Happy Halloween: 1966 Chevrolet Corvair V8 versus 1984 Pontiac Fiero V8
Happy Halloween!! On today’s episode of What’ll Kill You Quicker, we’ve got a’66 Corvair that’s been de-clawed of its oversteer prone swing-axle suspension, but it is now sporting a front mounted V8 and enough custom shenanigans to keep you guessing the next failure mode for years…versus an ’84 Fiero that has 20 year newer safety technology…but is still a plastic bodied piece of mid engined junk that now has a giant V8 shoved right behind your soft and squishy mammalian cortex. What’ll Kill You Quickest?
First up is this 1966 Chevrolet Corvair with a front-engine V8 setup here on eBay bidding for $3,550 with 3 days to go reserve-not-met.
From the seller:
Awesome Custom Corvair. V8 sitting up front on full frame with a 350 engine , 6 pak induction, 4 speed, power steering.
Item specifics
Condition: Used Year: 1966
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): 1111111111111 Mileage: 0
Engine: 8 Cylinder Sub Model: Coupe
Number of Cylinders: 8 Model:
Corvair
Transmission: Manual Drive Side: Left-hand drive
Fuel Type: Gasoline Interior Color: Black
For Sale By: Private Seller Make: Chevrolet
Exterior Color: Blue Drive Type: RWD
Trim: Monza Body Type: Coupe
Vehicle Title: Clean Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
Next up is this 1984 Pontiac Fiero V8 here on eBay offered for $8000 CAD ($6,116 USD) buy-it-now in Saskatoon, Canada.
From the seller:
1984 Pontiac Fiero – Customized
Fully Built 1976 Chevrolet 350 Engine
Block: Cast Iron w/ 4-Bolt Main Crank Cap – Durable and suitable for High Performance
Getrag 5-Speed Racing Transmission
Edelbrock Carburetor
This is not your next daily driver… this thing is FAST.
Full, handwritten documentation of every part and build, including part numbers and places of origin. Provided by previous owner/builder and included with sale. Very helpful information.
Original brand owners manuals for most installed parts included.
Alpine aftermarket stereo installed.
Item specifics
Condition: Used
Seller Notes: “Overall good condition, everything in working order. Mechanically sound and complete. Headliner pieces missing.”
Year: 1984 VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): 1G2AM37RXEP309007
Mileage: 1 Engine: 1976 Chevrolet 350
Power Options: Air Conditioning, Power Locks, Power Windows Model:
Fiero
Transmission: 5-Speed Getrag Racing Drive Side: Left-hand drive
Fuel Type: Gasoline Interior Color: Gray
For Sale By: Dealer Make: Pontiac
Exterior Color: Dark Purple Drive Type: RWD
Body Type: Coupe Options: CD Player, Sunroof
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
What would you choose? Comments below.
Between the engineering that went into both of these I’m probably most impressed by the fact that the Fiero still has working A/C. Look at enough ads in this hobby and you’d better just expect that you’re gonna be sweating hour a$$ off if you pull the trigger.
Damn straight Doc! As a car guy, I ponder swaps and all sorts of stupid car stuff, most of the home brew swaps I've seen have no AC or the swap kit doesn't come with an AC option. If they thought enough to do AC in the swap it's probably done to a reasonable standard. Gotta have that AC in the south during summer months.
It is all GM parts that were put together at different times so not as amazing as it appears. Plus no pesky computers to make it more difficult. The AC in a Fiero is installed in places where it is easy to work around, so anybody who does a swap without AC is just being lazy. If it is missing it is easy to install. Later systems can also be installed pretty easy due to there being plenty of space above the tranny to mount things.
As someone who has had both a 6cyl and 355ci v8 swap in a 914, I can say that getting it to work how you hope it will work is the difficult part. Both of my 914s were done correctly and drove much better than a stock 4cyl or 6cyl 914, but it was not easy. The Corvair swap that was popular back in the day took out the rear seats and did the mid-engine v8, and worked well, similar to my 914. This front-engine swap makes the car just another GM v8 from the 60's, boring. Plus the wheels are completely the wrong offset and size, and it sits way too high. Pass.
The Fiero is usually done with a Northstar swap for obvious reasons, but this looks decent minus the cheap exhaust and wrong wheels and suspension. With some sorting and $, it would be fun.
Six pack and side pipes looks like some good old fashioned fun!