[img]https://images.fiero.nl/userimage s/DrXtreme/Mera%202.jpg[/img] Here are pics of my 1988 Mera with Northstar V8 engine and transmission. As you can see, it needs work.

Rear suspension has lots of red bushings, so I'm guessing polyurethane. It does have KYB adjustable coil over rear shocks, no idea who chose those stupidly big rear tires.

Front has KYB shocks, noticed only about 1.5" of clearance between control arm and bump stop. Has the front been lowered?

All 4 wheels have drilled and slotted rotors, calipers appear stock.

Northstar V8 seems to be well done, shop that changed water pump said it was a clean install. Needs some work on small stuff, big one is AC lines where when I moved them over under the car, heard a hiss so expect to need some line replacement.

Recent paint job, I see bubbles/fish eyes so I know I will have to strip and repaint. Not a prblem, did that to make extra money back in my younger days.

Euro style dash, no idea where it came from. You have to love the wood grain dash cover yet they installed Dakota Digital gauges; has less than 400 miles on odometer. Wood will be recovered in carbon fiber.

Interior smells like gear/motor oil. Took it for a ride yesterday for an hour or 2 and couldn't get the oil taste out of my mouth. Carpet is likely trashed, dash shows signs of strain so will need to be recovered and stereo doesn't work. Seats were recovered but drivers show rub wear on left side.

I need to get engine and trans fluids changed in this car. Not sure how the trans shold shift, but it doesn't seem right. Previous owner bought it 4 years ago and it sat for 2.5 years. Taking steps to go through it and make it road worthy.

Your help and feedback would be appreciated. I haven't had a Fiero in a long time (last was an 87 with 4 cylinder auto that I loved).

I'm looking forward to this adventure and sharing with this group. Thank you for all the help you have given so far. I hope I can contribute in the future.

DrXtreme

[This message has been edited by DrXtreme (edited 02-29-2020).]

Looks like a Pisa dash cover. Car looks nice, thanks for posting.

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86 GT built 2.2 ecotec turbo
rear SLA suspension
QA1 coilovers on tube arms

I am not certain what you consider to be ridiculously large tires, but one of my Meras came to me with 295 x 50 x 15 tires on the rear. They have since been returned to the stock size. The OEM tire sizes for Meras are 245 x 50 x15 for the front and 265 x 50 x 15 for the rear tires. You can also use the 265 tires on the front (due to the current unavailability of the 245 tires) but may experience some rubbing on hard, low speed turns such as in a parking lot.

Nelson

[This message has been edited by hnthomps (edited 03-01-2020).]

The rear tire is 225/70-15, its much larger diameter like the old school hot rods. Problem is they are brand new and hate to replace good tire.

Another question is the front suspension appears to have about 1.25-1.5 inches of space between control arm and bump stop. Is that normal or was the front end lowered?

Also the steering feels heavy at center like it has added caster. Once the wheel is turned 1/8 it feels normal. I'm not sure if alignment needs to be checked, but the front tires are brand new so it could be suspect.


DrXtreme

[This message has been edited by DrXtreme (edited 03-01-2020).]

It seems your Mera's number tag has been removed from your trunk lid. Did the seller provide it or do you have a record the number?

quote Originally posted by DrXtreme: The rear tire is 225/70-15, its much larger diameter like the old school hot rods. Problem is they are brand new and hate to replace good tire. Another question is the front suspension appears to have about 1.25-1.5 inches of space between control arm and bump stop. Is that normal or was the front end lowered? Also the steering feels heavy at center like it has added caster. Once the wheel is turned 1/8 it feels normal. I'm not sure if alignment needs to be checked, but the front tires are brand new so it could be suspect. DrXtreme

New tire or not I would change what you have and use something closer to the OEM tire setup. WRT alignment, I suggest that anyone acquiring a car and having questions would potentially benefit from an alignment check. Use a facility that can do four wheel alignment and make certain that they have the acceptable factory specs.

Nelson

Most alignment shops have never seen a Fiero and probably won't know how to properly set the front caster and camber. The upper A arm pivot shaft has ridges on the underside that bite into the frame to hold the shaft in position. You need a set of Kent Moore J-36419 tools to keep the shaft in place while the mounting bolts are tightened. They show up on Ebay occasionally.

[This message has been edited by Larryinkc (edited 03-04-2020).]

Fix your pictures, they are all sideways.

Thank you for the alignment info, made a note and will ask as its highly suspect.

I may have to burn off the rear tires to justify new OEM.

I'm not sure why pictures showed up sideways as they were taken in normal mode.

Dr Xtreme