I'll be posting some photos... but it may take a while.
This was a quick install... On Monday ( Two days before tropical storm Ernesto was scheduled to arrive, and I needed to have the body towed before the storm arrived ).
After stripping the body panels, dropping the factory drivetrain and K member... cutting the upper and lower frame rails... here are some photos showing the install of the new, 11inch extended wheelbase engine cradle.
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12:20 AM
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dave@heldmotorsports.com Member
Posts: 139 From: Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA Registered: Feb 2001
The engine cradle bolts to the 4 original Fiero mounting locations ( 2 forward and 2 rear ) and is set up for a Small Block Chevy V8 and Audi transaxle.
Here's a View from the top:
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12:43 AM
dave@heldmotorsports.com Member
Posts: 139 From: Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA Registered: Feb 2001
Rear Mount Driver's Side: The rear mounting bolts were hidden from the camera's view, so I used long bolts with spacer tubes to better illustrate their location.
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12:46 AM
dave@heldmotorsports.com Member
Posts: 139 From: Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA Registered: Feb 2001
The suspension consists of the original Factory struts / springs ( although I highly recommend Koni coilovers due to the additional weight of the engine / trans ).
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12:48 AM
dave@heldmotorsports.com Member
Posts: 139 From: Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA Registered: Feb 2001
The spindles / knuckles are factory Fiero units with HT Motorsports ( http://heldmotorsports.com ) Bump Steer correction knuckle adapters.
The trackwidth is pushed out 2inches per side... but the factory struts can be retained - and mounted in their original mounting locations thanks to the HT Motorsports adapter brackets.
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12:51 AM
dave@heldmotorsports.com Member
Posts: 139 From: Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA Registered: Feb 2001
Here's a side view of the adapters to extend the track width... The struts bolt through one pair of bolt holes and the other pair of holes attach to the knuckle.
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12:53 AM
dave@heldmotorsports.com Member
Posts: 139 From: Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA Registered: Feb 2001
It appears that I forgot to take a photo ( outside view ) of the entire assembly - including the Fiero factory knuckle and the knuckle adapter... I'll add that photo in a future post. Here's a photo of the assembly from the engine compartment side... The view of the components is partially blocked by the engine cradle, but hopefully you can see some detail.
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12:54 AM
carolinajoe Member
Posts: 822 From: Spring Hill,Fl. Registered: Feb 2005
I'll be posting some photos... but it may take a while.
This was a quick install... On Monday ( Two days before tropical storm Ernesto was scheduled to arrive, and I needed to have the body towed before the storm arrived ).
After stripping the body panels, dropping the factory drivetrain and K member... cutting the upper and lower frame rails... here are some photos showing the install of the new, 11inch extended wheelbase engine cradle.
yeah Bubba... yours is quite cool. You have taken things much farther than me.
I have been building engine cradles for customers for years... but this is the first one to use the Fiero struts vs. Upper and Lower control arms like http://www.specificmotors.com
dave dheld@cfl.rr.com
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11:41 AM
ducattiman Member
Posts: 674 From: TheNetherlands Registered: Mar 2003
Sweet I look forward to the progress of this project
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I will post some shots of the engine / trans mounted in the cradle, but I'm not a car builder... I sell these cradles to other folks who build extended wheelbase, Fiero-based kitcars... This one is destined for New Jersey.
If I were to build one, I would like a V6 / Audi transaxle... But Kennedy doesn't have an adapter plate for such an application. Does anyone know of another source for such an adapter ( and clutch, pressure plate, etc... )
If 5 people are interested in such a cradle, I will build some... but it's simply not economically feasible to build 1 at-a-time. The cost is $2000 - and includes the cradle, Lower Control arms, Brackets, hardware... then you can begin your own project!
dave dheld@cfl.rr.com
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12:34 PM
RUNDLC Member
Posts: 802 From: Elk Grove, California Registered: Jul 2005
Dave, I already have a stretched (10.5" for a lambo kit) I am not pleased with the cradle stretch, I am going to be installing a 3800 s.c. engine soon (thinking about audi 5000 5 spd), alot more power than the stock 2.8. My question is would I be able to dump my cradle and use yours with my current suspension setup? Held rear coil/overs & stock trackwidth ( I do not want to re-purchase wheels at this time) My body is already mounted and I DO NOT want to start cutting the back half of the fiero tub, will your cradle work with 3800 s.c & audi?? Thanks
RUNDLC
[This message has been edited by RUNDLC (edited 08-30-2006).]
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01:12 PM
fierogt3800 Member
Posts: 1410 From: Keokuk, Iowa Registered: Feb 2006
If 5 people are interested in such a cradle, I will build some... but it's simply not economically feasible to build 1 at-a-time. The cost is $2000 - and includes the cradle, Lower Control arms, Brackets, hardware... then you can begin your own project!
dave dheld@cfl.rr.com
hmm.... stretched artero? how much welding is involved? i can handle the fiberglass. but wound have to pay for the welding..
yeah Bubba... yours is quite cool. You have taken things much farther than me.
I have been building engine cradles for customers for years... but this is the first one to use the Fiero struts vs. Upper and Lower control arms like http://www.specificmotors.com
dave dheld@cfl.rr.com
its a great idea since some can not afford the other setup when doing lambo,s and this new cradle will held lessen the cost load plus +for you
but It would be nice to see wrap around lower control arm mounts for max stength ! Just a sugestion !
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03:37 PM
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System Bot
bubbajoexxx Member
Posts: 1630 From: Ontario Canada Registered: Aug 2003
Sweet I look forward to the progress of this project
=======================================
I will post some shots of the engine / trans mounted in the cradle, but I'm not a car builder... I sell these cradles to other folks who build extended wheelbase, Fiero-based kitcars... This one is destined for New Jersey.
If I were to build one, I would like a V6 / Audi transaxle... But Kennedy doesn't have an adapter plate for such an application. Does anyone know of another source for such an adapter ( and clutch, pressure plate, etc... )
If 5 people are interested in such a cradle, I will build some... but it's simply not economically feasible to build 1 at-a-time. The cost is $2000 - and includes the cradle, Lower Control arms, Brackets, hardware... then you can begin your own project!
dave dheld@cfl.rr.com
what v6 are you looking to mate to the audi transaxle
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03:42 PM
dave@heldmotorsports.com Member
Posts: 139 From: Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA Registered: Feb 2001
Yes, BubbaJoe I agree with your idea about the lower control arm mounts. I plan on using mounts similar to those in the photo below... I didn't use them on this first build since I wasn't sure where the engine / trans access locations and interferences would be... I would hate to put the lower control arm mount right in the way of the oil pan drain plug or similar.
anyway, here is a 3D cad shot of the lower control arm mount...
dave dheld@cfl.rr.com
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09:54 PM
dave@heldmotorsports.com Member
Posts: 139 From: Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA Registered: Feb 2001
Dave, I already have a stretched (10.5" for a lambo kit) I am not pleased with the cradle stretch, I am going to be installing a 3800 s.c. engine soon (thinking about audi 5000 5 spd), alot more power than the stock 2.8. My question is would I be able to dump my cradle and use yours with my current suspension setup? Held rear coil/overs & stock trackwidth ( I do not want to re-purchase wheels at this time) My body is already mounted and I DO NOT want to start cutting the back half of the fiero tub, will your cradle work with 3800 s.c & audi?? Thanks
Rundlc How did you stretch the upper and lower frame rails? If this has already been done, and you have retained the forward and rear mounting locations, you can bolt my engine cradle into those mounts. Email me some photos and I'll make my recommendations.
I have a lightweight, plastic V8 engine that allows me to adapt cradles for SBC powered cars... I do not have such a block to represent a 3800 V6 As far as the Audi trans, that part is no problem.
dave dheld@cfl.rr.com
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10:02 PM
dave@heldmotorsports.com Member
Posts: 139 From: Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA Registered: Feb 2001
BubbaJoe I would like to mate the Fiero 2.8L V6 to the Audi trans... for simplicity.
My second choice would be a 4.3L or 3800
Time-permitting... I would like to build a frame for a Diablo roadster... a very simple version with no top - not even a removable top. I would also eliminate the opening doors and just enter the car by throwing a leg over the door.
The reason for these dramatic changes is that of all the Diablos that get started, the main reason they do not get completed - and the bulk of the time and dollar expense - is due to the fit of the doors, the hinges, the door glass, etc...
With the "simplicity" aspect in mind, it would be cool to disconnect the wiring harness, drop the factory K member, separate the engine from the trans, mate it to the Audi, mount, re-connect, install the cradle and move forward... without the hassles and expense of the engine computers, wiring harness, etc... etc...
I don't want to make this sound like it would be a simple Remove / Replace... nothing ever is - but to limit the complexities would make the car more "complete-able".
anyway - to answer your original question - 2.8L Fiero V6 or an easily sub'd engine.
dave dheld@cfl.rr.com
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10:10 PM
Aug 31st, 2006
bubbajoexxx Member
Posts: 1630 From: Ontario Canada Registered: Aug 2003
for the 4.3 V6 the kennedy sbc adapter will work and for the 2.8 you can use the northstar adapter and have kennedy make the flywheel and for the 3.8 front wheel drive v6 use the northstar adapter as well you will onl have to redrill the lower bolt hole
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08:53 AM
dave@heldmotorsports.com Member
Posts: 139 From: Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA Registered: Feb 2001
Yes, BubbaJoe I agree with your idea about the lower control arm mounts. I plan on using mounts similar to those in the photo below... I didn't use them on this first build since I wasn't sure where the engine / trans access locations and interferences would be... I would hate to put the lower control arm mount right in the way of the oil pan drain plug or similar.
anyway, here is a 3D cad shot of the lower control arm mount...
dave dheld@cfl.rr.com
this would be the ultimate upgrade to the subframe My compliments to you
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12:01 PM
dave@heldmotorsports.com Member
Posts: 139 From: Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA Registered: Feb 2001
Forgive me if you already posted this, but what type of trans do you have shown in the last post?
------------------ Paul Pontiac prestiege.... Pontiac performance...... Pontiac POWER! For a full history of the Fiero SS: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/789315
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06:20 PM
PFF
System Bot
bubbajoexxx Member
Posts: 1630 From: Ontario Canada Registered: Aug 2003
The one in the photos happens to be a 4WD version and I have removed all of the gears and the center shaft to lessen the weight - which is why it appears different from other Audi transaxles. The 4WD and 2WD trans are the same physical size - except of course for the output shaft coming out of the back of the trans for the driveshaft.
When the gears are in ( as well as the rear portion of the trans case ) the transaxle is much longer than that shown in the photos. The trans in the photos looks "finished" since I made a rear cover ( aluminum ) rather than have the guts of the trans exposed.
