TRANSMISSION, MANUAL

Manual transmissions were offered for the Fiero in all production years. In 1984 only a four-speed transmission was offered but it came in two versions, one of which is referred to as the "Econo" model. The final gear ratio on this transmission was 3.32:1 to provide optimum mileage for the four-cylinder engine. Only a few thousand of these were offered. A 1984 Fiero containing the Econo four-speed will have "MY8" on the RPO (Regular Production Option) Code sticker located on the left front fender well. An "econo" transmission can be identified when out of the car by "NA" or "DJ" stamped on the bell housing. The other transmission which had a final ratio of 4.10:1 is identified by "UM" or "DW" stamped on the bell housing.

In 1985 the four-speed transmission was offered only on the V-6 engine. The four-cylinder engine came with a five-speed Isuzu.

In 1986 the four-speed was used on the V-6 until about mid-year when it was replaced by the five-speed Muncie 282 "Getrag". The five-speed Isuzu continued to be used with the four-cylinder engine. The latter two transmissions continued to be used on the V-6 and four-cylinder engines respectively in 1987-88, although some gearing changes occurred on the Isuzu. The Isuzu transmissions can be swapped in all '85-88 Fieros realizing that minor gearing changes may occur.

If you have doubts about which manual transmission is in your car, here is a link which should help: Manual Trans ID.

'84 4-speed: The following cars with four-speed manual transmissions will swap with the '84 Fiero: 
   Buick Skyhawk         '82
   Buick Skyhawk      '83-84  4-speed w/o OHC
   Buick Skylark         '81  1.03" diameter cable holes
   Buick Skylark      '82-84
   Cadillac Cimarron     '82
   Chevy Cavalier        '82
   Chevy Cavalier     '83-84
   Chevy Celebrity       '84
   Chevy Citation        '81  1.03" diameter cable holes
   Chevy Citation     '82-84
   Olds Firenza          '82
   Olds Firenza       '83-84
   Olds Omega            '81  1.03" diameter cable holes
   Olds Omega         '82-84
   Pontiac 2000          '82
   Pontiac 2000       '83-84  4-speed w/o OHC
   Pontiac Phoenix       '81  1.03" diameter cable holes
   Pontiac Phoenix    '82-84

Four-speed transmissions from the cars below will fit the '84 Fiero if shift cables and shift cable mounting brackets are included. In some cases, the shift lever assembly may have to be included. 

   Buick Skylark         '80	
   Buick Skylark         '81  0.8125" diameter cable holes
   Chevy Citation        '80	
   Chevy Citation        '81  0.8125" diameter cable holes
   Olds Omega            '80	
   Olds Omega            '81  0.8125" diameter cable holes
   Pontiac Phoenix       '80	
   Pontiac Phoenix       '81  0.8125" diameter cable holes
'85-86 2.5L, 5-speed Isuzu: This exact transmission is unique to the Fiero. However, five-speed transmissions from the cars below can be used if the shift arm is rotated 180 degrees. 
   Buick Skylark	     '86
   Buick Somerset     '85-86
   Cadillac Cimarron  '85-56  2.0L electronic speedometer
   Chevy Cavalier     '85-86  electronic speedometer
   Olds Calais         85-86
   Pontiac Grand Am   '85-86

Five-speed transmissions from the cars below can be used on the '85-86 2.5L engine if the speed sensor is changed as well as the shift arm and/or speedometer cable. The shift arm must be rotated 180 degrees to fit. 

   Cavalier           '85-86  cable drive speedometer
   Cadillac Cimarron   85-86  2.0L cable drive speedometer

'87-88 2.5L, 5-speed Isuzu: This exact transmission is unique to the Fiero. However, five-speed transmissions from the cars below can be used if the shift arm is rotated 180 degrees. 
   Buick Skylark         '87
   Buick Somerset        '87
   Chevrolet Beretta  '87-88  2.0L  gear driven speed sensor
   Chevrolet Beretta     '89  2.0L  trans code DAB or DHB, gear driven speed sensor
   Chevy Cavalier     '87-89  2.0L  electronic speedometer
   Chevy Corsica      '87-88  2.0L  gear driven speed sensor
   Chevy Corsica         '89  2.0L  trans code DAB or DHB, gear driven speed sensor
   Olds Calais           '87
   Olds Calais        '88-89  2.5L
   Pontiac Grand Am   '87-89  2.5L
   Pontiac Tempest    '87-88  2.0L  gear driven speed sensor
   Pontiac Tempest       '89  2.0L  trans code DAB or DHB, gear driven speed sensor

Five-speed transmissions from the cars below can be used in the '87-88 four-cylinder Fiero by switching the speed sensor, shift arm and/or speedometer cable. The shift arm must be rotated 180 degrees. 

   Buick Skyhawk         '88  w/o OHC
   Buick Skyhawk         '89
   Chevy Cavalier     '87-89  2.0L cable drive speedometer
   Olds Firenza          '88  w/o OHC
'85-86 2.8L 4-speed: Four-speed transmissions from the cars below will swap: 
   Cadillac Cimarron  '85-86 2.8L electronic speedometer
   Chevy Cavalier        '85 2.0L bracket mtd. cables, electronic speedometer
   Chevy Cavalier        '85 2.8L electronic speedometer
   Chevy Cavalier     '86-87 electronic speedometer
   Pontiac Sunbird       '85 2.0L bracket mounted cables
   Pontiac Sunbird       '86 2.0L

Four-speed transmissions from the cars below will fit the '85-86 2.8L by changing the speed sensor and/or the speedometer cable. 

   Buick Skyhawk         '85  w/o OHC, bracket mtd. cables
   Buick Skyhawk         '86  w/o OHC
   Buick Skyhawk         '87
   Buick Skylark         '85  bracket mounted cables
   Cadillac Cimarron  '85-86  2.8L  cable drive speedometer
   Chevy Cavalier        '85  2.0L  bracket mtd. cables, cable drive speedometer
   Chevy Cavalier        '85  2.8L  cable drive speedometer
   Chevy Cavalier     '86-87  cable drive speedometer
   Chevy Celebrity       '85  bracket mounted cable
   Chevy Celebrity       '86
   Chevy Citation        '85  bracket mounted cables
   Olds Firenza          '85  bracket mounted cables
   Olds Firenza       '86-87
'86-88 2.8L 5-speed "Getrag": This exact transmission is unique to the Fiero. According to the Hollander manual, five-speed transmissions from the cars below can be used if the shift arm is rotated 180 degrees. However Rodney Dickman (rodneydickman.com) advises this information is incorrect. Rodney makes a hardware kit which will allow these transmissions to be used with the Fiero. Transmissions which will work are: 
   Cadillac Cimarron  '87-88  gear driven speed sensor
   Chevrolet Beretta  '87-89  2.8L gear driven speed sensor
   Chevy Cavalier        '87  2.8L five speed, w/electronic speedometer
   Chevy Cavalier     '88-89  2.8L electronic speedometer
   Chevy Celebrity    '87-88  gear driven speed sensor
   Chevy Corsica      '87-89  2.8L gear driven speed sensor
   Pontiac 6000       '87-88  gear driven speed sensor
   Pontiac Tempest    '87-89  2.8L gear driven speed sensor

Five-speed Getrag transmissions from the cars below can be used in the '86-88 2.8L 5-speed Fiero by switching the speed sensor, shift arm, and/or speedometer cable. The shift arm must use the Rodney Dickman kit to work. 

   Cadillac Cimarron  '87-88  cable drive speedometer
   Chevy Cavalier        '87  2.8L five speed w/cable drive speedometer
   Chevy Cavalier     '88-89  2.8L cable drive speedometer
   Olds Firenza          '87  2.8L five speed

Other 1987-94 GM cars (Pontiac Grand Prix, Pontiac Grand Am, etc.) used a similar Getrag 5-speed transmission but the linkage system for the slave cylinder and release arm is different than the Fiero. On these transmissions the release arm is inside the transmission and the slave cylinder mounts to the bell housing. Rodney Dickman offers an adapter that allows this version of the Getrag 5-speed to be used in the Fiero.

"Shift" and "Select" cables for Fiero manual transmissions can be obtained from California Push-Pull (push-pull.com) and rodneydickman.com.