Hey every one . I just started my swap. I'm having the Las Vegas Fiero club do the work. Its been a few years of research, a wrong car (1984). I had a 93 Sedan Deville and was going to go a head with the 4.9 4t60e, but , the engine struck me as fragile. I moved from Rockford IL to Vegas and had to abandon the first build. While i was in Rockford I lived just down the road from V8 Archies place. I talked to one of his 30K$ customers as a reference and he wasn't happy. I had a rusty 84 2M4 and was a newbie. He basically laughed me out of his shop. I am so happy with the fiero club here in Vegas. Its been like going from Fiero Hell To Fiero Heaven. The Fiero Club Of Las Vegas will be doing most of the work on my 88 Formula I picked up in Phoenix . So this is actually a plug for Rich and Dave. And the cars here are rust free!!! I will post pics and update. P.S. does anyone really know how many axles it takes to do the 4t60? http://lasvegasfieroclub.org/
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 07-30-2012).]
Originally posted by hercimer01:...V8 Archie...I wasn't impressed with him...
Yeah, the Arch-man has a different personality than some - usually younger - buyers are prepared for.
I can tell you, your first impression notwithstanding, you won't find a more knowlegable, more helpful, or more honest Fiero vendor out there. There's a reason the big-buck projects on this forum are all being done at his place - he is the best.
...Just don't let the old-school personality throw you.
------------------ ~Michael
Project IMSA Formula Coming Soon! '85 GT 4sp white - SOLD | | '85 2M6 Auto red - SOLD | | '84 2M4 bare chassis - SOLD Crap, I'm out of Fieros! Time to buy another!! - "Your mileage may vary."
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03:59 AM
Jun 19th, 2008
hercimer01 Member
Posts: 2308 From: Rockford IL. Registered: Mar 2008
Well the engine is built finally. Double roller timing chain, roller rockers, hardened push rods and hypereutectic pistons. I still need to figure out how to post pics. I had a 4t60 from a 90 lumina rebuilt. tranny brackets from a 91 olds custom cruiser wagon (4t60). For axles I went with NAPA p/n 95-9178 and 95-9208.The speedo governor cap is posing more of a problem to find, HELP?
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01:27 AM
hercimer01 Member
Posts: 2308 From: Rockford IL. Registered: Mar 2008
Can someone help me find the right cap for the speedo governor? Can the pulse one be configured with a signal converter? Im using the stock computer for now . Thanks Allen.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 06-19-2008).]
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02:23 PM
Alex4mula Member
Posts: 7405 From: Canton, MI US Registered: Dec 1999
Can someone help me find the right cap for the speedo governor? Can the pulse one be configured with a signal converter? Im using the stock computer for now . Thanks Allen.
Can someone help me find the right cap for the speedo governor? Can the pulse one be configured with a signal converter? Im using the stock computer for now . Thanks Allen.
I just did a 4.3/4T60 swap in one of my 88's. My tranny came from an 86-87 Buick Rivera with 3.8 and it came with the fiero compatible VSS - no changes needed.
My other 88 (SBC/Getrag) runs the reluctor style VSS using a Dakota Digital signal interface to drive the stock fiero speedo - costs about $75.
I Found A Governor Cap ! It was in an 86 olds cutlass ciera. I looked for the modulator with two black bands (MV303) on it But every thing had the original big one or the one with the two red bands. Hmm, any difference? Oh and the plunger was still in the car i got it out of.
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03:02 PM
PFF
System Bot
Jun 25th, 2008
hercimer01 Member
Posts: 2308 From: Rockford IL. Registered: Mar 2008
The rebuilt NAPA p/n 95-9178 and 95-9208 axles. From 89 pont 6000 w/ light duty brakes.
It all fits!
Now it seems every one is hooking the vacuum modulator to the cruise control line. Any one have any experience with this? I bought a new one AutoZone P/N MV303.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 07-04-2008).]
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05:50 PM
Jun 29th, 2008
86soon3.4 Member
Posts: 1537 From: Sobieski,WI,USA Registered: Dec 2005
Man, I had a bunch of shirts like that in the 90s... (some with flames, some without). I use them to work on the car now too... wouldn't be caught dead going out in public like that now.
Nice looking motor... I wish they had used a pressure washer on the struts. They did a 105% job 95% of the way, they should have just blasted them for a couple of seconds with a washer, would have made the picture look soo much cooler. But then again, they're probably doing it on a budget.
Well I have been trouble shooting the shift problem. The vacuum modulator (P/N mv303) had to be adjusted clockwise an eighth of a turn to tighten up shifts. In drive (4th), on moderate take off, it gets 1st 2nd and 3rd OK, After 10 or 15 seconds of third it loses torque to the wheels. Come to a stop and take off again with out touching the shifter it does the same thing.
Heres how I wired the TCC. Pin "C" shows .002 OHMS to the chassis, engine off.
Ive double checked my wiring and I am not getting 12v at pin A with pin C grounded. I am visa versa. I'm leaning towards the 3rd gear solenoid. which i will test by hooking up a remote switch i can operate in the cockpit. I hope its not the torque converter.
And the speedo seems to work fine. I used a governor cap from an 86 olds ciera. The governor from a 91 olds custom cruiser wagon, i had to swap out the pulse thing on top with a green worm gear from my old three speed. The speed sensor from my old 3 speed.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 07-03-2008).]
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06:53 AM
hercimer01 Member
Posts: 2308 From: Rockford IL. Registered: Mar 2008
hercimer01, try disconnecting the tcc and then drive it to see if the torque issue goes away. I wired mine without the relay and it works just like the old th125 tranny.
Steve
[This message has been edited by 86soon3.4 (edited 07-03-2008).]
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10:46 PM
Jul 4th, 2008
hercimer01 Member
Posts: 2308 From: Rockford IL. Registered: Mar 2008
Thanks Steve. I disconnected the relay and jumpered the contacts. Still no change. Allen Im moving back to Illinois on the 14th done or not the car is coming with. The tranny shop might fix it for me if i have time before i leave.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 07-04-2008).]
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05:22 AM
hercimer01 Member
Posts: 2308 From: Rockford IL. Registered: Mar 2008
I finally struck a deal with the tranny shop. Since i'm leaving for Illinois Monday , they agreed to build me another trans. The Fiero Train is leaving Monday 07/14/08 so if any one needs parts in the Rockford area let me know via PM. Thanks Allen.
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06:27 PM
Aug 10th, 2008
hercimer01 Member
Posts: 2308 From: Rockford IL. Registered: Mar 2008
Well I got the new tranny in and on the mounts. I still have to finish up tues night. Hope all goes well.
I'll be interested to know. The TV adjustment is very touchy. I had a lot of problems with it until I got it right. Still my 2nd is bad. Haven't fixed it yet.
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01:08 PM
PFF
System Bot
Aug 14th, 2008
hercimer01 Member
Posts: 2308 From: Rockford IL. Registered: Mar 2008
I took it out for a test drive. I got her up to 40 MPH in 3rd and it held third at 2 grand on the tach, then the rear caliper bolt fell out. Too many long nights I guess. Got a new set coming from the Fiero Store overnight of course. I'm satisfied with the transmission. I believe it will tune up OK (TV cable and the Vacuum modulator).
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08:26 PM
Aug 17th, 2008
hercimer01 Member
Posts: 2308 From: Rockford IL. Registered: Mar 2008
It wont grab third with normal acceleration! If i back off the accelerator it will go into third. I've adjusted the TV cable and it shifts at all the right spots. The vacuum modulator (p/n mv303) seems to little effect over all. I wonder if the vacuum supply is right. I T'eed into the cruise control line. Do have to tap a vacuum port into the manifold? A fluid change is in order too i suppose. People seem to think its the clutch pack for third but this is my second tranny with third gear problems. AAARGH.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 08-17-2008).]
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03:14 PM
86soon3.4 Member
Posts: 1537 From: Sobieski,WI,USA Registered: Dec 2005
Thanks Steve. Yup. Mee too. I did have my relay contacts wrong on the N/O, N/C part. now it does engage the TCC in 3rd and 4th, what a difference. I changed the tranny fluid and added a quart of Lucas fluid treatment, now that really helped the shift into 3rd problem. In the morning when its cool (here in Illinois) it shifts fine for the first two miles, After it warms up it starts to miss third. It also seems to shudder and slip a little in 2nd. I do have a spare 4t60 to rebuild that wont shift into third at all. Me and Tranny Dave should be able to rebuild that this winter. Can you say New F40 6 speed? Possibly a 4t65e I Iike the paddle shift possibilities.
This is addressing my original comment about V8-Archie.
Well I spent the afternoon at V8-Archie's place today for a club meeting before Fierorama tomorrow. I must admit I may have been a little premature in my judgment about him.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 09-06-2008).]
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07:43 PM
Jan 16th, 2009
hercimer01 Member
Posts: 2308 From: Rockford IL. Registered: Mar 2008
Well it's winter and I'm back in IL. I bought a house with a nice big garage. The tranny issues seem to be a bad rebuild, some retainer clip or a sprague in backwards on third gear. Not uncommon from what I hear. Any one else have experience with this?
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01:42 PM
Mar 16th, 2009
hercimer01 Member
Posts: 2308 From: Rockford IL. Registered: Mar 2008
We tore the 1st tranny down this weekend. The shop out in Vegas forgot to put the inner lip seal on the drum for 2nd and 3rd. We put new seals in and stronger springs in to to help it shift harder.It couldnt build up hydraulic pressure to shift. I will get it swapped out here soon. This was the problem for sure.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 05-29-2009).]
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02:44 PM
josef644 Member
Posts: 6939 From: Dickinson, Texas USA Registered: Nov 2006
Come to find out there was an O ring left out on the first tranny in the drum. Its fixed and on the bench. The second tranny is out, it was just weak. I ordered poly trans mounts 5/13/09 from West Coast Fieros, just waiting anxiously for them to arrive so i can throw it back together.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 12-24-2011).]