Just learned that the early cars had those. Are they usable or not with later cars? Desirable or not?

What would you hope to gain?

One potential issue is that the original decklids reportedly have less engine clearance. They don't have the "hump".

The 84 only decklid had the magnesium vent in the center. There were several issues with that. One it wouldn't clear the V6 so they got rid of it for 85. Another problem is they are weak. After decades of the spring pushing on them they tend to potato chip and bend in the middle. Last problem is that WHEN the engine catches fire, (not if) the magnesium vent will make a spectacular fire.

Years ago, I took the grille, cut it down on the sides, and incorporated it into the decklid of my 87 GT.

That center vent looks nice, but the other problem is that the leaves and water tend to get in on the exhaust manifold and next thing you know the manifolds are cracking or catching fire. Like most things 84 Fiero, Pontiac did not think through a lot of the little details. Pretty much everything on the 84 got tweaked in the later models. There is a reason the 88 is the most desirable model. By then most everything was sorted out, (except the power steering).

[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 05-07-2017).]

Not desirable. Though I would like to see one of the grills burn.

quote Originally posted by sourmash: I would like to see one of the grills burn.

It's probably not as much fun to watch when the grill/decklid is attached to your car at the time!

quote Originally posted by sourmash: Not wild about the rain/debris getting into the engine through the vents. My car sits outside.

Whether the vents/grills are on the side or in the middle, the rain and debris still get into the engine compartment. I know... I have several Fieros stored outside with both types of decklids/grills.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Whether the vents/grills are on the side or in the middle, the rain and debris still get into the engine compartment. I know... I have several Fieros stored outside with both types of decklids/grills.

True, but it's worse on the 84.

I wonder if you could use a later year notchback decklid on an '84.

I had 4 different 84s and what JScott said is certainly on the money.
That 84 decklid center vent assembly is 2 piece and rattles around and is noisy as heck, and the grids just happen to be right over the sparkplugs and exhaust studs. Leaves, and especially pine needles get in there on a daily basis .... especially pine needles which fall straight up and down, not float down sideways. Straight thru the slots like a James Harden 3 pointer ............. slick as owl snot.

I broke about 3 spark plugs off trying to get them rusty rascals out of Dukes with those center vents. Water just pools up in the plug recesses and you have to really careful and lucky not to break one.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 05-07-2017).]

quote Originally posted by jscott1: True, but it's worse on the 84.

Agreed... which is probably the reason the vents were switched over to the sides.

quote Originally posted by tshark: I wonder if you could use a later year notchback decklid on an '84.

Absolutely. I put an '87 decklid and grills on my '84. Going the other way (as the OP asked about) isn't a very common swap... for reasons that have been spelled out.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05-07-2017).]

I did the same with the 84 vent on my 88.. Though I didn't completely mold it in to the decklid like the picture above.. I trimmed it the same size as the pic above but left it as the black vent to encorporate the same look as the side vents.. I think it looks really good..

I don't park outside or drive this in the rain BUT!-- I also designed a rain/gutter system that lays underneath it.. It drains in the frame rail of the original decklid and uses the same drip holes from factory..

I'm not worried




Painted myself in my home wreck paint booth--- PVC and plastic sheets.. HVLP sprayed

[This message has been edited by unboundmo (edited 05-08-2017).]

quote Originally posted by unboundmo: I don't park outside or drive this in the rain... I'm not worried

Lucky you.

Sourmash if you wanted to put solid vents from an 84 on a later car you'd have no vents, I would think it would get too hot back there.