If an existing kit is able to be modified to work then why can't a "from scratch" built kit be made?
Because, businesses who have tried can't be trusted or stay in business long enough to produce them as, "100% bolt-on" and as Archie previously mentioned, it comes down to the price. Trust me on this one; I've seen the price range from $1500 to $2400 installed and at the $1700 range people complained. Good that Archie and CPU are video tapping the process for individuals with “skills” can perform the task and thus cut-down on the labor.
So basicallly it all boils down to price and or patents? I like Dr. CPU's idea of contacting the manufacturer and seeing if they are willing to make them.
The fact that Archie is putting all this together is a testament to his loyalty to the Fiero community and I appreciate his effort. My interest in this stems from the fact that I would like lambo doors on my car once it's choped. I, like most Fiero owners, want things as cheap as possible also. I don't mind getting my hands dirty but the easier the better. And I have alsways been the type that thinks...if you want it bad enough then price does'nt matter.
Thanks for the input.
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02:53 PM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
So basicallly it all boils down to price and or patents? I like Dr. CPU's idea of contacting the manufacturer and seeing if they are willing to make them.
Thanks for the input.
IMHO the heart of the problem is Fiero owners. How so? VDI make kits for cars that aren't in production. If they can make kits for cars that are out of production they in-turn could produce a kit for Fiero’s, but it's the owners who aren't willing to pay for the price involved for tooling. Patents are last on the list since VDI would re-coup their money for tooling. That said, VDI cash cows are current production or mass-produced imports.
As for contacting the company- CPU's has a great idea and I hope it works, but due to the low volume I doubt it will ever happen. I tried this route in 2002 at the height of the industry, still no takers and the ones that did jump were piss-poor knock-offs based upon a Decah kit. Decah in turn sued knock-off companies (including VDI) who's kits where based upon Decah's patents. Decah and VDI settled out of court and thus part of the agreement VDI was allow using the existing patents. VDI in-turn re-tweaked the kit.
Now VDI is one of the major players with tons of cash to go after all other companies who are using their design based upon original and updated patents. Only a few companies who started from scratch and are still in business such-as; LSD (a very high-end VDC kit @ $2400-3k not installed).
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03:35 PM
Sep 4th, 2008
Eclipse Member
Posts: 2040 From: Woodstock, Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 2004
Good work fellas. I am eagerly awaiting the video!. I simply ended up pulling my Xtreme-door hinges off and reverting to stock hinges when I could not get mine to work right.
------------------ Jay Brintnell Southern Ontario Fiero Association Yellow 85 Notchback(A.K.A. GodFearN)
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04:21 PM
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
Good work fellas. I am eagerly awaiting the video!. I simply ended up pulling my Xtreme-door hinges off and reverting to stock hinges when I could not get mine to work right.
Well we finished up the install on Dave's car yesterday. Dave already has almost all the video completed, we're just waiting for it to stop raining so we can take a final "Happy DrCPU" video then h will complete the video tonight. I'll post it up tomorrow sometime.
BTW, they turned out great.
Archie
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04:49 PM
exoticse Member
Posts: 8654 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
Just curious Archie do you guys need the car there to do the proper modifications to the hinges ?
In another words could you guys possibly modify the hinges and then ship them off to be installed by the owner ?
We would need a car to fit them to. Because of posible crash damage to a car in it's history a set of hinges fitted to one car might not be a perfect fit to another car.
If you know what I maen?
Archie
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05:59 PM
Sep 7th, 2008
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
Good work fellas. I am eagerly awaiting the video!. I simply ended up pulling my Xtreme-door hinges off and reverting to stock hinges when I could not get mine to work right.
I have started a new thread with the Video of the hinge install. Someone can post up links to the previous details of Dave's build including discussion of the previous set of hinges, the hinge failure etc.
that looks GREAT !!!! Im just wondering thou, with just one hinge point , ive seen a few vdi setups and the doors always seem to be wobbly when closed. Just how solid is the door when closed?
Is the G6 tranny the only non stock fiero tranny you use in V8 swaps? It seems to be somewhat costly, but I'm not sure about the 400 hp range on a stock fiero tranny.
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05:27 PM
PFF
System Bot
Dec 19th, 2008
exoticse Member
Posts: 8654 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
Originally posted by madcurl: ...snip.... Any pics of Fierobobo's fiero? ...snip...
Your wish is my command. I exist to serve only YOU.
Oops, sorry, that what I tell my darling wife. Any how, as per your request Curly. Archie took the pic 1/8/09. I kinda like the way she looks, sporty but not too flashy. And kind of a "Stealth" vehicle, you can't hardly see that nice little LS3 engine.
~Bob
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09:14 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
Archie took the pic 1/8/09. I kinda like the way she looks, sporty but not too flashy. And kind of a "Stealth" vehicle, you can't hardly see that nice little LS3 engine.
~Bob
Sorry I couldn't resist... I like them chopped, dropped, and smoothed.
Originally posted by jscott1: Sorry I couldn't resist... I like them chopped, dropped, and smoothed.
JScott. Thanks for the pic. I've already copied it to my hard disk. You've given me some food for thought. Maybe in a year or two I'll bring her back to Archie for the Chop-Top and the F40 6-speed.
~Bob
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10:29 PM
Feb 6th, 2009
Erik Member
Posts: 5625 From: Des Moines, Iowa Registered: Jul 2002
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