[Spridgets] Price:quality in Exhaust Manifolds

[Bill L]

Hello Billy,

     The design and concept of the Fiero was top rate. The problem came in the
     execution. GM would not allow a car that cost half as much as a 'Vette have
     the performance of one. The test mules went like raped apes, and handled as
     if on rails. Corporate mandated no new castings for the suspension and made
     them use CHEVETTE front ends and drive trains.  They weren't allowed to use the 3600 V6 that
     the engine bay was designed to handle, but were stuck with the ECOTECH 4
     banger. (Has GM ever made a decent inline 4?) The frame of the Fiero was
     rock solid. After it was annouced that the car would be discontinued
     the engineers were finally allowed to install the turbo charged V-6
     engines, and the cars finally started living up to their potential.

     The whole story illustrates what went wrong in GM corporate culture. Rather
     than trying to make the best possible car from the beginning, all to often
     they figure that they'll make more money if they leave room to make it
     better over the next few years. We all remember planned obsolescence.
     European and Japanese manufactures figure to make a car that is as good as
     they know how. And still improve it during the model run, without
     intentionally holding back.


-- 
Best regards,
 Bill L.                           mailto:pythias at pacifier.com
 
 '66 Sprite MKIII HAN8L49403   "the red thing"
 
   "My investments are worth more every day," said Tom appreciatively.