Fiero

The Pontiac Fiero was a mid-engine sports car produced by General Motors from 1984-1988.

Pontiac Fiero
Manufacturer:	General Motors
Production:	1984 – 1988
Class:	Sports car
Body Styles:	2-door coupe
Engines:	GM 2.8 L V6 GM 2.5 L straight-4
Length:	4072 mm (160.3 in)
Width:	1750 mm (68.9 in)
Height:	1191 mm (46.9 in)
Curb weight:	1176 kg (2590 lb)
Successor:	none
Shares components with:	Chevrolet Chevette
Similar models:	Fiat X1/9 Mazda Miata Toyota MR2
This article is part of the automobile series.

A Brief History

Initially the Fiero was supposed to be a zippy, first of its kind, American made, mid-engine, two-seat sports car. The sports car potential of this car was greatly reduced due to cost-cutting, however, and came under fire from critics—its publicity did not match its initial performance. By the end of production, the Fiero had received updated suspension and body styling, but kept a limited offering of engines—the use of turbochargers or the newer DOHC straight-4 engines never made it to production. Officially, production ended due to insufficient profits.

The budget constraint on Pontiac forced them to borrow parts from other product lines. The suspension was taken from the Chevrolet Chevette, for instance. GM technicians blame these borrowed parts on the engine fires that resulted from a number of mechanical design flaws. Rapid market saturation combined with a commuter car unequipped with electronic steering as well as the sudden onslaught of foreign competitors like Toyota's MR2 and Mazda's Miata quickly doomed the Fiero.

The Fiero has a strong following of owners and customizers today. Due to an abundance of replacement parts available from other General Motors vehicles, there are many upgrades that can be done to improve performance and reliability of the cars. Additionally, a multitude of different General Motors engines have been installed by enthusiasts, from the Quad-4 engine to the Chevrolet small-block V8.

Transmissions

Automatics

All automatic-equipped Fieros were equipped with the TH125 three-speed with torque converter lockup.

Automatic Transmission Final Drive Ratios:

• L4
  • 1984-1986: 3.18
  • 1987-1988: 2.84
• V6
  • 1984-1986: 3.06
  • 1987-1988: 3.33

4 Speeds

All 4 speed transmission were built at the Muncie, Indiana Allison plant. The 1984 production line saw two transmissions, a performance 4 speed with a final drive ratio of 4.10 and an economy 4 speed with a final drive ratio of 3.32. The V6 on the 1985 and part of the 1986 production year came with a 4 speed with a final drive ratio of 3.65.

5 Speeds

Both the Isuzu and the Getrag 5 speed transmissions were available, depending on model and equipment. The Getrag is generally accepted to be the stronger one, but both are used without fail on high torque V8 engine swaps.

Manual Transmission Gear Ratios

Year	Style	Code	Axle	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	rev.
1984	econo 4 speed	MY8	3.32	3.53	1.95	1.24	0.73	--	3.42
1984	perf 4 speed	M19	4.10	3.53	1.95	1.24	0.81	--	3.42
1985	V6 4 speed	M17	3.65	3.31	1.95	1.24	0.81	--	3.42
1985	4cyl 5 speed	MT2	3.35	3.73	2.04	1.45	1.03	0.74	3.50
1986	V6 4 speed	M17	3.65	3.31	1.95	1.24	0.81	--	3.42
1986	V6 5 speed	MG2	3.61	3.50	2.05	1.38	0.94	0.72	3.41
1988	4cyl 5 speed	MT2	3.35	3.73	2.04	1.45	1.03	0.74	3.50
1988	V6 5 speed	MG2	3.61	3.50	2.05	1.38	0.94	0.72	3.41

Production Years

1984

1984 was the first production year for the Pontiac Fiero. The year was also critically condemned for producing underpowered commuter cars. In an effort to sell the car as being economically sensible, GM equipped and sold the Fiero as a commuter car but the marketing build up leading to initial release indicated anything but a regular commuter car. The car also proved uncomfortable for some lady drivers due to the lack of power steering, a fact Toyota picked up on and quickly retrofitted its MR2 line to have.

The 1984 was the only year in which the Limited "Indy 500" edition was released. Approximately 2000 models were produced and sold. (Pictured in table above). The coupe, Sports coupe and Special Edition (the Indy edition was an even more special edition Special Edition.)

1984 Vehicle Production

VIN	Style	Cars Produced
1G2AE37RxEPxxxxxx	Fiero	7,099
1G2AM37RXEPxxxxxx	Fiero Sport	62,070
1G2AF37RxEPxxxxxx	Fiero SE or Indy	65,671
Total Car Production		136,840

1985

In 1985 the problem with insufficient power was first addressed, much to the satisfaction of the general public. A Chevy V6 2.8 L 140 hp (104 kW) engine was put into the car, satisfying most critics of the base power plant. Initially it was paired with a modified Muncie 4 speed transmission. The 4-cylinder engine was still paired with the 4 speed Muncie that came stock with the 84 but that transmission would be swapped with an Isuzu 5 speed (also produced at the Muncie, Indiana plant).

Further, the exterior design of the Indy Fiero would be incorporated into the production line as the new GT.

1985 Vehicle Production

VIN	Style	Cars Produced
1G2PE37R#FP2#####	Fiero	5,280
1G2PM37R#FP2#####	Fiero Sport	23,823
1G2PF37R#FP2#####	Fiero SE (I4)	24,724
1G2PF379#FP2#####	Fiero SE (V6)
1G2PG379#FP2#####	Fiero GT	22,534
Total Car Production		76,371

1986

1986 was the first year the fastback was offered. Also offered, late in the production year, was the 5-speed Getrag transmission.

1986 Vehicle Production

VIN	Style	Cars Produced
1G2PE37R#GP2#####	Fiero	9,143
1G2PM37R#GP2#####	Fiero Sport	24,866
1G2PF37R#GP2#####	Fiero SE (I4)	32,305
1G2PF379#GP2#####	Fiero SE (V6)
1G2PG379#GP2#####	Fiero GT	17,660
Total Car Production		83,974

1987

1987 had minor modifications to the front fascia. The 4-cylinder increased to 98 hp (73 kW) with some major modifications. The car was offered in Blue but was otherwise unchanged from the preceding three models.

1987 Vehicle Production

VIN	Style	Cars Produced
1G2PE11R#HP2#####	Fiero	23,603
1G2PM11R#HP2#####	Fiero Sport	3,135
1G2PF11R#HP2#####	Fiero SE (I4)	3,875
1G2PF119#HP2#####	Fiero SE (V6)
1G2PG119#HP2#####	Fiero GT	15,968
Total Car Production		46,581

1988

The 1988 Fiero brought a new suspension design, thought by many to strikingly resemble the soon to be acquired Lotus Corp's. The 4-cylinder and slightly more economical 6cyl were standard fare and the car largely escaped recall issues. 1988 was the final model year for the Fiero.

1988 Vehicle Production

VIN	Style	Cars Produced
1G2PE11R#JP2#####	Fiero	23,603
1G2PE119#JP2#####	Fiero Formula	15,968
1G2PG119#JP2#####	Fiero GT
Total Car Production		26,401