Coolant tubes are fine. Every time I took the car in to have it aligned I made sure the guys knew how to pick up the car. They were always very condescending about it like "we work or Ferraris, your car isn't that special" then they look at it like its an alien and i have to tell them where to lift. The tubes are 25 years old, a little scratched up but otherwise fine. One of the nice things about the car when I bought it.
IP: Logged
08:24 PM
solotwo Member
Posts: 5374 From: Grand Rapids, MI. USA Registered: Jun 2002
There is a thread in here about sunbird turbo tachs. but basically there is a fire coming from the MAP sensor that goes to the ECM and you tap into that and run it to the boost gauge.
And solo, the key to the wiring was GOOD labeling and routing then rerouting then rerouting again. I must have changed the loom sequence a dozen times while I was wiring that thing. I had a lot of help with the initial wire tuck ON the engine from GT-X but wiring everything in the car and to the ECM was me.
[This message has been edited by Anavaree (edited 01-10-2013).]
IP: Logged
07:53 PM
Jan 11th, 2013
GT-X Member
Posts: 1506 From: Crestwood, KY Registered: Feb 2003
I just got home, 24 straight hours awake. I need some sleep bad.
The red wire is just an auxiliary power tap coming directly from the battery. There were plans for it in the future but, alas, they will not come true. The silver foil is actually high temperature tape wrapped around fiberglass insulation protecting the Transmission shift select cable. Do NOT remove it. The temperature right there will melt the cable shroud and destroy it. Then you will have to replace the entire cable. I had honestly forgotten about the left turn signal blinker light. It's glitchy and I never looked into it as it will come back on its own. Though it does not blink, the turn signal is still functioning. Sorry about that.
IP: Logged
06:28 AM
Anavaree Member
Posts: 175 From: Georgetown, KY Registered: Mar 2010
----- Original Message ----- You mentioned several times that you topped off the fluids. Just after you left I checked the collant jug and I could not see coolant in it. It took a gallon to fill the jug. Hmmm has me very concerned. What kind of coolant are you running?
Answer: I had the car a lot hotter than we had it tonight so I am guessing that the coolant had overflowed in to the res and when I checked it HOT there was coolant in it. I am running regular ethylene glycol. Preston 70/30. I am confident that this car will continue to run for a long time to come. I checked engine oil, brake fluid and coolant. I did not have a chance to drive the car properly to get the transmission up to proper temp and for a tranny fluid check as I did not have insurance on the car and wasn't willing to get arrested for driving without insurance. There is also a transmission cooler installed so there is a significant amount of spare ATF in the system.
Interior smells. Question/Answer: Smells like what? It is 25 years old and may have accumulated some sort of odor through the decades. I mentioned that I didn't have a chance to vacuum it before I drove it up there. I never noticed any smell and I don't smoke. I have not had the interior professionally cleaned.
I started going thru the interior. The carpet on the passenger side was damp?? I put some paper toweling down and will check it tomorrow. Answer: It was raining, there is snow and ice in your grass, and I sat in the passenger seat when you drove the car. I would have to say that water from my shoes may have ended up on the carpet.
Drivers side fender . I dont recall anything about it being bad, just the passenger side fender. Answer: I posted several fairly decent resolution pictures of the car, including the drivers side. I also mentioned that the car will need paint. I think that the drivers fender has lost its paint in a single chunk and that the plastic is intact and the panel itself is undamaged. I am sorry if that was unclear.
----- Original Message ----- This morning I had buyers remorse after finding the damp carpet last night and I checked up above the carpet and on the metal and it seemed to feel damp. No the smell is definitely coolant. You forget I have worked in a dealership for over 35 years. I have a weaker wiff of it in my 88. Answer: I have noticed the smell on and off through the years and but never had a problem. Didn't notice it last night when we drove the car. I always figured it was nothing.
This morning I started it up and it barely turned over but it did fire up, my thought was it has been setting for a while and the battery needed to be charged. I Let it set out side and warm up. It didnt do to bad on getting warm. When I backed out of my drive I noticed a puddle in the headlights so I checked it. An oil leak from some where. It didnt look like trans oil and didnt smell like trans fluid. I am not sure where it came from. Answer: While is was going the car before I delivered it I went through the lights and sprayed the pivot points with TriFlow to protect against rust and make sure the lights flipped well, this is likely over-spray. I also coated the sliders on the headlight covers with Lubriplate to ensure smooth actuation. So I took a chance and drove it in to work. I checked the carpet and behind it and so far no coolant. I left it running while I unloaded my things, then moved it. No leak so far.
What kind of oil did you use again? The oil pressure seems awful high. I dont recall GM saying the SC motors required a special weight. Answer: The oil pressure has always ready very high. The engine was not meant for that car and I believe that the actual oil pressure range does not match the true resistance range for the gauge. As long as there is pressure and it stayed in the sameish level I was happy. The oil press gauge is there to indicate oil pressure/NO oil pressure. I am using Rotella T6 full synthetic 5w40. The only weight it is available in.
Trans shifter/linkage seems sloppy. Is there any way to adjust it? Answer: I am not sure. I have mated a 25 year old fiero cable to the 4T65eHD, it obviously was not designed to work together so the exact geometry may be off a little. It is a custom build and it might not be perfect. There is a coupler at the engine side of the cable that may be tightened or adjusted a little. I made it ad hoc so you cannot go out and buy another one so be careful that you don't break or lose it. It is simple and can be made at home with common tools however.
Brakes seem soft when 1st applying so i pump them. Answer: S10 brake booster and supercharged engine may lack some of the vacuum need to fully actuate the brakes on first application. I have never had a problem stopping, better stopping force than many fieros from what I have been told.
Is there any give/stretch in the batter cables? I havent check yet. Answer: There may be some i am not really sure.
I noticed the trans was fluctuating at a steady speed 300 to 400 rpm. This was at 60- 65. Torque clutch lock up may be? Answer: I have never noticed this and I drove the car 45 minutes each way to work. Sorry.
Power door locks are not locking and unlocking. Answer: It is cold out and the locks are sticking worse than usual. The mechanisms need cleaning and a little TLC to operate more smoothly. Hit the lock and unlock button a couple of times to lock/unlock at this time. I rarely, if ever, locked my doors because i didn't want anybody to break my windows to get into the car. Replacing the windows in that car is both expensive and difficult therefore I didn't leave anything of value in the car worth stealing and just left it unlocked.
I am happy to keep answering questions, however, you had the opportunity to drive and inspect the car before you committed to buying it last night. I gave you the opportunity to pass on the purchase before we unloaded all the spare parts from the truck. I am sorry if you are unhappy with the car but I believe that between the 32 PMs and the posts in the thread I had disclosed all of the major concerns with the car. I apologize about the little details that I may have missed but I don't believe that I missed any major issues. Remember, the car is 25 years old and is custom built. It will not be perfect. I never claimed it to be. Jesse
IP: Logged
02:56 PM
Anavaree Member
Posts: 175 From: Georgetown, KY Registered: Mar 2010
Also, one more thing. About the car cranking slowly this morning. Twice while you were looking over the car you didn't close the drivers door completely and I had to firmly close it behind you. Is it possible that you left the door slightly ajar and the dome light was on all night? If the door is not fully closed the light stays on. Just a thought.
IP: Logged
03:00 PM
solotwo Member
Posts: 5374 From: Grand Rapids, MI. USA Registered: Jun 2002
When I backed out of my drive I noticed a puddle in the headlights so I checked it. An oil leak from some where. It didnt look like trans oil and didnt smell like trans fluid. I am not sure where it came from.
Answer: While is was going the car before I delivered it I went through the lights and sprayed the pivot points with TriFlow to protect against rust and make sure the lights flipped well, this is likely over-spray. I also coated the sliders on the headlight covers with Lubriplate to ensure smooth actuation.
No the leak was from the back end of the car.
IP: Logged
03:13 PM
solotwo Member
Posts: 5374 From: Grand Rapids, MI. USA Registered: Jun 2002
I was asking questions on PM to keep it between you and I but if that's the way you want to go. I need that wrench to get the wheels off or the car is useless to me.
No you did not mention both seats had rips in them, no you did not mention the overhead light has a lens missing.
Coolant smell is real strong, but so far I have not found any leaks on the passenger side.
You mentioned you were going to get me the Build Book with all the information in it. How is that doing?
[This message has been edited by solotwo (edited 01-17-2013).]
IP: Logged
03:24 PM
PFF
System Bot
solotwo Member
Posts: 5374 From: Grand Rapids, MI. USA Registered: Jun 2002
I am happy to keep answering questions, however, you had the opportunity to drive and inspect the car before you committed to buying it last night. True, I drove it just a little it was freezing drizzle, and dark out with a car that had no insurance or registration or proper plates, we have had a some shootings in our area, so driving a car with KY plates fast at night, Hmmmm not a good idea.
I gave you the opportunity to pass on the purchase before we unloaded all the spare parts from the truck. Now that would have been real donkey poopy to have you drive all the way and then say to bad so sad, pack up the junk and leave.
I am sorry if you are unhappy with the car but I believe that between the 32 PMs and the posts in the thread I had disclosed all of the major concerns with the car. I will re read all of them and see what is and isnt disclosed.
Peace be with you. Steve
IP: Logged
03:36 PM
Anavaree Member
Posts: 175 From: Georgetown, KY Registered: Mar 2010
5 Posts ago I already mentioned that the lug socket is in the mail. I was up for 26 hours straight and waited until 830am for UPS to open so that I could get the socket out the door first thing. I just woke up at 2pm and have not even had a chance to think about scanning the build book yet. I will try to get to it this weekend. Again, the seats are 25 years old and have 200,000 miles on them. There is bound to be some wear. I thought I posted pictures of the interior but perhaps I missed close ups of the seat. I am not sure about the overhead light. I gave you an extra overhead console, is it in there? if not I ma not sure about that, sorry. I will say again that you had the opportunity to inspect the vehicle before committing to the purchase.
Please just drive the car and enjoy. If you nitpick everything you are going to give yourself an ulcer. The car isnt perfect, I am sorry if that was what you were expecting. I am not being snide, I am a professional worrier, and I have buyers remorse about almost everything I buy costing more than $500 so I know the feeling. Just ask GT-X
[This message has been edited by Anavaree (edited 01-17-2013).]
IP: Logged
04:18 PM
solotwo Member
Posts: 5374 From: Grand Rapids, MI. USA Registered: Jun 2002
The car was in a 40 degree garage last knight so I would have thought that would be warm enough for the locks. I sounds like they are not traveling the full lenght. Does that make sense?
IP: Logged
04:40 PM
Anavaree Member
Posts: 175 From: Georgetown, KY Registered: Mar 2010
The sliding mechanism is sticky from the years of road grime and dust buildup. I understand what you are saying and there is a thread on Penncoks about how to resolve this issue. Sorry that you have to deal with it, I had forgotten that they stick. When I do lock my ca I either lean across and lock the door or hit the lock/unlock button a couple of times to get the slider to move completely. I know this isn't the perfect way to do it but it works and takes only a couple of seconds. Please search Pennocks for the way to lubricate the locking mechanism and this will solve that issue.
IP: Logged
04:43 PM
Anavaree Member
Posts: 175 From: Georgetown, KY Registered: Mar 2010
I have been using 32psi all the way around and it feels good and the contact patch on all 4 tires looks good. You also asked about the speedo. It is right on, within 1mph either way. When I had sinister program the ECU he changed the math for the factory tire size to match the tires I put on there. The Signal coming from the ECU is exact but the gauge is only able to hold so close. I have also installed the signal conditioner in the center console to give a modified signal to the instrument cluster. http://www.gmtuners.com/fiero/speedo2.gif Jesse
IP: Logged
09:26 AM
solotwo Member
Posts: 5374 From: Grand Rapids, MI. USA Registered: Jun 2002
I washed last night looks a lot better. I have been attacking some of the clear coat issues. Hey with the Themo mat doubled up it gets warm but I think safe enough to put things in the trunk.
IP: Logged
09:27 AM
solotwo Member
Posts: 5374 From: Grand Rapids, MI. USA Registered: Jun 2002
I have been using 32psi all the way around and it feels good and the contact patch on all 4 tires looks good. You also asked about the speedo. It is right on, within 1mph either way. When I had sinister program the ECU he changed the math for the factory tire size to match the tires I put on there. The Signal coming from the ECU is exact but the gauge is only able to hold so close. I have also installed the signal conditioner in the center console to give a modified signal to the instrument cluster. http://www.gmtuners.com/fiero/speedo2.gif Jesse
Thanks. I didnt want to push my luck but I noticed traveling with traffic it seemed to be correct.
IP: Logged
09:28 AM
solotwo Member
Posts: 5374 From: Grand Rapids, MI. USA Registered: Jun 2002
You had requested me send it to work so i mailed it to the Lowell address. Yeah, you really will get used to the ride. The noise in the car seems to get quieter too. If you ever get around to some dynamatting on the fire wall you wont even notice the engine anymore.
IP: Logged
07:47 PM
solotwo Member
Posts: 5374 From: Grand Rapids, MI. USA Registered: Jun 2002
I met my wife at her Dr's office today and she saw the car coming down the road. She said it looked cool. Well that is good as it will make paying the loan off a litter easier. LOL.
IP: Logged
09:37 PM
solotwo Member
Posts: 5374 From: Grand Rapids, MI. USA Registered: Jun 2002
Anavaree fuel gauge. It looks like when it starts getting close to 1/2 that is indeed 1/2. Does that sound correct? Based on that the fuel economy doesnt seem to bad.
IP: Logged
12:17 PM
Anavaree Member
Posts: 175 From: Georgetown, KY Registered: Mar 2010
Sorry for the delay, its been a busy day. I have found that you should be getting gas by 3/8ths of a tank just to be sure. I have noticed that over the years the gauge seems to be getting more accurate the more fill ups i did. When I first go the car I would run out of gas completely at 1/2 a tank. Now I was driving it until 3/8s or 1/4. Just keep an eye on your fill up amounts and keep in mind that the TRE pump and engine don't like to be starved for fuel. I think I was getting 26mpg but I could never keep my foot out of it. I liked to drive fast so if you can cruise easy i bet 28mpg is doable.
IP: Logged
09:22 PM
solotwo Member
Posts: 5374 From: Grand Rapids, MI. USA Registered: Jun 2002
Didnt get a package today. I sure hope I do not have a flat, I will have leave the car along the road. Snows coming also.
Update, Monday, didnt drive car to work today. We have snow and the summer performance wide tires do not work. Hopefully the wrench comes today. More snow is on the way. Think I found one of the leaks. Broken/stripped ideal clamp on a trans line. That would give reason to the spots in the driveway and that the fluid in the trans was real low.
[This message has been edited by solotwo (edited 01-21-2013).]
IP: Logged
10:08 PM
Jan 21st, 2013
solotwo Member
Posts: 5374 From: Grand Rapids, MI. USA Registered: Jun 2002
. I dont recall anything about it being bad, just the passenger side fender. 
