As many of you know, I had a bit of an incident with my car a few weeks back. My front end got wiped out, but the damage was only superficial. I ended up needing a GT nose clip, some marker lights, and not much else. JPH87 has a GT front nose, and I thank him graciously for coming through with that. Maybe a little labor, but it got me to tackle a few jobs in the interm. Don't mind the dust, and there is still a little more poilishing of the aluminum, but this is the progress as of this evening. Let me know what you think.
I love playing with aluminum, and it seems to be an ongoing theme to my car. I bent and cut a piece of stock that covers the radiator. Really just asthetics, but it looks cooler with the hood up now. I used 3M double sided automotive adhesive tape to keep it mounted.
I cut out a semi circle for the radiator cap to give it a finished look.
Drilled out the two rubber tab areas, and gave it a polish.
I also bent up and mounted a bracket for the fire extinguisher. A little adhesive backed felt keeps it from scratching the extinguisher. I have a wing nut on it now, but plan on using something more asthetic to screw it tight. A "T" handle deal is what I have in mind.
I planned on painting my fire extinguisher semi flat black, but while painting it, I had mad fish eyes. .......but only for a moment. I had an idea. Why not polish the extinguisher? So began the process of sanding down the new paint job, and progressively working towards some more Mothers Polish. I did not want to use power tools on a charged extinguisher, so I did it all by hand.
Fieroking had some old stickers, and I decided to put this one to good use. I had to repaint the red, then I used my exacto to cut out the "FIERO" to stand out in the red. (It matches my intake. )
I still need to get a lot cleaned up, but there are more projects before I get the front end put back on. I also installed some Cadillac horns, and kick myself for not doing that any sooner. Next time I go to Pull & Jerk, I am picking up two more.
Found this interesting little idea sitting on a Subaru Legacy circa 10 years ago. Wonder what to do with this seeing as I need paint work?
I want to place it back a little more, but it seems doable? More measuring, then some more measuring, and I will get back to ya'.
Some may have noticed the washer fluid bottle missing. I had pulled one from a Mitsubishi that is a bit smaller. Mine had a crack near the top, and would leak out fluid upon spirited driving. That will go next to the front mount battery that is going in sometime this weekend. The bottle is tall and skinny, and can fit low in the car. The battery will be mounted low and behind the swaybar, and steering. I did some measuring, and yes, measured twice, and I can build a box for the battery that will allow it to sit where I want it. I plan on building a cover for the small area under the condenser. The washer bottle will fit next to the battery, and the fill tube will stick up about 8". I have AAA, so I ditched the spare years ago. Moving things around will give me more front trunk space.
That is it for now. I have been stressed out as of late, and messing with the car always makes me relaxed. I have more to accomplish this next couple of weeks on her, but I just felt like sharing. Thanks for looking.
Tony ------------------
[This message has been edited by Tony Kania (edited 05-23-2011).]
Thanks Nolan. I am really trying not to have it gaudy, or over done. A few scraps of aluminum is not adding any real weight, and polishing only helps to grow the forearms. I often just sit and ponder what the car needs. There is a lot of writing down of ideas, and when the mood strikes, I play. Most of my projects see several renditions before the forum does, but todays progress was noteworthy.
Looks like I get to see your ride tomorrow. I need to pick that front end up from Justin, and plan on swinging out to Joe's. I got to get a paint quote, and may get some more things done if the price is right. I hear that Joe has a nice set of side scoops really, really cheap. *snicker*
The fire extinguisher is there so as not to lose the sticker.
Tony
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02:01 AM
johnyrottin Member
Posts: 5487 From: Northwest Florida Registered: Oct 2007
Not on the road just yet. It was actually nice to have the front end off. Three years ago, I went through and put in a new engine, suspension, and brakes. While doing that, I went ahead and scraped and painted everything south of the front radiator area. Gas tank, to the taillights. I just never finished the very front of the car. So, this gave me a chance to remove the metal bumber, and just go to town with some wire brushes, and semi flat paint. The horns were always something that I wanted to do, and even the rest of my planned tweaks have been sitting on paper for years now.
I wanted to mention to the forum, that everyone should get under their Fiero and inspect the fins on the radiator. A little hooked picking tool works good to straighten them out. I have straightened out the fins before, and it is just crazy how one heavy bumble bee can just bend them into submission so easily. Every bit of cooling these cars can get...
Some pics of the damage...
Tony
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11:23 AM
nmw75 Member
Posts: 1676 From: Mc Falls, Maine Registered: Mar 2007
THAT, is a great idea! The slight oval shape of that vent should work nicely with the lines of the Fiero. You've got a great eye for detail there Tony. Love the aluminum work. Looks professional and like it's in the best traditions of custom "tin knockers" past and present.
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12:38 PM
Xyster Member
Posts: 1444 From: Great Falls MT Registered: Apr 2011
About the fire extinguisher, make or buy some sort of quick-release bracket. Seconds count when putting out a fire. I keep mine on the floor behind my drivers seat. I do not have my seat back all the way and the extinguisher is kinda wedged down in the bottom (w/ no holder/bracket; just grab and go). Very quick to access if I ever need it... Mounting yours up front under the hood may look cool, but your added precious seconds trying to get to it...
[This message has been edited by ALJR (edited 05-20-2011).]
Thanks Nolan. I am really trying not to have it gaudy, or over done. A few scraps of aluminum is not adding any real weight, and polishing only helps to grow the forearms. I often just sit and ponder what the car needs. There is a lot of writing down of ideas, and when the mood strikes, I play. Most of my projects see several renditions before the forum does, but todays progress was noteworthy.
Looks like I get to see your ride tomorrow. I need to pick that front end up from Justin, and plan on swinging out to Joe's. I got to get a paint quote, and may get some more things done if the price is right. I hear that Joe has a nice set of side scoops really, really cheap. *snicker*
The fire extinguisher is there so as not to lose the sticker.
Tony
Say hi to my baby when you see her for me. I hope I don't see you doing a scoop thread in the immediate future!
ALJR... Any suggestions? I agree. Seconds definately count in any situation. As it sits, with the felt in the inside of the mount, I can release it fairly quickly, but not as quickly as I would like. If you have a better suggestion, then please guide me.
Randye... Thanks for the compliments. Things take me forever because of the OCD, but I like it that way. I actually found this "scoop" while walking the Pull & Jerk. I really had my eye out for the Dodge turbo scoops circa '86. I saw this, and when I pulled it out of the hood, it had that little intake section that sticks below the hood. I flipped it around, and just knew that it was going to be used somewhere. I am pretty sure that I will be able to cut my hood, and not have to repaint the entire hood. Just this vent will need painting. Hopefully? It seems to be made out of the same material as the front of our cars.
Oh yeah, they charged me $5 for it. I call it Pull & Jerk, but they are actually really cool there.
Nolan... Just wow! I will even say it backwards... wow! Your 88 is spectacular. The lip on the front clip needs more information by the way. And pics. Definately we need pics of how that sits on your car. And please tell me the story of the sticker on the passenger window. You don't want that glass to break.
I had picked up that nose cone from JPH87 after swinging by Fieroking's this afternoon. Once again, Justin, thank you. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask. I actually just hung it on there when I got home, and it sits so very nice.
I have a few tweaks planned, then off to get paint in the next week or two. I may do the antenna delete thing while things are scattered off of the frame. I plan on remaking my front splitters, but this time I am doing them right. They fit well, and the finish was mirror perfect, but I did not start with a wide enough piece of stock. It ended up following the GT bottom too much, and I want a more aggressive stance to the car. I have never liked the GT nose cone pushed up in the front. It is just not level with the ground, and reminds me of a skiff. Think Mythbusters.
I am going to take this opportunity to flare out the bottoms of my front clip about an inch on each side. The small triangle wheel well liner pieces just in front of the front tire are going to be widened, then restapled to the main liner. This will hide my front tires more, and hopefully help with the aggression that my car is feeling as of late. An inch doesn't sound like much, but it flows nicely with my plans. I just don't want to go to far, and have the front end look odd.
I will keep updating this post for a while. I have some fairly cheap projects money wise going on, and those are the best ones. Thanks for all of the kind words.
Tony
Edit: As always, thanks to Joe (Fieroking) for all of the odds and ends that I needed. You are the pinnacle of Inland Northwest Fiero madness.
[This message has been edited by Tony Kania (edited 05-22-2011).]
ALJR... Any suggestions? I agree. Seconds definately count in any situation. As it sits, with the felt in the inside of the mount, I can release it fairly quickly, but not as quickly as I would like. If you have a better suggestion, then please guide me.
Like I said, I have mine just laying on the floor behind my drivers seat, no bracket or clamp, just the seat slid back to hold it in place... But if your tall and have your seat all the way back, that aint gonna work for you. For me, it was the quickest spot to keep it; basicaly open the door, flip the seat forward and start spraying. God I hope I never need it I have seen some mount them against the rear window, I guess you would call this area the package shelf in a Fiero. However, I think it looks like popo there. I guess if behind the seat would not work for you, then under the front hood on the drivers side would work (drivers side because its quicker to get to and the hood prop is also on that side); I just don't like the idea of having to unscrew something to get it out. Why not use a more conventional fire extinguisher holder, like the kind they come with (quick release spring lever)?
The rear trunk seems like the obvious place to keep it. But the last thing you want to do is pop the rear and add air to the fire before you have the extinguisher at the ready...
Thanks for your comments on my 88 GT. The car was purchased in Calgary and the sticker is a dealer sticker commemorating the 1988 winter Olympic Games which were in Calgary Canada.
As for the spoiler lip... well some folks might think it's a bit cheesy but the idea came from HERE
I don't have any pictures of it though.
Thanks Nolan
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12:13 AM
May 22nd, 2011
Tony Kania Member
Posts: 20794 From: The Inland Northwest Registered: Dec 2008
I was always looking at those Subaru scoops thinking that it might work on the Fiero. Tony just took the initiative. Awesome to try though. I like how it looks.
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11:44 AM
JPH87 Member
Posts: 292 From: Post Falls ID Registered: Sep 2008
It will be a few days before I can get back at it. Just some more finishing filing.
The vent sits on 1/4" of the hood all of the way around. It actually snaps into place with a couple of taps. I will use 3M automotive tape to keep it in for good, but I believe that it would stay in place by itself. It really fits that nicely into the two different top and bottom of the hood cuts. The underside will more than likely get a black automotive silicone to finish it off. There should be no moisture coming from the topside, and the underside is my biggest worry. I just want to keep moisture out of the middle of the panels.
I plan on painting it when I get the front clip done here shortly. It will be body color to match the hood. Not sure if I mentioned it, but I don't need to paint my hood after this mod.
Sanding. Still some more finish sanding, but several more hours I am sure of. The sanding of the vent is done, and only the nose to finish up. I cut out the center spire in the mouth opening, and need to fill those in this afternoon,then more sanding. I am removing my GT emblem, and those are to be filled today.
While that is working, I plan on mounting the nose, and fabbing up those fender liner extensions. Like I said, I am just flaring out the bottom of the leading edge, and this will help hide the wide front tires.
I removed the rubber air directing material in the nose, and need to remake the "air intake area". I had saved some of the pieces of the original nose, and will use that to make the inlet. I plan on painting those pieces the bottom molding color, to give that area a finished look. With the center spire removed, I can now mount the front plate a little bit back on the chin, and give it a roll to match the GT profile. I really like having the spire removed. Pics later.
Tony
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11:18 AM
dratts Member
Posts: 8373 From: Coeur d' alene Idaho USA Registered: Apr 2001
About the fire extinguisher, make or buy some sort of quick-release bracket. Seconds count when putting out a fire. I keep mine on the floor behind my drivers seat. I do not have my seat back all the way and the extinguisher is kinda wedged down in the bottom (w/ no holder/bracket; just grab and go). Very quick to access if I ever need it... Mounting yours up front under the hood may look cool, but your added precious seconds trying to get to it...
Although I haven't done it yet I think that three fire extinguishers is about right for a Fiero. One in front like yours with a quick release, one under the dash along the console on the passenger side with a quick release and one in the trunk with a quick release. Yours looks great especially with the Fiero emblem on it. Did I mention quick release?
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12:04 PM
Tony Kania Member
Posts: 20794 From: The Inland Northwest Registered: Dec 2008
As you can see, in this pic I am going to use the cut out part of the facia intake as an air foil. It will keep the shape that it has now, but I will super glue it into place, and then paint. (OK, sarcasm off.)
Back to reality. I plan on doing the vent the same color as the hood. It really stands out with it anything but. The vent sits really nice with the hood, and there are no wrinkles, or gaps after it is installed. (1st pic is from earlier last week.) A lot of modification sanding wise really was done. Not just cut, tape, and paste.
My plate will be mounted like so. And the nose badge removed.
I still need to sand the marker light openings, but that will be done after filling in the holes for the emblem. I still need to run to NAPA for bumper filler. Not much longer, but I need to do some preventive maintenance on the engine, and fluids. I have about 10,000 on the brakes, but I just may do pads. Driving season is approaching quickly here in the Inland Northwest. I really wanted to do Vette brakes this year, and had my hopes up high. The damage to the front negates the brake upgrade, and pads are cheaper anyway now. The entire system has been replaced from the MC to the calipers. I will hold out.
As you can see, in this pic I am going to use the cut out part of the facia intake as an air foil. It will keep the shape that it has now, but I will super glue it into place, and then paint. (OK, sarcasm off.)
What, you don't like the "nostril" look?
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11:51 PM
May 31st, 2011
Tony Kania Member
Posts: 20794 From: The Inland Northwest Registered: Dec 2008
I have spent so many hours just staring at the vent. I am defianately going to paint it, but if it doesn't look absolutely perfect on the hood, then I am going to fiberglass in a smoother option. It fits perfectly in the holes cut, and all of the edges are flush, but I am a bit torn. I looked a some side by side comparisons of other fiberglassed in ideas, and just really like the smoothness of a glassed in vent. Irregardless of how it turns out, I am sure that is the look that she will be running this year.
Tony
Nolan... I was going to present it as my new TV antenna, but I could not find my old B&W 7". I planned on zip tieing it under the passenger dash, and throw some old PS1 controllers next to it.
Thanks Joe. Pops has already talked about the deal on your tickets here.
[This message has been edited by Tony Kania (edited 05-31-2011).]
I picked up a used set of Fiero 1 Fan's buckets with dual 90mm Hellas from Fieroking last night.... He, he, he. Those are awesome Nolan!
I picked up my front end from paint on Friday, and have it mostly mounted on the car. I say mostly, because I still need to shim it to line up better. I was able to drive out to Joe's yesterday, and did not realize just how much I love the Fiero. The paint matches pretty good, but I knew coming in to this that it was not going to be perfect. I am happy though. The hood vent works great, but alas, I see things that I want to change. I will roll with it the way it is now, but after installing it, I realize that I will not be happy until it is molded in. I plan on frenching it into the hood this winter. I just don't like the stuck on look, and molding it into the hood will require a repaint.
I guess that I should post a few pics of the after...
I am pleased with the painter. Match is as good as can possibly be, and finish makes me want to paint the rest of the car. One day.
I ended up flaring out the bottom of the front clip at the wheell wells an inch and a half. I have material for the liner, and will get to that soon. There is only about a half inch gap at the bottom, but I want to finish that up.
With the new Subaru vent, she runs nice and cool. The fan comes on, and it is like a hair dryer pouring out the vent. Definately happy with this mod.
Hey I didn't notice yet if you found anything for a quick relese for the extinguisher but that about the bolt and lever they use on bike seats still holds tight and when you flip it open it should come out pretty easily, and I think most of them are aluminum
Maybe a little labor, but it got me to tackle a few jobs in the interm. Don't mind the dust, and there is still a little more poilishing of the aluminum, but this is the progress as of this evening. Let me know what you think. 
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.......but only for a moment. I had an idea. 
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I had pulled one from a Mitsubishi that is a bit smaller. Mine had a crack near the top, and would leak out fluid upon spirited driving. That will go next to the front mount battery that is going in sometime this weekend. 
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The lip on the front clip needs more information by the way. And pics. Definately we need pics of how that sits on your car. And please tell me the story of the sticker on the passenger window. You don't want that glass to break. 
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