this thursday is my next day off from work (been pulling six days a week 9+ hrs a day) and Steve says he's off work that day. I hope I can swing by so he'll give me a ride in the 4.9 Blur!!! Eat your hearts out!!!
Guess that'll get me some -'s
------------------ John DuRette Black 85 SE, undergoing work as we speak!
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10:10 PM
PBJ Member
Posts: 4167 From: London, On., Canada Registered: Jan 2001
Originally posted by BV MotorSports: Yesterday the TEMP needle fell off.
That happend to us before when it was a V6, others here told us you could stick the needle back on the post, using crazy glue. So I did, I reattached it when I knew the engine was a normal operating temperature and it worked fine.
Good to hear the car is working great.
Pete
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10:16 PM
Sep 4th, 2003
USFiero Member
Posts: 4877 From: Everywhere and Middle of Nowhere Registered: Mar 2002
Alrighty boys n' girls I got to ride in Steve's Blur today. He was pointing out the temp needle as we rode along, and I asked if his tach was hooked up? He laughed and said, no, it's working okay. Man, that motor has torque, and we weren't even hitting 2500 RPMS much and leaving everything behind at each light. Steve said he was afraid to hammer it much until he gets the new PROM from Rockrawl (Jon). I suppose so considering the history here. The thing idles smooth and around 500-750 RPM? I guess the higher gear ratio really woke that beast, it just pulls and pulls and pulls... what a blast! oh yeah, the Zettner brakes? I asked him how they did and he was kind enough to demonstrate. The Blur has carbon metallic pads and you can tell how well they work as they heat up... even with the first stop, it was pretty darn tight.
I'd like to see Steve take it to the run what you brung Wednesday Nite shootout at Langley Speedway. It's too bad he wouldn't be around for the finals, he may have a winner!
i gotta build me one.
------------------ John DuRette Black 85 SE, undergoing work as we speak!
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11:45 PM
Sep 5th, 2003
BV MotorSports Member
Posts: 4821 From: Oak Hill, WV Registered: May 2001
Just for everyones' info if you are considering this swap, I got this off the Cadero Owners' Forum: (This is from Tom Hill, one of the first people I am aware of putting a Cadillac 4.9l in a Fiero)"As for transmissions, I like the automatic much better than the 5 spd. With the manual the car was too much of an animal. You couldn't finesse that thing to save your life. If you even thought about getting out of the gas while in a turn (autox) the car would go into terminal oversteer. With the automatic, the car launches much harder than with the manual. You simply squeeze on the gas until you feel the tires start to let loose and then "regulate the squeeze" from there. It almost feels like you're immediately at the top of 1st gear. One hell of a sensation. In a turn you simply modulate the go pedal to get optimum traction and G's. The only real problem I had with the auto is it liked to downshift by itself from 2nd to 1st and it usually picked the worst place to do it. I'm going to have to play with the throttle pressures a bit when I get the new and improved 4.9/5.0 going. As I said earlier, to date, I have not had any driveability issues related to the ECM with this transmission. Maybe I should knock on wood or something."
I admire anyone who wants to go to the trouble to engineer a stick shift conversion but I wonder if it would be worth more than the bragging rights of saying they done it.
This is a follow-up e-mail from Greg Duncan, the fellow who engineered and installed the 4.9 in the 88 coupe with Tom (together they call themselves 'Team Python'): I concur with Tom about the differences between the Auto vs. 5 spd. The first flywheel I made for the 4.9 powered "Pylon Python" weighed in at 11.75 lbs which made it quite snappy. Throttle control required extreme finesse to keep the rear end trailing the desired direction of travel instead of trying to lead.... One reason the flywheels I make now are 15 lbs. Though I do make a 9.6 lb version for V6's that could be done up for the V8 for those masochistic enough. 8-) Part of the problem as I see it is the Fiero transaxles are not geared properly for the power of a V8. Using taller tires helps but is still not the best answer. And even though I wouldn't mind selling more flywheels, overall the automatics offer enough better gearing that matches the V8 that I have to agree it is probably the best choice for street, autocross & drag racing. With the automatic he has in the car now, I have to say launches like you wouldn't believe!!! But it does require major traction to accomplish. He's got very soft racing slicks that measure 23.5x12-15 and it could almost use more....
- You can finds lots more input on the Forum selecting transmissions/wheels and whatever but it looks like the auto is the combo of choice even among racers. All I can say from first hand passenger experience is this one awesome street combination!
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10:13 PM
BV MotorSports Member
Posts: 4821 From: Oak Hill, WV Registered: May 2001
Alrighty boys n' girls I got to ride in Steve's Blur today. He was pointing out the temp needle as we rode along, and I asked if his tach was hooked up? He laughed and said, no, it's working okay. Man, that motor has torque, and we weren't even hitting 2500 RPMS much and leaving everything behind at each light. Steve said he was afraid to hammer it much until he gets the new PROM from Rockrawl (Jon). I suppose so considering the history here. The thing idles smooth and around 500-750 RPM? I guess the higher gear ratio really woke that beast, it just pulls and pulls and pulls... what a blast! oh yeah, the Zettner brakes? I asked him how they did and he was kind enough to demonstrate. The Blur has carbon metallic pads and you can tell how well they work as they heat up... even with the first stop, it was pretty darn tight.
I'd like to see Steve take it to the run what you brung Wednesday Nite shootout at Langley Speedway. It's too bad he wouldn't be around for the finals, he may have a winner!
i gotta build me one.
Glad you enjoyed the ride John. I did get dead into it today! I think I am gonna have to replace the alt soon, I hear a bit of squeak coming from it. Sad part is, its well over $100! Ouch. A/C compressor? $400. Parts for this caddy motor, come with a caddy price!
Steve, Autozone alternator CS brand is $107.99. Just bought one yesterday. core is $70.00 so take the old one with you. Replacing my alternator fixed my shorting problem, I must have screwed it up when I took it apart to grease the rear bearing and clean up the brushes. By the way I got mine running today. Sounds awesome through that flowmaster. Now I have to finish the front end and drrrrrive it. Oh yeah, I got to change the passenger axle too.
Dragon1/Brian
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08:06 PM
Sep 8th, 2003
USFiero Member
Posts: 4877 From: Everywhere and Middle of Nowhere Registered: Mar 2002
Well I just spent the last 6 hrs replacing the water pump. Oh what fun that was. It had a new GM pump installed prior to me buying the caddy for the swap but I guess what ever bone head that did it broke a bolt off and tried to jack-leg it to work. Now its right but I have to go thru the entire TPS/ISC learning stage and take it for a nice 45min highway drive to go into open loop.
I can never just set on my ass on my "day off". LOL
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11:55 PM
Oct 21st, 2003
furious_fiero Member
Posts: 3028 From: Surrey,BC,CANADA Registered: Mar 2002
Its not sold yet. If it doesnt fetch the 7k reserve it will be stored till I can arrange for it to be shipped to England. If I dont bring it, can I still have a ride in a Skyline???????
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06:26 PM
Oct 23rd, 2003
PK Member
Posts: 1249 From: Oxford, England Registered: Sep 2001
Is there no way that you can bring the car in via Lakenheath+transport plane?
Cheers PK
Sure pete... get me 1,025 bucks in the next few days and I will take the time off from work and ship it. Im putting in 12-13hr days 7 days a week trying to save up. Thats all.....
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11:31 AM
Oct 25th, 2003
BV MotorSports Member
Posts: 4821 From: Oak Hill, WV Registered: May 2001
Well, one last update. The car has been sold to a guy in Suffolk Va. He (Ken) will be here tomorrow at 1pm to pick her up. It will be a sad day indeed.
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10:03 PM
USFiero Member
Posts: 4877 From: Everywhere and Middle of Nowhere Registered: Mar 2002
Yay, it stays in VA. I gotta meet Ken. Will you introduce him to Bobby, in case he wants to get more stuff done? I can't imagine anymore mechanicAL MODS TO DO...
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10:43 PM
Dec 24th, 2003
Ken001 Member
Posts: 54 From: Suffolk, VA, USA Registered: Dec 2003
It has been two months since I bought this awesome 4.9 Fiero from Steve. I know he misses it badly - but I sure am enjoying the ride. There have been no major problems with the car since I have had it - I have put about 1000 miles on it since October - it is so much fun to drive! I got an e-mail from Steve today - he is doing well in the UK - he bought a v-spec to play with. I'll update things as they occur with the Fiero.
Steven did a fantastic job on my 4.9 also. Glad to hear that you are enjoying yours as much as I enjoy mine. I do need to replace my tranny on mine and it seems that I managed to break 1 or more motor mounts. I need to get mine down to Bobbys shop for him and Garth to look at and fix soon. I hope that you will get together with us at the ECGT meet that we are trying to put together. Look forward to meeting the person that got that wonderful GT4.9
Glad to see you here Ken, Hope to see you at some FOCOSEVA events in the future. Give us a chance, we are going through a "period" and i hope we will soon be back on track.
Rob
------------------ 88 TTop coupe, soon to be fitted with a 96 DOHC 3.4/5spd
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11:01 PM
Ken001 Member
Posts: 54 From: Suffolk, VA, USA Registered: Dec 2003
Thanks for the welcome! I am looking forward to getting to know folks in the area that have the same interest in Fieros that I have. I have owned several Fieros over the years - my first was a 1986 GT - loved the car but family expansion forced the sale. I have also had a 1985 SE and a 1986 SE. I still have my 1988 - but she is slowly being parted out - my son totaled it back in October. See the ugly pics at the link below:
I did have to crawl under the 4.9 GT yesterday and today - I had a tranny fluid leak - checked pan bolts and cleaned up the mess - drove it Saturday afternoon - still leaking - crawled under it again Sunday and found the source of the leak - one of the tranny oil cooler lines was making the mess. Tightened it up and cleaned the mess - All is dry now. While I was under the car I noticed some grease on the frame by the driver side inner CV boot. Bummer! There is a small split in the boot! I'll be contacting Steve to find out what drive axle (part #) he installed on that side so I can get the correct boot when I go to replace it.
I emailed you the info Ken. Like I said its a good idea to make a hose clamp check part of the oil change till they take a set. I never got around to having nice braided lines made up for the tranny cooler but the hard lines I bent should be fine.
Enjoy and take real good care of her, that car means alot to me.
Steven
edit: next time I am in the US I will stop by my moms house and burn a CD with all the pics from the cars build up and send it to you. I never thought about all the pics and mp3's on my computer till after I gave it to my mom and moved to England. Whats that they say about hindsight? . Till then this thread has just ALOT of info that is VERY usefull to you.
[This message has been edited by BV MotorSports (edited 12-29-2003).]
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06:51 PM
USFiero Member
Posts: 4877 From: Everywhere and Middle of Nowhere Registered: Mar 2002
Steve - Thanks for all the info. I am definitely enjoying the car - and as far as taking care of her...... I am glad my wife is not the jealous type!
I did save all the info on this thread on the build. Tons of info! I look forward to the CD.
I will be keeping a watch on the leaks. When I changed the oil the first time it was nice and dry - I am sure it had just started when I found it - the tell-tale signs of the fluid residue on the rear bumper cover had me under the car right away.
------------------ John DuRette Black 85 SE, undergoing work as we speak! Battery re-located up front using a V8 Archie box Remote Start/Window Rollup/Lock/Trunk Release/Alarm White Gauge Faces w/120 MPH Speedometer Conversion Urethane Suspension Bushings Sequential Tallights Custom Painted Dash Panels Oreif's painted door tabs and horn button Shortened Automatic Shifter SpyHunter Scoop H4 Headlight Conversion LED Third Brake Light/Custom Headliner Braided Steel Brake Hoses Lowered an inch
Still not on the road!
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10:22 AM
Mar 4th, 2004
Ken001 Member
Posts: 54 From: Suffolk, VA, USA Registered: Dec 2003
No CD yet - finally slowing down in my life to start "playing" again. I will touch base with Steve - but as you know he is way too busy with his new baby - that 88 Formula is demanding his attention - and wallet.
The CD I am going to burn for ken is just a bunch of pics during the cars build. Of course I cant do anything till I go back to the US and get to my computer I gave to mom while I am here in the UK, thats where all the pics are stored. I was suppose to come back a week but its been pushed back till July. I am hoping to be in the US for a few weeks so I can make a trip down to Newport News to see all my friends.
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03:56 PM
Mar 7th, 2004
Ken001 Member
Posts: 54 From: Suffolk, VA, USA Registered: Dec 2003
Steve and anyone else interested in Blur - I successfully replaced the dying alternator on the car today. Weather was bad on Saturday so I had to put it off until today. What a breeze to change - the alternator is on the top of the engine so it is EASY to get to. I had the dying alternator off in about 15 minutes - and none to soon! The bearings were definitely shot! Spinning it by hand you could hear and feel them. The other alterantor went on just as quickly - then I went to put the belt back on. To my disappointment the serp pully on the replacement alternator was a bit smaller than the original so the belt was way too loose. So here were my choices - remove the original pully on the bad alternator and put it on the new one - possibly voiding the lifetime warranty - or get a smaller belt. I was already thinking about a smaller belt because the original belt tended to slip a bit and the tensioner was already at its max on adjustment. I went to the local Auto Zone and they only had a belt that was 1 inch smaller in the 6-groove serp belts. I tried that and it was too small! So the easy 1-hour alternator replacement was now turning into a quest for the right belt. The original belt was 82.7" - the first belt I tried was 81.7 - and Auto Zone had nothing in the K6 width. I went to Advance Auto and picked up a K6 that was 82.0" - and it works perfect!
I do want to say to Steve that the pics that you took of the 4.9 install saved me a lot of time when it came to installing the new belt. Since there was no belt path picture to help me out I spent the first 20 minutes trying to figure out how the belt needed to go on. Then my neighbor said, "You should have taken a picture!" Then I remembered the pics in this thread of the new tensioner pully and custom bracket. Since I had saved the pics to my computer I scanned through them and found a pic of the engine with the belt installed. Thanks Steve for documenting the install so well - awesome job!
So with the new alternator and new belt I started the car and it was great! I didn't realize how much noise the old alternator was making - It is smooth and quiet now - just a nice Flowmaster rumble at idle!
Thanks again Steve - and let me know what the postage will be to send the other papers and receipts you have on the install.
Hey looks like I will be back in the USA May 27th. Its my sons b-day so I am going to surprise him with a visit from dad! I'll be around for 2 weeks so you best belive I'll be heading down to Hampton to visit my friends. Ken, it would be really cool if I could see my baby! I'll be in touch.
Steven
------------------ '02 Subaru WRX 14.61@91.87mph bone stock '95 R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec NISMO stage 1 400bhp '88 Fiero Formula 5-speed, sunroof, YELLOW! **under restoration** '87 Fiero GT 4.9/4T60e w/3.33 final drive, ZEX nitrous 65hp shot, 88 cradle w/ 325# coil overs, Poly everything, Upgraded sway bars, KYB's, 16X7 M11's, 11.25 "Zettner" front brakes, Complete MSD ignition w/ 6AL box, Custom 2.5" Flowmaster exhaust, Grand Sport Corvette paint, Carbon fiber interior trim, '98 T/A CD w/ ETR, Reverse Indiglo guages, Pillar mounted AutoMeter O2, Hella H4 conversion. Follow its built up here: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/027460.html Sadly... SOLD.
Hey looks like I will be back in the USA May 27th. Its my sons b-day so I am going to surprise him with a visit from dad! I'll be around for 2 weeks so you best belive I'll be heading down to Hampton to visit my friends. Ken, it would be really cool if I could see my baby! I'll be in touch.
Steven
Steve - Give me a call or e-mail when you get here - we will arrange a "visit". Hope all is going well with your 88 Formula. Take care!
Jesse, I'll be in Newport News at Garths house this friday-monday. I am heading up to WVa to see Bryan tues-sat. So I'll be coming thru your area monday and saturday. See you all soon!
------------------ '02 Subaru WRX, 5MT, Loaded, "free mods", Green induction, Vishnu silicone hoses & ECM, Gutted up-pipe, Halman ES MBC @ 15.5psi, JDM STi guage cluster, EGT/02 fix. '88 Fiero Formula 5-speed, Loaded, Sunroof, YELLOW! EBC Green stuff pads, Poly everything, Bridgestone Potenza RE930's, K&N, Sprint headers, Cat elim, T/B coolant elim, Dickman UGSK w/ comp short throw shifter, KYB's and the list continues..... '87 Fiero GT 4.9/4T60e w/3.33 final drive, ZEX nitrous 65hp shot, 88 cradle w/ 325# coil overs, Poly everything, Upgraded sway bars, KYB's, 16X7 M11's, 11.25 "Zettner" front brakes, Complete MSD ignition w/ 6AL box, Custom 2.5" Flowmaster exhaust, Grand Sport Corvette paint, Carbon fiber interior trim, '98 T/A CD w/ ETR, Reverse Indiglo guages, Pillar mounted AutoMeter O2, Hella H4 conversion. Follow its built up here: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/027460.html Sadly... SOLD.
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05:40 PM
Jun 18th, 2004
BV MotorSports Member
Posts: 4821 From: Oak Hill, WV Registered: May 2001
FURIOUS FIERO 
. Till then this thread has just ALOT of info that is VERY usefull to you.
