Making 2 Fieros work from 3 different non-working cars
I am looking at 3 different Fieros to purchase and make into 2 running vehicles.
1. 86 SE V6 4spd(M17) with a known bad fuel pump, not much else is known – ok body
panels
2. 88 Formula, Tech IV, 5 speed(MT2), runs multi colored panels but they are in good
shape, like new racing seats, bad ball joints.
3. 86 GT, Automatic(TH125), blown V6 engine but nice body and interior
All have original wheels and good tires, however, all three will have to be towed to my
location. Basically I have the raw materials that should easily make a working (A)4cyl, 5 spd
& (B)V6, 4 spd. I am a little unsure of how to go about making a (C)V6, 5 Speed as
intriguing as that sounds OR (D)V6 Automatic. The last time I pulled an engine was in the
70’; A Lotus Europa and a MGB.
While A & B are “easy”, How difficult would it be to match up the Automatic trans(#3) with
the V6(#1) for someone with limited knowledge? OR the 5 speed(#2) with the V6(#1)?
Would it mount directly or would a mounting ‘plate’ be required? OR….is it even possible for
a reasonable amount of money. These will be daily drivers, nothing fancy.
So here are my possibilities from the drive trains of the 3 Fiero’s above.
(A)4cyl, 5 spd - easy
(B)V6, 4 spd - easy
(C)V6, 5 Speed – then I would be left with the choice of 4CYL 4 spd or 4 cyl Auto
(D)V6, Automatic – then I would be left with the choice of 4CYL, 4 spd or 4 cyl 5 spd
(E)4cyl, 4 spd Speed – then I would be left with the choice of V6, Auto or V6, 5 SPD
(F)4cyl, Automatic – then I would be left with the choice of V6, 4 SPD or V6, 5 SPD
Ok, so cars 1 and 2 should bolt up nicely for drivetrain since they are both v6 engines. The auto trans will bolt up to the v6 no problem but you would need the computer from car 3 to operate the trans... I would recommend planning on swapping just the engine from car 1 into car 3 if you want to go v6 auto route. Going v6 5 speed is not a good plan though as that trans is not very strong and I don't believe would bolt up since the v6 and tech IV have a different bolt pattern on the block for the trans. Personally, I don't like the auto the fiero had so I would go with options A and B, but going A and D would not be especially difficult.
Thanks for the info. Sometimes the KISS Philosophy is the best(doing options A & B). I just needed the reassurance that I was not missing the obvious or a better solution.
Several of my local Fiero friends have done trany swaps with no mismatch issues. I think all of your options are do-able. I should point out that the 88 Formula never came with a 4cyl. If it is truly a Formula, it has already had an engine change. Good luck and have fun.
Right, forgot that the 88 only come in v6... looks like it's had a drivetrain swap then since the MT2 is the Isuzu 5 speed that was only mated to the 4 speed. To be honest, I might avoid using that trans... they aren't the most durable. If you need parts for it, let me know. I pulled mine out of my 87 to put in the 84 4 speed a few months ago and its just been sitting around... just hope it's not a 3rd gear synchro since i'm pretty sure that's what's shot in mine. The M17 is a very good trans for durability so I would definitely leave that paired to the v6 unless you want to look at doing a v8 swap or something down the road. It's arguably the most durable of the fiero transmissions. For now though, stick to the base engines as those will be the easiest to work with. One other thing to note... doing an auto tech IV will probably be your most difficult since you don't have an auto tech IV computer... the current tech IV comp won't be programmed to run the transmission and the comp from the auto won't be set up to run the tech IV, so you would need to find a tech IV auto computer if you want to keep things simple.
Thanks for the reply guys, I am not going to beat on them badly because they will be daily drivers but I work from home. However things have changed, #2 & #3 car have been sold while I was seeking some answers. So that takes those out of the question However I have a line on 2 more which I will call #4 & #5. #4 1988 Fiero Formula 2.8 Liter V6 Automatic #5 1988 Fiero Coupe 2.5 Liter I4 Automatic Both of these are from the same owner that claims they were both running when they were parked. I saw pictures and they both had the same body style. I thought the Formula had the "droopy, race car looking" front end? I also found a 5Speed Getrag for $100. BTW, do these V6's really require premium gas. That was one of the main reason I wanted to stay away from them.
I wouldn't think they should need premium. My 87 is a 4 banger so I don't have all that much experience with the v6, but as far as I know there is nothing about that engine that should require premium... maybe if it was tuned to run on premium or if some work has been done but stock I would expect it to run fine on regular. What kind of condition is that getrag in? $100 is a heck of a bargain for one of those but gotta make sure it's not too far gone first. If the syncrhos are shot that's gonna cost you a very large chunk of change... think it was in the neighborhood of $500 for a rebuild kit with synchros for my 4 speed and the synchros pushed the price up around $300-350.
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