If you're concerned with them remaining visible, or with them getting rock chips when going on dirt roads, this might be a solution:
I'm not sure if you need to buy this, or just making one yourself would do the same trick. I think the main radiator opennings in the Aero body, or the opennings for the marker lights would work great for this.
Heck a setup like this could even be used for something more fun, like squirt guns, or something fun to use at car shows.
Another option would be power tilt/telescoping steering column. Some of the newer Caddys and Vettes have them, maybe other GMs too. Would go well with power seats, and one of the memory modules in the newer GMs. Less time adjusting the steering when I get in/out of the car (since I'm 6'2").
Another option would be power tilt/telescoping steering column. Some of the newer Caddys and Vettes have them, maybe other GMs too. Would go well with power seats, and one of the memory modules in the newer GMs. Less time adjusting the steering when I get in/out of the car (since I'm 6'2").
The problem I see with this is the loss of arm room. Those tilt wheel columns are longer than the Fiero column between the tilt joint and wheel. The extra length is to allow for the telescoping function. I got a Vette column for the telescopic option and I decided the loss of distance from my chest to the wheel was to much. I have not looked into the power seat option because the Fiero is one of the lowest mounted GM seat made. I cant think of any GM seat that has the power mechanism that is not actually under the seat and still fit the the seat well. To make room for the motors under the seat would necessitate a higher seat mounting. That means less head room. Then with the less head room even at its lowest setting, will there be a need to lift the seat even higher?
I think this is more of a thread about what can be done, than what has been done. And I don't think all that much has been done in the way of adding newer tech to Fieros. The most I've seen really are the auto-dimming/compass/temp mirrors, and lumbar seats. There's another thread with someone adding back-up and IR cameras. And lots have added dvd players/lcd screens, but generally that's seemed more for show than functionality from what I've seen.
Originally posted by Rickady88GT: The problem I see with this is the loss of arm room. Those tilt wheel columns are longer than the Fiero column between the tilt joint and wheel. The extra length is to allow for the telescoping function. I got a Vette column for the telescopic option and I decided the loss of distance from my chest to the wheel was to much. I have not looked into the power seat option because the Fiero is one of the lowest mounted GM seat made. I cant think of any GM seat that has the power mechanism that is not actually under the seat and still fit the the seat well. To make room for the motors under the seat would necessitate a higher seat mounting. That means less head room. Then with the less head room even at its lowest setting, will there be a need to lift the seat even higher?
I haven't looked too deeply into it, but lifting the seat isn't as interesting to me, though it might be for shorter drivers. And in that case, the arm/head room issues probably aren't an issue. I'm more interested in just sliding it forward and back, and adjusting the tilt of the seat back, and the steering wheel adjustment. And I don't think the arm/headroom issues would be a problem for me. I'd have to get a column and seats, and figure out the electrics for them, to really see if there'd be a problem though.
right now, getting my car ready to be tuned and getting it tuned are top priorities. but after thats done, i will be adding the camaro Retained Accessory Power (RAP) module, DEI one touch windows, and converting everything to LEDs and slowly start searching for more things to add.
oh! i cant believe forgot to add this. electric power steering pump!
Originally posted by americasfuture2k: right now, getting my car ready to be tuned and getting it tuned are top priorities. but after thats done, i will be adding the camaro Retained Accessory Power (RAP) module, DEI one touch windows, and converting everything to LEDs and slowly start searching for more things to add.
oh! i cant believe forgot to add this. electric power steering pump!
Yeah. Right now, I need to get my truck fixed, and get a house before I can do much to my GT. I've been looking around for a multi-band antenna to mount on/in the roof though. I'll probably do that, and replace the headliner, visors, and overhead console. Will proabably definitely go with some homelink visors.
BUMP with an update on the first thread for RAP. the PAC-1200 features RAP and dome light control with an override switch to manually disable the dome light.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
If you're concerned with them remaining visible, or with them getting rock chips when going on dirt roads, this might be a solution:
I'm not sure if you need to buy this, or just making one yourself would do the same trick. I think the main radiator opennings in the Aero body, or the opennings for the marker lights would work great for this.
Heck a setup like this could even be used for something more fun, like squirt guns, or something fun to use at car shows.
I wouldn't touch those they only hold the head by two screws. Blinders have to be perpendicular to the road and straight for them to work their best. two screws aren't going to hold them secure enough to be reliable.
i've seen the threads on HUDs and installed one in my car. My point is that there are only a few that will fit a fiero and NONE of them look like the ones in the large pics that were posted. Those HUDs will NOT ift a fiero.
C'mon now Paul...be careful with absolute statements. I have enough room to mount a breadbox under my firebird dash, (except there is already a hud in that spot). If I had one of those more modern HUDs it would fit just fine.
the buttons will be unlabeled in front of the shifter on a panel there I want to use these I found on ebay:
1 green switching on/off for the ignition and 1 momentary blue for the starter theyre 10amp switches and the ign fuse is 10amp so these should be sufficient...
Im also about to install a K9 Sombra RFID Keyless Entry system on the car The car will lock and unlock when i get near/far from it
1. where can you get the proximity/ push button start systems?
2. can you have a proximity system and a remote start system? cause then you could start the car and get the heat pumpin (if its cold out) and run up to and not have to unlock it. just get in warm car and go.
Does anyone know where to find the dakota digital PAC1200? It's not even on there site anymore. Looks like they are just selling the PAC1300. I don't need the auto headlights and would hope the PAC1200 would be a bit cheaper. Read the pdf and it sounds perfect! Lots of nice features, hopefully I can find one.
I honestly did all of that. The PAC1300 is easy to find google, ebay, and dakota digitals own site. But finding the PAC1200 is another story, its not even on dakota digitals site. Unless I missed something, it doesn't look like anyone is selling the PAC1200 anymore. Which is unfortunate. I'm just hoping some place still has some in stock.
[This message has been edited by bnevets27 (edited 01-22-2010).]
Well, I'm definitely going with the power tilt column. Just found one out of an STS on eBay. Going to use it with the newer Malibu/Cobalt/etc... steering wheel with radio controls, so it's going to need some changes before it goes in, but this is going to be a sweet project!
Will go great with the LS4/F40 combo, and other stuff I'm going to do to the car.
Originally posted by DIY_Stu: I wouldn't touch those they only hold the head by two screws. Blinders have to be perpendicular to the road and straight for them to work their best. two screws aren't going to hold them secure enough to be reliable.
Wow!! I'm surprised to find a fellow forum member who knows that Blinders are.
I thought about the same thing when seeing the video. Even just the motion (without the vehicle moving) seems to shift the position/angle of the receivers. (not to mention the location is way to low on the car)
It's an interesting concept to expand/follow up on with sturdier materials.
Speaking of the HUDs... has anyone done a custom HUD at all? I know a few people have retrofit the Bonnie HUD or maybe the Vette/Caddy HUDs, but has anyone built an entirely custom HUD yet?
Originally posted by americasfuture2k: i think i saw one being made over on ecomodder. not entire sure where i saw it.
Just did a quick search and found one a guy did in his GTP. Not quite what I want, but close. There are some other interesting mock-ups for HUD on YouTube as well, that are all faked. I'm going to be doing a custom HUD in my car, and was wondering what other people were doing. Don't know if anyone's done anything beyond the retrofits in a Fiero though.
re: The washer fluid heater... although this idea wouldn't work so good with a rear engine car like the Fiero, in any other car, I have had the idea that if your fluid hose was metal, like made from brake tubing or something like that you could route it along the exhaust manifold, and it would heat up that way. No need to pay 150 bucks for that gizmo at the beginning of this thread.
Originally posted by edfiero: re: The washer fluid heater... although this idea wouldn't work so good with a rear engine car like the Fiero, in any other car, I have had the idea that if your fluid hose was metal, like made from brake tubing or something like that you could route it along the exhaust manifold, and it would heat up that way. No need to pay 150 bucks for that gizmo at the beginning of this thread.
You probably wouldn't want to wrap it around the exhaust. It's way too hot for heating washer fluid. The best cheap way to do it would be to wrap some copper tubing around a cheap ceramic heating element (they're very cheap, any aquarium heater has one), and wire that in to a switch or cold weather system. You don't need to heat it in warm/hot weather.
I saw that, but it looks like there's a lot of talk, and not a lot of working stuff. The night vision stuff isn't as interesting to me yet, because it's very low resolution (at least the stuff that uses IR cameras), and it just puts a picture on an LCD, which you have to look at instead of the road.
This custom GTP HUD though is working and installed, albeit not exactly what I want. But it's a good informational point to look at (as well as his other in-progress videos). Of course, I'm also having trouble finding a nice AM-OLED display in the dimensions, resolution, and cost, I want.
