Anybody out there with experience autocrossing a fiero? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #16 12-03-2007, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

How did the VW sand rail make the cut?

Seems like a peculiar choice for anything but as a sand dune play toy.

The VW air-cooled motor in stock form doesn't produce much in the form of horsepower either...

A friend has it and it has a 2 liter transporter/ porsche 914 motor. With over 100 hp and under 1000# of weight it might make an interesting choice, but I think it will take too much sorting to be reliable and stable handling.

Tom W

t walgamuth · #17 12-03-2007, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

A very heavy mega roll cage. Those cars aren't light.

It is about 2650 and has 140 hp. With 15" wheels it seems to have some promise. In looking at last summer's xcross results, whenever I ran against the fieros they beat me by about 2 seconds, which means that they are also about that much quicker than a 1970 porsche 911t as well which I ran with in .1 sec up in crown point.

The fiero has a less favorable power to weight ratio than my 280e but much better weight distribution and a good selection of speed and handling stuff is available.

And a LS1 will bolt right up to the Getrag.

Oh, and I can get a brand new LSD for it for about 300.

Tom W

LUVMBDiesels · #18 12-03-2007, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwthomas1

I think there is someone making a kit to install a complete Cadillac Northstar engine and transaxle package into a Fiero. It'll run 12's bone stock and service is simple, plug into any GM dealer Tech II

RT

Check out this link to a Northstar Fiero
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/758704

and another... Looks like this is a great way to go.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2835983040059292406xTiBXl

t walgamuth · #19 12-03-2007, 08:32 AM

That sure is a wild setup! Of course I am not going to spend that kindof money for a dedicated autocrosser.....even if I had it to spend. I can only justify keeping it strictly low budget. That means the Fiero, if I decide to go that way, will remain close to stock at least the first year.

I am still looking at figuring out how to adapt a lsd into my mighty benz. I am considering bmw and perhaps even a corvette center section if we can figure out how to fasten them into the unibody.

Tom W

KarTek · #20 12-03-2007, 08:48 AM

I've ALWAYS wanted a Fiero! I've always thought they were ahead of their time. The V6 really purrs and it's made a V6 should be - 60deg. I remember some articles from the '80's saying the 2.5l was the one to use for competition. IIRC, they built it up over 225 HP with intake, exhaust and cam changes...

75Sv1 · #21 12-03-2007, 12:41 PM

Not an expert on Fieros, but I did look into buying one. I think the last year they changed the suspension to struts all around. Its suppose to corner better. Only negative might be changing to a wider wheel or tire isn't as easy with struts.
Tom

t walgamuth · #22 12-03-2007, 01:18 PM

The last year '88 did represent a major change which improved handling.

Tom W

iwrock · #23 12-03-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

That sure is a wild setup! Of course I am not going to spend that kindof money for a dedicated autocrosser.....even if I had it to spend. I can only justify keeping it strictly low budget. That means the Fiero, if I decide to go that way, will remain close to stock at least the first year.

I am still looking at figuring out how to adapt a lsd into my mighty benz. I am considering bmw and perhaps even a corvette center section if we can figure out how to fasten them into the unibody.

Tom W

I know that a few W123s have LSDs.... I have seen them leave dual black marks...

PaulC · #24 12-03-2007, 04:09 PM

I would consider comparing a decent Porsche 914 2.0 against the V6 Fiero. I assume that the Fiero would have more torque, but that should be offset by the 914's lighter weight. I assume that the Fiero would be cheaper, but the 914 suspension should be more tunable. Didn't GM raid the corporate X-body bin (Chevy Citation, et. al) for the pre-88 Fiero suspension?

t walgamuth · #25 12-03-2007, 05:45 PM

The 914 weighs 2200 something and has from just under 100 hp to just over it. The fiero weighs about 2650 and has 140 hp.

The 914 is at present becoming more valuable. I think I can field a fiero for a lot less money than a 914. The 914 is a very nice little car though, and I do admire them. I ran faster than them this year in my more powerful 280e whenever I encountered them, IIRC.

Tom W

PaulC · #26 12-03-2007, 06:59 PM

If you can find one that hasn't fully reverted to iron oxide, the Fiat/Bertone X1/9...

Medmech · #27 12-03-2007, 07:05 PM

What about a Maserati Biturbo?

"The Biturbo zips to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds and reaches 100 mph in only 21.4 seconds, covering the quarter mile in 15.3 seconds at 91 mph in the process. ... [It] will actually run with a Ferrari 308 Quattrovalvole up to about 90 mph. Above 100, the Maserati's bluff shape attenuates its acceleration considerably, finally arresting it at 125 mph." -- Car and Driver, April 1984