This question is primarily for Ogre or anyone who has expertise installing air conditioning in the Fiero. I found a Fiero in good shape I'm considering buying. However, it does not have an air conditioner. It is too hot where I live to survive without one. I'm trying to find out how difficult it would be, and approximately how much it would cost to install a R134a system. I know R134a conversion kits are available, but I don't know if you can get all the components to install an R134a system from scratch. Any experts out there that can size up this project?

The first thing you need is a donor Fiero that already has air, then transfer all of the components from your car into the donor car. Installing air into a non air Fiero is not for the feint of heart

Thanks for the post Phil. I know this would not be an easy task. However, this car is in very good shape. If the car wasn't that good, I wouldn't even consider it. If anyone can offer a more detailed assessment of the difficulty and cost of this project please jump in at any time. - Thanks.

Unless you just have to have a totally original car, you might want to consider an aftermarket A/C system from someplace like Vintage Air. I doubt Vintage Air makes a unit specifically for Fieros, but I'm pretty sure they have a universal kit. Might be cheaper and easier to install.

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'Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.'

MM

I am considering an aftermarket air conditioning system, but I really don't think that's necessary. Since Fiero's were made to accomodate air conditioning, compressors, hoses, acc/driers, and heater cores are available. My concern is how difficult would this job be, and how much would it cost? On some cars, changing the heater core is like shooting yourself in the head. I have enough work to do as it is. If this is going to cost a $1000 dollars, I'm going to have to factor that into the cost of the car.

The main component after getting the compressor and brackets on the engine is the "AC pod" in the front. In the Fiero without AC this pod simply contains the blower motor. If you look closely in the front area you will be able to see the bolts that hold onto this pod. It pulls out almost in one piece.
It is a major pain. I do believe that it is put in without the dash assembly or most of the interior in place. There seems to be so much of the vents, the controls etc holding on to it. We tried to take it out of a donor car just to see how hard it was. It was VERY difficult. Routing the hoses and hooking up the compressor are the easy parts of this conversion. If you are doing it yourself prepare for days and nights of patience. If you want someone else to do it for you, prepare for pure mocking laughter at the mere thought of working on "that POS." It is not a common practice to put AC into a Fiero and even for most of those who are intimately familiar with Fieros might tell you its easier to pull the engine than to install AC.

Not impossible but still much more work than waiting patiently for another Fiero to come along with AC factory installed.

Good luck to you!

I just installed AC in my '88 Formula. As someone else said, it is not for the faint of heart. Imagine having a AC car and replacing every component! You have to remove the instrument panel and everything on the firewall to replace the heater module as a assembly. I intregated the wiring fron the doner car's main harness into the non AC harness. You need to have a matching engine harness for your model and year with AC. You will also need a factory shop manual for your car.
Installing after market AC would be nearly as much work. But then, I am a GM guy and don't like aftermarket anything!!
Like you, I found the perfect Fiero, but someone forgot to order AC, as well as cruise and power windows, which I also installed.
I know that Bob Steiger in IL would install it for you, and it would be done right, but he charges a lot! (it takes a lot)
Good luck with your endevour