I've had my 86 GT for about three weeks now. And boy do I love it! I've always wanted to learn more about cars. I love tinkering and working with my hands. I've done basic stuff like alternators and starters, but that's it. So I started looking for a project car a few months ago. Honestly, the Fiero was nowhere on my radar. Lucky for me, as I was browsing Facebook Marketplace, a beautiful 86 GT popped up (owned by IdahoGT at the time). I contacted the owner and set up a time to look at the car. Then I started reading, researching, and watching videos. You would not believe the amount of information I consumed about Fieros in just a few short days. By the time I went to look at the car, I knew that if all went well, I would be buying it. It seemed to me that everyone who actually owns and drives Fieros loves them.
So I went to look at the car. Let me just say, the photos didn't do it justice. Jim kept this car in absolutely beautiful condition. (I'll link his build thread below.) And, as you all know, it was an absolute blast to drive. I was hooked immediately. I (obviously) bought the car. I knew from his listing that he also had a 3800sc motor for sale (among many other parts which would be included). The engine looked to be in excellent condition. I told Jim I would need some time to think about it. Well, after a week or so of deliberation (and asking questions and doing research here), I bit the bullet and bought the engine. The primary reason for me buying the car in the first place was as a project car and to learn as much as I can about cars. Well. Replacing an engine is about as hands-on as you can get.
With the engine, if I can remember everything, I also got the f23 5 speed transmission, an 88 cradle with all rear suspension components, poly bushings...the whole works, chrome headers, low profile pop-up headlight kit along with 87 or 88 headlight motors, new fuel pump for the 3800, and a slew of other parts, odds and ends (brackets, suspension components, etc). In addition to all this, he already did some work to the 3800. Some painting, new alternator, new starter, new a/c pump, to name a few. I really couldn't have hoped for a better project car. It runs great so it's not a project in the sense that I need to get it working. Instead, I get to upgrade and improve. And, most amazingly, my wife has been on board the whole time! I have a lot of ideas, hopes, and plans. I've already started on a few things, which I'll touch on down below.
My hope is to paint all the black pieces red, this winter:
Interior is so clean. Jim put on Mr. Mikes seat covers (and seat heaters!) and also replaced the dash.
I had to remove the chin spoiler. I live on a fairly long dirt road and it was just too sketchy.
I love the way the round tail lights look (someone else' car, pictured below, mine is the top picture). I want to figure out a way to install some round tail lights, but the keep the light up "Pontiac" because I think it's great.
Here's the 3800.
And the GT in my shop.
Put up some shelves and got the parts organized.
And FINALLY actually started getting my hands dirty. I decided to install a different shifter. So of course I might as well pull everything out while I'm in there. I also ordered the shifter rebuild kit from Rodney. More on all that in the next post.
If you made it this far...thanks! This winter, my plans are: shifter rebuild (in process), install a double-din stereo, install the 87/88 headlights and low profile kit, paint match the exterior, and finally, what I'm honestly most excited about--rebuild the front suspension. I plan on keeping this thread updated with my progress along the way. And I'm sure I'll be asking plenty of questions!
That is the CLEANEST garage I have ever seen.... almost creepy.... Remember the Series "Dexter"? The mass murderer with a heart of gold? Before he cuts up his victms, he likes a very clean, soundproof environmnet and covers the walls with plastic, etc. hmmmmm
The car looks mint! Nice catch.. Are you planning to run AC? I live in Canada but still could not imagine enjoying the car in the summer if I didn't have AC.. Good luck with the build!!
[This message has been edited by cam-a-lot (edited 12-16-2020).]
Nice car. The GT tail lights are cherished since good ones are becoming more scarce with time. The round ones are a remedy and some like them, but I don't know why. They look dated.
That is the CLEANEST garage I have ever seen.... almost creepy.... Remember the Series "Dexter"? The mass murderer with a heart of gold? Before he cuts up his victms, he likes a very clean, soundproof environmnet and covers the walls with plastic, etc. hmmmmm
The car looks mint! Nice catch.. Are you planning to run AC? I live in Canada but still could not imagine enjoying the car in the summer if I didn't have AC.. Good luck with the build!!
Ha ha no bodies here! My buddy came over and helped me get the shop cleaned up and set up. My actual garage is...not so clean. And yes to a/c. The previous owner installed a brand new a/c compressor on the 3800. It gets over 100 (38 C) here in the summer, so a/c is a must!
quote
Originally posted by sourmash:
Nice car. The GT tail lights are cherished since good ones are becoming more scarce with time. The round ones are a remedy and some like them, but I don't know why. They look dated.
Yeah those round lights just appeal to me. But I absolutely will keep the GT lenses intact. Everything I do to the car, I want to keep non-destructive. I know parts (especially original parts in good condition) are becoming harder and harder to find.
The Pisa kit is the one I have bookmarked. Good looking kit but pretty darn expensive.
Original or replacement Ferrari 308 type lights can cost a bundle but it you go with the Pisa GT panel there are many choices of aftermarket round and Corvette LED lights that may fit and save you a few bucks. Pisa sells tail lights with the clear back up light centers for $180/set. More traditional all red LED tail lights are probably available for less. I might suggest ordering the panels (it is 2 pc) then you can measure the diameter of the opening for the lights and chose from there. The Euro Notchback panel that I ordered from PISA a few months ago was of high quality and well made but shipping can be expensive for large parts these days.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Original or replacement Ferrari 308 type lights can cost a bundle but it you go with the Pisa GT panel there are many choices of aftermarket round and Corvette LED lights that may fit and save you a few bucks. Pisa sells tail lights with the clear back up light centers for $180/set. More traditional all red LED tail lights are probably available for less. I might suggest ordering the panels (it is 2 pc) then you can measure the diameter of the opening for the lights and chose from there. The Euro Notchback panel that I ordered from PISA a few months ago was of high quality and well made but shipping can be expensive for large parts these days.
Thanks Dennis, that’s all great information. I was considering taking a road trip down that direction next summer. Maybe I can grab a set of the panels while I’m down there. Anyone know if Archie lets people stop by and look at his projects?
So I started a video series all about my Fiero. It's on me and my buddy's YouTube channel, Bro Builds. It's a brand new channel for us (gonna be all about cars and around the house projects), but I've been doing YouTube exclusively as a career for about 5 years. I'm not going to use this thread as a platform to push my videos or anything. I just thought I'd share the first video here, if anyone is interested, and leave it at that. Hope you guys enjoy!
Just watched the video and noticed you have the stealth wingstands on the car. Very nice.
Thanks, the previous owner installed them. I really like the way they extend the back end just a touch. The previous owner really did a fantastic job with the car. I hope to continue the quality improvements!
Disclaimer: I am very much an amateur and this is my first time doing anything like this. Also, the names I call things are mostly my own so...just go with it.
Just finished my first project. Rebuilding the shifter. It started with just installing a new shifter (RD comp short throw), but when I opened everything up and saw the surface rust on the shifter assembly, I figured I might as well pull it out and clean it up. And since it was all going to be apart...I might as well get Rodney’s rebuild kit.
Disassembly is pretty easy. Just keep track of all your nuts and bolts and take pictures. The most frustrating part was the dang carpet clips. They kept reattaching themselves to the carpet. But overall, it went very smoothly. The shifter cable retention clips (not sure what they’re actually called) were pretty tight but came out with a pair of pliers. Here’s all the center console pieces.
I’m also working on some interior repair. I still have some work to do. I’m not super happy with how it’s turned out so far.
I decided to use electrolysis for the rusted parts. It worked really well! It was mostly practice for using electrolysis on future parts that are horribly rusty.
Then I primed and did a completely unnecessary but awesome color matching paint job. I went pretty light on the paint so you might notice some parts that aren’t covered really well. Everything does have a good coat of primer though. The primer photo below is the other metal pieces from the center console. They had very minor surface rust but I figured I might as well clean and paint them to keep it from happening in the future.
The Mishimoto knob has (I think) 18mm threads. Luckily, up past the threads, it has a smooth bore small enough to tap out to the 16mm x 1.5 of the comp shifter. I bought a $15 tap from Amazon but didn’t have a handle that would fit. I used a vice grip and it worked great! No issues at all getting it tapped out to fit the shifter correctly.
During reassembly I figured out what would have been a much easier way to dissemble. If you remove the retainer clips from the lower pin (the one that translates lateral motion) then push it from the opposite end away from the direction it will come out, it will disengage from the assembly and allow you to lift it all off. Once all that is out of the way, you will be able to pull the pin out. I didn’t do it this way when I was original taking everything apart and it was much more difficult.
This is the direction to push the pin to make disassembly easy. And yes, it’s missing the spring.
I forgot to install the spring and realized I didn’t have a picture of how it was supposed to be installed. I had a hard time finding a good picture of how the spring is supposed to be installed online, but was able to figure it out using a couple different photos for reference. Here are some good pictures of the shifter spring installed.
Reinstalling it was a breeze. No issues at all.
And wouldn’t you know, now that I’ve written this whole thing up I don’t have a photo with the new weighted Mishimoto shift knob! (actually installed in the car). I’m out of town but will add a photo when I get home tomorrow.
Edit: I forgot to mention how it all works now. It’s great! I like the competition short throw shifter a lot, and the Mishimoto knob. I need to add another shim or two in order to take the rest of the play out of the shifter.
When I got the car, it had the Hurst shifter (from RD I assume). It’s a cool shifter but doesn’t fit the style I’m going for. I like the Mishimoto a lot more. If anyone wants the Hurst shifter, it’s yours. Just pay shipping. This is the only photo I could find.
[This message has been edited by ragoldsmith (edited 12-29-2020).]
Had a little spare time and an extra license plate, so I made this. I thought it would be fun to throw on for car shows and making videos. I painted the plate black, then used my vinyl cutter for the letters and numbers. I clear coated over everything for a little added protection. Then I superglued some super strong magnets on the back.
Then...I stupidly set the plate face down on some superglue (and the paint wasn’t totally cured yet), which is why the paint has that splotch on top in the middle above Fiero. Oh well. Should be easy to fix.
And this has nothing to do with the plate, but it was 50 degrees yesterday! (Crazy for January in Idaho.) So I went for a drive!
I had hoped to keep this thread up to date with my progress on the 86 GT, but I just don't think that's going to happen. I just can't keep up with it. Here is my video series, if anyone is interested:
awesome attention to detail with something you will never see. That is the way to do it. Keep the shifter in mind with the rest of your project and you will be fine. Don't take shortcuts and always do it right the first time. You've got a long road ahead, but keep this up and you'll do great.
Rob
[This message has been edited by qwikgta (edited 04-07-2021).]
They look dated.
