Road Atlanta

[gavino]

it was nice to talk to you guys last Saturday ,i was in the silver 87 gt. i could really use some info about getting my fiero ready to go to college. first in foremost im going down to statesboro and my ac broke two weeks ago and  i obviously need to get that fixed any tips for fixing it or any good mechanics in the area would be helpful. after i get that done im going to do something with the engine so i could use some tips on that to
thanks

[Rat Pee 86]

Hey Gavin,

Tom Ott here, I was in the gold 86 GT that exited off 85 at J. Carter Blvd in front of you.  All the guys who saw your car up close agreed that it must have been garaged it's entire life, am I right ? My a/c is out , too, as we discussed.  It MUST be something that happens to GM a/c of a certain age.  My problem is simply a new compressor.  A remanufactured unit is about $165, plus freon and other parts (needed to extend compressor warranty to 1 year) will cost me about $235 plus install labor. I use a mechanic out on Loganville. His name is Lee Arnette.  I don't have his phone # on me, but I will post as soon as I can. What are you doing to the engine? How many miles on it? A good guy to talk with is our fearless leader, Charlie Sewell. I can get you his number, also.
well, gotta run, great to see you found our website (the links here also have good info..Pennocks Fiero Forum)

Tom Ott

[Fierofool]

If I remember, you said you were in the Decatur area.  Ashby Arnette is in Snellville and his son Lee is in Loganville.  They both work on the Fieros.  Ashby is the one to do your engine swap if you want to go to a 3.4 Camaro/Firebird engine.  It's likely that Ashby will put the engine together and Lee will install it.  Ashby also has a partner who does work out in the Doluglasville area for those on the west side of Atlanta.  His name is Don Hulse

The 3.4 looks exactly like the 2.8 and all the Fiero parts transfer over.  Only difference is the bore and stroke.  If you'll come out to the meeting in August, I'll give you a ride in a 3.4 equipped Fiero.  You'd be amazed at the difference. 

You can get a Grooms remanufactured 3.4 long block with an 18 month unlimited mileage warranty for about $1700.  It's the safest way to go.  Grooms is the only one that will warranty the 3.4 in a Fiero.  I bought 2 used 3.4's with "low mileage".  1 was a total piece of junk and the other needs bearings due to low oil pressure.

As Tom said, you can get a compressor for around $165 and you must purchase a receiver/dryer for about $45 and a new orifice tube for $1.50 to get the warranty.  It should be converted to R134A at the time.  It's a simple matter of replacing some of the O-rings while the system is apart.  R12 is very expensive.  R134A is about $9 per can and you typically need about 3 cans to fill the system.

You can email Ashby at adfieros@aol.com  or Don Hulse at aerodonamic@att.net

[gavino]

thanks for the suggestions and yes it was stored almost its entire life. The car was stored in a warehouse for 13 years and before that some older lady owned it which in kinda strange.  The car has around 90,000 miles on it.  I've replaced the air intake tube, the shocks and struts.  I've also replaced the speakers and radio.  I have an adapter plate around the radio that lights up which look cool. I did something to the exhaust that i cant legally tell you about. I've replaced the tires w/ Yokohamas and the caliper w/ rebuilt ones.  The things I am thinking about doing to are a bigger throttle body, a hotter cam, computer chip and performance injectors. I am trying to decide whether to do stuff now or save up for a swap next summer.