and I'm aware of all of the different philosophies (mostly trunk latch or trunk wall holes) for lifting the rear of a Fiero. While I realize that both methods have been used with success by dozens of people...
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Over the course of 35 years, I suspect it's been a whole lot more than "dozens of people".
I wouldn't trust the trunk latch method myself, but IMO the Fiero's trunk wall is more than robust enough for lifting purposes. Some people are adamant that those holes were actually put there for that very purpose.
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86FieroCentPa
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DEC 17, 10:45 AM
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Over this past weekend the engine came out
The only real hiccup were the rear cradle bolts. The sheet metal capturing the "Witches Hat" completely came apart. I ended up cutting a 2" hole in the frame so that I could get some heat on the bolts and grab them with a vice-grip. From there it was as simple as lifting the car up and rolling the engine out. I'll need to work on separating the Iron Duke and transmission from the cradle so that I can start coming up with a mounting solution for the Ecotec.
Anybody in the market for a 60k-ish mile Iron Duke and Isuzu transmission? It'll eventually get posted for sale here and elsewhere once I have it dismounted.[This message has been edited by 86FieroCentPa (edited 12-23-2019).]
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