LONG LONG overdue update. ok, PICTURE TIME!!! the good and bad news is that justin is progressing alone quicker than i anticipated. this means i need to get in to the shop sooner and more often to finish up the fine tuning of the rear flares.
made it in today for an hour to make some cuts, and start the rear flaring on the driver side. it's glassed in a very rough shape, and will probably get a few more layers and then it's ready for body work. need to do the drivers side front of the wheel well still, and passenger side rear of the wheel well. so hopefully, i can get this stuff done in three more visits at the most, which will probably be at least three weeks for me. but enough of that, here are the pics, instead of explaining everything, just ask if you have any questions, or ideas to improve the look(you better tell me now and not AFTER it's done )
IP: Logged
01:00 PM
88White3.4GT Member
Posts: 1604 From: Hayward, CA Registered: Dec 2003
Originally posted by fierce_gt: here are the pics, instead of explaining everything, just ask if you have any questions, or ideas to improve the look(you better tell me now and not AFTER it's done
I don't know if it was mentioned? Did you match the flaring to the wheel?
not exactly. the wheels were fit to the stock fiero. i'm having spacers made to match the flaring. it's kinda the backwards way, but my pockets aren't deep, in fact this hole thing costing me a little over 600bux is a BIG expense on this car. haha actually the spacers are already made, i just need to grab them from my friend and then i can test fit them. at that point i can make sure the flaring fits properly and adjust it if needed. i do wish i could afford some new deep dish wheels, but, well it's tough when i'm working part time in a garage and full time school. 1/3 of what i make in a year goes towards school alone
[This message has been edited by fierce_gt (edited 01-26-2006).]
------------------ 1985 2m4 Saskatoon, Sask Canada Visit the Saskatoon Fiero Club Website at http://www.freewebs.com/saskatoonfieros/ Come chat with us at our Forum http://saskfiero.suddenlaunch.com/
IP: Logged
05:33 PM
exoticse Member
Posts: 8654 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
I don't know if it was mentioned? Did you match the flaring to the wheel?
I was thinking the same thing.
Doing it with the final rims would have been ideal and the best way to get it perfect.
My question is what size are the spacers going to be ? Are you going for a general closeness just inside or outside the body lines, or are you trying to make it line up perfectly ?
IP: Logged
05:43 PM
fierce_gt Member
Posts: 1517 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Oct 2002
the wheels have been around a LONG time before the flares. the spacers were made about one inch thick, the flare is about 2". the tires are 235/45R17, but i'm looking to go into a 255 or larger tire. The overall affect will put the tires tucked just inside the new flares.
while i am not building the flare to wrap it around a certain wheel/tire combo, i assure you, i am not doing this blind, and the wheels tires are not on the car so that they do not get stolen/damaged. they have been mounted for fitting many times already.
like i said, this is a LOW budget, DIY type deal. not all of us can afford to buy new wheels and have everything done perfectly. i'll just have to settle for good enough. which is ok with me.
i will not have any more pics with the actual wheel/tire package on, but i am looking for get some shots of the stock wheels with the spacers to show you the look i went for.
IP: Logged
05:51 PM
exoticse Member
Posts: 8654 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
tried fitting the spacers today, and i need longer studs even for that. i was hoping enough would poke through that i could at least set the wheel in place.
so the next step will be to look into getting the rear wheels widened, but that can wait til i need new tires.
edit: just wanted to be clear, these spacers are for fitment purposes only. once i get these trimmed to the proper thickness i will have them replicated from solid aluminum
[This message has been edited by fierce_gt (edited 01-30-2006).]
IP: Logged
04:19 PM
Feb 1st, 2006
fierce_gt Member
Posts: 1517 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Oct 2002
got back in today, i'd say i'm 95% done with the shape of the flares, i'm gonna let justin have a go at the rest. basically it needs a couple more layers of fiberglass for strength, and then body work which he is pretty good at. on with the pics i guess:
IP: Logged
05:58 PM
fierce_gt Member
Posts: 1517 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Oct 2002
just wanna note, the flaring looks a little different from driver side to passenger side because the tires are WAY OFF on alignment. one is way toed in, and the other might actually be slightly toed out. the passneger side is pretty well the final shape. the driver side is still curing, the very bottom aero piece will come back slightly to match
[This message has been edited by fierce_gt (edited 02-01-2006).]
IP: Logged
05:59 PM
Feb 9th, 2006
Wipe0ut Member
Posts: 1524 From: Mankato, MN Registered: May 2002
well, it's been a long time. between my vacation and the fact that body work just doesn't show progress very well. anyway, i was back in the shop today, took some pics. the passenger side is even closer to the final shape, it's got the flaring done, just need to make everything flow. the ETA for paint right now is the end of march. i doubt it'll get done that quickly, but justin says it should be easy. time will tell i guess, i still see a TON of little details that need to be touched. on the pics i guess:
IP: Logged
03:38 PM
fierce_gt Member
Posts: 1517 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Oct 2002
another LONG wait in between updates, but honestly when it's just fill, sand, fill, sand over and over working basically in spare time it takes awhile to SEE the progress. it's getting there slowly, plans are for body work to be done end of month, paint maybe a week after that, and then it'll take me about two weeks to install the poly bushings, replace the brakes, and replace all the old parts before i get an alignment done. so all in all, i'm hoping it'll be back in my daily driver line up by june. now here are the pics i took today:
IP: Logged
10:42 PM
May 12th, 2006
fierce_gt Member
Posts: 1517 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Oct 2002
been a long while. justin took a break on my car to finish up another project with his friend, which was painted last week. went into the shop on tuesday, making progress, but not much really shows up in the pics, i did take a couple anyway. the sample fender didn't have clear coat on it yet, but it looked like a bright yellow, so i like that. today the spacers(the correct ones) arrived, so i put one on my other car to get an idea of how far they push it out, should be pretty good. they'll be close to the fender edge, but definately not sticking out past it which is good. and on with the pics: new ones on the left, 5x5" on the right, guess i get to keep em?
[This message has been edited by fierce_gt (edited 05-12-2006).]
IP: Logged
01:19 AM
fierce_gt Member
Posts: 1517 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Oct 2002
In the event your car hasn't been fully painted yet, you should consider the spoiler to be widened horizontally like the flares, i think it will look better, just a suggestion. Hey if you have any tips you can give me on glassing to plastic please PM me, I'm about to add stage 2 hood and side scoops to mine, i neglected my car all winter and now I'm trying everything all at once.
I wish i had the guts to shave all my moulding, that will look so good smooth.
IP: Logged
03:11 AM
Jun 2nd, 2006
fierce_gt Member
Posts: 1517 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Oct 2002
i actually prefer the spoiler the way it is. i think that the smaller width exaggerates the flares on the back.
as for tips, just be sure you sand through all that paint. you want to get the best bond you possibly can. luckily the body isn't actually plastic, the hood should be straight forward since it's basically SMC. the sides are a little trickier i guess, but will still bond to fiberglass as long as you get rid of the paint. about the ONLY way you can glass to plastic is to drill some holes through the edge of the plastic, and then fiberglass on both sides, allowing the resin to fill the holes you created. and there's still a decent chance it might crack, but it should hold well. plastic and the resin i use don't mix at all
primer next week, paint the week after maybe
[This message has been edited by fierce_gt (edited 06-02-2006).]
IP: Logged
12:06 PM
Jun 21st, 2006
fierce_gt Member
Posts: 1517 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Oct 2002
well, update time. hopefully the last one of body work. the paint booth is booked for monday morning. i hope to have the car on the road within 2 weeks i'm not too impressed with the way things are going, i had to take the door panels home with me to fix a few areas where justin sanded thru the fiberglass and just added bondo on top well i guess you get what you pay for right? tomorrow i'm going back in to address a couple other problem areas, and then it'll get it's last coat of primer, friday it's final block sanding, and monday the fun begins.
too bad the show i planned on "debuting" the car at is this saturday, one "work day" too late.
anyway the pictures:
and my personal favourite...
enjoy. and look back for pictures of the final paint next week
IP: Logged
10:19 PM
Jun 22nd, 2006
fiero_silva Member
Posts: 1493 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Jun 2003
hmm, seems like nobody's interested. oh well, this will be the last update until the finished product: these pics are from yesterday, today the final lines were made, and it only needs the last block sanding before paint
IP: Logged
11:12 PM
Jun 24th, 2006
exoticse Member
Posts: 8654 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
It should look good when its done, but lets all hope no one hits it cuz there sure is alot of filler and kitty hair caked on there!! If it happens to get a smack from another car, it would take all the same work all over again to repair it.
IP: Logged
02:44 AM
Oct 10th, 2006
exoticse Member
Posts: 8654 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
appreciate the continued interest guys. i needed a break from fieros for a bit. the car is officially on "project" status. i have purchased a reliable daily driver, and once i get some more money i will continue on the car. basically the last half of the summer i spent redoing the work that was done at the shop. i somehow paid 600bux for body work that i had to redo. it was in the shop for over 6months, it took me about 5weeks strip it off, and redo it properly. lesson learned i guess, but i got hosed badly on that deal and it really hurt the motivation.
as it sits right now i still need to redo the chin spoiler, and the wheel wells. i'm going to use some sunfire side marker lights, probably add a hood vent, and call it a day. the doors i also ripped off again and started over with.
currently the car is sitting in my garage, and will stay there until next spring. hopefully by then i will have some free time and money, and i know i'll have more desire to start working on it again.
even still, i don't expect to finish the car until after i graduate. i hope to finish the body work next year. i may start on the interior as well, but probably won't finish that. And then the year after that i will start my career, and my planned treat to myself after my first year will be to have the L67 installed. i simply don't have the tools, space, or knowhow to do the job correctly. so i'll save up a few bux and get it done professionally.
so it's kinda sad to think i won't be driving around in a fiero for another 2yrs at least, but it's nice to take the time needed to do things right(which apparently means doing it myself)
once again, i have to thank you guys for the continued interest and support. without you guys this may have drifted away from me
IP: Logged
09:21 PM
fierce_gt Member
Posts: 1517 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Oct 2002
ok, here's all the pics i've taken since the car left the shop. you'll probably notice how nothing looks like progress from the shop pictures. what can i say, none of it really is. had to take a bunch of backward steps, and start moving forward again
IP: Logged
09:36 PM
fierce_gt Member
Posts: 1517 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Oct 2002
i actually have made more progress than the pics show, but stopped taking picures. The car is completely primered in black right now, and most of the body work on the front end is done, although i think i'm going to make some additions/modifications anyway.
i'm still considering strongly using the currect work as plug to make molds from. There were a few areas on the car where there was NOTHING but body filler(work i didn't do) and it really makes me concerned that i may have missed a few spots. I know the front end is solid, i redid it completely, and actually walked around smacking the car with my palm pretty much as hard as i could without hurting myself and nothing cracked or broke. the rear end though is just way too much to redo. so i'm thinking if i make some molds for the doors back to the lower rear bumper, or even the whole rear end as a single piece from behind the doors to about halfway up the sail panel area, it would be a good idea. Not only would i shave a couple pounds, but i'd also have molds make in case of the worst. replacing the rear end with a new unit would be much easier if it was ever hit in a crash. the only downside really would be that after i did all the work to make it "right" i would have to do a bunch more work to make the molds, then make some fiberglass pieces from the molds, then rip the whole rear end off the car, bond the new panels and do the finishing body work. not to mention it'd probably cost another 1000bux to do it. BUT i think it's the way to go in the long run. i'd rather put paint off for a year, or even get cheap paint for now than put expensive paint over inferior body work. who knows, maybe i could even pull like 5 extra fiberglass pieces and sell them for a small profit to cover the cost making the molds. i don't know what i could sell half a widebody kit for though, and i'm sure it'd cost me a couple hundred in materials alone, so i think i'd need at least 500 bux to make it worthwhile.
[This message has been edited by fierce_gt (edited 10-12-2006).]
IP: Logged
09:40 PM
Jan 13th, 2007
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
)
Archie's Choptop conversion #11, #15, Redux & # 20
