1988 GT had front sway bar links with the nylon dampers rotting away (loose and rattling). Went to local parts place (NAPA) and got new ones. Only problem is that these are a bit shorter, and the sleeve is 3" long, whereas the ones I removed were 4" long. Which is correct? I noticed the bolts on the longer ones were very close to hitting the upper A-arm. Did the previous owner install the wrong ones?

I've included a photo.

Rock Auto specs show bolt lenth 7.5", and sleeve length 3". (That's what NAPA sold me.) I'm thinking that the ones I removed were the wrong length.

I don't have access to an 88 front end, but I can tell you that you want them longer rather than shorter for better handling.....Take a look at my post on how to mount stabilizer bars to improving handling- You can do a google search for "My Stabilizer Bar mounting theories.." if this link doesn't work; https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/140674.html

cvxjet: interesting reading about how different lengths result in different handling. My main goal of posting this question was what is the STOCK length? I'm trying to restore the Fiero, not modify it for a road course.

After doing some more searching on different auto parts sites, they all come in slightly different lengths. The one I cited from Rock Auto was an AC Delco part, so I'm figuring that this must be the stock length. Is it?

I had to replace the front sway bar end links recently on my 88GT.
The stock sleeve length in 4 inches and the bolt is 8 1/2 inches. If I
was you I would replace them with Rodney Dickman's zero lash end
links. Check them out on his web site.