Hey all, I found an air strut suspension kit for fieros for 1200$ on the internet.(everything included). I was wondering if any of you have ever seen or heard of a fiero with air suspension on it. I think it would be a good idea because you can lay frame or jack it up to 6 inches. The ride would be better also if you had the bags inflated. Any info or comments would be appreciated.
I hear on some air bag conversions that you have to take off the sway bars. I think it was a Ford ranger that a guy I worked with put air bags on it and had to take off the bars. I don't know it looks good but I think it kills the handling of a car.
***95 Camaro 3.4 swap, Ported and polished heads and intakes, CRX CAI, Custom Cam, AFP Regulator, steel vacuum lines, steel braided EGR tube, new Wire Harness, New Exhaust, No Cat, Flowmaster, polished poly dog bone. Isuzu 5 speed, Short through shifter ***Intrax 2" drop springs, Full Polly Suspension, Sencetrack Struts and Shocks, Grand AM brake upgrade, steel braided brake lines, 17" Gun Metal Wheels, Khumo Tires ***Racing Seats, SunPro tach w/ shift light, White face guages, carbon fiber Steering wheel, Carbon Fiber dash accents and custom sphere shift knob,
Silly question i know but are the struts that are in the package "real" struts or just a empty cylender. I mean do they dampen like regular struts or does the airbag not need that because it is a spring but not made of metal, like the poly "springs" that were tested on formula 1 or something.
I have the struts from Airbagit. They are regular struts with the air bags adapted to them the same way the coilover conversions are done. I bought them a long time ago but I don't have them installed yet.
hey guys, i just got another 500$ toward my air suspension today. another 500 and I will have the bags in no time. I always wanted a car that would ride good but could be slammed whenever i choose. I can't wait!!!!!!!!
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09:36 PM
rockcrawl Member
Posts: 2528 From: Lehigh Valley, PA Registered: Jul 2000
On this forum, where no one seems to want to spend money, no matter what the improvement is..........Don't you think this is alot of money for such an unusual item?.....I mean there are people on this forum that can get a new engeine for that price.......an for someone to think this is a good price!!!!! I don't mean to hurt anybody'e feelings, but give me a break!!!! $1495.00 for shocks !!!!!
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11:38 PM
May 9th, 2004
fieroturbo Member
Posts: 1085 From: Orefield, PA Registered: Jan 2003
One is a fast acting kit, the other is a slow one... I think.
I've seen the link before. I made a post on this topic about 2 months ago, but not much response.
------------------ PETTY OFFICER (no more airman!) Michael C Casaceli Patrol Squadron Ten, United States Navy 1988 Pontiac Fiero 2.5L, soon to be 2.2L Ecotec Turbo (THE PROJECT HAS STARTED!!!) 1988 Oldsmobile Firenza 2.0L non-turbo (R.I.P.my beloved J-body. KIA by a Ford) 1994 Chevy S-10 4.3, it's finally here, and it is gorgeous!
some have $100-1,000 daily drivers some have $5,000-10/15,000 show cars others have $20,000-30,000 works of art...
depends on the application... it would help for me around town... but the loss of handling i think would kill that option for me since I plan on autocrossing....
those who are getting this setup let us know how it goes
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04:08 AM
rockcrawl Member
Posts: 2528 From: Lehigh Valley, PA Registered: Jul 2000
Your'e right, that's crazy. I can buy shocks at Autozone for $12. Hey, did you see that Fiero that sold for $25000!!! That's crazy too, I just bought a Fiero for $200. What a nut.
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09:06 AM
fieroturbo Member
Posts: 1085 From: Orefield, PA Registered: Jan 2003
That air kit replaces shocks, struts, AND springs.
The main comparison is against coil-overs, not the OEM style stuff you'd get at the nearest parts shop.
Fully adjustable front end coil-overs alone cost $900, and combine that with the rears, tack on another $800 or so.
That's over $1,700 vs. $1,500.....Savvy?
------------------ PETTY OFFICER (no more airman!) Michael C Casaceli Patrol Squadron Ten, United States Navy 1988 Pontiac Fiero 2.5L, soon to be 2.2L Ecotec Turbo (THE PROJECT HAS STARTED!!!) 1988 Oldsmobile Firenza 2.0L non-turbo (R.I.P.my beloved J-body. KIA by a Ford) 1994 Chevy S-10 4.3, it's finally here, and it is gorgeous!
I am making mine just to raise the front up a bit for clearance on and off ramps.( and the occational steep driveway) NOT to be used as main suspension, but more like a "helper system" I like the KYB shocks I have. The "bags" will be in a deflated state most of the time, and raise the front up to 3"max when needed. DAM that front spoiler
Is it just me, but that also seems a bit on the pricey side...a friend just did his truck with air bags for $350 (Canadian dollars) - granted they are a bit different. To me, it also looks like...if you need to replace the struts, you will have to buy from them as well since it seems to be an intergrated package. It is however, the only setup that I have seen actually specific for the Fiero
However, I would consider this package if I was paid in the US$
Tim
[This message has been edited by Mickey_Moose (edited 05-09-2004).]
Is it just me, but that also seems a bit on the pricey side...a friend just did his truck with air bags for $350 (Canadian dollars) -Tim
I had a Chrysler New Yorker with air ride on all four corners. Front unit got a leak in it. Called the garage to order one. Parts guy told me that they did not have one in stock, but could have it in three days. Would also require a deposit. I said...A deposit? Why I'll be a big spender and pay the whole $15 -20 right now. No says the parts man....Those are $825 each. I tried to explain that I already HAD the car, and just needed the air strut. But, in any case, that was the price...Without labor, and without the controller.
hey guys, I'm still planning to get the airbag kit, even though it is pricey. I see it like this, for all the speed bumps and potholes i go over i will be saving money overall, by not totalling my car. Does the car handle badly around corners without the sway bars? I really want to go side to side as well as front to back. Also. . . some of you say it will handle bad, but many tv shows etc. have said it handles very good with air in the bags. One more ques. How much slower are the regular bags than the fast bags?
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06:05 PM
May 11th, 2004
fieroturbo Member
Posts: 1085 From: Orefield, PA Registered: Jan 2003
I don't know about speed, but then again, it's different between cars (vehicle weight, etc.).
Honestly, when a complete 4 wheel coil-over kit costs over $1,700 but can't be adjusted inside the car, and a complete high-speed air bag kit costs $1,500 and can be adjusted inside the car, I'm going with air bags.
As far as which will handle better, it depends on the company. The air bag kit I saw for WRX's is phenomenal, and got high praise from Sport Compact Car Magazine, but then again, the one for the Fiero isn't the same company.
Tell you guys what... I'm redoing the suspension for my Fiero when I do the Ecotec conversion, and since I'm relocating the battery up front, I'll have a spot for the air tank, so I'll do the air ride, and I'll do a complete installation guide for you guys on my website, video's and all.
Savvy?
P.S. anyone care to donate ??? I know, I just got promoted, but still, a little extra cash couldn't hurt
------------------ PETTY OFFICER (no more airman!) Michael C Casaceli Patrol Squadron Ten, United States Navy 1988 Pontiac Fiero 2.5L, soon to be 2.2L Ecotec Turbo (THE PROJECT HAS STARTED!!!) 1988 Oldsmobile Firenza 2.0L non-turbo (R.I.P.my beloved J-body. KIA by a Ford) 1994 Chevy S-10 4.3, it's finally here, and it is gorgeous!
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03:50 PM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
What's the Plasma kit??? ------------------------------------------- UPDATE:
I contacted "air bag it" and here's what they sent.
For those of you who know their stuff about Fiero suspensions, you'll see that the photo is that of an 84-87 front end, NOT AN 84-88!!!! as said above. So obviously, 88 owners like me could really get screwed on this deal, unless of course their return policy is really good.
The fast system, which is like $1,500, has electric valves, a 3 gallon tank, and 3/8" air lines.
The slow system is about $1,300, and has pneumatic valves, a 1 gallon tank, and 1/4" air lines.
Honestly for the extra $200, it's worth the fast one, especially since the larger air tank means that you won't be running the air pump as much. BUT, because the Fiero is a little short on space, the slow system might be a better option.
------------------ PETTY OFFICER (no more airman!) Michael C Casaceli Patrol Squadron Ten, United States Navy 1988 Pontiac Fiero 2.5L, soon to be 2.2L Ecotec Turbo (THE PROJECT HAS STARTED!!!) 1988 Oldsmobile Firenza 2.0L non-turbo (R.I.P.my beloved J-body. KIA by a Ford) 1994 Chevy S-10 4.3, it's finally here, and it is gorgeous!
I work on Semi-Tractors all day, and the Air bags on a Freightliner Cab look like they would work perfect. They hold up a 2000+ lb cab off the chassis, and are less then $70 a pop. Add in 2 leveling valves ($30 ea) a small Air Tank, small compressor, and about $15 worth of line, and your good to go. Not sure what fast and slow mean, but these will lift the cab to correct position in under 2 secs from deflated. Only thing I'm worried about is if they have alot of up and down jounce, but I think they'd work perfect. So $280 in bags, $60 in valves, and all misc crud.. $500 for Everything? And yes, I do have access to welders and metal fab, etc etc etc..
Anyone have any experience with Airbag's?
[This message has been edited by FieroJones (edited 05-11-2004).]
I have put a air suspension on my 85 fiero front end using air schocks from 63 to 82 corvette rear air scocks real simple bolt on for $100.00 plus what tank and compressor you want to use.
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02:08 PM
PFF
System Bot
Alex4mula Member
Posts: 7410 From: Canton, MI US Registered: Dec 1999
First I would recommend most of you to go to the trucking sites and read and learn more about experiences with bag suspensions. A quality setup in a truck will cost at least near $4K and up. A crappy job with cheap parts can be done for $1K to $2K. There are many shops out there selling cheap kits that won't give you anything close to a bolt on install. Just a dump of parts for you to figure out. So a $1500 kit for a Fiero definitely is a great price (cheap?) and quality maybe so so. AirRide Technologies is the only company from which I haven't heard bad things. Second if your car is a daily driver be ware. Bags, compressors, valves, lines do break. Even big magazines like Trucking cite using bag suspension mainly for show trucks. Some people have them in daily drivers but then they usually use high quality components. So think about this if you go that way. Third a bagged suspension can be as good as a stock one but if you ride low all the time you will just have a hopper with crappy handling. Drive a sample car before you invest in it. Finally if you really plan to lay frame then be prepared to hack up the wheel wells and possibly the chassis for the wheels to tuck in. My lowered yello car with 18s will not go any lower than 1" more in the front before it touches the inner well. That's about 4-5" far from the frame to touch the ground. So it will not look too much lower. Hope this help some of you out
I wonder if it is possible with these systems to make "presets", for example for the lowest position with the wheels barely touching the inner fenders or is it all done manually with the switches?...You'll need some bumpstops then!
Oh, when you have an '80's car with air-ride you might fancy this one: (dutch insurance company commercial) http://www.stolk.org/boomingcar.mpg
??? I know, I just got promoted, but still, a little extra cash couldn't hurt 
