Some Interesting Fiero Stuff
Performance
- The V-6 Fiero hit .84-.86g on the skidpad (4-cyl was roughly .80-.82g)
Porsche 911 Carrera -> .85g (the Carrera 4 was at .83g)
Ferrari Testarossa -> .84g
Lotus Esprit Turbo -> .86g
Lamborghini Diablo VT -> .87g
Acura NSX -> .87g
Acura Integra GS-R -> .82g
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am/Formula ('93+) -> .82g-.85g
Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX -> .86g
- The Fiero ran the slalom at 63.4-63.9 mph (about 61.5 for 4-cyl. models).
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am -> 59.7 mph
Lotus Epsrit S4 -> 60.6 mph
Porsche 911 Carrera -> 61.9 mph
BMW M3 -> 62.8 mph
Corvette ZR-1 -> 63.6 mph
Ferrari 348 -> 62.8 mph
Acura NSX -> 62.3 mph
Dodge Viper -> 62.7 mph
Ford Mustang Cobra (1994) -> 61.1 mph
Nissan 300ZX Turbo -> 63.0 mph
- The V-6 Fiero consistantly accelerated from 0-30 in 2.2 seconds.
The Lamborghini Diablo manages 0-30 in 2.2 seconds.
- Best 1/4-mile time for a stock V-6 Fiero: 14.7 @ 92 mph
Worst: 17.0 @ 80 mph
Both Fieros were GT's with manual transmissions.
- Best top speed for a stock V-6 Fiero: 135 mph
Worst: 115 mph
Both Fieros were '85 GT's, the latter with an automatic transmission.
General
- Pontiac purchased Ferrari 308's for handling engineering and comparison
purposes.
- Many V-6 engines in Fieros dynoed at between 150 and 160 bhp.
- The Fiero turned in a profit every year it was sold (including 1988).
- Fiero prototypes were running in 1980.
- Most foreign auto magazines raved about the Fiero's superior handling,
its nimble response and excellent road feel.
Most American auto magazines criticized the Fiero's handling as being
numb, heavy and not responsive.
- The decisions to kill the Fiero was made on February 29, 1988.
- The Fiero had nearly 3 times as many sales as the MR2 during any given
year in its lifetime.
- Pontiac spent over $300,000,000 to produce the Fiero, yet cancelled the
car on a "hunch" they would lose a maximum of $20-million between 1988
and 1995.
- Several factory prototypes were made of a Fiero convertible.
- Two prototypes were made in 1986 of a Fiero with an aluminum frame. One
of the aluminum Fieros had a 190 bhp Quad-4.
- Car & Driver called the Fiero, "One of the best cars in America" and
gave the Fiero a slot in their top ten best category.
- The Los Angeles Auto Expo gave the Fiero their Design of the Year Award.
- The Fiero accounted for nearly 1/4 of all Pontiac sales in 1984.
- Spectators at the unvailing of the fastback Fiero mistook the GT version
as a new Corvette.
- GM was struggling with the problem of employees purchasing Fieros before
the public had an opportunity. Never before had this been a problem with
a GM car.
- Even though the highest sticker price for an '84 Fiero was about $10,000,
one Michigan buyer paid over $15,000 for an '84 SE.
- The Fiero was the first American car to win in IMSA GTU.
- In 1985, the Fiero won at Sears Point (one of 3 straight victories),
beating such successful competitors as Chevrolet's Corvette and
Ford's Mustang.
- A 4-cylinder Fiero belting out only 370 bhp took the NHRA's Competition
Eliminator title at the Keystone Nationals on September 15, 1985 with a
best 1/4-mile time of 9.72 seconds at 134.41 mph.
- The Fiero won well over 40 races in the 36 months it raced.
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final drive ratio which improved 0-60 times from about 12.5 seconds to
around 11. Optional Indy edition featured white paint with red trim,
red on gray interior, performance final drive ratio, and "aero" body
work (nearly identical to an '85 GT's). Most common year for engine
fire problems. Causes were insufficient oil capacity, flawed connecting
rods shipped from the Saginaw factory, and improper placement of some
engine bay components. Recall issued, all '84 Fieros have been serviced
and corrected according to Pontiac Motor Division.
1985
4-cylinder renamed Tech-IV and received minor improvements. GT model
added featuring a revised body, WS6 suspension, and new trim options.
2.8-liter V-6 introduced as an option for the GT and SE models. 4-speed
manual or 3-speed automatic available for V-6 engine option, 5-speed
manual added for 4-cylinder engine only. V-6 engine features multi-port
fuel injection and tubular exhaust manifolds, produces over 50% more
power than the 4-cylinder. Suspension is revised to reduce bump
harshness and pitching behavior. Decklid hump replaces vented plate.
1986
GT model receives fastback bodywork. 5-speed manual transmission
introduced on some late '86 V-6 equipped cars, 4-speed still most
common. SE model receives '85 GT style bodywork. Gauges are revised
for V-6 cars, featuring vivid backlighting and wrap-around tachometer.
3rd brake light added. Headrest stereo speakers are deleted. 15-inch
wheels with offset tire sizes are found on the GT. Weave style wheel
introduced. Suspension is recalibrated, improving rough road behavior
further.
1987
5-speed manual standard on V-6 models. V-6 engine receives improvements
to combustion efficiency, counter-weighting, and lubrication. 4-cylinder
receives substantial improvements to lubrication system as well as the
addition of balance shafts and a small power increase (about 98 horsepower
vs 92 for the previous engine). Suspension is again slightly revised.
Speedometer limit for V-6 cars is increased to 120 mph. Improvements
are also found in the hydraulic clutch and braking systems. The headlight
motors were also upgraded to more reliable and quieter units (thankfully).
1988
Monochrome paint is an option. T-top option added. Vented discs
come standard. Suspension is revised to reduce scrub radius and rough
road behavior. Lotus actually had nothing to do with the suspension
improvement as most Fiero fans would like to claim, it was merely a
media rumor. The suspension is completely unique. V-6 engine is again
improved to increase longevity. Fiero cancelled.
Pontiac Fiero Model Specifications
Year Weight Axle Trans Engine BHP@rpm Torque@rpm 0-60 1/4-mile
1984C 2464 3.32 4-spd 4-cyl 92@4000 134@2800 12.5 18.9@70
1984C 2464 4.10 4-spd 4-cyl 92@4000 134@2800 10.86 17.7@75
1984SE 2480 4.10 4-spd 4-cyl 92@4000 134@2800 10.9 18.1@74
1985C 2505 3.35 5-spd 4-cyl 92@4000 134@2800 10.8 18.0@74
1985SE 2560 3.65 4-spd 6-cyl 140@5200 170@3600 7.4 15.5@90
1985GT 2572 3.65 4-spd 6-cyl 140@5200 170@3600 7.5 15.7@87
1986C 2504 3.35 5-spd 4-cyl 92@4000 134@2800 10.8 18.0@74
1986SE 2575 3.65 4-spd 6-cyl 140@5200 170@3600 7.4 15.6@89
1986GT 2696 3.65 4-spd 6-cyl 140@5200 170@3600 7.5 15.9@85
1987C 2546 3.35 5-spd 4-cyl 96@4800 135@3200 10.5 17.6@75
1987SE 2567 3.61 5-spd 6-cyl 135@4500 165@3600 7.6 15.8@87
1987GT 2708 3.61 5-spd 6-cyl 135@4500 165@3600 7.8 15.9@86
1988C 2547 3.35 5-spd 4-cyl 98@4800 135@3200 10.5 17.6@75
1988FM 2580 3.61 5-spd 6-cyl 135@4500 165@3600 7.4 15.5@89
1988GT 2735 3.61 5-spd 6-cyl 135@4500 165@3600 7.8 16.0@85
I'm not sure where this came from but it's a cool article.
C = Coupe SE = Special Edition GT = Grand Touring FM = Formula
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The Vision (Tm)
85 Fiero GT Fastback
MODS: K@N, Fastback clip, Euro tailights
FUTURE MODS: 300hp n/a 3.4 TDC, 5 speed manual, Choptop, Stage II Scoops, 1.5" Lowering springs, Polly, Konis, 2001 Diablo interior, 17" MM wheels wearing P-Zeros
