Hey Archie, I have a question: When removing or breaking out the rear window for installation of a choptop, do you break it before the rear clip is removed? The reason why I'm asking is; I plan on doing some work on the clip area were it curves.
Also when installing the (new) rear window, is it installed before you put the rear clip on, right? Is the thickness of the rear window the same as the original? I want to make sure that I have enough clearance for my idea.
Beside, the thread needed a bump. Are there any new choptop projects?
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 02-24-2004).]
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03:07 PM
NickBW Member
Posts: 149 From: Arlington TX USA Registered: Feb 2004
Well you can bet it will be a chop top V-8 car, I think Those are the coolest 2 things that you can do to a Fiero.
Assuming that it will be an LS1 engine is a safe assumption. I've said before that I prefer a stick shift car. However, the pain from my Rheumatoid Arthritis doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon, Right now it's really hard for me to drive a stick shift Fiero so the next one will be a 4 speed automatic (that sucks!!!).
This next one won't have Suicide doors, been there, done that got the "T" shirt. I love the Suicide doors and I'll do them again sometime but not on this car. I have a couple of unique new ideas for the doors & I'm going to do both of them at some point. I'm still trying to decide which one I'll do on this next car.
I am open to suggestions for other features I can include. I don't really care if it's a Coupe of F-Back, the ideas I have will work fine with either body style. And I don't really care what color it's finished in.
If the "Right" customer comes along, who can afford the car and who has the patience to let me build it right & agrees to show the car around the country, I might even consider building it specifically to his specifications.
That's about all I can tell you right now, I can't wait to start on it. I just need to get busy and get the Stinger posted up someplace for sale. I gotta get that done this weekend.
Archie
"Well you can bet it will be a chop top V-8 car, I think Those are the coolest 2 things that you can do to a Fiero." Amen to that.
Well, I hope to be doing business with you soon.
------------------ This msg was brought to you buy a person who wishes he had an 88 fieroGT with an LS1 and 6speed.
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04:37 PM
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
Hey Archie, I have a question: When removing or breaking out the rear window for installation of a choptop, do you break it before the rear clip is removed? The reason why I'm asking is; I plan on doing some work on the clip area were it curves.
Also when installing the (new) rear window, is it installed before you put the rear clip on, right? Is the thickness of the rear window the same as the original? I want to make sure that I have enough clearance for my idea.
Beside, the thread needed a bump. Are there any new choptop projects?
Thanks for the bump.
We remove the rear window after the rear clip is removed.
Yes the new rear window is installed before we reinstall the rear clip.
Yes the rear window is the same thickness as the original.
I saw the pics Chester posted of the new project, lookin cool, can't wait to see it.
Archie
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07:44 PM
Feb 26th, 2004
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
Archie that car look amazing will you be offering a kit? also do you sell the stabilizer bar with the Heim ends if so how much I need one to stabilize my engine .
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09:39 AM
Mighty Mouse Member
Posts: 129 From: Decatur, Illinois Registered: Oct 2002
It's an aluminum block, so maybe it's a ls6. But, hopefully the lt5 that was posted a while back. I've never seen either up close, but I'm thinking it's the ls6 because of the spark plugs.
It's an aluminum block, so maybe it's a ls6. But, hopefully the lt5 that was posted a while back. I've never seen either up close, but I'm thinking it's the ls6 because of the spark plugs.
LOL I was thinking the same thing about the pic not being questioned much... I've seen it in person (and you're close, but not 100% on target ).
My engine plans may have changed. I'd love to see what the all aluminum V8 swap does for the car's weight. This could be so much easier than trying to make a Fast Burn 385 pass emissions. (and potentially cheaper, considering I wouldn't have to convert to FI)
Looking forward to more info, Archie!!!
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11:52 AM
JacobHaley Member
Posts: 269 From: Columbus, OH Registered: Feb 2003
When is your open house this year? I thought it was usually in March but havn't heard anything. I have been there for the past several and this time I actually have a reason to buy a kit!
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11:31 PM
Feb 28th, 2004
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
When is your open house this year? I thought it was usually in March but havn't heard anything. I have been there for the past several and this time I actually have a reason to buy a kit!
I think it's in April 1st or 2nd week. I sure hope it's on a weekend when I'm in town.
I hope someone posts the correct date up here.
Archie
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12:01 AM
DandRauto Member
Posts: 419 From: Middletown, NJ Registered: Mar 2001
I tried the link to the tire rack but just got that session has expired. Looking at the small pictures, I still could determine which ones they acturally were. Do you have the brand of wheel?
Dick of DandR
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10:03 PM
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
I tried the link to the tire rack but just got that session has expired. Looking at the small pictures, I still could determine which ones they acturally were. Do you have the brand of wheel?
Dick of DandR
EVO-5 Search for wheels for a PT Cruiser.
Archie
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11:02 PM
Feb 29th, 2004
LS1swap Member
Posts: 1181 From: McHenry,IL.USA Registered: Jan 2001
My engine plans may have changed. I'd love to see what the all aluminum V8 swap does for the car's weight. This could be so much easier than trying to make a Fast Burn 385 pass emissions. (and potentially cheaper, considering I wouldn't have to convert to FI)
Looking forward to more info, Archie!!!
Well mine weighed in at 1240 front and 1660 rear for a total of 2900 at a truck stop scale. That was topping the tank off just prior to going on the scales and with the battery up front.
You wont regret a LSx swap if you decide to go with one. They are a blast to drive. It will be two years this August for me. Hopefully I will not be so swamped at work this year and will have time to make a few more shows.
------------------ LS1 v8 T-Top 87 GT
http://www.acxunlimited.com/ls1swap.htm
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10:19 AM
Apr 12th, 2004
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
Okay Archie, lets see some pics of the recent choptop. Oh yeah, bump, thats if your starting a new thread? hehehehe.
Ok there are a few pics of the latest Chop Top in this thread. He's be posting up a new thread to PFF soon detailing the way that He's going to finish the car.
archie you need to install a web cam in your shop so we dont have to beg for pics
------------------ If i wanted my fiero to look like another vehicle i wouldnt drive a fiero i would drive that car ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ V 8 INDY
anyone know someone who sells LS1/LS6 kits yet? I know archie said he would make a kit for sale but its been like a year now and i can't imagine it taking much longer since a few members have fabricated their own kits in a matter of a few weeks with good results. so i am guessing he is not doing one after all. Anyone?
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01:06 PM
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
anyone know someone who sells LS1/LS6 kits yet? I know archie said he would make a kit for sale but its been like a year now and i can't imagine it taking much longer since a few members have fabricated their own kits in a matter of a few weeks with good results. so i am guessing he is not doing one after all. Anyone?
Actually He is doing one. Doing a one off swap of any kind is a lot easier than designing a kit that will work for every Tom, Dick & Harry everytime.
Archie
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10:10 PM
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
Before We put the car up on jackstands, We unbolt everything We can from the top end. We disconnect the Wire harness from the ECM and take it out with the engine.
Once We have the car up in the air, We can hook up the overhead hoist & remove the brake calipers from the hubs and hang them in the wheel well. We will be removing the engine cradle, Engine/trans & suspension all in one assembly.
In this overhead view, you can see the wireharness laying on top of the engine.
).
You Don't Know the Power of the Darkside
