I'm sure I've duplicated a number of these. This page is mainly to consolidate many of the links I keep using in the forum or in cave articles. Note: Links will open in their own window.
When shopping for parts, always keep in mind that many Fiero parts are common to other GM cars. You should be using specialty dealers like Fierostore as a last resort for engine and chassis parts. Other people, like Rodney, make parts that are better than OE. Rodney’s Stainless Steel crossover pipes for the V6 are one example.
When tool shopping, I always buy good tools but I also ask myself “how much will I use this?” If it’s something that will be rarely used, I don’t get Snap-on or Craftsman... The extra cost doesn’t make sense for a tool I’ll use once every few years at most. Odds are good the thing will get lost before I wear it out.
I combined these categories because many parts sites also have a wealth of information.
Motor Age is one of the trade publications. Motorage was recently relaunched. It appears that most of the stuff once linked here has vanished. I don't know if or when any of the old articles will return.
Motor Magazine, another trade publication, articles are downloadable in PDF format. There are several years worth of back issues online. There are just to many good articles to try and list them here.
Babcox is another source of trade publications.
Here’s a guy with what has to be the largest collection of Fiero links I’ve seen. If you can’t find it there, it may not exist. (If you find any new ones for him or bad links in the list, E-mail him. He does try to keep that list current.)
Fiero Tech Zone, Michigan Fiero Club and Oliver’s Fiero Pages have got numerous service articles and other info. Frans and Oliver have “scan tools” that works with a laptop. I haven’t used either... I don’t have a laptop so bought a standalone unit.
Changing tire sizes? The Garage at Miata.Net and The Turbo! Saab tire size calculator! will tell you how far off the speedometer and other things will be. The Miata.Net caclulator is more up to date and handles rims up to 23 inches in diameter!
V8 Archie is considered the leading expert in putting V8 motors in Fiero.
Rodney Dickman has some very nice parts and tools for repairs and conversions. Good stuff, decent prices, and shipped quickly. I don’t know of anyone that doesn’t like this guy’s stuff. If I can’t find something thru a regular parts store or GM dealer, he’s the next place I check.
Kick Hill Emporium Is a used parts dealer with a huge selection and good reputation. If he doesn't have one, Pontiac probably didn't make it.
Suspension Restoration Parts Co. has all the polyurethane bushings at good prices. He’s where I got my cradle and dog bone bushings.
Standard & their Blue Streak division have a number of Tech Tips on their site regarding various issues with GM V6 engines. These should be especially useful to people who have installed newer versions of the V6. While they are mainly known for ignition parts, they do market other things like Cruise control parts and ECM’s.
Borg Warner markets some of the better aftermarket sensors, switches, and other things. They are one of the few after market sources I trust. They’ve also got a bunch of tech notes. One of them is about Automatic Transmission Fluid and how long it lasts at various temperatures.
NAPAonline, AutoZone and Advance Auto have extensive online catalogs. I always check them before heading to the parts stores. AutoZone’s system will even tell you if a part is in stock at a local store. Pep Boys has a web site that was fairly useless when checked last. Pep Boys however carries Borg Warner, so even when I find the parts listed on one of the others, I usually buy anything electrical at Pep Boys. (I rarely buy all the parts for a big job from one store. I also use several local stores that aren’t online.)
If you are after a GM part number try GM Parts Direct. Also call GM/Pontiac dealers in your area. Many of them have old stock of things long after GM has discontinued it. Note: GMPD is best if you are ordering multiple items. Make sure you understand their shipping policy. Their shipping charges can be fairly stiff and if you aren't careful you will get pounded. (Even with shipping many parts cost less than at local dealers or Fierostore.)
Ardel has many of the fasteners used in Fiero. They have pictures of most of them.
MotorMite/Dorman has all sorts of parts and some tools. They are finally building a web catalog of their products. You may still need to use their Master Catalog or the smaller books to locate what you’re after. The red HELP! line carries more stuff than I can begin to list. Then you’ve got BODY-TITE and a bunch of others. When you think only a dealer has it, try these people. (Note: Allot of parts stores don’t list these products in the computers. You’ll need the catalogs. Also helps to take the bad part with you for physical comparison.)
Jet-Hot and Tech Line Coatings make exhaust and other metal coatings. Jet-Hot will coat things for you. Tech Line makes products for DIY and Pro use.
Airsept has some very interesting stuff for the Cooling and AC systems. I’m not sure where you can buy them. Some of it is likely available thru vendors at Aircondition.com, which is probably the best starting place for tracking down AC info, tools, and other things.
For cooling system info, imcool.com has just about everything covered. They’ve done several articles on DEXCOOL.
Transmission Exchange Co. has parts, rebuild kits and TransGo shift kits.
Lisle has an online catalog but they do not sell direct to the public. Their tools are sold thru many parts stores and some of the sources that follow.
AmPro tools are sold thru Parts America. Good tools on a budget.
Ontool just about every auto service tool you could ask for.
Tools USA a tremendous collection of hand and air tools.
Thexton has tools and some electrical and brake items of interest. They have bleeder repair sets for when you have a good caliper that just had to snap the bleeder off.
Imperial has tools and parts. Good collection of Weather Pack parts including a terminal crimper. They are more targeted at fleet owners.
AutoXray makes nice standalone ECM scanners that won’t bankrupt you. I’ve got one of their older model OBD1 GM only scanners. You can get them thru a number of outlets, including Eastwood.
Eastwood mainly specializes in refinishing tools and supplies. They are the main source of the Hot Coat “home” powder coating materials some forum members have purchased.
SPX Corporation is the parent Company of OTC, Robinair, and Kent-Moore, as well as allot of other companies in the auto industry. Many GM dealer tools come from Kent-Moore, Robinair is one of the best-known AC toolmakers, and OTC brand tools are available thru many auto parts stores.
For a start, here are the official standards from the Fed's.
NHTSA is responsible for deciding how to interpret FMVSS. If you have questions about a standard, contact them. Otherwise you could have problems that fall under the next several links.
Do you run a repair business, car dealership, or market car parts? Here are the locations of some Federal laws that regulate your business and modifications that you make to customer cars. These are some of the items involved with enforcement of the FMVSS rules. (These are from the Legal Information Institute at the Cornell Law School)
While researching brake fluids to find the official explanation of what the DOT numbers really mean, I found some very interesting sites. What follows is a collection of links to various pages people may find useful. It includes various standards bodies and things related to them.
NHTSA has all sorts of reports and links to things. A very important one is a list of places where you can have your child safety seat checked to make sure it's being installed correctly. Child Seat Inspection Stations.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the place to check for recall information on Child Safety Seats for cars and all kind of other consumer products. (Never buy a new or used child car seat or stroller without checking this site!)
This site on Motor Vehicle Lighting Standards covers issues around using aftermarket lighting products. He's tracking data on product recalls in that area.
Ever wonder what the Snell Standards for helmets mean? Here's their site.
Here's a site on global standards... WorldSafety.com. These folks list the names to practically every safety organization on the planet. Oddly, the names are not linked... makes no sense but at least you'll be able to find the right name to stuff into a search engine.
Ever wonder who really made the glass in you car? Here's a page at GlassLinks.com that will tell you. It lists the federally assigned maker codes in the "label" etched into the door and other glass panels.
Copyright 2000,2001 The Ogre’s Fiero Cave, D.W.Lane. All rights reserved. Not for reproduction in any media without written permission.