The bracket was made by cptsnoopy and looks great, I just need to get off my butt and get the pulley needed now. By the way thanks again cptsnoopy!!!! You saved me at least two days of destroying steel !!!! Also I thought I would give you some of the before picture now of the 88 I am going to redo and make into a GT N*
This is joes car and its going to become mine, before anyone asks about body parts Joes wants what I don't use back, so I am sorry no parts are for sale yet.
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag thespeedshop@sbcglobal.net My build thread
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01:40 AM
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
that car looks just like mine did! ok, alot cleaner outside and it probably is tons better on the inside! i don't remember how much the pulley costs but it was not very much. I bought it at autozone. I hope I am on days off when you show up out here. that way we can drink beers!
edit: I just looked at what you mean about the missing centering pin. I was lucky and both were in my engine. hopefully you can just tap one out of another block. I know a recycling place in Phoenix that tears down warranty northstar engines and sells the metal for scraps. I think we could get you a pin for nothing if you had time to go over there when you're in town.
[This message has been edited by cptsnoopy (edited 11-16-2004).]
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08:24 PM
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
Well, I was able to get some work done this weekend. I mounted the trans up besides the bellhousing bolt that doesn't line up. I was going to just forget but after looking at it I would feel alot more confortable with the support there on that side. Infact I am also going to make a mount that is going to go from the back of the oil pan to the bottom/back of the transaxle. I have a guy at work that now owes me a favor so I am cashing in and having him do some of the needed welding. Here is where I am right now. I also am going to use a friends Rodney Dickmens trans mount as a templet and make my own trans mount.
My cardboard templet for the oil pan mount
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09:06 PM
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
I talked to my new found friend at the local machine shop and he gave me a scrap alum. block he had around. It was the perfect size for me. Marker it out, cut it up and grinded it down for the unlined bellhousing bolt.
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09:22 PM
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
Here is a great site, at least it is to me. I lined up the trans and bolted it up.
Here is the bottom of the oil pan
The bellhousing bolt hole
As you can see after pulling off my exhaust system and water pump I found I have an oil pan leak so I guess I will be pulling that off and repairing that. So no need to give my crap snoopy "Charlie" it will be cleaned up and fixed!!!! I teased him a little bit ago.
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag thespeedshop@sbcglobal.net My build thread
[This message has been edited by GSXRBOBBY (edited 11-22-2004).]
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09:29 PM
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
By the way, I made up an 88 Fiero brake upgrade kit, most of you guys already know that by my other posts. Here is my 1st ruff draft that came out perfect:
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag thespeedshop@sbcglobal.net My build thread
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09:31 PM
cptsnoopy Member
Posts: 2585 From: phoenix, AZ, USA Registered: Jul 2003
Right now I have put things on hold until the New Years, I have bought a few things for the car and the swap. Thats about it, other than making a few brackets to mount the Northstar.
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag 219customs@verizon.net My build thread
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08:48 PM
PFF
System Bot
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
I bought the rubber mount from Auto Zone its a Full size trans mount for an 88 to 97 4X4 with a 5.7L or some call it a 350 SBC.
This is a picture of a mount for a 4.9L Caddy, I have been looking at that and thinking something close to that but using the above rubber mount would work the best. Not really sure yet, infact I am will not be sure until the motor is mounted to the trans and the trans is mount to the cradle having the engine hanging over the cradle?
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag 219customs@verizon.net My build thread
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08:55 PM
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
I have half the rotors on there way, it looks like about 95% of everyone has bought the cross drilled rotors I have found. I think the last time I counted we had about 20 people listed. So that has worked out really well, I am just glad I was able to help everyone else get this nice package also! Here are the rotors we are getting:
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag 219customs@verizon.net My build thread
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09:00 PM
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
Bought these from Phil along time ago. He had them at 2004 Fieroroma, I got them from him just after. I hope they will look good in the Orange outside GT body, with Black/grey and little C.F. interior. I just wanted something different that added a little of the outside color inside the car without it becoming to much!
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag 219customs@verizon.net My build thread
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09:42 PM
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
Most of the bolts have been replaced as I have gone along doing this. Here are a few harder to find size bolts I needed.
Also anybody if you remove your water pump house for any reason, the gaskets say they are reusable, but my friend at the dealership said they should never be reused. Mine were clear as day they should not be reused, they looked used up and even looked like they were over tightened? There are four of them, they cost me around $35 to replace them. Better safe then sorry!
The reason I removed the housing was it made mounting the trasnaxle so much easier!
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag 219customs@verizon.net My build thread
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09:50 PM
Dec 16th, 2004
cptsnoopy Member
Posts: 2585 From: phoenix, AZ, USA Registered: Jul 2003
Right now I have put things on hold until the New Years, I have bought a few things for the car and the swap. Thats about it, other than making a few brackets to mount the Northstar.
umm, what are those?
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12:05 AM
KissMySSFiero Member
Posts: 5542 From: Tarpon Springs, FL USA Registered: Nov 2000
Pedal covers, a good pedal cover that has to be drilled and bolted down. The ones that can be installed without drilling suck, they slip and come loose.
I hope they look good on there. I just finished cutting out the steel for the mounts. I am hoping to have them welded this weekend. I will need to make just one more mount the motor mount just under the coils on the motor. I will finish that one after the trans is mounted to the motor and they are both mounted down to the cradle so it can be lined up right before I make that mount, also need to see just how much room is needed for the axle on that side.
I am hoping that the stock motor mount bolted to the exhaust, the 2 stock trans mounts, and that "under coil" mount will be enough. Not really sure if a dogbone is going to be needed just yet?
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag 219customs@verizon.net My build thread
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06:14 PM
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
I was out in the garage tonight and took a few pictures: A 93 Northstar without a waterpump housing
A friend of mine is installing a V-8 in his Fiero right now and here is the trans bracket he is using. I want mine to be rubber mounted on the large GM trans mount so this is what I came up with. The large trans mount is for a 88 to 97 Full size Chevy 4X4 pick up, the Auto Zone number for the bracket again is Anchor 2638 and it cost $16.99, just incase someone else wants to use it.
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag 219customs@verizon.net My build thread
[This message has been edited by GSXRBOBBY (edited 12-19-2004).]
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09:55 PM
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
The other trans bracket is also get custom made here. I guess I could have just bought a stock trans mount or got it from Rodney Dickmen. But since I already had the steel and the tools out, plus being able to say I made everything, I am just making my own. Here they are cut out before they get welded also.
P.S. Don't tell Archie, he may call GM and tell on me!
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag 219customs@verizon.net My build thread
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10:09 PM
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
Something started to bug me, I want this to be the strongest possible. So after looking it over I had to add on to one of the brackets so there is more material for a stronger weld. So I am adding on here:
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag 219customs@verizon.net My build thread
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10:30 PM
Dec 17th, 2004
cptsnoopy Member
Posts: 2585 From: phoenix, AZ, USA Registered: Jul 2003
Something started to bug me, I want this to be the strongest possible. So after looking it over I had to add on to one of the brackets so there is more material for a stronger weld. So I am adding on here:
lol, yup, you get what you think is right, then, well, maybe ok i'll add a gusset here and there...
looks like the tranny mount will work great!
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04:21 AM
Will Member
Posts: 14250 From: Where you least expect me Registered: Jun 2000
Just love it when someone thinks everything out, puts together a good plan and then executes prefectly, ops............. wrong post. Just messin with ya, good luck with whichever one you get done.
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07:17 PM
Dec 18th, 2004
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
Just love it when someone thinks everything out, puts together a good plan and then executes prefectly, ops............. wrong post. Just messin with ya, good luck with whichever one you get done.
Francis....you know why us guys call cars girls names right? When your building a car or restoring a car you change your mind some many times, just like you girl.
"A girl with a set of ball, 300 HP" hows that for a mental picture?
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag 219customs@verizon.net My build thread
Well, I had alot of my welding done last night. I have to say thank you to TA6SPD, a member on here that I have meet and become friends with. Thanks alot for the help!!!!!!
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag 219customs@verizon.net My build thread
[This message has been edited by GSXRBOBBY (edited 12-19-2004).]
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11:08 AM
PFF
System Bot
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
They are a bet ruff, they havn't been cleaned up or painted thats next. I would try to mount the trans mounts today on the cradle so I could work on the other motor mount but I now have a parts car in my way. So I guess I will have to put things off for a month or so since I am sharing this garage with a buddy. He has taken on doing a trans swap for a memeber here.
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01:32 PM
soup Member
Posts: 1572 From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Registered: Nov 2001
soup, they are flush mount turning signals for a motorcycle, you can get them at a few places. Also VW has side marker lights on there finders and Audi also does have them and they would work just fine!
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag 219customs@verizon.net My build thread
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01:59 AM
Jan 4th, 2005
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
Well as most of you know I have had to put things on hold here. I have been thinking that this thread needs to stay focused on the 86GT and maybe will do a second on the 88. The reason I have desided to do that was the 88 when that thread is made I am going to show in full detail the Northstar swap, the install of Norms Nose from Norms Fiberglass, the complete install of Mr. Mike seats, and how I painted it. I have 2 DVD's coming from House of Kolor that will help me show the full painting process.
So back to the 86 GT: I filled to side where the trim was and have had to stop since I have no room in the garage and its way to cold outside to do anything.
Plus the 2.8L that was in the car was fully detailed and cleaned up really nice!
This car is going to be completed and then sold sometime in March to pay for the 88 project. I am going to leave the 2.8L in the car with its 4 speed and new clutch. I am going to finish the interior and repaint the car. So anybody looking to buy a custom Fiero GT in the spring here you go!
------------------ Bobby from NW Indiana 93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag 219customs@verizon.net My 86 GT build thread
[This message has been edited by GSXRBOBBY (edited 01-04-2005).]
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04:08 PM
Jan 7th, 2005
GSXRBOBBY Member
Posts: 3122 From: Southern Indiana USA Registered: Aug 2003
WOW is this ugly but it has held up nice, in a few weeks I am going to bring it to a friends and shape it, sand it down. I am going to wait to do the rest of the car since its getting painted in March.
I have not really desided on what color the 86 GT is going to become just yet. I am also going to redo the mirrors soon also with a thicker metal, I used sheet metal and it was easier to work with but after getting up to highway speeds the shack a little more then I like. I am going to not only make them alot more solid but bring down the outer part of the mirror so they are alot more level.
I also did find out that the same company that made this LED-carbon fiber mirror is now making them with a power mirror option. So I am going to look into that more with hopes that it can use the stock Fiero switch and wiring?
Well I was able to get some indoor space so I brought in the 86 GT and started working on the sides again. I did some sanding and after getting some plastic filler I got alot done. I am doing the driver side first since this is my first time doing real body work. I used to have a friend do it but I really want to learn this myself so I am using this car to learn it. As you all know I filled the side in where the trim was months ago and here it is after the work I did today:
I had it all sanded down with a sander/grinding wheel Then I sanded the area with 120 grit and lowered the fill and sanded it down with 60 grit Then I drilled some more holes so the plastic body filler has something to help hold to
Like most GT car that have not been taken great care of the nose has a small sag. Instead of giving the car a nose lift or lifting the the front with the possiblity of it sagging later I desided to blend it in as is. The sag is far from what most are. To get the nose to fender flush and have it look alot better I did some grinding and cut out some of the front fender to help it blend in better. I crossed the hole with small steel bar and then covered it with screen and I am going to fill it all in.
The other hole you see is for my front marker light/turning signal
Well I got some more work done today, I started with the nose corner. I screened the hole over the small steel rods I added and using plastic body filler I redid the sides.
I also started to redo my mirrors today, the first mount I made "NOT COPIED" was made from 16 gauge sheet metal, it was somewhat easy to work with but at higher speeds the mirror started to bounce a little bit and I didn't like it so much. So I redid it out of a thin steel plate. Also the mirror was pointing up or should I say tilted up. So I am making a mid mount between the door mount and the mirror to level it out. So I am making a mold for it and I started with a wood base and doing it out of fiberglass.
Well I started sanding today, I started with 60 grit block sanding. I spent about 45 mins and gave up. I went out and bought a 6" 2-1/2 HP DA and I was able to do the complete driver side of the car in a hour. When I have the right tools it made this fun! Also not to blow my own horn but I think I am doing areally good job? Maybe its the sander...haha Well the air compressor as got it brake so I am going to get back to work. I'll take so pictures later tonight.
I have had the driverside done for sometime and have not been able to finish it just yet. I looked it over really close today and it has held up well, yes I have been driving it the way it looks "redneck jokes can be added later".
With the really cold weather and then having a few days that went up into the 50's and back down again and then the next week had the same thing I feel it is going to last without any trouble. Even more so after its finished, painted and cleared.
Sems plastic body filler "no swell" is what was used and is good to work with. It has a fiberglass base body filler added first to give the panel a rigid base.
