Yesterday a local Fiero owner that is planning some changes to his vehicle came over to pick up some small parts. I showed him my 3800SC Fiero that was in my garage and started it up so that he could hear it run. Immediately a ticking noise could be heard. It sounded to me like a bad lifter. Got out the stethoscope but couldn't locate any noise coming from the engine but it sounded like it was on the right side. All looked good until I saw that the supercharger belt had a 3" thread sized shred along the edge. I removed the belt and found another area where there was one more 2" shred. Installed a new belt and all is fixed.
In this case I was lucky to see the problem as the defective area of the belt stopped right at the supercharger pulley and could be clearly seen. On rotation it was apparently slapping on the cradle, hence the ticking sound. I would say that these engines are hard on the supercharger belts so always check it. The last one lasted 7 years of only hobby type driving so there is no complaint. Tomorrow I will check pulley alignment but the only pulleys there are the supercharger , crank, two Idlers and a tensioner- all OEM routing and original items, save for the 3.4" pulley. If I would make a guess, the supercharger belts do need to be changed on these engines occasionally.
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" 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 "