Anybody know anything about Fiero front ends?

I know a Fiero is not exactly HAMB friendly, but a friend of mine just called me and ask me to post this for a friend of his. Apparently fiero front ends fit on early 50's Ford trucks real nice, and work well since his friend did it using an 87 fiero and is driving it and really likes it. The only issue is the bolt pattern, so he ask me to post and ask if anyone knows of a way to convert them from 4" to 4 1/2 or 4 3/4 hub. He doesn't want to use an adapter. I thought of trying to find a fiero forum, but figured they probably couldn't help anyway since they would have no need to change them. Anyone know of a solution?

 

Machine shop can re-drill them.

 

They go great with motorcycle back ends?

Sorry, I couldn't resist. I don't get too many opportunities to use this photo. (-:

 

Fiero?
That uses a Citation FWD mounted in the rear and a widened CHEVETTE front end doesn't it?

And your buddy's buddy used it in a front engined truck?

Just because you can stick something somewhere and it fits...isn't always a good reason to do it.
I've seen those crossmembers bend and increase Camber under a stock Chevette...and the ball joints are TINY!

 

I would have to say that it's a bad idea. They're not set up to handle the weight of a L6 or V8. Probably makes the ride kind of squishy.

 

I agree with Bill !!! NOT SAFE !!! You don't want to be cruising at 65 and hit a pot hole with a front end not meant to take the load of a V8 !!!!!!!! I was with a friend on a road trip last summer and saw a Morris minor that had flew off the highway and rolled . It had a V6 and The dude said he had used a Fiesta front end and had hit a 2 inch piece of wood and his front end broke !!! He was OK , just some bruises and cuts but the car was totaled . He said he used it cause it was free . Free is not always the right price !!!

 

Wow, some people will just stick anything under their cars and then get out and drive them with the general population.

 

There now, you went and told him the truth.

 

Fiero?

are You sure he didn't say Camaro?

( I know, I know...I'm being a smart ***. )

I wouldn't use the Fiero. it isn't suited well for the weight. They do, however, make for a kick *** Coyote X ch***is.

 

I wouldn't use the Fiero for a..........Fiero. Are there still any of those on the road anymore?

 

nope. chopped up and used for kit cars.

I actually saw one involved in an accident. The ifero clipped a curb in a rainstorm.

I thought it knocked a wheel off. I stopped to help the guy get it off the road, and was surprised to see that it had in fact ripped both floorpans open, and the entire subframe was sitting under the car at about a 45 degree angle from where it was supposed to be.

Kinda lost faith in the 'ol Fiero that day.....

 

That was hashed around in one of the rod rags years ago and they are too light weight to use under most any car or truck that one would want to hang an independent suspension under. I think if one checks they are a variation on the Corvair front end.

 

GM never got the crummy geometry on Fiero frt ends sorted out until '88 when they launched the 1988 GT's. Then they killed the platform 1/2 way thru the model year.

 

Well, I agree with you guys believe me. He's not the only one to do it either, he heard about from a friend of his who did it and said it was great, so he did it too. It's the first I'd ever heard of it being done and the first words out of my mouth were "But that's a mid engine car, that front end can't be strong enough for an old ford truck." But what's done is done, I'm just trying to help him out. He was going to use adapters, which scares me even more, but I've never examined a Fiero front end so what do I know?

 

yea!there is two *****s,one in rancho cuca****a,and one in chino hills that uses them for those fake lambo kit cars that are junk! they are dangerous,stay away from them.filthy frank.

 

Had two in the 80's....a red '84 and a black '86GT. Lots of fun to drive for what they were.

 

Not only is it not suited for a front engine vehicle but it was never available with power steering....I would have to go thru the work of re snouting and still have manual steering....

 

It was a cool idea, but a poor design. There are some die-hard Fiero fans, though and quite a few parts available,still or remade. I'm running the best parts of the Fiero in my Model A-comfortable seats with speakers in the headrests.

 

How about the steering itself.. is it a rack and pinion? Is it heavy enough to use elsewhere? I've never really looked one over up close. I just remember that mechanically they tried to source the whole thing from existing product lines to cut the costs down.

Seems to me they used that platform with some re-engineering as the Buick Reatta, and those had a conventional front engine drive layout that might be more suitable for a rod. Or were those FWD? I don't remember.... like the Fiero, I've never really given a **** about them.

 

Denise
Your so rad

 

Denise, that looks like one hell of a sunburn on those legs girl!

 

Not to aid and abet a criminal, but the rear hubs from a midzised FWD like a Corsica may fit, and the 5 bolt ones (i.e. GTZ, etc, which also have big brakes) should be the same bolt pattern as a Camaro, Malibu, etc. You may be able to swap the hubs and rotors. Doesn't fix the safety issue with the strength, but may solve the bolt pattern issue.

 

I'm running rack and pinion in my 57 Buick with no power and it is fine. No need for power. Hell I didn't do power brakes either... I think they both have better feel than the power versions...

Sorry but those seats are ugly, ugly, ugly... And I can't see them ever looking right in a model A

 

Knowing that this is a traditional rod site, I would like to add that the Fiero is not a bad car. In fact, some of todays young gearheads get their start with a Fiero.

Plenty of aftermarket support, well do***ented troubleshooting how-to's, and good do-it-yourself potential rates the Fiero as a must have for any young gearhead. Five star crash rating (the best at the time) and good fuel mileage are icing on the cake.

How do I know? Bought one last fall, put it on the road this spring. Since my project car is a long way from being finished, the Fiero is my summer car to take to the drag strip and car shows. It gets me "out there" with the rest of you guys and gals.

Owning this thing reminds me of my Triumph TR-6 from twenty five years ago.

JB 472

 

they are completly ugly and never look right in a model a , my buddy bought a half streetrod '29 a while back and those were the first things on the pile...the burn pile that is

 

i've got a sweet fiero windbreaker that i got in 84 as part of some promotion, i think i was working at autoworks at the time.

i guess hrlc is gonna get a surprise gift sometime this summer...

 

Is that like the vette guy jacket??

 

I'd wear it at the HAMB Drags too, just to see folks reaction

 

you're gonna break the wind in style....

 

Well, I like them-and I've received many compliments on them and they fit great and I recovered them myself. I'm building my car,my way. So:

1. You and Crock-a 138 don't get to ride.
2. I don't care.
3. Anyone with a '57 Buick has no room to talk about other people's ugly.