As I mentioned in another post, I've got this '88 Formula with an auto trans that's seen better days. The engine had a blown head and block at one point, so I rebuilt it with a FieroStore performance kit and a CompCam. Threw in an MSD ignition too, just for kicks. Well, after about 6k miles, a hydraulic lifter popped, and after the repair, I could still hear the engine knocking.
Long story short, the motor's toast. It's been sitting in my garage collecting dust for almost a decade. I finally decided to bring it back to life. After eight months of searching, I found a donor engine from an '88 GT. But it's got a manual trans.
Originally, I was just going to swap over all my stuff from my old engine to the new one – new gaskets, hoses, rebuilt injectors, the whole nine yards. But now I'm really tempted to switch to a manual. I've managed to find a lot of the parts I need: shift linkage, hydraulic line, clutch master cylinder, used pedals, and the slave cylinder comes with the transmission. I'm just missing the shifter and the floor assembly.
I'm not sure if I'm forgetting anything. If you guys see anything I'm missing, let me know. Maybe this whole thing is a dumb idea? I could just stick with the auto and do what I originally planned.
Any advice would be appreciated. Remember, parts for the Fiero are pretty hard to come by in Europe.
Auto to manual conversion is very involved. I don't believe that the effort is worth the reward. What I would do is to replace the automatic with the 4T60 a 4 speed automatic w a shift kit. Thats a much easier almost bolt in conversion. If you have no interest in that, the auto to stick conversion is quite difficult. You will need the complete brake pedal and clutch pedal assembly ( and hardware) , the manual transmission, (F20 recommended,) the shifter, clutch pressure plate, clutch disc, flywheel, master, slave cylinder assemblies, clutch hydraulic lines, back up light switch, manual axles , transmission mounts and a new ECM chip that will recognize the transmission.
------------------ " 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 "
As I mentioned in another post, I've got this '88 Formula with an auto trans that's seen better days. The engine had a blown head and block at one point, so I rebuilt it with a FieroStore performance kit and a CompCam. Threw in an MSD ignition too, just for kicks. Well, after about 6k miles, a hydraulic lifter popped, and after the repair, I could still hear the engine knocking.
Long story short, the motor's toast. It's been sitting in my garage collecting dust for almost a decade. I finally decided to bring it back to life. After eight months of searching, I found a donor engine from an '88 GT. But it's got a manual trans.
Originally, I was just going to swap over all my stuff from my old engine to the new one – new gaskets, hoses, rebuilt injectors, the whole nine yards. But now I'm really tempted to switch to a manual. I've managed to find a lot of the parts I need: shift linkage, hydraulic line, clutch master cylinder, used pedals, and the slave cylinder comes with the transmission. I'm just missing the shifter and the floor assembly.
Hey, do you have any pictures of your Volvo? I'd love to see them. I grew up with 240s... my dad (from the Netherlands) bought them exclusively until the mid 2000s when he switched to Ford cars. But we had so many 240s, and the 240 basically before it was called the 240. Awesome cars.ss
As for the transmission, I honestly don't blame you at all. My high school car was an 87 Fiero with an Automatic... and while I loved that car, there's just something about having a manual transmission. My daughter is restoring her 85 Fiero... and it only has a 4 cyl, but it has a manual transmission... and the car is just a blast to drive.
I don't know if this helps at all... but about 14 years ago, I started the process of converting my 87 Fiero (my high school car) to a manual transmission. I completed EVERYTHING... except actually swapping in the transmission... hahah. I took a job that required me to move, and I put the car in storage. But I took a lot of pictures which may be helpful to you:
Anyway, the shifter assemblies show up now and then on eBay, but you can reach out to the Fiero Factory (http://www.fierofactory.com) and also Mike in Arizona: www.OnlyFieros.com
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: Hey, do you have any pictures of your Volvo? I'd love to see them. I grew up with 240s... my dad (from the Netherlands) bought them exclusively until the mid 2000s when he switched to Ford cars. But we had so many 240s, and the 240 basically before it was called the 240. Awesome cars.ss
Hi, Yeah, I've got a whole bunch of shots of my Volvo doing its thing. You know, from all those car meets and off-road parties I threw.
I did an auto to manual swap in my 85 ~13 years ago, I don't know why everyone is saying it's a huge deal, if you have all the stock parts, and the engine and transmission are out of the car, it's unbolt automatic parts, bolt in manual parts. For me, the hardest part was getting the clutch line installed, and in hindsight, even that wasn't that bad.
What do you mean "shifter and floor assembly"? the shifter bolts in place of the auto shifter, and the floor/firewall is unchanged auto/manual.
------------------ "I am not what you so glibly call to be a civilized man. I have broken with society for reasons which I alone am able to appreciate. I am therefore not subject to it's stupid laws, and I ask you to never allude to them in my presence again."
I invited Lou Dias to trash me in my own thread, he refused. sorry. if he trashes your thread going after me. I tried.
[This message has been edited by ericjon262 (edited 01-12-2025).]
I did an auto to manual swap in my 85 ~13 years ago, I don't know why everyone is saying it's a huge deal, if you have all the stock parts, and the engine and transmission are out of the car, it's unbolt automatic parts, bolt in manual parts. For me, the hardest part was getting the clutch
Agreed. Done it myself.
If someone just bought a $500 Fiero and wished it were a manual, they'd be better off selling it and buying another with the manual transmission. But if they already have a lot of work and money into their car, IT IS WORTH making the swap. Sure.... there is a tedious amount of work involved, but it is mostly the "remove and replace" variety.
Originally posted by Damian21214L: Hi, Yeah, I've got a whole bunch of shots of my Volvo doing its thing. You know, from all those car meets and off-road parties I threw.
That thing is so cool! I saw it in the background, but didn't know that was a Volvo. I assumed it was some kind of UniMog or something. That thing is very cool, and in such good shape. It's like a full-on military vehicle that actually fits in a tall garage! What kind of engine does it have?
I didn't even know that Volvo made industrial vehicles other than full-on cargo trucks, etc.. I assume this was from their truck line, and not the car manufacturer (are they still the same company)?
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: That thing is so cool! I saw it in the background, but didn't know that was a Volvo. I assumed it was some kind of UniMog or something. That thing is very cool, and in such good shape. It's like a full-on military vehicle that actually fits in a tall garage! What kind of engine does it have?
I didn't even know that Volvo made industrial vehicles other than full-on cargo trucks, etc.. I assume this was from their truck line, and not the car manufacturer (are they still the same company)?
Thee engine is Volvo B30A, a 3-liter, inline-six engine, dual-carbureted. It is a military variant of the engine. And, yes it is a military truck, with 24V electrical installation. The TGB11 features a permanent four-wheel drive system, a transfer case, a locking center differential, and locking front and rear differentials. It's equipped with portal axles with final drives. The ground clearance, measured to the differential center, is approximately 50 cm on standard tires.
Hi, Can someone confirm that the following shifter and pedal assembly will fit a 5speed Getrag '88 transmission? I'm pretty sure about it, but I'd rather double-check. Supposedly, the parts are from an '85 GT. Damian
Hi, Can someone confirm that the following shifter and pedal assembly will fit a 5speed Getrag '88 transmission? I'm pretty sure about it, but I'd rather double-check. Supposedly, the parts are from an '85 GT. Damian
Hi! I can for sure confirm that the pedal assembly is the same for ALL Fieros that have a manual transmission.
Hi! I can for sure confirm that the pedal assembly is the same for ALL Fieros that have a manual transmission.
I am NOT sure about the shifter assembly though.
The shifter assemblies are different, the 4 speed shifter (85 GT) is spring loaded in the shifter to be all the way right (defaults to between 3 and 4) and has a lockout for the far left position, and has the reverse switch mounted to it, the 5 speed (4 cyl) and the 5 speed (v6) I think are different, but do the same thing, no spring loaded centering (transmission itself has the centering springs) and no lockout (transmission has that) and no reverse switch (transmission has that). A 4 speed shifter can be modified to work, by removing the lockout and centering spring, I don't know the details on it though
