So I have an 86 GT in very great shape, but want the better handling of the 88 for autocross purposes. Instead of selling my car and trying to find an 88 who's motor runs as strong as mine, I was thinking about looking for a dead 88 and swapping parts out of my 86.

So, how much is a direct swap? Say I found an 88 with a blown engine, my 86 2.8 should bolt right up correct?

Anyone think this is a dumb plan? The car isn't my daily driver, so having 2 torn apart Fiero's in my garage wouldn't be a big deal (other than the wife being mad about having her car out in the driveway again).

Swapping an pre 88 2.8 into an 88 (either 2.5 or 2.8) is pretty simple assuming the transmissions between the two car are similar (both auto or both manual).

I have done this swap twice - electricly it is plug and play - no rewiring needed. Fuel lines are in the same spot too. the Pre 88 exhaust can be shortened in the cat area to make it clear the 88 mount base. The front engine mount bracket on the 2.8 will need a 2" extention welded on it so it can be redrilled for the existing 88 mount. The 86 has a heater hose going into the waterpump - this will need to be capped since the 88's dump this hose into the main coolant line before it gets to the engine.

If you start swapping from auto to manual then things get slightly more complicated.

quote Originally posted by Buffalo86GT: (other than the wife being mad about having her car out in the driveway again).

See there is your first problem, you let her in there in the first place...

J/K

quote So I have an 86 GT in very great shape

Then I wouldn't tear it apart.

If it was me... I would sell your 86 and buy an 88.

You ought to just swap in an 88 rear cradle.

Thanks for the replies. I'd hate to tear into my 86 as well, except that it is a northern car, and everything is rusted. It is in great shape, but I'd like to build a real beauty. I don't really want to put that kind of time and money into a car that is always going to have the "salt cancer".

I could sell the 86, but I know I won't get anywhere near enough to find a similar running 88 GT.

So now I know if I do stumble across a great condition but not running 88 cheap, to pick it up ASAP.

I hope it better where you are than here in Ca. Here all engines have to be at least as new as the car it's going into in order to smog.