1986 & 1988 Interchangeable?

[Project86FieroSE]

I've got an opportunity to pick up a 1988 GT for $900. It runs, drives, and is the same black as my 1986 SE. Are most of the parts interchangeable between the two? My plan would be to get one good complete car from the 2and keep the other parts for future use. (I.E. body panels, engine parts, etc.) Both cars have the 2.8 V-6 and automatic transmissions.

 

[SGPHIREWIRE]

86 and 88 are similar, major diffrence is rear suspension. Most parts are interchangeable, but the 88 is def more rare, as there were few made, and the suspension is better. 84 is the only year that has major differences.

 

[tucsonsean]

Actually, I thought it was the front suspension that changed. Tread carefully: there were some significant differences, I believe, in both the suspension and drivetrain. But I agree with Sgphirewire: the '88 is the rarer beast. If it's a toss-up, I'd sacrifice the SE for the GT.

 

[Oreif]

1988 had suspension/cradle (front and rear) changed and the brakes are changed (vented rotors vs. solid rotors and different calipers) most everything else can be swapped. Only around 26,000 1988's were made which makes them more popular due to the changes and limited numbers. But the 1988's are also the hardest to find suspension and brake parts due to the limited numbers as well.

The only difference in 1984 from the rest of the years is harness routing. The minor differences in the cradle only affects if you swap in a stock V-6. The rear lower shock mount needs its holes drilled/tapped and the decklid can only be used with a 4-cyl because the grate sits too low for the V-6 intake.