Colinb17's Little Red Rocket Build: 1988 Fiero

So sorry for your loss man! I've lost a couple real close friends, it sucks! Godspeed Jeff!

 

as I mentioned, I did get the car mechanically completed last weekend, to the point that I enjoyed driving it to work all week long last week.

I must say, while I expected it to be a fun little car, I had no idea truly how enjoyable it would be. every time I start it up, I can't help but smile. the handling is incredible, and it is an indescribable feeling of satisfaction to finally drive and enjoy something that has been in pieces for over a year.

while it is now mechanically sound, that doesn't mean that the build is anywhere close to being done. there are still plenty of functional improvements to be made, as well as some interior and aesthetic modifications. this weekend the interior got some much needed TLC and was brought into the 21st century.

The fiero was offered with power windows, but is was not a common option to have, so with my manual windows, I have a blank space in the center console begging for some electronics. I tossed in a bolt meter, 12v socket, and low voltage usb plug. I wired it up from the factory 12v socket that was getting covered up. the factory 12v was a constant on, so to keep from draining the battery, I added an inline switch.





being an 80s car, there was also a severe lack of cupholders. going from 15 in the Tacoma to zero in the Fiero has been a tough #firstworldproblem to deal with. I really liked the shifter boot that Blacktop Racing made for me, so I went back to them for a center console upgrade. they made me a matching armrest/cupholder that bolts down to the center console. not only does it solve the cupholder issue, but it puts your arm in a much better position for shifting. the fit and finish is also beautifully done.

plain center console with the new 12v slices.





new armrest/cupholder installed.



shift boot and armrest together. the interior is really coming together.



new mount for a truly hands free experience



and a motor shot. slowly cleaning up the chaos that Pontiac put in the engine bay. though it is a very functional design, it is far from pretty. so a little dress up and wire/hose rerouting here and there should have it looking better and better as I get the time.

 

I have to read this later..my cousin had one of the first ones.

 

Race stance.

Your interior looks really sharp. Well done.

Interesting councidence. I have been seaching hopelessly online for an adjustable set of sway bar end-links. Since I am converting to XR sways. Your idea, might just do the trick.

 

Thanks mark. I have a couple of more things that need to be done inside the cab, but it's almost there.

For the swawbar, message me when you get close to Doug the work. There is some extra work needed to convert a Tacoma to use this type of end-link.

 

Ooh, I completely forgot the whole car photo from last Sunday. For the maiden voyage, I tossed the wife and dogs in the passenger seat and we rolled down to the beach.

 

Will do. Here's the catch. One end needs to be a joint, while the other is straight.

What we're her thoughts on its new ride quality?

 

The jointed end isn't a problem. A rod end with a taper bolt (if needed) makes for an easily adjustable end with the bushings on the other end. If the rod end has male threading as pictured, I can make you the tube adapter that it will thread into

 

And Alexis really had nothing to compare the ride to, but it's smoother than her Honda Fit, while also handling far better. Best of both worlds.

 

the fun of an old car. most of the interior dash and center console is made of a very dense foam-backed rubber. its a great material that doesn't scratch like the hard ABS plastic on modern dashes, is easy to clean, and in general, just holds up well. however, in high traffic areas, like where your leg constantly rubs against it, it can wear down, and pull away from it's mating surface.

luckily there is a solution. for the center console, there's a specialty hard plastic cover that essentially glues over the old misshapen piece.
first two pictures are of the worn out piece. second two pictures are of the cover glued on.





no more gap or unsightly foam sticking out. all shiny and clean.
all that's left now is the ash trays and doors need a little revamp, and the interior will be good as new. thinking about turning the drivers side ash tray into a hidden switch panel, and just reworking the passenger one into a little storage compartment.

 

I like it. It blends in just like OEM.

 

Fiero made the 90 mile drive to my folks place for the holidays like it was a brand new car. This was the first longer drive I've done with it, as well as the first time it's been on a road with a speed limit over 55.

All of the temps/pressures remained in check the entire drive.

The car rides like a dream. Research on the suspension paid off. It doesn't bounce around like a lowered civic. It floats over bumps very smoothly, and tracks straight as an arrow with no steering wheel vibrations at any of the higher speeds.

My uncle should be arriving tomorrow with his blue fiero. Excited to see them side by side

 

1st time "Go."

 

My uncle, who's given me so much help over the phone throughout this whole build, drove his fiero up for the holiday. It's a very surreal experience finally getting to cruise around town with him. Love them or hate them, it's certainly a head turner when two drive by.

Happy thanksgiving everyone!

 

Also, although im sure youve been told this already. if the forecast calls for temps low enough for water to freeze, you want to leave those headlights in the up position so they dont get stuck closed. just something to be aware of since its getting stupid cold here now.

 

Hmm, I'll have to see how they do. They're wired to a single switch the flips them up and turns them on, so if it becomes an issue, I'll have to wire in a new switch to separate the two functions. Thanks for the heads up

 

The 1988 and 2014 versions of the "poor mans Ferrari"