Swap Now or Swap Later (Page 1/2)
Stricken AUG 31, 03:37 PM
After being Fiero-less for the past few years, I just picked up an 88 Formula 5 speed, and my original intent was to DD while gradually upgrading the suspension and working on other big projects, then finally doing a 3800 swap with cam, intercooler, pulley, etc. Unfortunately, I have found that this car has a couple of significant issues. I think the pickup coil is going out because it runs fine when cool, but starts stalling and backfiring once heat soaked (the coil itself is rusting and flaking bits off). Also, 5th gear grinds and pops out when I let the clutch out, and 1st is starting to do the same. To add insult to injury, my trailer lost an entire 6 lug wheel and tire the night I was towing it back. An inauspicious start to my new toy.

So I think these are my options:

1) Throw parts on this setup to at least be able to drive it without 5th.
2a) Do the cheapest/easiest 3800/4t65 swap now (I found a donor car with only 47k mile for $600)
2b) 3800 swap now with a rebuilt 5 speed
3) Just get a rebuilt 5 speed now and keep the 2.8
4) Other cheap/easy swaps?

I'm pretty well leaning away from option 1 even though this is going to put another project on hold. Any thoughts on which of the others is the best balance of cost and ease? I don't have a big preference for auto or manual, but it seems like staying manual would be easier.
css9450 AUG 31, 03:56 PM

quote
Originally posted by Stricken:

1) Throw parts on this setup to at least be able to drive it without 5th.



Replacing a pickup coil is pretty insignificant. Easy job and it's an inexpensive part. Gets you running again while you decide what to do with the tranny which is a much bigger worry (in my mind, at least).

I'd recommend checking the timing before you pull the distributor, while the car is running obviously, just to verify that it was correct BEFORE you do any work.
Stricken AUG 31, 04:13 PM

quote
Originally posted by css9450:


Replacing a pickup coil is pretty insignificant. Easy job and it's an inexpensive part. Gets you running again while you decide what to do with the tranny which is a much bigger worry (in my mind, at least).

I'd recommend checking the timing before you pull the distributor, while the car is running obviously, just to verify that it was correct BEFORE you do any work.



That's a fair point. I'm just worried that it will wind up being the tip of the iceberg. I guess I could put a stop loss at the cost of the coil and ICM.
fieroall AUG 31, 05:41 PM
2a
Patrick AUG 31, 08:01 PM

quote
Originally posted by Stricken:

I think the pickup coil is going out because it runs fine when cool, but starts stalling and backfiring once heat soaked (the coil itself is rusting and flaking bits off).



Don't be surprised if it's actually the ICM that's dying. It's not uncommon for the ICM to fail when it heats up, and then act "normal" again when it cools down.
Stricken AUG 31, 11:00 PM


I think both are due for replacement. I ordered a whole new distributor assembly, so that will cover both. If nothing else, it should add value to resale of the engine if I can confirm it's running well.
yamaha94 AUG 31, 11:02 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Don't be surprised if it's actually the ICM that's dying. It's not uncommon for the ICM to fail when it heats up, and then act "normal" again when it cools down.



I agree with Patrick here. That is a common symptom. My friend Joe (famous from the fieroshop here in toronto) told me if you are stranded with the car ICM failing you can simply let it cool down for a bit and you can get going again for another short drive back home where ever you can safely leave the car. How far you can get is a mystery but definitely not for long.

In my opinion I had a 2.8 that needed a good refresh (some sensors and ICM, Coil) and i went a bit over and beyond to make it look nice and upgrade some components. It was a good engine but i just dumped way to much money into it . In the end I went with the 3.8 engine but lost a bit of money in the un-necessary upgrades i put into my 2.8. If its fairly inexpensive Id say put as little as possible into the 2.8 (you may be able to get free parts from friends) to get by for now and put your money into the swap if that is your goal. A 3.8 swap can be pricey depending where you get your parts from. What i suggest if you want to build a great 3.8 setup start finding the parts now and build it on a separate cradle and take your time with it. I built mine in the garage over 2 years on a separate cradle and when it came time to install it was fairly easy transition. I found a great deal on a cradle locally and broke even on my original cradle when it was out of the car. Dont need to go big now but a mild build will really go fast with good pickup!

Your fifth gear issue - most likely the shift cable needs adjustment. There are more detailed instructions on pennocks but with the car off, put it it in 5th gear and lightly disonnect the shift cable nut, where the cable connects to the transmission lever. It will move. Where it sits tighten it. its that easy. Assuming you are getting the full travel distance. If its at the end the cable may need more refining. I had the same symptoms on my f23 just needed cable adjustment.

Marcus

[This message has been edited by yamaha94 (edited 08-31-2020).]

Blacktree SEP 01, 11:25 AM
My suggestion would be to get the Cardone distributer. It comes with a new pickup coil and ICM. And IMO it's a better design than stock.

So, why replace the entire distributer? Well, yours is over 30 years old. It probably needs a rebuild. I'm sure it has a lot of end-play by now. You can disassemble it to rebuild it, or just drop in a new one. Your choice.

If the gearbox is grinding into 1st and 5th, maybe the shift cable needs adjustment? You might want to look into that.
Patrick SEP 01, 02:01 PM

quote
Originally posted by Stricken:

CLICK FOR FULL SIZE

I ordered a whole new distributor assembly...



Compared to what mine used to look like, that one looks pretty good.


quote
Originally posted by Patrick Here:

No, this isn't some discarded distributor I found laying in a ditch in a bone yard. This is the distributor out of my '86 GT that I bought a few months ago. (The car had been sitting for six years.) I can't believe the engine ran (and actually ran well) with all this corrosion in the distributor.




I cleaned it up, replaced the pickup coil (and eventually the ICM), added a heatsink to the bottom of the distributor... and 12 years later this distributor is still going strong.


quote
Originally posted by Blacktree:

My suggestion would be to get the Cardone distributer. It comes with a new pickup coil and ICM. And IMO it's a better design than stock.



While I completely agree that the Cardone dstributor is a more robust design than the original, my concern would be with the no-name ICM that it utilizes. Sure, a preferred ACDelco ICM can be swapped in, but now we're looking at this additional expense, and depending where the ACDelco ICM is purchased, it can be a little pricey. Believe it or not, here in Canada at Lordco Auto Parts, a well known (ripoff) automotive parts chain, an ACDelco D1984A ICM lists for $257.99(CDN)... or $197 in US funds!

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 09-01-2020).]

Stricken SEP 01, 04:24 PM
I readjusted the shifter cable in 3rd with the drill bit trick, but that doesn't seem to have helped my 5th gear issue. Maybe I'll try adjusting in 5th instead? The trans looks good. It has no leaks and clean oil filled to the proper level.