So last week after wanting one for about the last 6 years i bought an 88 gt 5 speed. Registered it yesterday and im officially a part of the best club in the world. i just wanted to say hi and introduce myself before i start pestering everyone with little questions here and there. my only question right now is that the tail end feels very loose when i get on the gas. i bought it knowing that the sway bar links were non existant but i thought installing new links would have fixed this. is this just the way fieros are? or do i need to order more suspension parts?
The 88s are not at all loose anywhere when well maintained, but they are very sensitive to alignments, and getting a good alignment is not as easy as it sounds. Many shops don't know a thing about 4 wheel alignments of mid-engine cars, but it's very easy for them to act like they do.
Welcome. You're in a great area of the country to own a Fiero.
All of the suggestions above are good ones. Like any older car, Fieros can be a puzzle. You just need to find the write piece aka "fix". I would start with the simple (tire pressure) and go from there.
sorry all i went out driving. got the a/c working today. i was thinking motor and trans mounts. if not im hoping when i do coilover all the way around that it'll do the trick. havent been on any forums in a dogs age so ill try to get some pics up when i can figure it out. just a pretty simple needing some love black gt. FOR NOW
If it is the same issue that I had when I got my 88 (rear feels like it's swinging out on accel and decel) then this link may help, as it was the same reason for my problem.
If it is the same issue that I had when I got my 88 (rear feels like it's swinging out on accel and decel) then this link may help, as it was the same reason for my problem.
After using my '84 duke for four years, the first time I took my '88 Formula to autocross I almost hit the fenceafter making what I thought was a safe high speed change of direction. The rear end let go and the car totally spun out of control. Yep, I discovered that one of those long bolts was loose. Torqued it to spec and have never had a problem since.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05-30-2015).]
Welcome to the madness. Like everybody else said, proper alignment , tires, shocks and bushings make a difference on an 88. My 88 coupe had a similar problem and I discovered upon close inspection of the rear suspension I found one of the link mounts on the rear cradle was broken due to rust. Good luck with your GT!
man i was all ready to just ride the car like this a little and buy coilovers as soon as possible but now i got to go get back under the car.. thanks for the idea about the long bolt that sounds like it might be the culprit. ill let you know what happens in a couple hours.
anyone have any hints to scrub off the old double sided tape on the sails? one was hanging half off so i removed it but need to clean it up to reinstall
Keep in mind you do not have the original wheels on your car. The 88's had staggered fitment. Smaller on the front than rear. Mid/rear engine cars are really sensitive to correct tire pressures as well.
had my buddy top off the tire pressure to 35 all around the day i got the car home. should i go more than that? think the tires said max 45. or is it that they just need to be equal.
[This message has been edited by FsburNout216 (edited 05-28-2015).]
One great thing about the Fiero is that the styling and mechanicals respond very well to upgrades. After you make sure your suspension is tight, I'd recommend 17 inch rims. It updates the look of the car and gets rid of a ton of sidewall flex. Good luck and safe enjoyable miles.
[This message has been edited by RACE (edited 05-28-2015).]
well... ordering a trailing arm bushing kit. found one bushing that was completely shot. must be what is causing the rear to feel loose. as far as 17s they are definitely in the plan. id like to get the same c5 corvette rims i have on my firebird for the fiero but all in 17 and chrome. but i also want full suspension, big brakes, and a 3800sc. so these rims will do for now. maybe ill go play the lottery.
Trying to stay out from under the car until Wednesday when hopefully my parts arrive.
Where did you order your parts? Since you are new to Fieros, I'll take a moment to recommend www.rodneydickman.com Rodney sells all sorts of pieces that will help you to keep your Fiero running and in top form. He's not the least expensive, but his parts are "top shelf". Bar none.
Welcome to our obsession!
------------------ Raydar 88 Formula IMSA Fastback. 4.9, NVG T550 Praise the Lowered!
Welcome to the NJ Fiero owners group. Being a Fiero owner since 1995, I have also found that the car is very sensitive to having a proper alignment. Most tire shops just don't have the skilled personnel to do the job correctly. After you replace the rear suspension parts and tighten everything up, seek out the best alignment shop around. I also picked up on the fact that you are not using the 88 wheels. The front and rear used different offsets so maybe that has something to do with it. There is an 88 set of wheels on ebay right now. http://www.ebay.com/itm/121...665773537%26_rdc%3D1 Consider cruising out to Carlisle for the GM Nationals/MAFOA Fieros at Carlisle event on Saturday June 27th. You can find almost everything Fiero related there including parts and technical advise. Its a great Fiero resource and great fun. The way it now looks about 40 Fieros will be there. Hope to see you there. ------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, 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 "
[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 05-31-2015).]
I got a bunch of little things from the Fiero store.. But yes I have heard of Rodney. I think he is currently trying to build the bushings I need in rubber. I went with poly because I'd like to autocross the car when I'm done.
Check the bushings first, get some nice poly bushings installed to stiffen the suspension right up! I plan on doing it to mine soon!
That worked for me on my 85 GT. Also put on a rear sway bar. (edit - the sway bar "tightens things up" ,but sorta TOO much. its more stable until it isn't... you have less "warning" on a turn... )
Welcome to the Fiero World!
[This message has been edited by TheDigitalAlchemist (edited 06-01-2015).]
poly bushings all the way around got installed on monday. no more wait for it TORQUE STEER. . justkidding i know its not torque steer have just seen it been talked about in other forums this way thought id make a joke since i got nothing else to ask about the car for now. going outside to see if i cant get the paint looking a little better with some wax today. also ordered a roof rack await pictures of my car with 2 kayaks on top
If you use Windows, post your images here with 
got the a/c working today. i was thinking motor and trans mounts. if not im hoping when i do coilover all the way around that it'll do the trick. havent been on any forums in a dogs age so ill try to get some pics up when i can figure it out. just a pretty simple needing some love black gt. FOR NOW 
after making what I thought was a safe high speed change of direction. The rear end let go and the car totally spun out of control. Yep, I discovered that one of those long bolts was loose. Torqued it to spec and have never had a problem since.
