I love the build thread. I could sit here all day and read it.
With the Firebird dash I think you should go with firebird door cars to contour all the lines and go back over it with the same color sceme.. Otherwise this build is amazing!
Thanks guys. Yes I will add the Firebird door panels to my list of future mods for when I'm getting bored of not having major things to do like re/re of transmissions
I decided to paint the transaxle MSD red for 3 reasons:
1) The aluminum paint didn't match the silver powder coating 2) I had received some feedback for being overly conservative on the colour theme 3) I wanted to have something visual to show for my effort of re/re (the main reason)
Here are the pictures of the progress:
Rear bumper not reinstalled yet and final linkage adjustments still needed but I have 5 forward gears now
Jeez, I don't check this thread for a short while and I come back and the transmission has been removed and reinstalled! That was quick. Glad to hear its coming back together again, its looking better than ever!
i have followed this thread for years .and the one thing i can say is that this is the most extremely modified car that is still easily recognized as a pontiac and then as a fiero .the lineage is obvious and intact .great job , bubbajoe and 2M8 .
i have followed this thread for years .and the one thing i can say is that this is the most extremely modified car that is still easily recognized as a pontiac and then as a fiero .the lineage is obvious and intact .great job , bubbajoe and 2M8 .
Definitely... and yet it still looks like nothing else on the road. Really is a one of a kind.
i have followed this thread for years .and the one thing i can say is that this is the most extremely modified car that is still easily recognized as a pontiac and then as a fiero .the lineage is obvious and intact .great job , bubbajoe and 2M8 .
I couldn't agree more and am glad you posted this comment. It was one of the main things that attracted me to the project as Bubbajoe envolved the shape. With forum members input and his skill, the GM heritage in style was retained and upgrades/updates were generally from the newer GM offerings.
Usually I say nothing when a non Fiero car enthusiast approaches it to allow them to start thinking aloud They usually give a tenative guess of "I remember these, Pontiac right?" They recognize the rear hatch glass as Firebird then realize Fiero when they see an engine where they expect rear seats. Then the usual how did you get a V8 in there question shows that the body lines are clean enough not to scream kit car or body kit. The stretch in wheelbase and rear track is something I disclose before the headscratching goes too far. This is our version of the Indy.
Originally posted by doublec4: Definitely... and yet it still looks like nothing else on the road. Really is a one of a kind.
Yes, that is what I will enjoy most bringing it to cruises next season. It is a project I will have a long time mainly due to the hands-on time invested.
I used to describe it as "unique" until I saw the TV show Unique Whips were EVERY project got JL audio speakers and Pirelli tires, lol. Now I say it is my "exotic car" as exotic means "strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual". I guess naysayers would cite "poor man's exotic" which would also be accurate compared to supercar prices or by the point of view that it makes me poor Either way, if they ask where they can get one, I can tell them to build their own as it's one of a kind. If I ever did sell, I'd talk to Bubbajoe first about a worthy new owner although I'd be asking more for the newest project than the $2000 I paid
hey fiero2m8, those are some great pics you have of the exterior - what a project!
i am going to try talking you into stepping back from the car a ways next time, and using a longer lens. this could help reduce the wideangle distortion in the pics to give us a better idea of the actual lines. will also help blur the background.
hey fiero2m8, those are some great pics you have of the exterior - what a project!
i am going to try talking you into stepping back from the car a ways next time, and using a longer lens. this could help reduce the wideangle distortion in the pics to give us a better idea of the actual lines. will also help blur the background.
Great tip, upon further inspection yes most HQ pictures were taken with 18mm wide angle lens.
Yesterday, I worked on my custom trunk compartment. First I needed to enclose the front area to keep the wind out and the headlight doors down
I am using heavy guage galvanized sheet metal that is easy to form and won't rust:
Now I am ready to finsh the "trunk" with indoor/outdoor carpet:
Started carpet install in the lower bin cutting 3 pieces and using 3M spray adhesive:
I have a custom front swaybar with a drop-down in the center. This would allow you to get rid of the big angled pop-up (which I @$$ume is there because of the sway-bar). You can have it if you pay shipping. It's the stock diameter, but because of the drop down, it's not as stiff as stock. That's fine for a high performance Fiero, especially with the capacity to adjust the front spring rate.
Originally posted by Will: I have a custom front swaybar with a drop-down in the center. This would allow you to get rid of the big angled pop-up (which I @$$ume is there because of the sway-bar). You can have it if you pay shipping. It's the stock diameter, but because of the drop down, it's not as stiff as stock. That's fine for a high performance Fiero, especially with the capacity to adjust the front spring rate.
Hi Will, The pop up is there because I moved the vacuum pump and tank from inside the trunk to between the steering rack and sway bar. From this:
To this:
A dropped sway bar won't help but thanks for the offer.
Originally posted by bubbajoexxx: post some pics of the new pieces you will be installing
On the left is the 215mm clutch and 1805 lb pressure plate
On the right is the 225mm clutch and 2200 lb pressure plate
I did notice the assemblies are not the same depth. Currently the delta is 76thou larger gap on the new flywheel when I measure depth from the pressure plate mounting surface to the clutch contact point on the flywheels)
Currently trying to work out all the differences between the two flywheels to give accurate machining directions The front face of the ring gear is different depth in relation to clutch mating surface that will need to be factored in. Even though the new ring teeth are not as wide it's won't matter as the starter pinion fully extended didn't use the full 1/2" width on the old flywheel. A big bonus is the new flywheel has a replaceable ring gear which is in good shape versus the old one. In case you're wondering the OD of the flywheels are identical but the ID is larger to accomodate the bigger clutch. When I'm done the depth will compensate for the adapter plate that locates the transaxle housing 1/2" from the crank face The rest of the mods like drilling the 8 mounting holes and making a depth adapter can be transferred from the old flywheel design (assuming it was already in the best location). Would like to fbuy a new pilot bearing, and get the finished flywheel neutral balanced as well. Going to see the machinist on Friday to finalize the plan...
Finished up what I was doing with the carpeting so I can move on to other things:
I worked on my LED swap for the tailights. These are 1157 bulbs from Princess Auto I used a gift card to pickup (2 orange and 8 Red plus a spare)
Don't buy them unless you are prepared to modify the sockets to fit. It just required a little shaving of the plastic with a utility knife to clear the plastic housing lip.
Looks good and will be easier on my sequential light system.
Not much to report as the flywheel project is on hold while I was in Vegas this week. Two machinists haven't been able to do what I want and a third wants to build one from scratch for $1,500 The main issue seems to be that the input shaft bearing won't reach the shaft as the flywheel is 1/2" further away due due the larger pressure plate.
Before I left, I waterproofed the roof with new gasketed washer bolts that holds the roof panel to the spaceframe:
I never noticed before but the A-pillar molding clips are two on the drivers side and one one the passenger side as no hole has even been drilled:
Also put another coat of spray glue on my new headliner in preparation for installation:
