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Wstefan20's First Fiero Build and Help Thread

wstefan20

wstefan20

New member
Well, my dreams finally came true! I found a 1984 Pontiac Fiero SE! For those of you who don't know, the 84 SEs came usually as automatic L4 Iron dukes. Meh.


My dream is to swap for something more substantial down the road, but this is what I'm working with right now.


History:


The car has last been driven way back in 05, and never attempted to repair or drive since. I have no idea why since the owner passed away and it just sat in a field.
Its had a four or so owners, so it's been around, but surprisingly, for the most part, the body is in-tact and not much is missing.


The electronics are going to be well... fun (see below)


I was too embarrased to post a picture of what it looked like before anything since it was duller than a crayon, but here it is after a bit of shining:


20180314_161101.jpg



Now here is where I need some help. I noticed some janky wiring and missing stuff, and was hoping someone could help identify the wiring. I'm pretty good with wiring diagrams, but I'm new to the platform, so any help is greatly appreciated.


What are these hoses? I'm guessing maybe power steering fluid and something else like that?


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This looks like a grounding wire? It's going to the decklid


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This is on the passenger side firewall. Green wire is detached and not sure about the red one either....


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Pretty sure this goes to the trunk release (which is missing along with the lock)


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Not sure about this. This is the driver's side by the taillight. Green wire is cut.


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Anyone know where to get replacement evap lines (I'm assuming that this is the evap canister)? or do you just use rubber generic replacements?


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This was the best of all... it speaks for itself...


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Looks like someone tried to hotwire the starter to me.... anyone know what these are?


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And I saved the best for last.... I'm missing a few fuses.... this is going to be fun....


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it really looks like you need a new wiring harness, its been hacked to hell and back.

hows inside? it clean up as well as the paint?
 
Scottydoggs said:
it really looks like you need a new wiring harness, its been hacked to hell and back.

hows inside? it clean up as well as the paint?
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Lol you're probably right... but I'm cheap, so I'll make do! ;)

And haven't done much... it looks good, though I saw two mice run when we went to tow it.... hopefully they were just under it... haha
 
ItHurtz said:
being cheap with wiring never ends up being cheap or worth it in the end.
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Since I'm studying to be an electrical engineer, I really hope that's not true! And all the custom wiring and harnesses from scratch! :th_laugh-lol3:

Agreed though, if you don't know what you're doing and just crimp connect everything, it won't last. Luckily I at least pretend to know what I'm doing! Haha
 
I won't be any help on your wiring woes at all, but I think it is WAY cool that you picked up this project. I love the idea of L67-powered Fieros. Apparently, it's a fairly easy swap as far as swaps go. A mid-engine, 240 horsepower, 2600-pound Pontiac sounds amazeballs.
 


Well, it might not be "as bad" as I thought at first. Those "tubes" coming up that are taped off are to the a/c system.

The good news with that is that it explains a few of the missing fuses and the wiring hackjob since they had to bypass the a/c system, and the a/c system is not my priority right now anyhow.

The bad news is that if I ever want the a/c system to work again, I'll need to get pretty much every component of the a/c system and change all gaskets and clean thoroughly before using....

I was right, the decklid wire loose is to the remote trunk release (missing), and the wiring has actually be routed to the other side anyhow by someone, so that loose wire is literally nothing.

Janky fan switch is what has me most concerned, but I think that's the least of my problems at the moment. No idea what shape the engine is in.

On the bright side, I got the battery that came with it at least partially charging! It measured a whopping .1V when I tested initially, and it's almost at full capacity now! I know I'll have to replace it soon, but hey, it'll work to see what crap the electrical system is in.

Also, found a complete service manual for 88 (which does have differences), but I'm hoping things are close enough.
 
selliott said:
Soooooooo how many l67 swaps do you have going on now?
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haha maybe none by the end of it! lol here's the rust I found on the rear:

Bottom and all other corners are really clean. Battery was left in it and it must have leaked and eroded the side away. The good news is that it's only that corner, and the only part that's actually gone all the way through is the sheet metal not the frame, so it might be worth saving.

What I'll do is wait for the summer, strip down the rear and check out the rust. If it costs too much to fix, I'll just strip the car and part it out, and if it's not that bad, I'll just repair it and paint the frame.

Turns out the electrical stuff wasn't all that bad. Someone had ripped out the a/c system and left everything disconnected. A few things have been re-routed, but all work. Got the battery charged up enough to do some testing!

Fuel pump or injector is bad, but got the thing to actually fire up with starting fluid! Did compression and leak down tests, and as expected, for a nearly 200,000 mile iron duke, it needs new rings and valve seals for sure. Probably would run for a while if I wanted to throw money at it, but why would I spend money rebuilding a 90hp engine when I could just as easily swap a 3800?

So for now, I'm putting things on hold until I have more time. Can't flunk out of school! haha
 


ItHurtz said:
Buy turbo I said, no money they said. Buys rusted out nig rigged car they did
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Haha yeah.... though in my defense, I got it for noting but car parts I had lying around and had it towed for free with aaa! Lol

Still thinking about turbo...
 
Well, dropped in an upgraded fuel pump, filter, and replaced hoses. Still no fuel. Jumped aldl connectors and got fuel. Checked relay, nothing. Went to check ecm, and this is what I found...

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Lol good thing I know a few people, but I'm going to want to check the wiring.... I think the a/c is related...
 
well, I finally got the computer for it in, then I lost the key... lol


So after replacing the lock cylinder, I went to check the engine codes and everything came back good. So I went to see if it was creating spark and fuel pressure and this happened!




Obviously it's going to need a TON of work, but at least I know if I go to scrap it out, that the engine runs!
 


BillBoost37 said:
You know..it's tough to keep a duke from running lol.

Nice work so far.. but boy is it worth it?
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Haha thanks bill! Yeah, I'm unfortunately well aware I'm pouring money down the drain on this, but hey, the wife isn't complaining and I've definitely got the bug after driving my friend's 88gt with northstar swap!

Even buying all rockauto and discount car parts, I'm still looking at around $1000 to get this thing truely road worthy again, and that's not even touching the aesthetics!

That being said, I'm enjoying the project so far, and learning in the process, so can't complain too much!
 
And you are learning a bunch as well. Like.. when the fuel pump doesn't work, check for a pcm. hahahaha You have to love it when you get stuff others have messed around with and you have no idea what was going through their minds.
 
BillBoost37 said:
And you are learning a bunch as well. Like.. when the fuel pump doesn't work, check for a pcm. hahahaha You have to love it when you get stuff others have messed around with and you have no idea what was going through their minds.
Click to expand...

haha that was actually one of the most enjoyable parts! It's like a mystery. I'm still unraveling it, but so far it looks like they weren't very electrically inclined, and very "red-neck". Basically, the a/c stopped working so they just removed the compressor and chopped off the cables instead of fixing it, then when they had issues with the dual speed fan and overheating, they simply bypassed the wiring hand hotwired the fan to a light switch! They had a power surge from the alternator which fried the ecm and most fuses and fuse links, so they parked it and removed the computer. Then someone came along and wanted to see if they could get it running, so they tapped into the ignition to hotwire it, got it to turn over, then realized the fuel pump was locked up, but since it was in a field with tall grass and deflated tires, they didn't want to bother having to get the gas tank out so they let it sit. 15 years goes by with no one touching it, and along I come! Oh, and the rear latch stopped working so they just cut the wires and removed the latch! Definitely a pattern of if it doesn't work, remove it. They did the same thing for the horn! Fortunately, it has every other part and it was never leaking water, so I don't have to worry too much about the interior other than a few missing odds and ends like the rear mirror.

Basically, I'm pretty sure not a whole lot was going through their minds.... lol
 
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