Schwaps Collection #1: 1988 Pontiac Fiero VR6 Turbo 6 Speed Widebody

Here at Schwa MotorSports we have a car addiction, but we know it and admit it. The Schwaps Collection is going to give background and story to all of the cars we own, well we might group some of the 20 non running cars into one video.
In this episode we are talking about the first car I ever bought, a 1988 Pontiac Fiero Coupe. The Fiero has had five different engine swaps, six different paint schemes, and seven different body styles in the 14 years I've owned it. So come along for a drive in the car where I tell about this Fiero's history and show you some of the life it has had.
I hope you enjoy the video and consider coming back for more content like this.
Music Thanks to Wintergatan / wintergatan
Find us on Instagram: @schwamotorsports
And on Facebook: @schwamotorsports

[@BVM03]

Great build. I love different engine swaps in Fieros!

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thanks, coming from the K series swapper that means a lot :) I would still love some day to do a J series swap. I had one mocked up on a cradle years ago and decided against it at the time.

[@overlordisgoogle8431]

Agreed

[@newtonfirefly3584]

@@schwamotorsports7792 Chris Schwaps, This Fiero with its various swaps and this current version along with the wide body is very good, attractive, appears to be useful, reliable, enjoyable, well done. This specific blue which You chose looks very good with the Fiero too. -> admittedly am partial to and with blue too The Fiero is one of my favorite platforms which can be used for and to achieve many, various versions for various types of uses, some which can achieve multiple purposes, uses too. The mid-engine platform along with the many other designed, implemented aspects is especially useful for the many uses from enjoyable general driving, sporty-roadster-'sportster' to various performance and racing venues. Now that this vehicle has shown on my list, viewed, along with a few others seen in the garage, thus will be viewing the others You present also. -> the three seen while backing this Fiero into the garage are interesting too; VW Bus, Wagon, P 914 All The Best Sincerely

[@tekis0]

I love how there's another mid-engined car in the garage!

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Eventually will have more than the Fieros and the Elise, the Isetta is technically mid engine too :p

[@billmagorian490]

You did a great job explaining all the builds and where the car is currently. What really impressed me was the courage you had to embark on such a project with no experience and at such a young age.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you, I will totally credit the Fiero community for the ability to get to do an engine swap with no automotive background at 17, they gave all the info needed it was more of a game of researching forum threads to learn everything I could :)

[@25Soupy]

What a story! It just got better and better. I love everything about the car. As close to perfect as it can get. It's the 1st VR6 I've seen in a Fiero and I love ot.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you, its been a roller coaster in person, but I wouldn't have it any other way :) I wish I could claim the title to first vr6 Fiero but there is a 12 valve 5 speed NA build in New Jersey done years before I was able to get mine on the road, but hey 1 of 2 isn't too bad :p

[@henrytsai590]

Your Fiero with a VR6 turbo and 6 speed manual is the best combination I can think of, particularly with a '88 suspension.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you, yeah Im a sucker for the VR6, currently I have 3 cars with them but I hope to have many more, so being a long time Fiero owner/builder, it was the only logical choice :)

[@dubbin465]

Vr6 swap the world

[@ivanarrache5154]

​@@schwamotorsports7792maybe an aluminum Rover (aka Buick) V8.

[@garnerblair5179]

VR5 would be music

[@rickyh4796]

Great video. Wasn't over the top and your just a straight up guy. Gained a new subscriber.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you! Thats my goal :) I don't feel I'm over the top and honestly I feel Im a bit too technical and boring, but I know people like my builds, so I love showing them off :)

[@rickyh4796]

@schwamotorsports7792 in my opinion? Your spot on. Keep doing as you are.

[@ButchNackley]

You did a fantastic job. It looks great, sounds great and no doubt drives great.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you, it really does :)

[@JohnIn2SonAZ]

I bought a then Brand new white 1988 GT V6, Turbo Charged the V6 in 1988 and loved that car. I miss mine. I also got the First SE in 1984. Miss my 88 GT so much.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

I was born in 89 and never got to experience how awesome it would have been to see these cars new, but even now with my VR6 I go back to my videos of the 2.8 turbo v6 I had in here a few years back and just love how it sounded :)

[@spinmoto180]

Love the Widebody! That VR6 sounds epic! i would love that widebody on mine, looks factory . . .

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank, Alex put a lot of effort into the wide body, and it looks so good on there :) and yeah the VR6 is just a whole different animal for this car, I think I can make it even better, so stay tuned to see if I can make it even more exotic sounding :)

[@davewhite1652]

Always liked the fiero looks and worked at GM when it was released. Couldn't actually do an employee buy until the second year because of the demand. Was a bit of a dub head even then and that wookie sounds sweet. That and the VR5 have the same draw for the same reason. One of the best sounding engines of all time IMHO.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thats cool that you were working there at the time, and yeah its crazy that the VR motors came out only 3 years after the Fiero ended, and were in the works during production of the Fieros. I do have a vr5 on the shelf to go into a rabbit if I can ever find the time :)

[@garrisong]

This might be the coolest fiero swap I have come across!

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you, I know I’m a little bias but I do feel the VR6 is about the coolest engine out there so it would make for the coolest Fiero swap :p

[@garrisong]

@@schwamotorsports7792 thanks for the reply. This is a swap I’m interested in doing eventually so I may have to pick your brain down the road. I got to find another 88’ coupe tho

[@peteburger3970]

Totally bad ass..love it

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you, I love it too :p

[@bryansmith6000]

You have an awesome collection. It's great to see more Fiero content on KZbin!

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thanks, I can't say all of my content will be Fiero's but I will have a few more that I will be building on the channel so keep an eye out for more :)

[@bryansmith6000]

@@schwamotorsports7792 Absolutely, I'll be sure to check out all your content, you seem very talented!

[@VeiLofCognition]

Badass!!!!! Im a little scared, because i was watching another random Fiero swap video, and in my mind i THOUGHT ... "id do a VR6" ...heres the vid suggested for me. We're all doomed folks.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Hehe we are, but sometimes good ideas are worthy and somebody else already having them doesn’t make them any less good :p

[@louisbabycos106]

VR6 makes tunes easier than a traditional V6

[@LostNotForgotton]

Nice video. Love the engine swap and mods done to the car. Looking forward to seeing more Fiero content.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thanks! I’m just getting started, I’ve built 10 Fieros and most are still local, I’ll be reviewing and comparing different swaps :)

[@marzllc]

@@schwamotorsports7792 keep it up, the amount of fieros are just diminishing in numbers, i just got mine i need content out there to help me a bit

[@billybowbob2071]

Hey man! It was a fun ride along, I enjoyed it 👍 Thanks!

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thanks for joining! I’m glad you enjoyed it, keep an eye out for more ride alongs :)

[@MyCatInABox]

SO clean....good job, bro

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you, I try to build them clean, Turbo cars make it tricky to do clean with all the piping and hoses, but this one looks pretty clean from the top :p

[@AnthonyEvangelista]

That sounds awesome......love the shorts in Feb as well.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thanks, I wish I had managed to get the dune buggy done, would have loved shorts in a buggy in the snow content, we will just have to wait until next year for that :)

[@mlr06121974]

That was an awesome trip with all of you from the KC group on the ‘22 Fall Canyon Run Hopefully we can build another for me as a manual. Her bright neon orange 3.8sc auto, the transmission didn’t enjoy it but we did 🤣🤣

[@schwamotorsports7792]

We were so happy you joined us, looking forward to next year and even more Fieros on the trip :)

[@jameslewis5975]

Vr6🤘🤘🤘Wookie sounds..Vr6 still One of the best sounding vw motors miss mine..but love my Mk7 GTI..fellow dubber for 20+ years stoked I found you’re channel.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

VW does a great job of making all of their motors sound good, but they really hit it out of the park with the VR6, well all the motors with the VR style heads. Im glad you found the channel, keep an eye out, we will be VR5 swapping a Rabbit and finishing up my W8 Twin Turbo Lotus Elise :)

[@TheSchmed]

I actually liked the styling of the later 6 cyl model, my brother had one. Another friend had first year model, 4cyl in white, that I was not a fan of, but at least it was a manual trans.

[@rileyneewton3806]

shoutout wintergatan

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Oh yeah, I’m a huge fan :) and the fact that they let people use their music is awesome! :)

[@jcmusco]

Looks great, I own a 1987 gt stock and at 65 I will be enjoying it that way too. My v6 runs just fine for me.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thanks James, even stock the Fiero is timeless and enjoyable, have fun with your GT! :)

[@juelsokoo]

Best one yet n soothes the soul with that sound!!

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you, it’s crazy how similar it sounds yet how different it is, makes the extra effort worth it :)

[@juelsokoo]

Hell yea so fukin dope!! I just want that sound on my car is it possible to get that turbo sound on any car?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Yes, there really isn’t anything special about the turbo sounds on my car, with a bigger turbo with the t51r mod you can easily get the same sounds :)

[@CaptainLila]

Man this is so cool. really makes me miss my 87 GT

[@schwamotorsports7792]

There are plenty out there! Get another one and enjoy it again! :)

[@ShekelThief]

Awesome video! I love the car. I've been watching videos on the fiero because I'm interested in getting one as my first project car. I ended up finding your video because of it. I actually live in Independence right down the street from where the semi hit you. Really threw me for a loop!

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Jacob, shoot me an email [e-mail], I’m still in independence and run the local Fiero club, I’d be happy to take you for a ride in the VR6 Fiero :)

[@russellbibee4057]

very interesting watch enjoyed the entire video down to earth informative cool car thanks for sharing

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you so much! I am so worried about boring people with car talk I try and keep it as low key as possible :)

[@vinnymarchegiano]

What a back story! 👌

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you for listening to it, I like to believe some of the 32 other cars I own don't have as much of a story, but each and every one of them has something to tell :)

[@vinnymarchegiano]

@@schwamotorsports7792 all unique to their own my friend, great channel, cool vibes✌🙏

[@timtutiul1737]

Come on man I neeeeeeeeeeed to see some wicked pulls

[@schwamotorsports7792]

I know! I’m sorry, it takes me quite a while to work up the courage for some pulls, but I’ve had the car on the road long enough I’m willing to start pushing it and I just need to get it recorded :)

[@mikejohnson1184]

I really believe this sound and the sound of a 60 degree V6 really fit these cars.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Totally agree, I’m also leaning towards the older generation 60 degree motors, the Gen 4 makes awesome power, but it doesn’t quite have the tone. I’m lucky the VR6 sounds as unique as it does :)

[@trossk]

i had a 84 and loved that car so much. if i have the money now, id so spay you to make me one, with the VR6

[@schwamotorsports7792]

There needs to be more VR6 Fieros for sure :)

[@Kipitrl]

The 914 in the shop! My first car..

[@schwamotorsports7792]

I’ll get to it one of these days and I’ll have atleast a couple videos on it :)

[@dereksmith3205]

Love the whole aerodynamics of this car

[@schwamotorsports7792]

I think the coupe lines are sleek and timeless, add the fastback to it and its like bullet, thats why I built it this way it looks the part of old school aerodynamics :p

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

Bad aerodynamics IRL

[@joshevans7938]

Sweet ride , I miss mine, all three of them !

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Well as an owner of 5, I know one is plenty to enjoy, so you don't need to get back to 3 but get one and enjoy it again :)

[@boosted0079]

Beautiful build and history presentation. Colleague of mine has a 3800 fiero except it's a turbo 3800. It's on KZbin. Stock bottom end and it dynod just Uber 700hp to the wheels. Damn impressive. Kick the boost up and show us some numbers bro.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

That’s awesome, I know the vr6 can get up there power wise as well, but if I was going to push that I would want to get me some stronger axles, and drop the compression a bit. All I’m hoping for is around 400whp with 15 pounds of boost and I’ll have it on the dyno at the 40th anniversary fiero show coming up July 2023 :)

[@gerard7aa]

Wow!.. Way cool.. Kudos!//.. Keep it up..

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you, I'll do my best :)

[@bobg3034]

Very Nice!

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you!

[@domtorres6120]

Love what you did, Car looks great sounds great

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you!

[@bladenrexroth2555]

Bro! Need to see one of these Fiero's grafted onto a Audi TT Quattro chassis. An AWD Fiero would be sick AF!

[@schwamotorsports7792]

That would be cool, years ago I saw an exocar built with Evo parts and they managed to get the transfer case to point forward and had mid engine, transverse, AWD, it was super cool! I did just pick up a 72 Saab 99 and the wheelbase is within .2" of a mk2 TT, so I might be body swapping that :)

[@dylanh4657]

I love it. Been thinking of putting a VR6 into a S10 pickup, so that was cool to see.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Do it! Its been done before, but that doesn't make it not cool, nor does it make it not worth it, I think you will love it!

[@dylanh4657]

@@schwamotorsports7792 Good news!. I picked up a 88 GT shell (no trans/engine). I still have the S10 but no have changed plans. I think I will go VR6 turbo in the Fiero, and the "Ameri-Barra" Atlas4200 motor as they make a good amount of power even N/A, more than the Barra even did stock N/A. And there is starting to be off the shelf parts for these motors. Making 291HP and 277TQ. Port the heads a bit as they are quite restricted on exhaust side, and slap a turbo on with a 3 bar map sensor from a LS, and you got yourself a beast. They run the same ECU as an LS basically so HP tuners can hook to itm

[@scottflesia363]

Nice. Miss my 87.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

There are still quite a few out there, get yourself another one and swap a motor in it :)

[@PhoenixRising251]

Great build and persistence my friend. I said for years that the Fiero was an almost perfected platform when Pontiac scrapped the going forward with any future models that I myself was looking forward to. I've always wanted one of these with V8 swap and a manual transmission but... It would have to have A/C! It's just too freaking hot and humid in the southeast during the summer! I have a saying of my own that if it's not a trailer-to-track-n-back machine, it's gonna have A/C. Call me soiled but it is what it is.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you! and on the AC I totally get it! This year was the first year for this car having AC and while it isn't quite as nice as the customer Fiero I just finished(that one freezes you out!) it was a huge improvement over the years prior :p

[@PhoenixRising251]

@@schwamotorsports7792 I honestly think the A/C works better in mid engine cars because most of the heat is behind you. I'll edit what I said. Mainly because the A/C in a mid engine car isn't having to compete with the engine heat that soaks through the firewall in a front engine car.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Totally agree! also most mid engine cars have small cabins and don't work nearly as hard to cool!

[@norm379]

They had pretty motor fires 🔥

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Are you talking about the few 84s that actually caught fire? This is an 88, from my understanding there are very few 88 Fieros that caught fire. But you have a point, if you love fire, a car in flames would be pretty :)

[@donttestme9546]

Oh man, I gotta finish my fiero now :)

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Do it!

[@googleaccount1132]

Rode in a 88 fiero GT that had a 09 Hyundai 3.3 v6 in it from a 09 Sonata 249 HP was factory rating in those and the automatic trans was also from that same Hyundai. That Sonata swapped fiero could rip off 4.5 second 0 to 60 times an a 13.3 quarter mile at 102. It was at Empire drag track in NY. That little Hyundai 3.3 sounds EXACTLY like a Golf R32

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thats so cool! I knew about the Toyota 3.5l V6 swapped Fiero but I didn't know about a Hyundai swapped one, I need more info! :) are there any videos of the car?

[@jamesbmwgarage]

It sounds awesome!

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you :)

[@erocker78]

Those VR6's always sounded really good under hard acceleration.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Yeah, I fear I am too much of a grandma driver I don’t get to hear it at full song too often, plus it’s fast enough at mid throttle and low boost :p

[@groovealate74]

I LOVE IT!! FUUHHCK YEAH👍🏻😀🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you :)

[@captnjaygreybeard6394]

Nice work

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you :)

[@draggonhedd]

Awesome swap! Always wanted to do this one. Also love the fox wagon

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thanks! Actually from what I know this fox wagon has always been stock ride height, it was a car local to Kansas City that the owner let go of and became a shelter for feeding cats at a local shop for years before making its way to my house for some repairs.

[@hondaman6918]

Beautiful car, dude! You did this one right!

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you, Im very happy with the end result :)

[@Thatoneshopllc]

Need more videos of this car!!!

[@schwamotorsports7792]

I really need to get more of it, its been lowered since then and is handling great and just all in all looking even better :)

[@Thatoneshopllc]

@@schwamotorsports7792 that's great. I'd totally sub if you upload more videos of it.lol. and I don't subscribe to ANYTHING.

[@peteburger3970]

Love this car❤

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you :)

[@TSnowy23]

What would you estimate it's 0-60mph after your mods? 7sec? And what mpg are you getting? I 1st learned to drive on Manuals; they're much better than automatics, better mpg, higher top speed, more control, cheaper etc

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Haven't actually tested anything on speeds or track times but the math suggests it should crack into the 10s in the 1/4 mile and pull off 0-60 in 3.5 seconds or less :p As for MPG, on our last big club cruise the portion where it was all highway speeds, but averaging 75-80mph, a 3800sc 4 speed, 3500 5 speed turbo, a 3800sc 5 speed, and my vr6 6 speed all got around 26-28mpg. On a previous cruise at closer to 65mph average the same cars got over 30mpg, so I would assume mine would do the same :) But with aggressive city driving and highway mix I average 18mpg :)

[@someguy8811]

Awesome swap no motor is cooler than the vr6 imo. Omg those tunes...👍

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thanks, I agree, the noises the VR motors make is the best things out there :p

[@jackhammer111]

You have a good feel for that stick shift. Smooth with good rev-matching on the upshifts. It would have been great if you would have just run it Wide Open through three gears once and get the clutch out a little quicker. Where's the boost gauge? That seems like a pretty widely spaced transmission for a 6-speed but I guess it's hard to tell unless I can see both the tack and the speedometer. Some guys that weren't raised on stick shifts never get a feel for it. With that good rev matching I'll bet one of the things that you don't wear out quick is the clutch.

[@firstnamelastname9188]

Amazing!

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you! I agree :p

[@Cronicncars]

Best thing I ever did with the fiero shifter is greased where the shifter mounts on. Way way better.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Yeah Im sure they weren't horrible off the dealer floor, by this time they are pretty bad, and even with some of the stock transmissions cars ive worked with that have had rebuilt shifters with brand new shift cables they are still less than ideal feel. Im not sure if its the transmissions being worn internally or just the design of the assembly on the transmission.

[@snizzytown5217]

I love the swap 👍

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you! I do too, I am a bit bias though :)

[@snizzytown5217]

@@schwamotorsports7792 I would love to have a Fiero one day. VR6 would be my dream motor👍

[@brandiimitchell8551]

Way nice! Great work!

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thanks! Its been a fun project :)

[@johnnyallenyork]

I would love more info ! I’m about to do a north* 4.6 but you might have just hit the pause button for me. I’d love to do the VR6 !

[@schwamotorsports7792]

If you’re up for a northstar swap a vr6 swap isn’t too crazy out of your capacity. Coming up with good working shift cables is a bit of a pain, but still very achievable and once done simplifies most of the other unique parts into being “just an engine swap” shoot me an email, [e-mail], and I would be happy to talk over any details I didn’t cover in the video :)

[@jasonmoss6891]

Nice ride great color is it 90's Electric Blue? Where can I go to find out about swapping the rear from formula to GT styling? Thanks.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

The color is actually from a Lotus Elise, its called laser Blue. As for info on swapping the rear clip shoot me an email, everything unbolts and bolts back on, but you will need the clip, the decklid, the inner sail windows, the mounting brackets for the sail windows, the tail lights, the tail light wiring harness(from the same group of years, 88 to 88, or 86-87gt to 85-87), the trunk squaring plates(often called D plates), and the trunk gasket.

[@jasonmoss6891]

@@schwamotorsports7792 Thank you, very much!

[@jerryhawk8434]

Beautiful car lv it

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you, its a pleasure to own it :)

[@dead_cyrious1876]

Any idea where I could find widened front fenders and a rear bumper like that? Is that an se bumper with gt tail lights? Didn't realize you could do that

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Sadly I don’t know if anybody makes wider front fenders currently, and the rear bumper is actually a factory 88 fiero Coupe or Formula bumper :)

[@nathanking8396]

Nice looking car. I like the color. How much horsepower you putting down now with the vw in the trunk?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thanks! The color is Lotus Elise Blue, and the math says we are right at 300whp with only 7psi :)

[@RearEngineShop]

Nice car! 👍

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thanks! Ive followed your Fieros for years on Pennocks, love your red one!

[@ghost187x]

I bought 305s for my Fiero. I definitely need to flare my rear fenders.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Yeah, that’s a tough fit on a stock body, Pontiac did it back in the day, with the yellow and black lightning bolt notchback, I’m pretty sure it was 305s tucked into the body. From what I understand they used strut spacers and potentially notched and boxed the frame rails so the struts could push as far in as possible!

[@dubbin465]

Its a vr6!! Sent wot!! It loves it

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thanks, I have to say I do too :)

[@bunk-bn9eo]

I have to say I'm thoroughly impressed with your fab work on your intake. It all starts with the intake, lol! She sounds great. How much power is it putting down?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thanks! Arguable the car should make over 400whp with the 15psi I’m running, I’m going to need to do some datalog dyno pulls then eventually take the car to the dyno :)

[@Jstandshere]

How much trouble was it to get the ecu to work with the Fiero dash cluster?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Not too bad actually, Microsquirt outputs a standard tach signal and I’m using a v6 motor and a v6 tach, then I add gm sensors, so it’s a gm coolant temp sensor and if you wanted oil pressure you would use one of those too. As for speedo I am using a full GPS speedometer from Speedhut.

[@bradleyborrowman2115]

I love this car

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thanks! I do too :)

[@radrcer]

When you weight it also weigh only front then only rear to see weight distribution

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Will do! I have corner scales, so I’ll do my best to get things flat and true and see how it compares to the different motors this car has had :p

[@davaghnpickett1148]

Do you have any spare fiero shells just the body no engine laying around ?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Sadly the only one I have has the front end cut off of it and it’s just for parts.

[@villyrivera6856]

Exhaust looks good for the design but im on the fence for the Fiero. Have you considered having the exhaust exit out of the rear bumper reflector area ?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Actually I’m on the fence too :p from the rear it looks okay, from the side it’s WAY out of place :p I’m gonna work on a diffuser to bring it together and hopefully look good. I really wanted the exhaust to come out the license plate hole, but sadly it’s really tricky on the fiero to have the exhaust get under the trunk then come back up as high as the license plate or the reflectors to exit without cutting the trunk, and with my car being ttops I need to keep as much trunk as possible to fit the tops when they are off the car :p

[@hondaman6918]

Can you tell me about your brake set up? I have an 86, 2M6 and have original brakes but upgraded brake booster and steel threaded lines. Reading a lot of the Fiero forums (lots of bad press on messing with brake upgrades), I am afraid to touch the brakes, but want to go with something better than stock and want to keep a hand brake with my manual. Any suggestions?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Since my car is an 88 I have the vented rotors from factory and was able to do brackets to adapt the calipers out for the larger 13" rotors. So the bad press usually comes from messing up the balance of the brakes on a Fiero and the The Ogre from Pennocks was always quick to tell people off on brake upgrades. If you look up Brian Sanburn, not sure the best way to find him, but he makes brake kits for Fieros and has a nice balanced offering for the 84-87. If you are handy with fabrication and can get a good deal on a set of 88 front and rear calipers you could adapt to the same rotors I have with the same calipers and end up with an awesome end result :)

[@aronbennett4760]

I've always wanted to swap a VR into my grandads ferrari kit car... I need to get on it.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

You do! The sound alone makes it worth it, honesty, get a 3.2 out of a Touareg and just enjoy it NA, should sound amazing!! The Ferrari kit might be a chassis stretch too and it would give much needed room for fitting the factory intake manifold :)

[@aronbennett4760]

@@schwamotorsports7792 Thanks for the info. If I have any problems, I know who to contact.

[@customafd248]

Hope to see more! We need more Fiero stuff! Could you elaborate more on the gti shifter? I’m doing a six speed swap with an f-40. Would like to see how you adapted another shifter in.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

If you are doing the F40 I highly recommend FieroGuru's shifter kit, I just installed it in a 3900/f40 swap car I am finishing up and it actually feels really good for being a Fiero shifter. I will try and go more in-depth on the VW Shifter body, but you will have to engineer a shifter assembly on the transmission to work with VW cables or work the VW shifter to work with GM cables, but you will still have to overcome the VW shifter goes the opposite direction one of the cables if I remember right.

[@customafd248]

@@schwamotorsports7792 I was thinking of using a shifter from a g6 or Saab 9-3. I’ve rebuilt my shifter and have a short shifter with new cables now. It actually feels good and is notchie (which I like) but if I could get something more modern and more precise would be awesome. Would the action of the shifter be in reverse due to moving the engine aft of the shifter? I need to get a shifter and just figure it out.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Actually the VW just happened to use a pull when gm used a push, when flipping the shifter around and me flipping the cables to the other side of the VW shifter all of mine lined up and works a normal pattern. You would possibly need to use a bell crank or a custom arm on the other side of the shifter to get the push/pull back to the right direction.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Also just realized, there is more info on the Shifter in my In-Depth Video of the car: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hanZoIqOi66ckMk

[@ivancastillo934]

What was that other mid engine Pontiac you talked about? Miura?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Mera, it was a 308 replica on a Fiero chassis sold through Pontiac dealerships, Ferrari went after Pontiac for them and put a stop to their production with just over 250 getting built.

[@mackelby1]

I saw that Jose Missouri plates. Me too.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Yeah, for how much of a pain Missouri can be on your daily driver licensing the year of manufacturer plates are pretty awesome :)

[@gavinheimerman6320]

I realize you aren't the one who did the custom widebody, but I was wondering if the black molding is also custom? I'd like to shape my molding to some aftermarket fender flares, but I'm not sure how difficult it'd be.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

So the molding is actually 100% stock pieces from the Fiero Store. I think technically the wheel arches are large now than they were shortening the needed length of molding.

[@gavinheimerman6320]

@@schwamotorsports7792 I see, thank you for the reply. For my purposes I'm thinking I need to bend them, but they have an aluminum insert. Soooooo, I'll figure it out somehow lol

[@schwamotorsports7792]

I don’t think the factory molding has any aluminum inserts. They should just be solid plastic and honestly quite flexible. Now the marker lights are a harder plastic and not bendable, but still plastic, so you might be able to get creative with heat.

[@gavinheimerman6320]

@@schwamotorsports7792 I removed the molding I will need to modify thinking they were just plastic. But they had aluminum plates inside of them, I have an 85 non GT. However, I doubt they changed how they made their molding. Do you know if maybe the Fiero Store's moldings are purely plastic?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Oh! You have a ribbed molding car, the smooth molding must be different. All the 84s (base and indy) and the 85s (GTs and base) and the 86 and 87 Sesames and the 86 Base cars had the ribbed molding, I bet thats where the aluminum comes into play.

[@joeKisonue]

There's a nice GT out near the edge of town in Gunnison Colorado

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Go get it and bring it back to life :)

[@joeKisonue]

@@schwamotorsports7792 already had one

[@Ayixlia]

Nice, but have you thought about updating its interior making it look more modern?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Eventually every piece of this car will be touched, haven't quite gotten to the interior yet, still have the torn carpet the car had when I bought it in 2006 :p I really want to adapt an Audi Dash, I love the set up in my TT and my S4 and would be happy with either one :p

[@louisbabycos106]

How much horsepower did your old turbo 3.4 gm pushrod V6 make ?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Sadly I never ran the virtual dyno on any of the datalogs, but the full turbo kit got moved over to a locals Formula with a hybrid 3.1l block with 3400 heads and a mild cam. He managed 270whp and 380wtrq on e85.

[@mrski4945]

Where you able to use the stock gauges, or did you go with the custom route?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

I used stock tach, fuel level, and coolant temp. The Speedo is a gps unit since I didn’t want to fight with the vw signal, then I removed the oil pressure and volt meter for a boost and wideband o2 sensor gauge

[@Magnero]

Need to hear more about that wide body. It's pretty subtle, I'd love to know how you did it. I know there aren't any of the shelf kits like that.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

I’ll try and do a short video about the widebody itself, I have lots of pictures on how Alex did everything, it was pretty simple of an idea and he did an awesome job with it :) it’s basically a second set of fenders and fastback clip cut up and glued ontop of the first set :)

[@Magnero]

@@schwamotorsports7792 I've got an 88 base model with the fastback clip swapped on too. I've spent years working on it and the only things I have left to do is paint, body, engine, transmission, and suspension haha

[@schwamotorsports7792]

It’s always good to write a list so it looks and feels small :) most of those things break down to an engine pull and body work, sounds very doable :)

[@Magnero]

@@schwamotorsports7792 I would Love to see a video on the wide body! Really, even with all that left to do I'm probably half done. Mine was in really bad shape too lol

[@alexwalker5139]

@@Magnero I built the body on the car. Chris and I have talked bit about the wide body content on the car. I’ll try to push the issue with him a bit and get something for you.

[@baronhyatt6729]

I've always been a Pontiac Fiero fan and I would like to see somebody put a new C8 Corvette drivetrain in one of these or a Porsche drivetrain

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Either would be very cool, but sadly very expensive for the power level. Since Ive done the VR6 now and have an Audi TT with the 3.2l VR6 and the DSG transmission I think a VW DSG transmission would be a nice modernized improvement to a daily driver Fiero, or even a track Fiero :p

[@matthewfredrickmfkrz1934]

You mean put a fiero on a c8 drivetrain

[@MasculineWhite]

Was that the wide body kit from v8 Archie? Or your own? Also… what wheel and tire size are you running? Great build.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

The widebody was built by our local Fiero body guy :p and I’m running 18x10.5 in the rear with 295 tires :)

[@MasculineWhite]

@@schwamotorsports7792 thanks for the reply. What about the front?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Sorry, most people just care about the rear :p it’s a 245 on a 17x8.5

[@FieroKyle]

This thing is way too cool

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Thank you!

[@glennlandry7714]

Nice car. I want one to try a LS swap.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

They are a tight fit, worth it for the power delivery, but a very tight fit, I think the v6s that are out there are better fits, and honestly quite powerful, but if you're going all out the LS is a great starting point :)

[@glennlandry7714]

@@schwamotorsports7792 thank you for the advice. I might just go with the 3800 supercharged engine. It seems like the better bet.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

The 3800sc will never sound as good, but the torque is very comparable and the complexity of the swap is WAY less and makes it worth it, plus the money you save on the swap can go into trying crazy ideas on the exhaust :)

[@glennlandry7714]

@@schwamotorsports7792 nice brother thank you for the knowledge. Now it's time to find a fiero.

[@Cronicncars]

Did they get heavier over the years. It says 2675 lbs curb weight for my 85.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Ive weighted over 50 Fieros the only Fieros I weighed that came in under 2700 pounds were either stripped cars(missing interiors or even parts of the bodies) or were base model cars that didn't have power options and started as base model coupes. A stock GT comes in around 2800lbs.

[@JmanRx81]

I'm in MO too!

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Cool! We are just outside Kansas City

[@JmanRx81]

@@schwamotorsports7792 me too!

[@justicecallander5525]

hey man how did you get your factory tac to work?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

You could say I cheated. Chassis wise the VR6 swap isn’t much different than any of the 3500/3900/3100turbo/3400turbo swaps. I’m using the same Microsquirt ECU on all of them and it outputs a tach signal that is 100% a generic signal, and that 12v signal is what the fiero tach runs off of. I used a V6 and put the output from ecu to the c500 tach wire and that was it :)

[@QMaverick1]

I'm considering what I want to do to my own Fiero. I'm considering everything from a machined, built, twin-turbo stock 2.8L V6 to a GM 3.4, to an LS4 (5.3L V8). I want to have some fun with the thing, but I also want to keep it relatively light and nimble (I'll be wanting to upgrade the suspension significantly). So, I'm curious--a lot of Fiero owners seem to say that you can't reliably turbo that OG 2.8L V6. Since you've done it, I was wondering if you agree--even if the 2.8 spent some time in a machine shop getting properly built?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

I actually turbo’d a Gen 2 motor, it was a factory aluminum head engine with a webbed block, so it was a little bit stronger than the factory Fiero 2.8. Personally I wouldn’t bother with a 2.8l, the perks of the roller cam and stronger block of the modern 3100 and 3400 are just worth the effort. Then going with the aluminum heads and better intake is worth keeping a simple match of parts, plus you said light, the aluminum head motor will shave close to the weight the turbo kit adds.

[@QMaverick1]

@@schwamotorsports7792 right now I am kinda leaning towards a NA Series III 3800. Those motors are bulletproof, and there are SO MANY out there. I figure I could probably turbo it later if I want. I am worried about the SC version putting weight higher up . . .

[@schwamotorsports7792]

From what I understand the supercharger adds about 50lbs up high, the 3800 being iron block iron head is around 50lbs heavier than the aluminum head 3100/3400 and it’s up high as well. Personally that isn’t enough weight up high in a fiero to make a negative difference over what any of the engine swaps add power wise, so I would just build it and see what you think, don’t get lost in the weeds worry too much, it will all be fun and a big change :)

[@thegastungstenarc8078]

Are we not going to talk about that Fox wagon in the garage?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Yeah that was a friends car, sadly it won’t be getting back on the road anytime soon :(

[@dustinleopard5658]

What wheels do you have

[@schwamotorsports7792]

They are F1R Brand F21 Model 17x8.5 +35 and 18x10.5 +40 with 10mm spacers in the rear. You might be able to squeeze the 8.5" wide wheels on a stock body Fiero.

[@marzllc]

is there power steering/brakes in this? also love that gnarly vr sound

[@schwamotorsports7792]

No power steering and factory power assist on the factory calipers, but upgraded rotors :) and yeah the difference in sound is wild over an American engine :p

[@peteburger3970]

Id love to see an how to on this swap

[@schwamotorsports7792]

There is a more in-depth video of the build if you have some time :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hanZoIqOi66ckMk

[@Americanman450]

I couldn't imagine having 98hp lol. Is that like a smart car ? Or a GEO ?

[@schwamotorsports7792]

It might actually have more torque than a geo or smart car, but the stock iron duke in the Fiero doesn’t have much top end :p

[@BenFilley]

id love to see a fiero with a vw w8 motor in it.

[@schwamotorsports7792]

It’s not a Fiero, but I am swapping a w8 into my 05 Lotus Elise and will hopefully have some videos of it up over the winter, so subscribe or check back in and I’ll hopefully have some progress here soon on it :)

[@jerryhawk8434]

Lv the car I have a 86 v6 4 speed

[@schwamotorsports7792]

Cool! the more on the road the better :)