Ken's 1988 Pontiac Fiero Formula (Laura)

[Ken]

A little info about the Fiero. Pontiac division of General Motors brought this car out from 1984 to 1988. There were two different engine options that were in this car from the factory, the "Iron Duke" 2.5L I4 and the 2.8L V6. The Fiero also had a badge of either a 2m4 or 2m6. Two seater Mid-engine I4 or V6. Transmission came in either a 3-speed automatic, 4-speed manual or two types of 5-speed manual (Isuzu or Getrag(better)).

 

In 1988 the Fiero had an updated suspension which improved the handling dramatically using a real tri-link suspension at the rear which looked similar to what Lotus was using (was about to be acquired by GM) but wasn't in any way Lotus designed for the Fiero. GM originally designed the suspension from the racing program that they studied from.

 

The Fiero (especially the 1984 version) had a bad reputation for catching fire due to two main issues. One was oil leaking out of the rocker cover gaskets and heads and dripping on the hot manifold. Pontiac recalled and added a splash shield over the manifold to stop this. Another is that the coolant pipes under the car run along the side of the car. With inexperienced mechanics attempting to lift the car, they would mount the lift pads on the pipes thinking it is safe when in fact crushing the pipes cutting the flow of coolant circulation

 

Obviously The Fiero is rivaled with the Mk1 Toyota MR2. In the USA the Fiero outsold the MR2. Pontiac also made a version of the Fiero that looked similar to the Ferrari 308 called the Mera, only 247 were made from 1987 to 88. There was going to be a second gen Fiero that a 1990 prototype was going to show. But due to the lack of sales towards the final end of the Fiero, it wasn't going to happen. The prototype design later became the Firebird.

 

The trim package that I own is the Formula (only on 1988 models). It's everything the GT trim had performance wise in 88, but implemented it into the notchback body version, plus different front and rear fascia and large rear wing.

 

Little specs about MY car:

2.8L L44 V6

140 hp (104 kW) at 5200 RPM and 170 lb·ft (230 Nm) of torque at 3600 RPM

3 speed automatic :(

Manual rack and pinion

About 2,600lbs (1180 kg) (heavy due to body safety features)

Um.. Red :lol:

Pop-up headlamps :D

 

 

 

 

 

 

I haven't yet gotten to take any clean interior and engine shots, but I can provide you with some of the repair work pictures I did take for now.

 

The old and new engine cradle:

 

 

 

You're looking through the trunk and passenger rear wheel well, the driver side was the same:

 

 

I removed enough rust off this car to make 4 good bowls of metal corn flakes. And yes, all of the holes and frame work is all repaired and coated with bedliner and rubberized undercoating. The engine was repaired too replacing gaskets, distributor, spark plug wires and plugs, thermostat and exhaust manifold bolts.

[killalldude]

Body looks super clean. I like the wheels on it too. Any plans for a manual swap? 3-speed on a highway must be frightening! Or you must have a super tall 3rd gear lol.

[Ken]

The body will need to be repainted, there are some paint chips and cracks that I retouched with touch-up paint for now. In terms of swapments, I would like to do an engine swap and manual trans conversion. Being that this is my only car as of now, it's not happenin' just yet. This car is more of a cruiser, and the 3-speed on the highway isn't bad at all. Just like you said, it is a tall 3rd. Thing is, the v6 that is in it has a nice low tone to it. I hate to change it, might just go buy another Fiero for my "fast" needs.

 

What I like about this car too is that in the car you sit pretty low and most cars around you are like monster trucks, all you see are mostly doors. Then when you get out of this car and into another car , you feel like you are sitting high ready to go off-roading. :lol:

[Ryzza5]

Car looks awesome Ken, bit of a Ferrari look from the front (great paint condition too)

Gotta admit I thought there was a typo when I read 140bhp from a V6. How does the engine sound anyway? I drove a Mk5 R32 once and the sound from the V6 was insanely good (almost makes up for it's shocking fuel consumption and weight/handling).

 

What other future plans have you got for this?

[cis4care]

GM have perfected extracting the least possible amount of power from the biggest possible engine capacities. I mean, what does the Tech IV Iron Duke output? 100 horsepower? Just...

, you know.

[Ken]

Car looks awesome Ken, bit of a Ferrari look from the front (great paint condition too)

Gotta admit I thought there was a typo when I read 140bhp from a V6. How does the engine sound anyway? I drove a Mk5 R32 once and the sound from the V6 was insanely good (almost makes up for it's shocking fuel consumption and weight/handling).

 

What other future plans have you got for this?

 

All I can say is that the sound is quite unique compared to other cars on the road. Plus you can hear the sound of the air getting sucked in through the inlet grille behind the driver door on the outside. :)

 

Other future plans I got for this is to:

- Redo the interior from a light grey to black

- New seats

- 17" ASA AR1 wheels (Black w/ machined lip) for summer setup

- LED light kit everywhere (i.e. front turns, rear tail + reverse, interior)

- Possibly lower it some more

- Side scoop panels in front of the rear tires on both sides

- New radio + subs

 

That should be it for now.

 

GM have perfected extracting the least possible amount of power from the biggest possible engine capacities. I mean, what does the Tech IV Iron Duke output? 100 horsepower? Just...

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4cfglS34W1r3zat8.jpg

, you know.

 

 

Yep, an astonishing 110hp for the Iron Duke...

 

I too get puzzled why that low of numbers for these engines, I'm guessing for fuel consumption. There is already 125k miles on the engine. Soon/eventually I'll do an engine swap to it, 3800sc most likely. I could go Northstar V8 (common head gasket issues), LS3, 350 small block. Could possibly even put a v6 Camry engine in it somehow and mind blow the hell out of the MR2 owners, but probably have the hate criticism meter shatter.

[killalldude]

I too get puzzled why that low of numbers for these engines, I'm guessing for fuel consumption.

 

I think you're right about this. FWIW, I was reading a forum post and someone was saying in the late 70's/80's (oil crisis and the rising popularity of fuel efficient imports) that domestic manufacturers simply took the engines that they had and seriously detuned them to improve economy.

 

The 3800sc is the supercharged V6 in mid-late 90's Pontiacs/Buicks right? Cost wise this is probably the best swap. But an LS3 would be epic. Camry V6 wouldn't be that bad either, super reliable and great highway MPGs. :lol:

[Ken]

I think you're right about this. FWIW, I was reading a forum post and someone was saying in the late 70's/80's (oil crisis and the rising popularity of fuel efficient imports) that domestic manufacturers simply took the engines that they had and seriously detuned them to improve economy.

 

The 3800sc is the supercharged V6 in mid-late 90's Pontiacs/Buicks right? Cost wise this is probably the best swap. But an LS3 would be epic. Camry V6 wouldn't be that bad either, super reliable and great highway MPGs. :lol:

 

Yep. The 3800sc had three series (plus a pre-series) each one improving the other. The 3800sc is among the most common swap for this car, then the Northstar V8, LS, 350, etc. The engine I really want to get is the 3800sc from the late model Pontiac Grand Prix GTP/GTX.

[Ken]

Decided to make a few videos and pictures on Christmas Day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Videos were taken by my phone. :/

 

 

[Ken]

Decided to add a little change.

 

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/westwingturbos/20140428_170159_zps1593a7ba.jpg

[SBCriss]

Looking awesome dude!

[Ken]

Thanks. :D

 

[The Compensator]

 

Get the wheels, man.

[Ken]

Oh god no. :lol:

 

I'm waiting on these: