| | | quote | Originally posted by dizzie:
tldr: original
That's a great question, Cliff. I've gone back and forth on that. At first, I imagined making cosmetic changes by swapping out the back end with a GT and maybe even swapping out the aero nose and underlying air dams with a bumper pad nose. I was given some advice on the ins and outs of trying a nose swap in a thread I started at one point last year - it's not exactly plug and play.
However, the more I've thought about it and the more I've looked at it, the stock configuration of aero front and notchback has grown on me. Plus, there's something to keeping it stock since the 87 SE was a relatively rare configuration.
And while the stroked and bored 3.4 I test drove was definitely a beast, I'm thinking that the 2.8 will be a nice compromise of power and mileage - plus, it's already in the engine bay with less than 90K miles. Plus, I'm not a great mechanic and I know from what I've read here in the forum that any engine swap is quite a job, many of which are started and never completed, sadly.
That's all a long-winded way to say that it's going to be enough for me to get it running, enjoy driving it, and do what I can to keep it well-maintained and cared for as long as I'm able. I don't see myself making it into a show car, nor building/ swapping drivetrain components. But who know what the future may hold? Maybe I can make it into a flying car like in the one Fast and Furious movie 🤣 🚀
Thanks for the well-wishes! Even with my limited plans, I'll need some luck 🤞🍀
Diz
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I fully support people doing whatever it is they want to do with their cars when they own them, EVEN if I might not like it. If everyone thought like I did... everyone in the world would be driving Fieros that looked just like mine, everyone would be a fan of Atari, and we'd have 1 political party. And while maybe in the current group some of that sounds cool... haha... diversity of thought, ideas, etc... is what made all of the things I like possible in the first place. Long winded way of saying... to each their own.
THAT SAID, I am super glad you're thinking about keeping the Fiero stock looking... I mean that. Among the lowest production models of Fieros... the 87 SE is right there in the top 3. They are rare... and were not really any cheaper than the GTs. Most people (that I've talked to) who bought them new, did so because they actually preferred the notchback style over the GT style, but wanted everything that was available in the GT... and that's what those are. You could even order the 87 SE with a 4 cyl if you wanted, which was funny... because it came with the GT exhaust system hooked up to the 4... hah...
But, totally support your decision. I agree... there's a lot to like about the other Fiero models. I like the Formula, I also like the "2m" body style... and I also like the GTs. But the 87 SE is my favorite.
Here is an older picture of my Fiero when I had an apartment and used to drive it around at the age of 19 as a young adult:
Note, I don't really know what's up with the two Mercury Cougars in the background. It was a couple who also lived in the apartment complex, and they loved those cars and used to park them out there too.
But yeah, mine is also an 87 SE, and while I started doing things to it when I was younger, I'm trying to revert it back to stock as much as possible, at least aesthetically. I am adding / changing a few things. I did add the Performance Sound Subwoofer, which was available then... but mine didn't come with it. I also added power door locks many years ago, and I also added Fiero GT wheels... which look kind of nice on the car.
It's been in storage for 14 years, but I will eventually get to it. You can catch a glimpse of it on this video:
(long story, just took a job that required me to move a lot and haven't gotten around to getting it out and fixing it)
I was in the process of converting it to a 5-Speed... which is using all parts from another 1987 Fiero SE that I bought and stripped (back in 2005, 20 years ago... they were more common and this didn't seem like a travesty)
But another thing I've also done, is I'm building out a 3.4 V6/60. The 2.8 is a lot of fun, especially if yours has a 5-Speed (though I loved it with the automatic too). But the 3.4, when built well, brings it back up into current / modern performance times (expect high 14s / quarter, and mid 6s in 0-60... which is still faster/quicker than most cars). So that's what I'm doing. My goal is ~200hp. I've already got all the parts... just need to actually do it.
But your 3.4 as a long-term goal is not a bad idea. I would start looking for a 3.4 block sooner though... the Camaro/Firebird block is
basically drop-in...
