Archie built a really great car for me about three years ago. I have not shared with this group the joy I have gotten from this car or the double takes I get just about every time I drive it. Recently I decided to install a G6 F40 transmission with a Quaiffe differential. I would not have attempted this without Archie's kit. I cold not have afforded the learning curve. I think it is about I showed some pictures of the process. I hope you enjoy some of the passion I have had with this car.
This has nothing to do with the transmission install but it is the first thing I had done.
This is the template for an area I couldn't find a way to dress up
This is the finished cover
Starting the tranny swap
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03:28 PM
PFF
System Bot
exoticse Member
Posts: 8654 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
I got the RCC suspension as Archie suggested way back when. Coil overs make a world of difference. The car just lays flat in a curve. I have to tell you it makes a difference who does your work! I had the suspension work done prior to Archie transforming my car and the front end kept bottoming out. On the way back to NC from beautiful downtown Machesney Park, I stopped and bought some coffee. On the way out of the store I hit a bump and the drink came straight up out of the cup and went 360. I quickly installed 1 1/2" drop spindles to get some more play in the shocks. Works good now. I guess I need to do the Coke can challenge to see where I stand. I had RCC's big brake package on but got moochie and installed 13" Wilwoods.
Wainting in line...
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A shot of the shock and the "round thing" electric water pump that had to come out to drop the engine
Disconnecting all the "stuff"
Coming out!
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09:33 PM
Oct 29th, 2008
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
Anybody see a 50 watt backup light in this picture?
This is where some fun begins. With the engine out now I can clean up the engine bay. I wanted to get rid of all the extra wires and make some sense of the compartment. I never liked the way the friewall insulation looked. It just never looked clean to me. Now was the time top bring some order.
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05:59 PM
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
A look at the G6 F40. Not an expensive gearbox but newer technology the original 5 speed Getrag. I could pull stumps with first gear. I don't have a good shot of the Quaiffe LSD (which was 4 times the cost of the tranny) but it was a direct fit. We sent it out to a tranny pro to make sure it would be right
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08:41 PM
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
This is probably preaching to the choir since I got the idea on this forum but...
Quaife ATB Helical LSD differential for Saab GM F40 is suitable for Saab models with GM F40 gearbox. A direct replacement for the standard Saab open differential, the Quaife ATB Helical LSD differential transforms your car's performance.
Unlike a conventional plate-style limited slip differential, the Saab GM F40 Quaife ATB Helical LSD differential relies on gears rather than clutch plates for its operation. That means it is much smoother in operation.
The Saab GM F40 Quaife ATB Helical LSD differential never locks harshly with a set pre-load of wheel slip across the driven axle, like a conventional LSD. Rather, the Saab GM F40 Quaife ATB Helical LSD differential automatically biases the torque away from the spinning wheel across the axle, to a constantly varying degree, and never locks.
The Saab GM F40 Quaife ATB Helical LSD differential has many benefits over a standard open differential, including maximising traction and minimizing wheelspin, eliminating torque steer and snatching in front wheel drive cars compared to conventional LSD units, and a maintenance-free design which retains the standard oil lubrication.
After driving the car with the new diff, I can assure you that it is well worth the money. Troyboy will like it on his new ride.
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09:19 PM
PFF
System Bot
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
With all the money you re spending wouldnt it be worth replacing the old exhaust manifolds with something that flows? Keep up the good work on the rest of it. Love the Firewall and LSD
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04:26 AM
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
I have been wanting to come to Daytona ever since Archie inducted me into what I know now to be a "elite"? group. Every year about March I start developing a tick on the right side of my face that only goes away if I look a Florida travel brochures or reread the Annual Choptop Convention thread. In truth, my schedule hasn't allowed it. There always seems to be a conflict. Or at least I make one. So 2009 may be the year, I sure hope so.
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07:56 AM
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
Ausfiero--I would get new manifolds but there is a problem. They have sentimental value to me. Archie personally hand caste the units out of old left over LS1 valve stems. It almost cost him his marriage because he obsessed over it so much trying to get it perfect. You know how Archie is. He showed me pictures of how he used the "lost wax" process to caste them in his back yard.He brought them to his shop wrapped in babys blankets so not to scratch them. And...if you beleive that I have some swaampland in Oz I want to talk to you about.
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01:38 PM
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
What next...Oh yeah the tranny swap. But first more s**t to fix. Sometimes I wonder if I would have been better off buying a horse. Well what do you know. The RH axle bearing is bad, the seal was broken and let water into the bearing. Finally, how about some tranny work. Cutting the clearance in the bell housing for the adapter bolts
Test fitting to see where clearance cuts need to be made in the cradle. Now this does not look like bagpipes. A nice handsome, manly (sorry ladies) gearbox. Gonna look good in the engine compartment.
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01:52 PM
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
While you are cleaning up your fire wall do something about those stupid looking hinges and mounting boxes. If you are not using the stock torque rods to prop up the deck lid why not trim them down and make it look better. I was thinking about doing this with my car, I was thinking about using a set of front hood hinges.
Thanks for sharing Jake
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04:35 PM
PFF
System Bot
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
Wow...hadn't thought of that. I do need to do something different at the hinges cause I have developed a structural crack just above the right hinge. I filled it in and fiberglasseds it but it is still weak. The member had to be channeled out slightly to make room for the breather and is a weak spot. I may do something about it next week. If so I will post pictures. Thanks, they do look rather abnormal.
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05:37 PM
fieroguru Member
Posts: 12331 From: Champaign, IL Registered: Aug 2003
While you are cleaning up your fire wall do something about those stupid looking hinges and mounting boxes. If you are not using the stock torque rods to prop up the deck lid why not trim them down and make it look better.
Part of my winter upgrades is doing "something" with the stock hinge brackets!
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06:38 PM
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
Well, thats two. Tomorrow I'm going to take pictures are start looking around. Maybe I can get a before and after. I hope to get to work on the "Sidewinder" next week. Currently it has bear claw door latches and they have given me some problems. Thats my next move, to find an adequate replacement. I installed door pins since its a suicide setup but I want a different latch mechanism. Here is the door pin install. This is going to make me feel real safe!
I don't like the looks of the exposed door panels. With a suicide setup, this part of the door was not seen much and there was not a lot of care given to appearance. That definately goes on the list.
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08:05 PM
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
Your car is looking great and I just love your attention to detail. It's great to see some of the choptop owners kicking it up a bit. Time to start invading the non Fiero car shows in force.
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08:00 AM
MOBILE Member
Posts: 768 From: Linwood, MN, USA Registered: May 2002
Amazing Car! Keep up the good work. I just pulled my old supercharged 3800 out and built a new one. I am right in the middle of some insane rewiring and firewall cleanup myself. I used front GM F-body calipers w/ 13" rotors on all 4 corners, so I have the Wilwood spot calipers for the E-brake also.
I might be interested in that Getrag, as mine is junk, as soon a you figure out PM's send me one, or an email at mobile@warpdriveonline.com. I really wanted to do the G6 6 speed this year, but with the expensive engine build, it might be next winters project!! Therefore I need another Getrag to make it through next summer.
Thanks!
MOBILE
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Member MN Fieros Forever Self Installed SC3800/getrag. 4 years in Avionics & 14 years in Car Electronics Experience........ 19"s.. w/ 13" Brakes all around.
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