I recently purchased an 88 fiero formula. 5 speed manual. I don't have the resources to engine swap to a 3.4 so I'm looking for advice on what the best modifications would be for the stock engine without turbo or super charging. Im looking for more power or as much as I can get at least. this is my first project car ever and im only 16 so im not super experienced I need to know what modifications you suggest and if there really arnt any and I cant push the stock engine as far as I would like where a good place to start would be for heavier mods to it. id like to avoid a full engine swap but don't mind doing engine work. the main things I want are acceleration, horsepower, and I would like the car to be louder without straight piping but that's more exhaust and is better for another topic. also list the mods you've done to your fieros id love to hear about them. id like to modify the engine as far as I can before I dive into body modifications but I would like to change from the stock 88 formula body and keep it a fiero just a more unique fiero that's not so standout as an 88 formula
Welcome to the forum. Easiest starting point on modifications would be the exhaust. If you take off the exhaust manifolds and smooth the exhaust welds on the inside (good for 6 - 8 horses). Then on the exhaust y-pipe cut open the area where the pipes join together and cleanup the area, then weld up the cut (good for 2 - horses). Last thing for a better exhaust note and less restriction remove the cat. converter and replace it with a straight pipe or with an off road pipe from the Fiero Store (don't do this if emissions testing is required in your are. Leave the muffler in place, this will give the car a nice rumble and a little less restriction. This is a good starting point to gain a little experience and low cost mods.
Welcome to the Forum! How was your car maintained? Before rushing off to do modifications, make sure the thing is working right. A stock Forumla is not 'fast' but it should put a smile on your face.....
When I had stock engine I definitely seen the biggest gain from porting both exhaust manifolds and fixing exhaust leak. Other things I have noticed small gains with was plugs/gap, cap/rotor, properly tuning the timing, replacing sensors that were reading off, fuel filter, and other maintenance items.
Last thing for a better exhaust note and less restriction remove the cat. converter and replace it with a straight pipe or with an off road pipe from the Fiero Store (don't do this if emissions testing is required in your are.
Also don't do this if you care at all about the air that you breathe.
Modern cats aren't restrictive and you'll see no increase in performance by running a straight pipe in their place.
Many forum members have also reported that their Fieros sounded like total crap when they used a straight pipe to replace their cat.
And the stench you'll smell behind your car if you remove the cat should answer any questions you may have as to the benefit of running one.
The other exhaust mods mentioned to replace the restrictions are very good though, especially the mod to the exhaust manifolds. It's difficult to believe that they were supposed to leave the factory in the condition that they all did. Very restrictive!
I agree, the car WILL be LOUDER, and if you use a straight pipe even with the stock muffler, when you Let Off the gas, it will make an awful racket like mini backfires.
Porting the exhaust is a good gain, don't go for the Y-pipe unless you can weld stainless. Where the thermastat is you can loop the two smalest hoses together, to avoid heating the throtle body, mabey, I mean mabey 1 hp. Get GOOD spark plug wires, you want less than 200 ohms per foot, taylor makes good wires, it will help the stock coil in the upper RPMs, really does help. The wires are the easiest bolt on. Use "seafoam" down the intake, it will clean out the carbon buildup, don't worry about adding it to the gas or oil, only the intake. Do ALL maintanice to bring it back to stockish power, prob lost some over the years. Learn how to port, (google search) it will help you with every engine you ever own, start out mild. Make sure to run A/C Delco spark plugs, they work the best, nothing fancy just the stock ones. Get a K&N air filter, stock style, as the Fiero has a cold air intake stock. Don't get any after market "cold air intakes" they are worth less, and do zero, I mean zero.
Another quick and easy mod is removing the water separator and add K&N filter, Rodney Dickman sells the kits, and the K&N will block any water that somehow makes it through. An air box mod and a ram air scope would also be a good place to start.
Welcome to the forum. I use a cat. with no muffler (on my 3400 spfi ) single exhaust.It is not real loud, but it does have a deep rumble. Also check your brakes and steering before driving it.Have fun. :-)
Assuming your car is in good condition, the exhaust porting is the lowest hanging fruit. Keep in mind that getting the manifolds off can be a bear, those bolts break easily and its not fun to get them out.
I would keep your engine well maintained and enjoy it for what it is, a 140 hp sporty car. It won't win drag races but it should still be fun to drive.
Another quick and easy mod is removing the water separator and add K&N filter, Rodney Dickman sells the kits, and the K&N will block any water that somehow makes it through. An air box mod and a ram air scope would also be a good place to start.
Did you NOT see the post right above that?
quote
Originally posted by sardonyx247:
Don't get any after market "cold air intakes" they are worth less, and do zero, I mean zero.
Don't remove the air box, or RAM air, pointless.
[This message has been edited by sardonyx247 (edited 10-15-2014).]
So most of what im getting is to clean up the exhaust porting because its a litlle sketchy and just maintain the engine. Advice on engine or exhaust add ons for less restriction? And I dont want a straight pipe. Maybe a glasspack but a staight pipes not very clean sounding
I just went through this quest for more power out of my stock 2.8. Here's what i did that i liked: 1) ported the exhaust logs (manifolds) 2) port matched exhaust, removed the spark plug hump 3) port matched upper and lower intake manifolds, and plenum 4) removed the plenum neck restriction 5) converted from cat to glasspack (worthless pursuit. Should have gone with a high performance cat) 6) changed out o2 sensor to anything but Bosch 7) sent off stock injectors to have cleaned, balanced (matched), and opened up to 16.2# 8) replaced rockers with 1.6 roller rockers
All these things together helped allot and allowed me to keep my car looking stock. I have to say that i don't like the sound of the cat removal. I should have either gutted my bad kitty, or replaced it with a huge resonator.....not to mention my exhaust stinks and its slightly embarrassing at traffic lights. The rockers changed the exhaust note slightly louder. I did one thing at a time, so i didn't get the full effect of the exhaust porting until after i did the intake and plenum.
This car isn't ever going to be the fastest without a swap, but it's by far the most fun! Enjoy it! Ron
My thoughts on the sraight pipe. Gutted CAT louder than stock Straight pipe louder than gutted CAT, I like better' My Fiero will pass smog with out the cat, blows clean numbers. no smell. A cat is backup for a not running perfect engine. This is all before I boosted it, just FYI.
Just keep in mind that the Fiero 2.8L had about 140 HP when it was new. It was the 1980s and that was good HP rating when the national speed limit was 55. Making any "big" mods on an old engine can lead to a shortened engine life in an "old" car. My87 GT (bought new) now has 151,000 miles on it and it gets "babied" any more when I drive it. I spend too much just keeping it running in its stock condition.
I just went through this quest for more power out of my stock 2.8. Here's what i did that i liked: 1) ported the exhaust logs (manifolds) 2) port matched exhaust, removed the spark plug hump 3) port matched upper and lower intake manifolds, and plenum 4) removed the plenum neck restriction 5) converted from cat to glasspack (worthless pursuit. Should have gone with a high performance cat) 6) changed out o2 sensor to anything but Bosch 7) sent off stock injectors to have cleaned, balanced (matched), and opened up to 16.2# 8) replaced rockers with 1.6 roller rockers
Ron
I assume 4) is the Dawg intake modification. google it the whole process is there. Ron pretty well summed up things that can be done. some may opt for a bigger cam than the rockers but both add power. might want to add to the list a bored out throttle body. Steve Monroe in Oklahoma does them. I replaced a stock cat with broken innards and picked up a "performance" cat from somone, might have been Rodney. mine was a 3.4 but with many of the changes Ron made, and I used the cat and stock muffler and tips. Sold the car this spring and have to admit when I heard it go down the road I thought it sounded pretty nice. good throaty sound, not too loud but loud enough to know it wasn't the usual car going by. The 60 degree motors do have a nice sound.
[This message has been edited by Grantman (edited 10-16-2014).]
I recommend Rodney Dickman's power pulley kit and 1.6 roller rockers. Those are proven bolt-ons that work. The power pulley kit is worth about 6-7 rwhp on my dyno test alone.
If you need to do the clutch, switch to a Fidanza aluminum flywheel.
If you need to do the clutch, switch to a Fidanza aluminum flywheel.
I was going to install a Fidanza flywheel when I replaced the clutch in my '88 Formula until I read about the very common problem of "aluminum creep". I had no desire to be dealing with a loose flywheel shortly down the road... so I stuck with the steel flywheel.
Welcome to the forum and the fun of owning a Fiero!
I agree with Patrick on the Fidanza flywheel, I started having problems after 1k miles on my 88 GT. Took it out and replaced with a stock FW and also installed a bigger 9.5 clutch and presure plate from a jeep. It worked great for over 5 years (60k) when it was sold. Of course this was not a car for the track, just a reliable driver.
[This message has been edited by Ponnari (edited 10-18-2014).]
Think of ways to lighten up the car. This way your HP to Weight ratio will increase HP by just removing junk in the trunk, the spare tire, lighter rims & tires, ect
I cant recommend a good light weight tire & rim combo, im sure someone here can. I've always thought the rear tires were over tired -but they looked really great!!!
[This message has been edited by Alex.07.86GT (edited 10-18-2014).]
If you do go for the 1.6 rockers, get them from Comp Cams...
Second this. I can't speak to the quality of the Crane pieces, but the Comp Cams rockers are nice pieces, and worth a (small) bit of power. If you have money to spend on an exhaust, I like the Fiero Store's Ocelot exhaust. Don't bother unless you just need to replace yours, though, as they're kind of spendy. =================
One of the magazines did an evaluation and minor build up of the 2.8, a while back. They said that the intake system is well thought out for what it is. Not much to be gained by removing the water separator (although it does sound cool.) The filter and canister is the same one used for the L69 305 Trans Am, so it's plenty of air for the Fiero. They replaced the cam with a Crane H260 (which is the largest you can go without head work) and liked the results. This is, however, probably more work than you want to do, especially if your car is a daily driver. If you decide to do the 260, do NOT use 1.6 rockers. It will be too much lift for the springs, and will likely bind the coils. (And bend the pushrods.)
The exhaust manifolds are quite restrictive in stock form. Porting is a good thing, but it's a bunch of trouble to remove the manifolds, as already mentioned.
Porting the throttle body and intake plenum (search "dawg") is a good thing, but the gains on an otherwise stock 2.8 will likely be marginal.
If it were me, I'd just do really basic stuff to make sure that it's running properly, and enjoy driving it. When you have the time and money to tear it down and do it right (or to do a swap) then go for it. I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but it's what experience has taught me. Any engine modification project tends to "snowball" to the point that it's better (and more easily) done with the engine out of the car.
Welcome to our obsession! And Welcome to the Forum.
------------------ Raydar 88 Formula IMSA Fastback. 4.9, NVG T550 Praise the Lowered!
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 10-18-2014).]
On full roller rockers I used were from Summit. I had to get the crane stud adapters to convert from 10mm to 3/8". If you ever decide the (3.4) 3400 block with iron heads route, the 1.6 roller rockers will be required so they are a good investment.
Wrong. A functioning catalytic converter significantly lowers your emissions without affecting performance. Removing a clogged converter improves performance, but that does not mean that having a cat is bad for performance. Plus, we are talking about a heavy, 140 HP car for god's sakes... none of these suggestions will make the car even remotely fast by today's standards.
Another thing to consider before suggesting to a 16 year old kid on a budget that he should remove and port the manifolds or change flywheels is that for minimal gain, he may very well snap off rusty bolts in his cylinder heads, and get himself into a jam.
My suggestion? Make sure the car is tuned up, new fuel filter, air filter, good plugs, wires and cap, and go drive it. Enjoy the car, enjoy your youth, and don't break something that is not broken. Most of us old farts have multiple vehicles, so if we break our Fiero, we are not stranded. If this is your only car, then it may be better to just keep it running in top shape than trying to loosen bolts that are 10 years older than you are just to gain a measly 6-7 HP.
[This message has been edited by cam-a-lot (edited 10-20-2014).]
It comes down to expectations and what the OP is looking to learn how to do. One former member here had their 2.8 up to 154 rwhp with most of these mods and some shaved heads for a slight compression bump. That's a 34% gain in power over a stock 2.8... I don't think anyone is expecting a 2.8 to hang with a lambo here in this thread....
As for removing the CAT I agree that it won't give much boost in power for a 140 HP engine but if was that good, how come race cars don't use them? Must present some kind of restriction don't you think? A cat also increases your risk of an engine fire as the case runs super hot and can get red hot if the mixture is too rich. Just a few drops of oil from a tiny leak and fire results. Is the cat a useful piece of equipment or a " feel good " device mandated by the same bureaucrats that push flu vaccines that contain poisonous Mercury? With todays gasohol I have my doubts that the cat does much, but you decide! I
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, 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 "
Remember - 140hp factory claim was at the crank no the Rear Wheels... -15% for a manual = 120RWHP, which is a number that I hear a lot. I stroked our 2.8 to 3.1 and have been very happy. Flywheel must be modified to neutral balance (simple for machine shop) Roller rockers 1.6 Ported manifolds 17 lb injectors (with adjustable fuel pressure regulator so it can be dyno tuned or runs too rich. 15lbs is WAY TO LEAN) 260H Performance Cam Whole thing was dynamically balanced - very important
My first engine rebuild and we race it hard. Has lasted about 10 hard LeMons races and still very happy with it.
Dyno tuned to 150RWHP & 150ft/lbs and still a little rich for endurance racing. Everything else is stock - minus AC compressors etc. The engine looks bone stock.
[This message has been edited by plane (edited 10-21-2014).]
As for removing the CAT I agree that it won't give much boost in power for a 140 HP engine but if was that good, how come race cars don't use them?
Seriously Dennis, that has got to be the STUPIDEST excuse I've ever heard for removing the cat. Maybe the OP should rip out his headlights while he's at it.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 10-21-2014).]
A cheap easy way to make a Fiero faster? Sell it to a yunkyard and have the driver floor it when he leaves. Honestly, just make sure the car is good, brakes are good, suspension good, and your engine is maintained. A faster car doesn't mean anything if it's broken. Then save up your money and decide what you think would be bang for your buck and what you need. If you want a small increase in power, but like stock looks, then fix everything, then save up for the 3.4, do everything everyone is suggesting with the porting and what not, and then just swap it with your motor. It'll be cheaper (if you can find a good engine cheap) and won't take much more time than doing everything else suggested.
I suspect nitrous will make quick work of the 2.8's bottom end.
As for the cat, I say leave it - I've heard that you actually lose power by removing it because it acts as an expansion chamber in the exhaust. How this works, I have no idea, but I've heard it from multiple people.
Granted I don't have a cat on mine but I couldn't fit one in, my exhausts dump out the rear. You can smell it a little when cold, but isn't noticeable when warm. Obviously it would still probably fail an emissions test/
Maybe the OP should rip out his headlights while he's at it. 
