two thumbs up..way up ski...such a pleasure to finally know the real story of such a beautifully put together car..i laughed i cried..i am in awe...tim..
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03:28 PM
Nashco Member
Posts: 4144 From: Portland, OR Registered: Dec 2000
Terrific write up Ski! I think a lot of people that didn't know before this thread now know how much time, money, and hard work is required to build such a fantastic car. Your attention to detail and demand for quality and functionallity is quite impressive, I hope that others can appreciate my work as much in the future.
I've been quiet until now because I didn't have any real questions, but now I do. What kind of mileage do you get with the 3800SC now? Also, if you could do it all again, would you change anything the second time around?
Thanks for the great thread! These are the things that make the Fiero family such a great one to be in.
Bryce 88 GT
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03:45 PM
skitime Member
Posts: 5765 From: Akron, PA, USA Registered: Aug 2000
Terrific write up Ski! I think a lot of people that didn't know before this thread now know how much time, money, and hard work is required to build such a fantastic car. Your attention to detail and demand for quality and functionallity is quite impressive, I hope that others can appreciate my work as much in the future.
I've been quiet until now because I didn't have any real questions, but now I do. What kind of mileage do you get with the 3800SC now? Also, if you could do it all again, would you change anything the second time around?
Thanks for the great thread! These are the things that make the Fiero family such a great one to be in.
Bryce 88 GT
Thanks for the complimnts everyone. I never realized how much time this writing would take.
Bryce- I get better gas mileage with the 3800SC than the 2.8 I get around 23mpg around town and 30mpg on the highway. I got are 17 around town and 25 on the highway with the 2.8.
What would I do differently. Tough question. I have a good painter but his turn around time always leaves me struggling to get done in time for events. Other than that I will have to think on this more and report back.
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04:07 PM
wpgfiero Member
Posts: 1099 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Oct 2002
Originally posted by skitime: Bryce- I get better gas mileage with the 3800SC than the 2.8 I get around 23mpg around town and 30mpg on the highway. I got are 17 around town and 25 on the highway with the 2.8.
That's great mileage for that kind of power, using the manual trans surely helped. Something to consider in your "would you do it differently" thoughts: If you had access to the auto tranny made for the 3800SC, would you have used it instead of the five speed?
Bryce 88 GT
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04:43 PM
skitime Member
Posts: 5765 From: Akron, PA, USA Registered: Aug 2000
Something to consider in your "would you do it differently" thoughts: If you had access to the auto tranny made for the 3800SC, would you have used it instead of the five speed?
Bryce 88 GT
I grew up with sports cars all my life so to me a sports car has a manual tranmission. I also live in farmland country with a lot of beautiful "driving" roads. Nothing like down shifting into a turn and powering your way out with a powerful sports car. Ask AusFiero when he was visiting me last summer. He went along for a few twisties in this car. I know most 3800SC conversions do use the automatic but I prefer the manual trans and it is lighter too. I did drive my car from PA to Chigago last summer to the Fierorama and was getting tired of shifting in the city. Pity you poor bastards that live in the cities and sure then a automatic makes sense there.
[This message has been edited by skitime (edited 02-08-2003).]
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05:14 PM
KissMySSFiero Member
Posts: 5542 From: Tarpon Springs, FL USA Registered: Nov 2000
WOW. it was great seeing your car in person and meeting you at fierorama. That feeling when you first start the car is SO great. I remember when I started my V6 car after doing a 4-6cyl swap. I rebuilt the motor myself and it was the first time I had rebuilt a motor. WOW what a feeling. I was literally running thru the hallway jumping up and down. I felt like a little kid who just got a new.....fiero. Hehe. I remember someone saying you got that car from Chris Moore. I didnt realize it was in that rough of shape. not to say it was rough, but I thought it was one of his personal cars. And You know how they look.
WOW. it was great seeing your car in person and meeting you at fierorama. That feeling when you first start the car is SO great. I remember when I started my V6 car after doing a 4-6cyl swap. I rebuilt the motor myself and it was the first time I had rebuilt a motor. WOW what a feeling. I was literally running thru the hallway jumping up and down. I felt like a little kid who just got a new.....fiero. Hehe. I remember someone saying you got that car from Chris Moore. I didnt realize it was in that rough of shape. not to say it was rough, but I thought it was one of his personal cars. And You know how they look.
So, are you doing anything new this winter?
It was great meetiny you and everyone at the Fierorama. When I called Chris concerning the car he was very up front that the car was in rough shape and was only selling it as a favor for the owner. Funny thing was when he saw the car again it was at the 2001 Carlisle Fiero show. He refused to believe it was the same car. lol
If you remember when I was at Fierorama I was limping and using a cane sometimes. I had a partial knee replacement and a third surgury on Dec. 18th so I really have been unable to do much to the car. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve for this season since my knee is almost to the point of getting back in the garage.
[This message has been edited by skitime (edited 02-08-2003).]
Ski, wonderful thread. You have created a car with its own personality, a piece of true mechanical art, balanced with beauty....pure eye candy! Your talent and creativity shines through . Great work, I hope to see it in person one day and to meet you.
Terry
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09:16 PM
PFF
System Bot
AkursedX Member
Posts: 2890 From: Lackawanna NY Registered: Aug 2000
Ski, I must say that this has been one of the most entertaining threads I have ever read. It's like reading a novel.
You have obviousley showed to the rest of the Fiero community just how much you really love your car and more importantly much you love your work. I look at your car and not only do I see a car, but with the help of this thread, I see your pride, your skill and you passion for doing things right.
I can only hope that one day, when people look at my car, that they see the same kind of qualities in myself.
On a side note, did you end up resolving the slipping problem with the supercharger belt?
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09:43 PM
skitime Member
Posts: 5765 From: Akron, PA, USA Registered: Aug 2000
Ski, I must say that this has been one of the most entertaining threads I have ever read. It's like reading a novel.
You have obviousley showed to the rest of the Fiero community just how much you really love your car and more importantly much you love your work. I look at your car and not only do I see a car, but with the help of this thread, I see your pride, your skill and you passion for doing things right.
I can only hope that one day, when people look at my car, that they see the same kind of qualities in myself.
On a side note, did you end up resolving the slipping problem with the supercharger belt?
Thnks for you comments. It makes it worth all the time it takes to do this.
Since my knee has kept me out of the garage I have not done anything yet but hope to get in the garage soon.
You have a great car, the attention to detail is what sets it apart. Thumbs up!! Inspiration is all around us, you are just capitalizing on it. Keep up the good work. Jake
Ski......I'm not exactly one of the "old timers", but ever since I saw your car the first time, I thought to myself. "Now that's what I'd like to have....exactly like that".
There aren't many Fiero's that give me this feeling of awe, but yours is definitely THE ONE that does it for me!
You are MY INSPIRATION dude!
Phil
------------------ 87 FIERO GT 2.8 5spd 0-60 in 6.8 seconds!
seems like your quite popular ski, i should had you autograph the decklid switch i bought off you thats now resting comfortably above my re-defog switch. Thats right everybody, i have a part of one of Skitimes cars (his now decesed white 88 GT t-top) in my car, so my car is on its way to show winning stardom
------------------ --Adam-- 1987 Blue GT 5-speed IM AOL: GTFiero Fiero mods almost done...i know that because im running out of possesions to sell for money
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09:50 PM
skitime Member
Posts: 5765 From: Akron, PA, USA Registered: Aug 2000
seems like your quite popular ski, i should had you autograph the decklid switch i bought off you thats now resting comfortably above my re-defog switch. Thats right everybody, i have a part of one of Skitimes cars (his now decesed white 88 GT t-top) in my car, so my car is on its way to show winning stardom
Gee I should of advertised it as a "signed" part. I am sure I would of got more for it. LOL
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10:04 PM
RWF Member
Posts: 366 From: Brevard, NC. USA Registered: Apr 2002
To heck with trying to build the perfect fiero .. I'm gonna build a cloneing machine! My hat is off to ya ski, phenomenal. Keep up the great work, good luck with your knee!
-Steve
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02:00 AM
PFF
System Bot
Darth Vader Member
Posts: 388 From: Sullivan, IL Registered: Oct 2002
Hmmm... what about the antenna mod? And the Cold Cathode & Neons? I know there's still more to it!
...and I always thought that God created your car... "and God said, Let there be Fieros!" And BAM! there was skitime's car
You are right there is more to this story. I just need time to write more about it. Heck there are a few things I a few mods that I have not even finished yet. But you are right I still have a whole year to finish on this history story. I will hopefully get to it soon.
I just wanted to say thanks for all your help. I've been working on my 3800SC swap for months and will be using alot of his idea's. He has help me through all the hard questions. I have changed a few things and started thinking out of the box and came up with some mods. This guy is great and should hopefully never leave the Fiero family!!! Tony
Great write up. Your attention to detail really makes your car someting special. One thing I really like about Fiero people is how much of the work they do themselves. There's nothing more annoying to me then, while at a show, to ask someone about something on their car and have them say "I dunno, I bought it this way". I prefer the company of the "Busted Knuckle Brotherhood" .
This encourages me to finish my "History of how I replaced the logo thingy on the front nose of my car" (which is about the only thing I can do myself).
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05:43 PM
skitime Member
Posts: 5765 From: Akron, PA, USA Registered: Aug 2000
Hello again. It was pointed out in post that I did leave out a mod that was done during the time I had the fenders off to do the vented front fenders. I actually forgot about it. Lol. (BTW, I noticed another mod in this picture. I added air horns to the car. It adds the sports car sound and increases safety since it is so loud)
Here is the car before the antenna removal .
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09:15 PM
skitime Member
Posts: 5765 From: Akron, PA, USA Registered: Aug 2000
While having the front fenders off, I decided to get rid of the antenna. That is a piece that takes away from the clean lines of the GT. I looked into all the possibilities of other types of antennas. I decided to just mount the stock antenna under the fender. TooManyFieros said that the antenna would not work as well and challenged me. Vonnie’s GT was parked beside mine and both cars had the exact same radio. He said to watch this and he adjusted my car to a radio station that it could hardly receive. Then he went to Vonnies car and tried to tune in the same radio station. I could hardly keep from laughing when he could not tune in that station in Vonnies car with the antenna in the proper position. Just to be on the safe side I added a second antenna on the drivers’ side. That way I could have an antenna that was even stronger. I used the fender well clip to lock the antennas into position so there would be no rattling. I just used a piece of scrap urethane to bond to the bottom on the fender to cover the underside of the hole and the urethane repair kit on the top side. Presto no more ugly antenna.
Here are the cleaner body lines without the antenna.
And my story continues. I am going skiing in Vermont both this weekend and next weekend so I am not sure how much more I will get done. I will work on the story if time allows.
------------------
Red 88 GT T-Top 3800 Supercharged White 88 GT Stock Please give me a rating if you appreciate my contribution.
[This message has been edited by skitime (edited 02-10-2003).]
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09:16 PM
Leper No longer registered
Report this Post02-10-2003 09:46 PM
Leper
posts Member since
You forgot the end bracket for that last pic.
[This message has been edited by Leper (edited 02-10-2003).]
That is some of the finest work I've seen done to a Fiero I haven't had the chance to see your Fiero in person but can hardly wait.. and truely enjoy reading the build up of this fine car.!
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09:51 PM
PFF
System Bot
87GTBro Member
Posts: 1223 From: Edinburg,TX,USA Registered: Oct 1999
I remember the gleam in your eye when I was there over a year ago and you showed me what was under the cover (3800sc) and i've watched you through this whole process via photo's and when we have chatted. You've kept me goin and the rest of us because we all know that it CAN be acheived.
If I had a million dollars tommorow i'd buy that ride, it's my favorite fiero. I just love how you make everything "stock looking" if only GM had built it that way.
What an acomplishment. Thanks for doing it, for you, for me, for all of us.
My V8 car is going to be gone this week, my finances didn't allow me to finish that project. But it will happen, one day. I drove my V8 fiero for almost 6 months, and it was great.
Now, something new, unveiled this week.
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12:23 AM
jelly2m8 Member
Posts: 6235 From: Nova Scotia, Canada Registered: Jul 2001
I never knew just how quickly you built that car. I guess I never really thought that someone could do all the wonderful things you have done in such percise detail in only a few years. It has been great seeing all your progress over that time here on the forum and is nice to now be able to fill in all the details.
I actually have a question now for you. I have heard a few concerns about the 3800SC being used with a manual transmission. From what I understand that motor never came with a manual trans. First of all how did you overcome the computer issues? I have heard that some just wire it up as if it is in Drive all the time. Also there has been some debate about the crank bearing design and if it would support the load supplied from the action of dissengaging the clutch without adverse effects. If you looked into this I would like to know your thoughts.
As you can imagine, I am considering this conversion also and am just looking into everything to make an informed decission.
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12:33 AM
skitime Member
Posts: 5765 From: Akron, PA, USA Registered: Aug 2000
I never knew just how quickly you built that car. I guess I never really thought that someone could do all the wonderful things you have done in such precise detail in only a few years. It has been great seeing all your progress over that time here on the forum and is nice to now be able to fill in all the details.
I actually have a question now for you. I have heard a few concerns about the 3800SC being used with a manual transmission. From what I understand that motor never came with a manual trans. First of all how did you overcome the computer issues? I have heard that some just wire it up as if it is in Drive all the time. Also there has been some debate about the crank bearing design and if it would support the load supplied from the action of disengaging the clutch without adverse effects. If you looked into this I would like to know your thoughts.
As you can imagine, I am considering this conversion also and am just looking into everything to make an informed decision.
This is the first I have ever heard of "a few concerns about the 3800SC being used with a manual transmission". I would not believe any of it. Now I only have about 3000 miles on the engine so I certainly cannot offer mine as proof. GM has used this engine with a manual transmission in the Camaro/Firebird lines so I am sure it is OK. To overcome the computer issue I had a custom built chip, which is the reason for all the work to change to the 95 Bonneville ECM. The chip took care of all the issues that everyone else had with a manual 3800SC. It also allowed me to have a higher rev limit. The 3800 has a rev limit of 5800 if I remember correctly. I have a limit of 6350. The chip tweaked a lot of other things too such as passkey problems. A good friend did this for me at no expense but is not interested in doing it for others. Sorry.
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10:19 AM
furious_fiero Member
Posts: 3028 From: Surrey,BC,CANADA Registered: Mar 2002
This encourages me to finish my "History of how I replaced the logo thingy on the front nose of my car" (which is about the only thing I can do myself).
I dont even think I can do that myself
------------------ FURIOUS FIERO '88 GT-Celica, not Fiero...FOR SALE! '86 2M4-Sold:( <---I don't deserve these negatives, Im a nice guy
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02:33 PM
furious_fiero Member
Posts: 3028 From: Surrey,BC,CANADA Registered: Mar 2002
That is some of the finest work I've seen done to a Fiero I haven't had the chance to see your Fiero in person but can hardly wait.. and truely enjoy reading the build up of this fine car.!
Nice write up skitime. I love how all your mods look "factory", that's when you know it's done right.
Kameo, you should do a write up listing all the mods on your beautiful car.
kv
------------------ 88 GT T-Top 5-spd #338 of 1252 87 SE 4-cyl 5-spd has performance sound
I was just wondering how those exhaust tips sound? is it like high pitched or like deep and low or what?
You Don't Know the Power of the Darkside
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and truely enjoy reading the build up of this fine car.!
FURIOUS FIERO 
