The 89 Fiero if built was to have Speed Sensitive Electric Power Steering. The systems were built and some are "out there" unused. What are they worth???

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84 Fiero ASC Built Red Prototype Convertible Fiero-300 Miles, 03 Yellow Vette Conv. 05 Yellow H2-sut, 04 Red GTO, 04 VW Phaeton, 03 White Escalade EXT, 97 Prowler (orig. owner 300 miles), 04 Honda Rune, 01 Yellow Honda Goldwing

IIRC someone on here has like 6 of the 10 that were made....

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'86 Fiero GT
My Fiero XoticRydz Mid-Rear Madness
I am the signature virus, please put me in your signature so I can spread
Be Excellent To Each Other" - Bill S. Preston Esquire Ted Theadore Logan

quote Originally posted by prowlerfan: What are they worth???

Why? Do you have one?

quote Originally posted by prowlerfan: The 89 Fiero if built was to have Speed Sensitive Electric Power Steering. The systems were built and some are "out there" unused. What are they worth???

So where are you pictures to prove you actually found the missing units? I have heard this many times from others that these units exist, but no one seems to have the pictures to back it up.

I am sure someone would pay $1000 for one of the 'official' units. I would not since I dont have a complaint about the Fiero steering. The Camaro unit can be adapted, but it requires the lines from the engine to the front of the car.

Loyde

Not another Power Steering thread. The Fiero camp is evenly divided between those that want it, and those that don't want us to have it.

In my opinion the lack of power steering was the one thing that was very wrong about the Fiero. I just watched the "Motor Week" video and they complained back then about the heavy steering and raved about the PS unit. If there was a legitimate source for the unit I would pay $1000. I would not pay more just for the rarity of it though.

Considering it was supposed to go into the production 88s I would not be surprised if there was a warehouse with tens of thousands of them.

[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 02-19-2005).]

It was supposed to go into production for 88. That's why you'll notice 88 alignment specs list 2 sets of specs, one for coupe/manual steering, and another for GT/power steering. Motor Week Illustrated did a road test on a pre-production 88 and it had the electro-hydraulic power steering and showed pics of the setup. A later episode mentioned that option had been pulled for the MY88.

So, some WERE built. That has been documented. Everything else is conjecture and heresay, AFAIK. From what I've heard, ALL of them were removed before the cars were sold to the public. I've also heard that Rodney Dickman has an original 88 power steering setup. I don't remember if that's parts only or in the car. He may have put it on his Mera? (guessing)

As with any rare item, it's virtually impossible to come up with a reliable price. Without trying to sound like a jerk, it's worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it, and that could be anywhere from $100 on up.

I know there are those that say Fieros and any other "pure" sports car doesn't need power steering but what is so "sporty" about loose Chevette rack and pinion? Maybe there are some who don't want to admit their Fiero is lacking something that was really needed I don't know. I know I would pay up to $500 to have it on my little 84 SE.

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quote Originally posted by Key Of David: I know there are those that say Fieros and any other "pure" sports car doesn't need power steering but what is so "sporty" about loose Chevette rack and pinion? .

Absolutely nothing. That's why I only drive 88 Fieros. j/k
Actually, aside from low speed parking, I love the manual steering. I'd only want power steering if it didn't affect the road feel at speed, and if it was quicker steering. That would be nice.

FWIW, the owners manual that came with 1988 Fieros has a diagram that shows where the power steering fluid reservoir is located under the front hood

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1988 Fiero Coupe 2.5L
1990 Trans Am GTA 5.7L

quote Originally posted by Formula88: I'd only want power steering if it didn't affect the road feel at speed, and if it was quicker steering. That would be nice.

WS6 Trans Am Rack

I'll let ya know how it reacts in 2-3 weeks dependent on time allowance to get things finished up.

BTW: I think that 1ooo.oo for PS in a Fiero is ridiculous. The F-Body racks can be had for A LOT less than that. ~5o.oo + 2o.oo shipping all day long on E-bay.

--Allen

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Didn't ALL fieros from 84-87 have the same steering rack??
I do know that the 88 model was different / improved.
But did the 86-87 GT's (if I'm wrong) had a different rack than 4cyl. or V6 SE's??
BTW, is it possible that the fieros have a grease fitting on the rack??

Thanks, fierogt28

quote Originally posted by mcaanda: BTW: I think that 1ooo.oo for PS in a Fiero is ridiculous. The F-Body racks can be had for A LOT less than that. ~5o.oo + 2o.oo shipping all day long on E-bay. --Allen

Explain to me how a stock F-body rack compares to a bolt-on power steering system in a Fiero??? That F-body rack is going to require a lot of modification before it will even fit on a Fiero. Then once it does fit, you need a power steering pump...something no stock Fiero has, not to mention the lines ruunning from north to south. So you are definitely comparing apples and oranges.

To answer an above question, there was more than one rack available. They have different ratios...

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--1986 SE V6, Wild Custom Notchback --For Sale Click Me!
--1984 SE Modified Notchback

quote Originally posted by Key Of David: I know there are those that say Fieros and any other "pure" sports car doesn't need power steering but what is so "sporty" about loose Chevette rack and pinion? Maybe there are some who don't want to admit their Fiero is lacking something that was really needed I don't know. I know I would pay up to $500 to have it on my little 84 SE.

If it's loose, it's broke.
Personally, I prefere the manual rack as opposd to power assist in any small car.

quote Originally posted by jscott1: Explain to me how a stock F-body rack compares to a bolt-on power steering system in a Fiero??? That F-body rack is going to require a lot of modification before it will even fit on a Fiero. Then once it does fit, you need a power steering pump...something no stock Fiero has, not to mention the lines ruunning from north to south. So you are definitely comparing apples and oranges.

You are correct - kinda
No where did I say that it was a drop in to anything.
What I did say, is that a fool is born everyday that will pay 1ooo.oo for a PS rack that "to date" does not exist. You can get what you want, PS, faster ratios and all the rest from other GM items that are more than currently available.

And yes Im well aware that there were not PS pumps installed into Fieros. Thanx for clearing that up for me tho.

And then there was this:

quote Originally posted by Jncomutt: To answer an above question, there was more than one rack available. They have different ratios...

Thank you.

Ok, guys i am tired of seeing these ps threads. I have been very reluctant to post anything becasue it seems to cause so much trouble. You can have ps in your fiero at a very reasonable price. Let me explain my set-up...you be the judge you can have both manual and ps in the same car. I have an 84 fiero that i have easily installed a chevette power steeering rack. i only had to fabricate one mount other than that the rack bolted in very easily. I did have to purchase a few other aftermarket items such as a double "d" steering shaft, a new steering joint and some tierod extensions. This was all that was needed to install the rack ,no machining of a merkur rack, a little welding yes but not much more. The pump was an easy choice a MR2 pump which is electric. You can wire it how you like....if you want you can wire the unit on a simple toggle and you can drive the vehicle without any power assist. if your GF or wife is driving the vehile flip the toggle switch and she has ps. If you want to get creative you can wire a few switches so the ps only works when you are in reverse or at low speed. I can't take complete credit for using the MR2 pump configuration, there is another forum member that has answered a lot of my questions and has saved me a lot of time researching the posssiblilty of using the ps ecm and sensors from the MR2. Oh and the chevette ps rack has the same ratio as the standard 84 steering rack.
Thanks
Msaby

[This message has been edited by Msaby (edited 02-20-2005).]

quote Originally posted by Msaby: Ok, guys i am tired of seeing these ps threads. I have been very reluctant to post anything becasue it seems to cause so much trouble. You can have ps in your fiero at a very reasonable price. Let me explain my set-up...you be the judge you can have both manual and ps in the same car. I have an 84 fiero that i have easily installed a chevette power steeering rack. i only had to fabricate one mount other than that the rack bolted in very easily. I did have to purchase a few other aftermarket items such as a double "d" steering shaft, a new steering joint and some tierod extensions. This was all that was needed to install the rack ,no machining of a merkur rack, a little welding yes but not much more. The pump was an easy choice a MR2 pump which is electric. You can wire it how you like....if you want you can wire the unit on a simple toggle and you can drive the vehicle without any power assist. if your GF or wife is driving the vehile flip the toggle switch and she has ps. If you want to get creative you can wire a few switches so the ps only works when you are in reverse or at low speed. I can't take complete credit for using the MR2 pump configuration, there is another forum member that has answered a lot of my questions and has saved me a lot of time researching the posssiblilty of using the ps ecm and sensors from the MR2. Oh and the chevette ps rack has the same ratio as the standard 84 steering rack. Thanks Msaby

This one wins I think.

It's too bad I don't want power steering. I could add 2 cars to the list of donor cars.

[This message has been edited by Azriel (edited 02-20-2005).]

Well this person claims to have a Electro-hydraulic PS unit that was designed to go on an 88 Fiero. So assuming such a thing exists, it would be a bolt-on addition to the Fiero. Even if it does exist, I agree it's going to be rare and expensive. But I have yet to see any other reasonable alternative.

The only other power steering apllications require extensive modifications to work. If somebody could get the f-body rack to work it would be a step in the right direction. The reference to cheap f-body racks on ebay was not relevant to this discussion since a stock f-body rack by iself is not going to be very useful. If someone offered a bolt-on electro-hydraulic unit for $500 to $1000 with a quicker ratio rack I think they would have a lot of customers.

As for the different ratios on the racks I had heard that the 88 Coupes got a different rack than the 88 GTs but I tested mine and both are 3 1/4 turns lock to lock. I don't know if one has more "throw" than the other though.

[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 02-20-2005).]

YES, I do have an electric Power Steering Rack kit WITH GM MANUAL FOR FIERO that is going on Ebay today. I acquired from a GM engineer who I purchased a Fiero from and was given this system by another GM engineer who stashed some of the systems before they were destroyed. Search ebay- "Fiero Electric Power Steering Unit".

um I just searched and got no results?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7956036416

I'm pretty sure this will fit ONLY 1988 cars..

quote Originally posted by prowlerfan: The 89 Fiero if built was to have Speed Sensitive Electric Power Steering. The systems were built and some are "out there" unused. What are they worth???

It was actually offered in 1988 (March I think) and had RPO code N41. Only a handfull of cars were built with it (including the 1990 Prototype). Dealers were required to pull them out after delivery and replcae them with standard racks because Pontiac did not want to maintain a small number of these units. A few slipped through the cracks. how many is unknown. I have only ever seen one 88 with the PS option and Rodney Dickman has at least 2 of the original racks in his private collection.

[This message has been edited by Toddster (edited 02-23-2005).]

quote Originally posted by Poncho Jim: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7956036416

Holy Chits....

Thats a first, and I stand corrected! That thing looks cool...

quote Originally posted by jscott1: If somebody could get the f-body rack to work it would be a step in the right direction. The reference to cheap f-body racks on ebay was not relevant to this discussion since a stock f-body rack by iself is not going to be very useful.

Damn man, you really cant read.

The reference was to the RATIO.
And yes, the F-Body Racks HAVE BEEN and ARE BEING INSTALLED into Fieros. I personally will have another with it here in a short 2-3 weeks.

Now back to your regularly scheduled 88 Power Steering which apparently does exist!

quote Originally posted by Poncho Jim: I'm pretty sure this will fit ONLY 1988 cars..

Correct.

Prowler:

Please check your PM's.

( it's pretty important! )

--Allen

Well, it's gone already.
(as if the sun didn't shine in the previous thread!)
$1250.00

38 min. 9 sec

Oh, well....back to my bowflex
TG

[This message has been edited by TennT (edited 02-20-2005).]

Unit is sold already using the Buy It Now for $1250!! Oh well, must have been too cheap!

quote Originally posted by Indiana_resto_guy: If it's loose, it's broke. Personally, I prefere the manual rack as opposd to power assist in any small car.

Explain to me why you would, if so equipped, take the ps off of a factory equipped Fiero. It just makes zero sense to me.

If I had got this system I would be telling the world.
Funny how the winner has not come forward, I don't think he really sold it.

Lot's of people don't want to advertise about what they've purchased. If they want you to know, they'll tell you, if they don't, they won't. It's their money and now their rack to do with (and talk about) as they see fit. I've purchase and sold a lot of things, and don'e a lot of work on things, that I didn't talk about on the forum or want the forum to know about.

John Stricker

Very perceptive John.... I have a power steering unit using a Dakota steering rack. It is installed and working on my Koenig! The car is presently stored so I cannot give you 6 month stats on how it preforms! It does not require a ENGINEERER's DEGREE to install! Same goes for the 'fuel warning light'! Some people on this forum look for negatives in any new idea and state some legal or otherwise opinion/hassle on such!!!! The rack has been installed for over 2 months, I would love to share the pics, build, etc but the naysayers have won out! Maybe next May or June I will be able to confirm IF this rack is proper (FOR ME), but, putting a post out now, is just asking for a ZILLION questions/'.... Fieros don't need PS", ...you can't, ....etc!
To those that bid on this item..... GET OVER IT!.... The guy posted a 'BUY IT NOW"! Just accept the fact that there was SOMEONE who PAID to 'BUY IT NOW'!.... and that YOU were to cheeep to Pay that!
thanks John, for stating the OBVIOUS!
Sandy

[This message has been edited by cowans (edited 02-20-2005).]

quote Originally posted by Key Of David: Explain to me why you would, if so equipped, take the ps off of a factory equipped Fiero. It just makes zero sense to me.

I guess it is personal preference, I like to feel the road in a car with a tight rack. Power steering just does not give the same touch for me.
To each his own would apply in this case. But then again, I've never drove a Fiero with power steering. Who knows, if I did, I might change my mind. Until I do so, I'll keep the manual rack as is.

quote Originally posted by fieroparts.com: If I had got this system I would be telling the world. Funny how the winner has not come forward, I don't think he really sold it.

Hint:
He can't post on PFF.
Try "another" forum for the bragging of this purchase.

EDIT: The above is incorrect, He did NOT buy it.

[This message has been edited by Oreif (edited 02-27-2005).]

quote Originally posted by Oreif: Hint: He can't post on PFF. Try "another" forum for the bragging of this purchase.

Ooooohhhh crap. Of ALL the people, it ends up in the hands of pure evil.

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1984 Fiero SE

quote Originally posted by RWDPLZ: Ooooohhhh crap. Of ALL the people, it ends up in the hands of pure evil.

You said it, pure evil.

I bet he never gets it working right. That was a computer controlled system, plus he is missing some sensors.

I hope he pulls his hair out trying to get it to work. I say if he goes to Daytona the system will not be in his car.

Its a conspiracy....

quote Originally posted by cowans: .... I have a power steering unit using a Dakota steering rack. It is installed and working on my Koenig! ... The rack has been installed for over 2 months, I would love to share the pics, build, etc but the naysayers have won out! ...Sandy

I would LOVE to hear more about this. I'm planning on a future 3.4 DOHC swap and plan to keep the PS pump and install PS. I would like to see more info on the Dakota rack and how it compairs to the F-body.

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Roy

double-click on this link to follow my interior build-up https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/023174.html

Blue 87 GT w/ 4th generation Firebird interior.
Suncoast Fieros

Judged "Best Custom Interior" at the 20th Anniversary Show @ Pontiac, Mich - 7/2003
Judged "Best Custom Interior" at the 8th Annual Fiero Fun Weekend @ Daytona - 3/2004

Hi all,

I know they produce speed sensitive (semi powered) racks, but where would you source one.....I.E. anyone know of a car......Other than say a ferrari...;D