 
     |
| Finale Roadster, The Build (Page 4/49) |
|
Archie
|
AUG 19, 07:55 PM
|
|
|
Now for today's update. When you are doing a project like this it's not all glory. It doesn't all just fall together like you might think & it's the work underneath that makes the finished project perfect instead of just ok. There's a lot of the dirty work to do before you even get to start mounting the body. Today we spent a few hours this morning flogging the GT40 before getting back to the new car (NEED A NAME for this thing). It's a tough job to get the testing done on these things but someone's gotta do it.  
As I said yesterday the right side framework under the rocker panel was bent a little like this..... 
So as part of our frame stiffening, we decided to cut out the bent section of the rockers and weld in a heavy wall pc. of 2"x2" box tubing. We did this to both sides of the car. Here is the rocker after the section was cut out....
 & here is the drivers side after we fitted & welded in the 2x2 box
 We also welded in some 1-1/2" .250 wall angle iron up the rears corners of the passenger compartment on the outside.
 more to come [This message has been edited by Archie (edited 08-19-2004).]
|
|
|
|
Archie
|
AUG 19, 08:03 PM
|
|
|
Additionally we plasma cut & welded in some 3/8" steel plate on both sides of the gas tank tunnel & up the rear bulkhead. 
Also to help stiffen the car, we welded in a 3/8" plate on the outboard wall behind the door openings. 
We have several more hours of welding to do tomorrow yet. Then it'll be time to make the 1st cuts on the roof framework to evaluate how stiff the car is then. I'll be back tomorrow with more. Archie
|
|
|
|
GTFiero1
|
AUG 19, 08:52 PM
|
|
|
do you plan to develope your own X frame for under the car to sell with the future kit? for a name, i vote for FRX, Finale Roadster eXperimental
|
|
|
|
Black-Azz-GT
|
AUG 19, 09:11 PM
|
|
|
Nice creative work. I feel like I am watching Rides on TLC. Theres an Idea. It would be cool if they'd follow on of your builds. [This message has been edited by Black-Azz-GT (edited 08-19-2004).]
|
|
|
AusFiero
|
AUG 19, 09:27 PM
|
|
|
Looks like you are strengthening that car pretty much how I had discussed with an automotive engineer over here on regards to chopping a Fieros roof off. An x-brace is pretty useless compared to this method unless the x brace is seam welded to the chassis, which none ever are. The way you are strengthening this car is the way auto manufacturers do convertibles. Beef up the areas where the stress will be taken. ------------------
|
|
|
|
NotAFieroAnyLonger
|
AUG 19, 09:56 PM
|
|
|
Archie... This look's like a great project for you and the guy's!
I know that this will be done and done right!!
My question is do you do all that extra stell to stiffen your choptop's the same way...?? 
|
|
|
|
Archie
|
AUG 19, 10:07 PM
|
|
|
NotAFieroAnyLonger: We do extra stiffneing on the chops too but not the same as this car. GTFiero1: I already have the tooling to build a double "X" under the car. That X frame uses 3" x 1" box tubing & welds to certain places on the underside of the car. I made that tooling years ago when I build several T.R. convertables. Yes, stiffneing will be addressed in kits. AusFiero: Correct, Thanks. Archie
|
|
|
Formula88
|
AUG 19, 11:06 PM
|
|
| quote | | Originally posted by LZeitgeist: I was never, ever worried for a second having these guys (and Archie) working on my 5x trophy-winning Formula. |
|
High praise indeed! I know how anal LZ is about his car!!  (seriously, that's very high praise from him)
| quote | | Originally posted by LZeitgeist: I hope I get to be i your neck of the woods again someday, Archie. After spending a week up there with you guys, it feels like a sort of 'home away from home'. |
|
Yeah. You spend a week at Archie's shop while they transform your Formula, and you never even got a RIDE in a V8 Fiero?
How in the heck can you make a pilgramidge to the holiest of Fiero sites and not pray? 
|
|
|
|
LZeitgeist
|
AUG 19, 11:15 PM
|
|
| quote | Originally posted by Formula88:
Yeah. You spend a week at Archie's shop while they transform your Formula, and you never even got a RIDE in a V8 Fiero?
How in the heck can you make a pilgramidge to the holiest of Fiero sites and not pray? |
|
LOL! Yeah, well, that's *your* 14-year dream... my 14-year dream had just come true as it was. Besides, now I have a reason to be your wingman when you go up for your swap...  ------------------
Patrick W. Heinske -- LZeitgeist@aol.com
1988 Red Fiero Formula Convertible
|
|
|
|
Formula88
|
AUG 19, 11:40 PM
|
|
| quote | | Originally posted by LZeitgeist:
LOL! Yeah, well, that's *your* 14-year dream... my 14-year dream had just come true as it was.
Besides, now I have a reason to be your wingman when you go up for your swap... |
|
Well, I haven't been dreaming of a V8 Fiero for 14 years. More like 3, but let's hope I don't have to wait the other 11. I can't wait to see the LS1 install in the bad boy! Gotta think of a good name for it......
|
|
|
