I drove my 88 Formula around without checking to make sure it had oil, and now it's hashed. Stuck in gear, I split the case and it's full of metal shavings. Yep, I'm not the brightest. I've been looking for Fiero Getrags around on Craigslist, and haven't found any replacements. I'm planning on a 3800SC swap a year or so down the road, so I've been debating my options for transmission replacement.
So, as I see it, my options are: 1. Get my existing 282 rebuilt - Probably expensive, if I can find a shop to do it. 2. Get a FWD 282 from a late 80's-early 90's FWD GM V6 - Would require Rodney's kit, but the local Pick n Pull yards only charge $130+$30 core, so that's not terrible 3. F23 Swap - Transmission is the same price, or $250 if I get one locally. Would have to make my own brackets or buy some premade, BUT it would be used on the 3800 swap as well.
I'm not willing to just jump into the 3800 swap right now, due to having a small work space and insufficient funds for a full swap. I'd like to get the car running with the 2.8 and verify everything else works (fuel pump, radiator, gauges, etc) before I swap engines and cause more problems.
Option 1 is unlikely, since the cost of a rebuild would equal or exceed the cost of the other options. Option 2 is probably the cheapest, but I'd probably ditch the transmission in a year or two. As far as I know, there are complications to just swapping the gears from a FWD 282 onto the Fiero Getrag bellhousing, correct? Option 3 is tempting and the cheapest long-term, but more work and expense right now. I know the F23 can use the Fiero axles, but as far as I know it will need a HTOB spacer and the Dakota Digital converter for the speedometer. I've read I will also need to modify the existing 2.8 engine mounts to move the transmission over slightly, which if true is more work still.
Do I have other options I don't know about here? Suggestions? I'm not swapping to an auto, and I don't have money for the full 3800 swap right now.
2. Get a FWD 282 from a late 80's-early 90's FWD GM V6 - Would require Rodney's kit, but the local Pick n Pull yards only charge $130+$30 core, so that's not terrible 3. F23 Swap - Transmission is the same price, or $250 if I get one locally. Would have to make my own brackets or buy some premade, BUT it would be used on the 3800 swap as well.
The local Pick-A-Part often charges just $49.95 (plus refundable $20 core charge) for a tranny. It's a very good deal.
My local lists prices online, it's $129.99+$29.99 core, with half-off specials reasonably often. The next half-off special will be Memorial Day weekend, so I'm trying to come up with a solid plan by then.
I would also recommend the later 282. I have a 93 Beretta Getrag in my car. I like it particularly for the integrated slave/release bearing. If you don't want to mess with that, I think a '90 version would work for you. You may still need the Dakota Digital adapter. (The magnetic VSS in the later getrags works perfectly with my 4.9 ECM. I'm not sure about the 3800.) The earlier you go, the more likely that the VSS will work without the adapter. The benefit of the later Getrag is the improved differential. I think that started in '90.
Once you get new cables to work with the F23 (about $200 worth), fab your cable bracket. (not expensive but just a PITA to get it right) get the HTOB spacer. You have a bullet proof transmission. And if you do manage to kill it, 90% of the work is already done. Just get another F23 (they are everywhere) and drop it in. You can even make a hybrid F23 from a solstice and swap the bell housing to get even better gearing.
Just to add to this, I had an Isuzu mated to the 2.8l (before my 3800SC swap) and it was nice! I don't know why the Isuzu has a bad rep... That trans was smooth and worked well on the 2.8.
I drove my 88 Formula around without checking to make sure it had oil, and now it's hashed. I split the case and it's full of metal shavings.
If that is the case it is now only worth scrap weight. Certainly not rebuild-able in any way.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
Originally posted by Purple86GT: Just to add to this, I had an Isuzu mated to the 2.8l (before my 3800SC swap) and it was nice! I don't know why the Isuzu has a bad rep... That trans was smooth and worked well on the 2.8.
Never had a problem when I had an Isuzu mated to my 2.8,and lot cheaper to install with his price
[This message has been edited by fireboss (edited 04-27-2014).]
If that is the case it is now only worth scrap weight. Certainly not rebuild-able in any way.
Yep. I didn't have a lot of hope for anything other than maybe the case and shift/clutch linkages to be useful. The bearings are without a doubt shot, along with the shafts and most of the gears.
Just bumping this with information if it ever pops up in anyone's search.
What I ended up doing was finding a FWD Getrag from a 1990 Beretta Indy with a 3.1. The intial plan was to buy Rodney's adapters, but as I had my trashed transmission apart already, I decided to poke around (my reasoning being "It's not like I can break it more"). I removed the select shaft from the bad transmission, following much cursing and hammering, using the directions in the transmission manual, and then split the case on the Beretta Getrag and did the same. I have a picture showing the differing lengths of the shafts I will post later. I was able to reassemble the two transmissions using the gear housing of the Beretta transmission and the (thoroughly cleaned) bellhousing of the Fiero transmission. I haven't yet re-installed the transmission in the car (waiting on a new throwout bearing), but the case halves went together without issue and all five gears + reverse can be selected.
