I was wondering if any of you would know of any Guidelines/Links/Info regarding rebuiling a Fiero. Basically the best order in doing such...Doesnt need to be too technical or in depth... Thx...Dallas
They wear out in such different ways it's hard to predict what needs to be done. Northern cars rust, but they have nice interiors.....Southern cars cook their paint jobs and interiors, but have no rust. Original owners drove a lot of them into the ground, but if maintained, they are as good as any GM car.....
I Think the "Construction zone" would be a good place to start. I like to read tho the builds from start to finish while taking notes for things I could try. No build will be the same with these cars....
Start with a Rust free car. First, the suspension and brakes, Clean out the engine comp, Then the drive train "of your choice". do the paint, and LAST the interior. I've always used this order, mainly because in the end, you don't "Mess up" what you have done previously. I'm sure everyone has their own way of doing thing, some people want "instant gratification" so they Paint it first. If at all possible, Use a RUST FREE CAR to start, it may cost a little more to begin with, but will save you ALOT in the end.
I decided to separate tasks into Sooner and Later sort of thought process. Basically, I figure all the interior and exterior work doesn't matter a bunch if the car won't roll. So I started with mechancial issues, and have recently moved on into electrical.
Having said that, this is from the point-of-view of getting this up and running, regardless of looks. I suppose it depends on how soon you want to start having onlookers say 'What the heck is THAT?!'
First off, did you already have one and if so what year. The 88 has clean sheet design front and rear suspension and better brakes. Down side is parts are are and either expensive or inferior reproductions for 88 only parts. Don't get an 84, too may reasons why. That leaves the 85-87 as the most easily and cheapest to restore. MUST rebuild suspension. All of it is over 25 years old. Ball joints, tie rod ends, a-arm bushings, rear cradle bushings. Just switching to solid rear cradle bushings made a massive difference. Went from feeling like I was riding on semi-flat rear tires to fully inflated tires. Next, for safety reasons, I am replacing my front and rear ball joints, in that order if necessary. Then tie rods, front and rear. A-arm bushings can wait, but use Moog brand bushings only. Trust me, use rubber or you will feel every tiny change in road surface. Don't forget anti-swaybar bushings and end links. I'd use rubber unless I was going to add a rear bar. Brakes, decide on how much brake you need. Much discussion on here about that. Stock wheels/tires, I'd get performance pads. Should be fine. Running an accordion air tube from front turn signal pocket to just in front of front brake disc will help fade resistance for spirited trips in the mountains. I personal plans on the Lebanon/caddy 11.25inch upgrade. Don't think I will need more on such a light car. Engine. Well I pulled the distributer. Rusted severely. I changed the distributer, used a Buick V6 red cap (Summit) and Taylor 8.8mm red wires. I also used a MSD replacement coil. AC Delco std plugs. Car seems to like these the best. And a battery with a good warranty. Remember that it gets VERY HOT back there for that battery. Never had my car fail. It is the most reliable car I have ever owned. I did rebuild my brakes from the wheel bearings out (use high temp bearing grease). And even with spirited driving, I have rarely had brake fade, using performance oases from the Fiero Store. That is a good start. This will give you a good start/foundation.
WhateverUSMC is right. I have a list if all I need/ want to do, by category/are of car, lists from sooner to later. I actually also have it listed in stages of restoration/modification. An example: Suspension stage1: Rear cradle solid bushings (Rodney Dickman) Front ball joints from Rodney Dickman (1" drop lower! slotted upper) Front tie rods (Rodney Dickman) Rubber bushings, poly end links bushing for anti-sway bar Suspension stage 2: New front shocks Stiffer front coil New steering stabilizer Suspension stage 3: Ect.....
Purchase Car. Upgrade Suspension to make said car perform. Upgrade Brakes to stop said car. Install a whole lotta horsepower to make said car go fast. Turbocharge said car. Said Car = Restored to what Pontiac shoulda been doin in 1984.
