Today I installed koni red struts on the rear, poly bushings on all suspension components, installed a larger throttle body, wrapped my exhaust and installed an expansion tank on my water to air intercooler setup. Very productive day!
Replaced my trunk seal. The old one was OK, except for a worn spot. When I removed the old seal, I found lots of silicone on the driver's side half of the seal. It took a while to get that off. Not perfect, but off. The new seal took about 10 minutes to install. I didn't cut out the area around the latch. I was expecting the decklid to make a firmer close for a while. No such. The seal fits nice and even, with only one small ripple. The corners aren't quite square; the one on the left rear by the ripple won't go in further, and the one on the right rear just won't go further in. I had to cut and pry to get it in as it is. I'm pleased, so far, but will have to wait for wet to test over time.
The old deal was of an entirely different construction.
Finally finished rebuilding the headlight motors and replaced the right side mounting bracket / back hinge half. (Thanks, Fierofool!) Painted the cowl, and cleaned and reinstalled the black cowl trim panel.
Unpacked the new shocks and struts, and inspected. (Last new pair of struts I bought, one of them was "flat". No gas pressure to speak of. These are fine.)
Next is to either replace the valve cover gasket and tighten the pan and timing cover bolts (It marks its spot like a Harley) or to start rebuilding the suspension. (Have two boxes of poly, and the previously mentioned shocks and struts; and a 12" brake kit. All sitting in my shop. Also a pair of Rodney's lower ball joints.)
As for me.....I picked up a pair of T-Top Formulas today (long story....will have to post it later). One was sort of running and the other not running at all.....both sitting for more than a year. The sort of running one idled OK and ran fine until you get to the upper RPM range, where it coughs and sputters. I think it's a combination of bad gas and ignition issues. I didn't spend much time on it today.
I expected a lot of issues with the non-running one, since I had no clue why it stopped running. After hooking up a battery I cranked it over, but it wouldn't start. I could hear the fuel pump prime up and was getting good fuel pressure too. I checked for spark and was getting none. The coil and coil wire were corroded, so I swapped them out, but still nothing. I took off the distributor cap and had a look, but everything looked good. I was about to swap out the ICM when I noticed something curious.....the plug to the pick-up coil wasn't secured. I plugged it in and she fired right up! It ran rough though and then I remembered the "Superchips Power Chip" box in the trunk. Sure enough it had one installed. I swapped it out for the stock chip and she purrs like a kitten. I couldn't be happier!
So now I am back up to 3 Fieros (7 cars overall)....time for a bigger garage!
**EDIT to add that maybe the sort of running one also has a Super Chip installed. I really have no idea why they even sell those things anymore.....all they do is screw up the timing. Anyway.....off to Phoenix for the week, so I'll have to play with it next weekend.
A couple of pictures.....the one with the chrome wheels is the "sort of running one".
[This message has been edited by mrfiero (edited 04-10-2016).]
Congrats on the twin Formulas! Sounds like you found some pearls.
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Originally posted by mrfiero: It looks like someone found a WO2 coupe.....nice! What are your plans for it?
The body will remain mostly stock. Haven't made up my mind on the rockers, but the white rear fascia extension has probably got to go. The suspension will receive a full poly rebuild with new Sensatracs on all 4 corners. (It handles pretty much like a steamship, now. The contrast between this and my "worked" Formula was stunning. And a little frightening. Tammy followed me home and said it looked like it was wagging its tail.) Have a set of Borbet wheels in the back room, that will go on it. They're the ones that were on my red coupe.
At some point, the Duke and Isuzu will probably get replaced. Aside from not really having the room to do a swap just now, I hate to mess with them, because it's the quietest Duke I've ever heard, and the Isuzu shifts like butter. Just leaks oil worse than my old Triumph Bonneville motorcycle. The replacement engine will be an LFX (3.6 DOHC DI V6) and a Beretta Getrag - or maybe an F23. If that doesn't work out, I'll probably do an LZ9 pushrod V6.
Oh yeah... the fuel pump sounds like a Cessna.
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 04-10-2016).]
Congrats on the twin Formulas! Sounds like you found some pearls.
Thanks....it's been a long time since I've owned a T-Top Formula. I told myself I'd never own another one and here I am with two. There is a story behind these though....when I get the time to write it up right I will start a new post explaining the situation. It's a sad story and the truth be told, I would rather not own these cars, but all things considered I am glad I could "save " them from an unknown fate.
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The body will remain mostly stock. Haven't made up my mind on the rockers, but the white rear fascia extension has probably got to go. The suspension will receive a full poly rebuild with new Sensatracs on all 4 corners. (It handles pretty much like a steamship, now. The contrast between this and my "worked" Formula was stunning. And a little frightening. Tammy followed me home and said it looked like it was wagging its tail.) Have a set of Borbet wheels in the back room, that will go on it. They're the ones that were on my red coupe.
At some point, the Duke and Isuzu will probably get replaced. Aside from not really having the room to do a swap just now, I hate to mess with them, because it's the quietest Duke I've ever heard, and the Isuzu shifts like butter. Just leaks oil worse than my old Triumph Bonneville motorcycle. The replacement engine will be an LFX (3.6 DOHC DI V6) and a Beretta Getrag - or maybe an F23. If that doesn't work out, I'll probably do an LZ9 pushrod V6.
Oh yeah... the fuel pump sounds like a Cessna.
I've had a few Fieros that wagged their tail.....not a pleasant experience!
I really like the painted rockers, but I can see where there's a little too much white happening there on the rear end. I'm still an engine swap noobie......I'm planning an LQ1 swap soon on my '88 GT. I really like the sounds of the LFX though. Good luck with it!
Dipped the lower trim to match the rest of the car. Left a few parts black as an accent. Also adjusted the upper control arm shims for more positive caster, car feels completely different and more confident.
I drove a T-Top Fiero for the first time in 12 years. It was just around the block, but I had the windows down and the T-Tops off.....I had forgotten how much fun they are with the roof off. It still needs tires, brakes, shocks & struts and an alignment, but she runs great!
Thats the hood vent sold by Embrace Racing. Double4C is a member here and has a thread on them (somewhere). It's made specifically for the Fiero to allow improved cooling through the radiator and follows the lines of the car. Pretty simple to install and a quality product.
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[This message has been edited by Supracoupe (edited 05-04-2016).]
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