More Reading

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.

WinXP/7 Themes is my Windows Theme.

Parts & Info

I combined these categories because many parts sites also have a wealth of information.

Pennock's Fiero Forums

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, 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.

Suspension Restoration Parts Co. has all the polyurethane bushings at good prices. He's where I got my cradle and dog bone bushings.

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.)

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.

Tools

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.

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.

Motor Vehicle Standards & Enforcement

For a start, here are the official standards from the Fed's. The Index of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards will take you directly to the current standards used by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Note: To get full text you need DL 237MB zip file at top of page... PDF and XML now is just a summery. Site will take 2-5 minutes to start the DL.
This Cave file is rip from that huge file... CFR-2000-title49-vol5-part571.pdf (4.1MB)

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)

Other Standards & Safety Items

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.