I came across this website www.shelbycustom.com/v8/v8.html
and I wanted get some opinions about their kit. It says their kit is complete for only $1900. They promise 2 weeks for delivery or they drop the price. Also, included in their kit, are a set of custom axles, which means you don't have to cut the frame or have waterpump problems like Archie's kit. I'm very impressed by this company but I wanted some feedback by anyone who's done business with them, thanks!

Another copy of the Zumalt kit. Not sure if "better" , but you cant call the designer of the kit to help you with any problems that might arise.....

P.S You dont have to cut the frame with Archies kit and secondly, there arent any "problems" with Archies waterpump setup.
I know this has been beaten to death here on the forum. I would suggest doing a search on V8 if you need further info....

Just my .02 (in case you didnt hear the first time....JUST MY .02!!!!!!!!) thanks

Scott

------------------
86 SE Gold
86 GT Red

"Trying to change from V8Fiero to RedRavenGT"

[This message has been edited by V8Fiero (edited 07-05-2001).]

Dunno...never used either...does look interesting though. M7F

For some reason I feel like Archie's kit is a safer bet to deal on. Just my opinion.

------------------

Try Hi-Tech Development in the fiero parts vendor. They make the same style kit and they are it Canada. Here is there web page http://www.hi-techdev.com/

Thanks Rashaam, I've heard good this about Hi-Tech but I wanted to learn more about Shelby Customs. I mean LOOK at what they do...it blows my mind! Seems to me if they can build Lambo's and custom chassis kits, then V8 kits must be child's play for them. $1900, hard to beat, includes axles and Centereforce clutch...

You dont cut the frame. You cut a hole out in the passenger rear fenderwell. You still could go with an electric waterpump but would still need to cut a small hole for the end of the pump to clear. In no way does this effect the integrity of the fiero frame.
Just curious with this Zumalt copy. For $1900 what all do you get? I think this would compare to the Deluxe kit Archie has. $1500 if I remember correctly. Oh yea. Not sure if anyone has ever tried to change just the axle shaft on a cv joint before, but it is a royal PITA. Would much rather use the stock axles.

Just my .02 again folks.

Scott

------------------
86 SE Gold
86 GT Red

"Trying to change from V8Fiero to RedRavenGT"

Does Archie even ship to Canada? I sent him some mail a couple of days ago to see if i could get a estimate for shipping up here but have heard nothing yet, will let you know if I do hear from him though.

------------------
Darryl Martin
1985 GT

quote Originally posted by V8Fiero: You dont cut the frame. You cut a hole out in the passenger rear fenderwell. You still could go with an electric waterpump but would still need to cut a small hole for the end of the pump to clear. In no way does this effect the integrity of the fiero frame. Just curious with this Zumalt copy. For $1900 what all do you get? I think this would compare to the Deluxe kit Archie has. $1500 if I remember correctly.

Here's the list fo ya V8Fiero:

Billet aluminum block adapter
Billet aluminum motor mounts (3)
Racing axles
Custom billet steel flywheel(balanced)
Centerforce- clutch and pressure plate
Hi-torque performance starter
Aluminum water pump
Water pump pulley
Aluminum alternator bracket
Aluminum crank pulley
Fan belt
Throw-out bearing
Water filler
Remote oil filter adaptation
All mounting hardware
Assembly instructions

From what I can see, you get the axles, clutch, and aluminum engine mounts over the Archie kit. Check out the rest of their site.

I think I'd prefer to change over my axles rather than cut up my fenderwells. BTW, could you please define what consitutes a "Zumalt" kit or copy? Did Zumalt make everything out of billet aluminum too?

my .02

Well get ready to eat you hat

The reason the Zumwalt kit changes the axles is so they can move the engine 2" to the left in the car. However, moving the engine to the left in the car means you have to cut the left side frame rail. Now which would you rather do..... pay extra for axles you don't really need AND cut the frame rail OR use the stock axles and trim a little sheet metal???

I would respectfully request that you click on SEARCH and search for 2 words Zumwalt & Zumalt. you will find extensive discussion on both Hi-Tech and Shelby..... take the time to read those threads.

Zumwalt is a reference to the style of the kit not the materials used.

Now, at the Carlisle show I took a bunch of pics. of the Hi-Tech cars they had there on display. I think you'll find this pretty interesting.

!st go to the Hi-Tech site http://www.hi-techdev.com/htdv8.htm and read the following statement "The HTD Eliminator Fiero - V8 Installation Kit will mount any Chevy V8 in your Fiero. Many V8 engines can be installed with no body modifications, as in the one pictured above and throughout this Web site."

Now, look at the pictures I took...

See that red X That is the frame rail on the left side.... right below the X you can see the transmission sticking into that frame rail.

They have the transmission so deep into the frame rail that they even had to notch the rail to clear the shift linkage.

Nice shot looking across the engine towards the left side of the engine compartment. What is that just to the left of the distributor cap? Is that daylight you see thru the wheel well opening? Did they cut out the sheetmetal of the inner wheel well? YOU BET THEY DID!!

Over on the right side now. The red X, That's the top of the frame rail. The arrow points to the TIRE. The green stuff, that's grass where there used to be inner wheel well sheet metal.

Another picture, that's the right side frame rail where the X is. The "0"'s ? that's the inside of the plastic Fiero quarter panel.

Now does that little bit of sheet metal as described by V8Fiero above really matter that much when these guys are doing all this cutting?

As you can see, what's advertized on the web site and what you actually get are not always the same.

I hope this helps

Archie

Wow... I love getting a comparison from someone who knows what to look for. Pictures really help, too!

Archie, do you have similar pics of your kit, for comparison? ...Just for the doubters on the list (we all know there are a few...)

Thanks!

------------------
Michael ~ triadtuning@hotmail.com
-----------------

Photoshop rendering of planned exterior modifications.

Here's a good questions for anyone who offers engine conversions, regardless of what type: "How many of your kits or engine conversions have you sold and how many are on the road?"

Not to start a flamewar but I saw the HTD kit here at the Burlington Car Show last year the guy brought it out, and I thought it was kinda a hack job, looked like it anyway. Most people saw the chromed rocker covers and went WOW.... I looked down and sort said to myself, Ugh, I do'nt like that!!

Archie knows his stuff, and his prices are quite reasonable.

If you do the swap right, you will not cut any frame rails, or holes in the side of the wheelwell<sp>.

You will end up with a wonderfuly fast and enjoyable car, and will be very happy.

Best!
Ben.

------------------

Ben Cannon
88 Formula, T-top Metalic Red
88 Formula, Silver
87 Coupe, Metalic Red
"Every Man Dies, not every man really Lives"
-Mel Gibson, "Braveheart"

Archie, I was at that Carlisle show too and looked at that car. I was told that car was used for racing and that why the extra sheet metal was removed. I am not defending them just my 2 cents.

Good form Archie!! You not only kept your cool, but you had illustrations to show laymen (like myself) the ins and outs of the kit in question. Not that I'm trying to be an "Archie Cheerleader", but I'm impressed at the time you took to show us what was what!

Ive seen some of the zumwalt style kits my self. i wastn too impressed witht he notch out of the frame. i was told "its just a small notch" well let me take a small notch out of your Femur(thigh bone). hmmm no really only a small one. well your car needs that strength to handle right. especially with a SBC pushing it. it may hold up but it sure will weakin the chassis. i dont have any pics of archie's kit(at work) but BBadGT's red fiero is a perfect example. the engine bay is the cleanest ive ever seen. and you can see right where the W/P drive system goes into the wheel well. its about a 3inch or so hole if that. i have seen more of archies kits out there and he has been around longer than any of the other ones ive seen. that alone say somehting. check out the thread about the 4K v-8 swap if your concerned about cost.

------------------
JOEJOE Aol:SSFiero

88FORMULA
SSFiero@Aol.com

"Kids in the backseat cause accidents, accidents in the backseat caused me!!"

Well, I don't have a V8 Fiero, but before I got my Formula, that was the reason behind getting a Fiero in the first place, so I did lots of research. I came to one conclusion. If I were to do a V8 Fiero today, it'd be an Archie V8. Hands down, no questions. He's been doing these for years, has done hundreds, and is still going strong.

The only other V8 I'd consider would be a Northstar, but that would only be if and when I'm satisfied all the electronics have been scienced out and if I can hook it to a 5-speed. Most N*'s aren't running at their full potential, cuz the computer isn't getting all the data it expects. If that can be overcome - and a stick shift can be reliably hooked up, I'd be interested. But you'd still be talking way more money than an Archie setup.

...did we mention....

WE LOVE YOU ARCHIE

------------------

86.5 2m4 5speed turd 241,000kms

quote Originally posted by TRiAD: Archie, do you have similar pics of your kit, for comparison? ...Just for the doubters on the list (we all know there are a few...) Thanks!

Well I didn't have pictures from the same angles so I just went out and took some.

Please remember these pics. were taken of my daily driver so you'll see pics. that have dirt etc. in them.

This pic. shows the stock left side frame rail "X" for a 87 Fiero coupe and the arrow shows the left end of the transmission. That daylight you see between them proves that the trans. doesn't violate the frame rail.

Shot looking across the engine towards the left side of the engine compartment. All you can see here is the stock sheet metal in the wheelwell & THAT'S GOOD.

Over on the right side now. The red X, That's the top of the frame rail. The "O"'s show the sheet metal that was missing on the HDT pics.

This is a shot of my belt drive W/P setup. The "X" is the stock sheet metal. The arrow shows were a 3" Dia. hole is cut in the sheet metal for the W/P Drive.

This pic. shows the Electric Waterpump mounted to the engine. It's the red thing.

Someone said that they were told that all the sheet metal was removed because it was a race car. Then how come both cars they showed had the same sheet metal removed. Are they both race cars? Do they like race each other?

Any more questions?

Archie

quote Originally posted by Archie: The reason the Zumwalt kit changes the axles is so they can move the engine 2" to the left in the car.

I know its not your kit, but why would they want to move the engine 2" if it involves cutting the frame?

My 2 cents!!! After buying an adapter plate (CK3) and other parts to drop in a V8 in my F40 (CK3), I can assure you to stick with Archie's kit...(my enlarged frame didn't require any cutting ((rear end is 2" short of 8')) )... The adapter plate I received had to be re-drilled to mount properly with the tranny....holes too small, etc. starter needed custom mount....blah, blah, blah! Archie provided help at several different points (even though he had no investment) and I thank him for that. ITS NOT JUST THE PARTS YOU'RE PAYING FOR.... experience is everything. custom work is for very patient individuals!!!
Sandy

quote Originally posted by Archie: Well I didn't have pictures from the same angles so I just went out and took some. Please remember these pics. were taken of my daily driver...

Thanks Archie! You da man!

...daily driver...if only I could say that...