I was just about to email you about updating your swap page at gmtuners.com.
looks good!
------------------ [16:58] davepettinelli: mine's got a court-apponted psychiatrist [16:58] davepettinelli: yay girls [16:59] GTPimpin: mine whines alot [16:59] GTPimpin: her name is fiero
Those are some of the best mounts I have seen yet. But, I haven't seen many. But still, those look like they will last under power. I also liked the dogbone mount. Very high quality look to it all.
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07:39 PM
Darth Fiero Member
Posts: 5921 From: Waterloo, Indiana Registered: Oct 2002
Concerning the mounts, I have thought about mass-producing them and do have some drawings for the brackets. But one of the toughest things I have run into concerns the sleeve the 84-87 Fiero cradle bushing (that's what I am using for the rubber mount bushing) presses into. I got lucky when I found some old seamless thick wall steam pipe at the metal surplus yard last time I went but I was only able to obtain minimal quantities -- enough to do a couple of swaps. I have been able to find some standard sized stainless tubing that would work but this would pretty much also require the rest of the mount bracket to be made out of stainless as well -- which would be quite costly. The only alternative would be to machine sleeves from a solid piece of mild steel rod but this is also expensive and time-consuming. So, unless I can find a source of medium or thick wall mild steel or chromoly tubing that can be machined to the dimensions I need for these bushings, then mass-producing them for an inexpensive price will be out of the question. But I will keep looking. For now, I will only be making these for in-house swaps as long as I can come by the materials or my swap customers are willing to pay for it (if the sleeves have to be machined from a solid piece of steel).
Concerning the sunbird tach/boost gauge mod, I have a few pictures taken of what I did on the electronics side to get it to work with a 6 cyl and I will get those posted to my website in the near future. Mechanically, the Fiero cluster's chassis will need to be trimmed in a few places in order for the sunbird tach/boost gauge to physically fit. But if you have a dremel tool or equiv, a soldering gun and the appropriate components/parts, it shouldn't take you but a couple of hours to make the modifications.
-ryan
[This message has been edited by Darth Fiero (edited 03-19-2007).]
I had the privilege of seeing this fantastic 88 yesterday when I picked up the 2.8 that used to be in it. This is the most beautiful swap I’ve ever seen. It’s not flashy or over the top, just very functional and all business. It’s clean, orderly, & perfectly executed. Ryan, you are an artist! Reading about it and seeing the pictures just don’t do this justice. The owner told me that you did the swap. I didn’t know it was THIS car until I saw the Sunbird tach. (I now have the rest of the Sunbird cluster).
I’m still gathering part for the ECM conversion, so I may get the MEMCAL to you in a couple of weeks.
Again, my compliments to you Ryan on your skill and artistry.
------------------ Bob 87 GT 5spd 05 Vibe
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05:16 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
Ryan, A very professional looking conversion. Congrats. Someday, we'll get together and I'll talk you into doing a conversion for me. Haven't figured out what I want next but I'm sure you'll have something cooking. Excellent work.
Editted to add: Did you consider any other options for air intake. That is not intended as any sort of flame, just a question. ------------------ Ron Land of the Free because of the Brave. Most gave some, some gave all. Some ran the other way.
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 04-24-2007).]
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08:39 AM
Darth Fiero Member
Posts: 5921 From: Waterloo, Indiana Registered: Oct 2002
Whats up with that dog bone mount? and what alt bracket and alt are you using? info please!
Looks real nice!!!!
Dan
The dog bone mount is something I fabricated out of aluminum plate that would bolt directly to a 99-up 3800 Series 2 factory alternator mount bracket (which I installed on this 98 engine). The alternator used in this swap came off this 98 engine and I fabbed up a custom bracket to low-mount it to the block.
quote
Originally posted by Notorio:
Beautiful job! Your cradle looks perfect. How did you refinish it?
The customer chose to have a local shop powdercoat it satin black.
quote
Originally posted by blackrams:
Ryan, A very professional looking conversion. Congrats. Someday, we'll get together and I'll talk you into doing a conversion for me. Haven't figured out what I want next but I'm sure you'll have something cooking. Excellent work.
Editted to add: Did you consider any other options for air intake. That is not intended as any sort of flame, just a question.
Thanks for the props. Concerning the air induction, I have tried several different methods of air induction over the years including using 3" aluminum "CRX" tubing and even a ported factory 2.8 Fiero air cleaner box among other things. But this 3.5" ABS plastic ducting off a 99-up 4.3 Vortec pickup truck seems to flow and look the best. Two pieces of this ducting were needed to construct something that would work in the Fiero (had to cut them up and reassemble using included hardware) and they're not all that expensive. These ducts can be purchased at your local GM dealer under P/N: 25176891. Flows much more than a ported Fiero air cleaner can and it's not metal like the CRX induction tube which means it won't transfer as much heat from the engine compartment to the intake air.
-ryan
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03:24 PM
Feb 29th, 2008
30+mpg Member
Posts: 4057 From: Russellville, AR Registered: Feb 2002
Darth Fiero:...unless I can find a source of medium or thick wall mild steel or chromoly tubing that can be machined to the dimensions I need for these bushings, ... -ryan
Tubing 72 products match your selections Metal Steel Steel Material Type General-Purpose Carbon Steel Material Carbon Steel Shape Single Line System of Measurement Inch Metal Bendability Bendable With Bending Tool Cleaning and Capping Not Cleaned and Capped ASTM Specification ASTM A179 | ASTM A513 | ASTM A513 Type 5 Dimensions
also interested in how you did the sunbird boost/tach.
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