Long time Fiero owner, but recent buyer of my 2nd and 3rd Fieros. My wife just got a 87 SE we're fixing up, all is well there, my newly acquired 1984 is not so good. Body is fantastic, the iron duke has spun a bearing and is seized (previous owner ran it without enough oil), mated up to a 4 speed manual transmission.
I'm off to a few U-Pick it yards to see if I can score myself another iron duke as that is the straight forward easiest swap for me as its pretty plug and play. I specifically bought this car because I am looking for a 4-cyl. I just want a fun nice looking car to lunchbox back and forth to work in and enjoy.
I already have a 1989 Ford Probe GT with the 2.2L intercooled Turbo (parts car for a probe project) that is drive train complete and runs great. The body is toast and I've actually stolen most of all the parts I'll need for the actual Probe we restored, so...
Is anyone aware of any immediate "won't work" scenarios to moving the 2.2L over to the 84 Fiero? There are engine mounts, axle compatibility, and plumbing (the turbo and intercooler piping are longer than my Turbo Buick), see if the shifter cables will work out, but any other red flags? Or someone I can pick their brain on?
I can see almost all the engine management coming over from the Probe, so there is fun with wires, but any tips or advice would be appreciated. There is of course the uniqueness of having a 2.2L Turbo...I'm no big fan of Fords, these probes kinda fell into my lap, but when it comes down to it and motors, one in the hand is better then 2 in the bush. I am mechanically inclined, so this would be an in house over the winter project.
Having no idea what the transmission bolt pattern looks like on a Probe engine, I am guessing you would have to do the engineering for an adapter plate from scratch. By the time you got that done you would probably find a bunch of Iron dukes that would do the job.
Is anyone aware of any immediate "won't work" scenarios to moving the 2.2L over to the 84 Fiero? There are engine mounts, axle compatibility, and plumbing (the turbo and intercooler piping are longer than my Turbo Buick), see if the shifter cables will work out, but any other red flags? Or someone I can pick their brain on?
Having no idea what the transmission bolt pattern looks like on a Probe engine, I am guessing you would have to do the engineering for an adapter plate from scratch. By the time you got that done you would probably find a bunch of Iron dukes that would do the job.
Thanks. I’d keep the Ford Transmission, it’s a 5 speed (technically Mazda), I’m thinking it’s more a mounting in the cradle issue? Measurements are required, but that 2.2 is in a pretty tight hole as Ford went the other way, put the motor up front but lowered the hood and made bumps for the strut towers. This all might be moot, looks like I found a few dukes…but it’s gonna bug me now until I do it.
As for time, that I have, and money…well, I find a way.
OK, so then the engineering challenge would be to get a Fiero cable shifter to work on the Probe transmission (plus the cradle mounting stuff). Not saying it can't be done, but it will take a while..Do us a favor and document everything here so we all can get smarter....
As in what else is there to do in Stettler, Alberta? Heh heh, just yanking your chain. I did have to look up Stettler on a map though, as I don't think I've ever heard of it previously... and I've been around for awhile. (ie I'm old.)
OK, so then the engineering challenge would be to get a Fiero cable shifter to work on the Probe transmission (plus the cradle mounting stuff). Not saying it can't be done, but it will take a while..Do us a favor and document everything here so we all can get smarter....
Hmmm...very true, wondering how portable the gates are on the probe with those on the Fiero, distance wise it would be close but I also don't want to end up with a backwards shifting pattern,
I'm sure electrically it would be plentiful but ok, minus things like the speedo and RPM, those probes are pods like the Fiero, so might get lucky there. I did the measurements and it will "technically" fit, but like seen in other threads, a bird cage might clear up any mess on that (great idea). Modified engine supports, connections to the axles, thinking the exhaust won't be too bad, intercooler piping not as much as the probe uses steel tubes, present Fiero has no AC and that's fine, so both PS and Compressors can go if a bypass/idler pully solution can be found. My width is in the intake manifold on the back and the turbo outlet in the front, so not a lot of shrinkage there to be had (if keeping the turbo). Lots to think on.
Documenting is what I do, I'm one of those lame youtube guys.
------------------ Ben 84 Fiero SE 87 Fiero SE 88 Fiero GT + 10 more friends
As in what else is there to do in Stettler, Alberta? Heh heh, just yanking your chain. I did have to look up Stettler on a map though, as I don't think I've ever heard of it previously... and I've been around for awhile. (ie I'm old.)
You and me both. I'm originally from Maine, as a kid I wondered who would ever live in the middle of the continent, like the middle of Canada? Well, me apparently, moved here to be with my now wife and raise a family 12 years ago. Back in Maine the 2.56 rear gears in my Caprice Wagon were lame and didn't work well on the twisty and hilly roads. But in Alberta...well, they're still lame but I get it, that car just idles along happy as can be on the straight flat roads.
My kids are getting older, freeing up time for me to roll back into the car projects of my younger self. I was a part of this forum as Great88Fiero back in 2001 but my account and associated email addresses have been lost to time.
My Buick and my 1988 Fiero are still stored in Maine, thinking next year will be the year to drag them home to me, either on a trailer or on the road.
Probably far more hassle than it is worth. Even if the engine is "free", the project would end up being far too expensive and time consuming since everything would have to be custom made.
Probably makes much more sense to get another engine and go with a "proven" swap rather than re-inventing the wheel for a still very old and under powered engine. A slightly reworked 3.1 or 3.4 V6 would give you more power, and be a much easier swap into an 84 Fiero, as wiring , axles, transmission choices, etc are already proven and have been done.
Just my 2 cents...
[This message has been edited by cam-a-lot (edited 09-03-2022).]
Probably far more hassle than it is worth. Even if the engine is "free", the project would end up being far too expensive and time consuming since everything would have to be custom made.
Probably makes much more sense to get another engine and go with a "proven" swap rather than re-inventing the wheel for a still very old and under powered engine. A slightly reworked 3.1 or 3.4 V6 would give you more power, and be a much easier swap into an 84 Fiero, as wiring , axles, transmission choices, etc are already proven and have been done.
Just my 2 cents...
Thanks for your input. I'm not really looking for power, although this probe engine is 145 HP/195 lb-ft (when new, this one isn't) and regularly gets 30 MPG in my actual Probe (similar curb weight to a Fiero? ~200lbs), I do have one with a rusted out body but you are right, parts aren't as easy as they once were to get as the Probes do not have the following and aftermarket the Fiero has. I think my main issues are mounting, axles, and inlet tubing.
Yes to more hassle, not sure how expensive it could get as I work in a fabrication shop, time consuming also yes...all for a car most people already don't understand and those who do only ask why would you do that? (likely a reduction in car valve). Seems like a project that starts and never gets completed, that is something also to consider. Things to think about.
[This message has been edited by Turbo231 (edited 09-07-2022).]
The only thing that will cost real money is custom drive axles. Engines/transmission mounts are easy to fabricate. Wiring is just a bunch of time if you keep the Probe ECM. Go for it and do something unique
------------------ formerly known as sanderson 1984 Quad 4 1886 SE 2.8L 1988 4.9L Cadillac 1988 3800 Supercharged
