Pontiac fiero race car project

Introduction

Ever since helping with my first engine swap, my little brother has always wanted a project car of his own. Eventually, he and I talked our dad into building a "family racecar" that we could all take to the track instead of our own cars. We purchased a 1987 Pontiac Fiero GT, a mid-engined economy car that was never intended for racing, but had potential to be a serious machine. My brother had a goal of finishing the car before he graduated high school, so I became determined to help him achieve it.

Research, Planning, & Execution

Once we got the car, we quickly realized we would need to modify it extensively for racing duty. In order to in order to sell this idea to my dad, we heavily researched the Fiero platform and devised carefully thought-out plans to swap out the engine, cooling system, suspension, exhaust, and brakes for upgraded versions. Using the same skill set that helped me with my first engine swap, I compiled a parts list and helped cost the project out in a spreadsheet. After ordering the parts, I was able to use the same database to track all part shipments so that we could plan our work around part arrival dates. We inventoried all incoming parts and made sure that we recieved what we ordered.

Once all parts were inventoried and we had free time, we jumped to action. At a surprisingly quick pace, we had the car stripped of its old parts and ready for the new ones. The process of replacing the engine in this particular car is quite unique, as it involves lifting the car up by the frame, up and away from the powertrain assembly, which rests on a rolling dolly on the floor. We debriefed on safety before beginning the process, agreeing to communicate our locations and what we were doing at all times while the car was suspended. We also agreed that no limbs, heads or other extremeties were to be underneath the car at this time. Having a solid safety plan kept us out of precarious situations and noticeably facilitated the engine swap process. We were able to install the new engine in less than a day!

Conclusion

Thanks to the tremendous amount of planning and delegation of our efforts, we were able smoothly and efficiently swap the engine, suspension, and other parts that the car needed to be prepared for the upcoming racing season. My brother and I even learned how to flux weld, something I actually studied in college but had never actually tried before. The project continues, but has overall been a success thus far, and with only cosmetic details and engine tuning left to complete, we are excited to bring the car to its first event in early 2024!

Below is a video of the first time the car was started and driven after we finished reassembling it. Thank you for reading, and enjoy!