So, you guys see what I have, and I'm sure you're all crying at such a sad looking 88' cradle, but it was the only one in the Northeast US.

So, here are my solutions.

1. I got a quote from a chemical dipping place here in Maine (I think it's the only one in the state), and they said it would be about $60-$80 to remove the rust. After which, since I have to weld mounts onto it anyway, my plan is to weld in two "L" shaped pieces of steel in between those two links to strengthen them, and I'll probabbly do it on the other side too, just to make it stronger on both sides. Then I'll coat it all in PQR-15 to prevent it from rusting again.

2. Use this cradle as the template for the tubular steel cradle idea I had in mind for my Ecotec Turbo project.

Any ideas???
THANKS!!!!!!!!!

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Airman Michael C Casaceli
Patrol Squadron Ten, United States Navy
1988 Pontiac Fiero 2.5L, soon to be 2.2L Ecotec Turbo (THE PROJECT HAS STARTED!!!)
1988 Oldsmobile Firenza 2.0L non-turbo (R.I.P.my beloved J-body. KIA by a Ford)
1994 Chevy S-10 4.3, it's finally here, and it is gorgeous!

Yes, you could probably fix this cradle with some work, but it seems odd that you can't find another in your area that would be in better shape. I bet Kick Hill would have something and there out in your neck of the woods. I know of two salvage yards here in Des Moines that have '88 cars with the cradles still in them. Don't give up the search for a better cradle.

Also, if you are considering building your own cradle, Street Dreams has a nice tubular set up that you can just buy. Granted, it has mounts for a small block Chevy, it would still give you a better start since you have to weld new mounts onto the one you now have.

Just a thought...

I thought street dreams only made 84-87 tubular ones???

Guess I was wrong.
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Something to remember is that this is Northern New England. There are more Moose than there are people. Finding a salvage yard at all is a chore, let alone a Fiero for sale, or parts from one.

I looked back home in PA, but I was too late for that one, and the closest place from there that had any was in western Maryland, and their prices were upwards of $300.
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How much is an 88's street dreams cradle, if they even have 88's? How do I contact them? I've heard of them before, but it was long ago, back when I first discovered that V8's can even fit in Fiero's.

THANKS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Airman Michael C Casaceli
Patrol Squadron Ten, United States Navy
1988 Pontiac Fiero 2.5L, soon to be 2.2L Ecotec Turbo (THE PROJECT HAS STARTED!!!)
1988 Oldsmobile Firenza 2.0L non-turbo (R.I.P.my beloved J-body. KIA by a Ford)
1994 Chevy S-10 4.3, it's finally here, and it is gorgeous!

Sorry Michael, I have my companies mixed up. Hi tech is the company making the cradles. They are not specific as to which year they are making, the picture they show looks 84-87. Email them or call them and see if they are making an 88 version as well.

http://www.hi-techdev.com/html/news.html

Hello,

We may have lack of population up here, but there are plenty of 88 Fiero's this time of season. I'm sure you're familar with Uncle Henry's (www.unclehenrys.com) a private buy/sell/trade guide. Just last week there were 3 listed, two of them forumla 5 speeds $1500 and under (one in your neck of the woods, Saco). Of course, these are ready to drive cars and are much more money then having the rear frame dipped, but keep an eye out, the pop up cheap all the time. About 6 months ago a guy was selling an 88 coupe for $500 in Bangor. Good Luck.

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Ben
1986 Buick Regal T-Type
1993 Pontiac Grand Prix 3.4L DOHC
1988 Pontiac Fiero GT
1971 Chevy Caprice 4dr Htp
1991 Chevy S-10 2wd LB

If you tried kickhill and he had none then I'm sorry as I think I got the last one.

Here's Street Dreams URL in case you haven't seen the site:

http://www.iserv.net/~strdream/

Larry S.

HI. We were just at Bob Parkers today,(Aptil 3rd.) AND Bob has at least seven 88 cradles out back . Sorry but I never got to ask him how much,he was very busy with everybody that came to the farm to check out all his goodies. We left about three thirty.

?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

New Hampshire??????

:O

Wow, um, what part? What's the phone number? Help???

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Airman Michael C Casaceli
Patrol Squadron Ten, United States Navy
1988 Pontiac Fiero 2.5L, soon to be 2.2L Ecotec Turbo (THE PROJECT HAS STARTED!!!)
1988 Oldsmobile Firenza 2.0L non-turbo (R.I.P.my beloved J-body. KIA by a Ford)
1994 Chevy S-10 4.3, it's finally here, and it is gorgeous!

Bob Parkers no. is 1-860-642-4362. you can call around 9am or 4 to 5 pm. He sometimes is a little hard to get on the phone. He is in and out most of the day.But do try him for the cradle you need.The cradles he has all looked real good, there are some that are better than others,but all are useable.BTW his farm is in Lebanon Connecticut,just off rt. 207. Tons of stuff.

Oh, so his place is in CT, not NH? Hmm, at least next weekend is easter, so hopefully I won't be working.

Is there a chance that he would take a heavily rusted one as a trade in? Lol.

Thanks again!!!!!

------------------
Airman Michael C Casaceli
Patrol Squadron Ten, United States Navy
1988 Pontiac Fiero 2.5L, soon to be 2.2L Ecotec Turbo (THE PROJECT HAS STARTED!!!)
1988 Oldsmobile Firenza 2.0L non-turbo (R.I.P.my beloved J-body. KIA by a Ford)
1994 Chevy S-10 4.3, it's finally here, and it is gorgeous!

Hi fieroturbo. Did you ever get a better 88 cradle for your car from Bob Parker in Conn.?

Haven't had the time. Between my PC crashing (the heart of the whole project), my truck needing some minor work, and the Navy (workaholic heaven), I've been quite busy in April. That's why I'm glad I got so much done with the motor in March.

Sunday, I think I can take time out of my schedule to call him. My boss gave me off of work, so I'll have a free day this weekend.

Thanks for checking in on that. Greatly appreciated

------------------
Airman Michael C Casaceli
Patrol Squadron Ten, United States Navy
1988 Pontiac Fiero 2.5L, soon to be 2.2L Ecotec Turbo (THE PROJECT HAS STARTED!!!)
1988 Oldsmobile Firenza 2.0L non-turbo (R.I.P.my beloved J-body. KIA by a Ford)
1994 Chevy S-10 4.3, it's finally here, and it is gorgeous!

OK! We were just down to Bobs Wednesday and he has strightond out his yard and there are still some 88 cradles right up front. Good luck.

[This message has been edited by 87V6GT (edited 04-23-2004).]