We just acquired a 86 se with the following option codes that have me stumped The first is the Y99 code all the info I found is that means it has a rally suspension? The next one is F41 and the info on that one says suspension, heavy duty, front and rear special. Can anyone help us with this I was under the impression that all the fiero had the same suspension unless it was the ws6 Thanks. Ray
The Y99 RPO code is Special Rally suspension package, which was standard on '84-'87 SE's with four cylinders, and '88 Coupes. F41 remains a bit of a mystery for me as well, although I believe it simply is the Y99 with stiffer control arm bushings. If your '86 SE came originally with the V6, it would have had the WS6 suspension.
I think the codes ws6 y99 and f41 are just matching shocks to springs and front anti roll bars size [ 2 ? ] to weight of options like auto tran or A/C that add weight heaver cars got harder springs and maybe shocks [unsure how many shock choices] but 3-4 spring rates are listed
as far as I know no different hard/soft bushing are listed as replacement parts just one
and no none zip real difference in other suspension bits like a-arms or ball joints links ect with in a years run as 84 are different from 85-86-87 and 88 totally redone
[This message has been edited by ray b (edited 03-02-2011).]
There's conflicting information on these components depending on which source you refer to. The P22 (illustrated parts list) doesn't seem to be as detailed as several other sources regarding suspension tuning, for example:
The P22 indicates no difference between bushings, shocks, or struts used from '84 to '87, with the exception that the lower control arms and bushings have different part numbers for '84 than the remaining years. Certainly no listed differences for the different RPO codes though.
On the other hand, Gary Witzenburg's book Fiero, Pontiac's Potent Mid-Engine Sports Car states lots of detailed info:
For the '84: "The Fiero SE stood another notch above the Sport Coupe. ...among other things the WS6 handling package (P215/60R-14 alloy wheels plus revised rates on bushings, struts, and shock valving)..."
For '85: "To elaborate on 1985 suspension improvements... rear spring rates were increased just enough to carry the V6's extra weight, with shock valving retuned to reduce pitching over certain road surfaces. The GT, as noted, had the WS6 package as standard equipment but you could order the WS6 for the SE and the Sport Coupe as well. The standard suspension under the SE was the Y99 Special Rally package, with P195/70R/14 steel belted tires, 14 X 6 inch Hi-Tech alloy wheels, revised suspension geometry, plus recalibrated shocks, springs, and bushings. The Y99 was optional for the Sport Coupe."
For '86: "The SE's standard suspension was again the Y99, the package being called Rally Tuned this year instead of Special Rally as in 1985 (same content). Meanwhile, the 1986 Fiero Coupe and Sport Coupe's ride, handling and appearance benefitted from an upgrade to standard P185/75R/14 tires on 14 X 6 steel wheels with new tri-tech full wheel covers."
For '87: "Base tires on the Coupe and Sport Coupe were upgraded to 195/70R/14 on 14 x 5.5 inch steel wheels with Tri-Tech wheelcovers. The familiar 14 X 6 Hi-Tech Turbo alloy wheels continued as a Sport Coupe option, while the Y99 Rally Tuned suspension again came standard on the SE and Optional on the Sport Coupe. Finally, as before, the GT had... WS6 suspension with 15 x 7 inch diamond spoke alloy wheels and the same 205 - 215/60R/15 Goodyear Eagle GT tires fore and aft."
The best conclusion I can draw from this is that Y99 and WS6 were primarily changes in wheels and tires, and perhaps some spring, bushing, and shock/strut valving changes. As I mentioned before though, I still haven't found any reliable information on RPO F41.
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02:46 PM
Robert 2 Member
Posts: 2401 From: St Hubert Quebec Canada Registered: Jan 2006
Originally posted by ray b: heaver cars got harder springs and maybe shocks [unsure how many shock choices] but 3-4 spring rates are listed
Spring *rates* are all the same... what was different was *load* at a given ride height. V6 auto is heavier than the 4 cyl manual, yet still expected to ride at the same height.
