Howdy,
On Tue, 11 May 2004, George Ryan wrote:
> The 88 engine cradle/suspension can directly bolt-in to the 84-87.
> But the strut (McPherson strut on the rear, standard shock on the
> front in a Fiero - more backwards thinking) is at a slightly different
> angle, just enough so the top of the '88 strut doesn't line up with
> the hole in the top of the early strut tower. Another hole has to be
> drilled for the top of the strut to clear.
>
> EEEEK - - that makes it illegal!! I guess a performance advantage
> ensues because of the .02oz less pot metal than the vaunted and
> feared '88 Fiero (after drilling that clearance hole). Since the car doesn't
> steer from this end (at least not after the '88 cradle swap, anyway!)
> that is about all the advantage that could possibly be gained.
>
> So, trying to be a good citizen and not break any sanctified rules. I
> ask about changing the top of the stock strut towers to prevent from
> drilling that hole? AAAWK - - might have to weld a stock part from one
> year chassis into another (an acceptable body shop practice, BTW).
> Even with this swap - whether legal or illegal - the Fiero is no threat to
> anybody that has responded to my question. Anyway, it was just a
> question, for Gawd's sake!
Just out of curiosity... Can you use the allowance for camber/caster
plates on McPherson struts to get the new location you need?
> With the 88 cradle, an early Fiero can legally run with NASA, IHRA,
> COMMA, and other sanctioning bodies in various venues (in addition to
> the international Fiero club). Please remember - there is more than one
> playground out there.
You can legally run with SCCA too, just (apparently) not in the class
you'd like to.
Mark
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