Well it has been many years since I had a V8 fiero and miss it greatly. I have since been able to Acquire T-Top #689. My plan was to do all the mechanical stuff, then paint, and finally the interior cause I am totally clueless what direction to go with it. Well as luck would have it I ended up taking Autobody classes at the local CC. Well needless to say the Paint was finished first Well I now have the Motor and tranny and will be starting the build tomorrow. I am not setting a completion date in stone but hope to have it driving at the end of March. I will be starting with a 93 Caddy 4.9, a F23 from a 2002 Cavalier with only 61k miles and a 88 Formula T-top. This is going to be a blast on the Blue Ridge Parkway!.
So here are today's pictures with more to come tomorrow after we pull the cradle and start the transplant.
Enjoy
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**************************************** 88 Formula CJB Arrived Finally. #689 of 1252 Time to start Working TONY! There are Two kinds of Fiero's : Notchies and Donors!
[This message has been edited by Kento (edited 02-28-2013).]
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01:46 PM
PFF
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olejoedad Member
Posts: 19138 From: Clarendon Twp., MI Registered: May 2004
Is the gearing in First going to be too short for the 4.9?
I'm planning the trans for my 4.9 swap into one of my cars and was leaning to the 4 speed hybrid.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Joe
With Stock trans out there designed so anyone can drive a stick one for a 4.9 is a pipe dream when it comes to manuals. It is geared a little better then my Isuzu was but again I never used 1st always started in 2nd
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03:45 PM
bubbajoexxx Member
Posts: 1630 From: Ontario Canada Registered: Aug 2003
That F23 has a final drive of 3.94, along with a 3.58 first gear. This is very short gearing, and will not work well with a 4.9, it will make it rev way too much and not make use of it's low end torque. The gearing of the Isuzu is one of the best for a 4.9 however it will blow up in short order unless you baby it.
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11:30 PM
Raydar Member
Posts: 40962 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
the 96/97 Cav tranny is an Isuzu. OK enough of the Parts talk, lets keep this one about the build Had some fellow Fiero nuts show up today and we got the cradle dropped and in the garage. Long list of things to do but next thing will be clean up and sell the 2.8 parts. Anyone needing something please let me know via PM. This is an 88 Formula so the entire motor and wiring harness/ECM is available.
This Really Helped out this morning! Thanks Galen
The Help taking a break!
The required "Me in the engine bay" Pic
And Im gonna get killed for this one But Kids! "CRACK KILLS"
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**************************************** 88 Formula CJB Arrived Finally. #689 of 1252 Time to start Working TONY! There are Two kinds of Fiero's : Notchies and Donors!
[This message has been edited by Kento (edited 02-25-2013).]
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06:44 PM
hiwil88formula Member
Posts: 622 From: San Antonio, Texas Registered: Oct 2001
Good to see your back in the game Joe. I'm still driving my 85 GT with the motor I bought way back when. It's still my daily driver. I am about to join the 4.9 crowd very soon though.
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10:10 PM
PFF
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Feb 10th, 2013
KurtAKX Member
Posts: 4008 From: West Bloomfield, MI Registered: Feb 2002
Little more progress today. Got the 2.8 pulled from the Trans and now can see what went wrong.
Remove 1 Old Lump!
Cradle and trans waiting for V8 for Mount Fab.
Man Parts take up a lot more space when they are off the motor!
And this would be why the car is getting an upgrade.
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**************************************** 88 Formula CJB Arrived Finally. #689 of 1252 Time to start Working TONY! There are Two kinds of Fiero's : Notchies and Donors!
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06:29 PM
Feb 25th, 2013
Kento Member
Posts: 4218 From: Beautifull Winston Salem NC Registered: Jun 2003
well got the motor attached to the old 5 speed today so i can start fabbing up the mounts. Got 1 done and the other one figured out. hope to have the Trans swapped out on thursday so i can start making mounts for that.
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**************************************** 88 Formula CJB Arrived Finally. #689 of 1252 Time to start Working TONY! There are Two kinds of Fiero's : Notchies and Donors!
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06:28 PM
Raydar Member
Posts: 40962 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
Sorry about that. Was just curious, since I have a 4.9 as well. I'm always looking for new tranny options.
I think we all are The Holy Grail for 4.9 owners with Manuals.
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**************************************** 88 Formula CJB Arrived Finally. #689 of 1252 Time to start Working TONY! There are Two kinds of Fiero's : Notchies and Donors!
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06:59 PM
Feb 28th, 2013
Will Member
Posts: 14252 From: Where you least expect me Registered: Jun 2000
Well a little more progress this week. Got the Motor Mounts done. The old trans removed and the F23 bolted to the 4.9. Now I need to figure out how I want to do my trans mounts. Here are pic's of what i did get done this week.
Mounts all done for now! 1/4" Plate is hard to drill thru!
They Meet for the first time! That F23 is Massive compared to the old Getrag!
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06:12 PM
Mar 1st, 2013
Will Member
Posts: 14252 From: Where you least expect me Registered: Jun 2000
Obviously you'll want to add SERIOUS gussets to that bracket before you actually put it into service.
I was thinking of just super gluing in some pieces in I will be adding a Torque strut as well plus that is 1/4 steel plate so not using thin stuff. with 5 mounting points (3 motor/2 trans) i should be ok.
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09:29 AM
olejoedad Member
Posts: 19138 From: Clarendon Twp., MI Registered: May 2004
Im mounted on four corners with no issues. The mount under the balancer is not needed, and actually causes the drivetrain to try to twist in the cradle.
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09:51 AM
PFF
System Bot
Kento Member
Posts: 4218 From: Beautifull Winston Salem NC Registered: Jun 2003
Im mounted on four corners with no issues. The mount under the balancer is not needed, and actually causes the drivetrain to try to twist in the cradle.
Do you have a Pic of How you did your trunk Side mount so I can see what I might change or Mod. I guess I will just mount a strut rod on the trunkside.
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10:18 AM
Kento Member
Posts: 4218 From: Beautifull Winston Salem NC Registered: Jun 2003
What can Brown do for you today?!?!?! Well I got a BOX! Its from Summit Racing!!
Lookie inside! IT a pair of mufflers and exhaust pipe!!!!! The Same ones I had on my last 4.9 swap. Sounds mean without being overly loud. Jones Exhaust ATT12S-3's Jone Exhaust Turbo Tube Mufflers!
Well I now have the Motor and tranny and will be starting the build tomorrow. I am not setting a completion date in stone but hope to have it driving at the end of March. I will be starting with a 93 Caddy 4.9, a F23 from a 2002 Cavalier with only 61k miles and a 88 Formula T-top. This is going to be a blast on the Blue Ridge Parkway!. 
