Dave, I wonder why your camera is "clipping" so much. Are both these cars really loud?
Maybe a cheapie Radio Shack external Mic might alleviate some of these problems. (a faster solution than trying to edit videos) While you're there you could pick up a Db level meter and measure how loud these cars are inside, exhaust, driveby, etc. (those meters are pretty cheap. I had an electronic one a few years back when I installed my Borla on my Mazda)
The cars both have race exhaust and are very loud. My V8 has Dynomax race bullets with no cats and the VR6 has about three feet of pipe with Magnaflow mufflers. I tried to convince Joey that the VR6 needs more backpressure, but she really loves the rumble-pop on deacceleration. The VR6 sounds similar to a Harley with race pipes. For an experiment, I'll take a video in my gold GT with stock engine to see if it still pops. As for the latest updates.... I did a thorough checkover of the VR6 yesterday and no issues at all. The only parts that don't function on the car is the speedometer and revese lights. I am still trying to figure out how to make the signal go to the gauge and the ECM and read accurately for both. It really is no big deal, but I need a good solid three hours to do what I need to do to fix it. In the meantime, we have been using the GPS for a speedo. The other weird thing that I can't figure out is why the electric trunk popper only works when the parking brake is on. Even with the engine off. Before the swap, it would work with the engine off and brake off. Any ideas as to what happened? Also, I am trying to find the signal wire in the C500 for the reverse lights. the one wire that goes to the switch on the transmission and the one to the lights. Any input would be really appreciated. Dave
I have driven the VR6 and ridden in the V8. IMO the VR6 is a little better. Both are friggin amazing, don't get me wrong. Maybe it is my history with German cars, but that VR6 is something really special.
[This message has been edited by Sixstrings (edited 10-29-2008).]
all of my other Fieros (current and past. all manual transmission) would pop the trunk with the engine on and parking brake on and with the engine off with the parking brake on or off. Since swapping the engine, it only works with the parking brake on. I can't find much info on the trunk release. This is driving me crazy because it worked prior to the swap. Dave
Don't know if it helps you or not, but on my 5 speed car, if the key is off, the popper will work anytime, park brake or no park brake. If the key is on, the park brake has to be on.
And I mean key on, engine off or running, doesn't matter, just key on.
------------------ Adam 1984 Sport Coupe Auto., 130,~~~ miles, bad duke 1985 Sport Coupe 5 Speed, 55,000 original miles 1987 GT Auto., 154,000 miles, partial daily driver 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 5" lift, 35" tires, partial daily driver 1989 Yamaha V Max (oh yeah, it's fun!) 1975 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, 25,000 original miles 1963 Buick Electra 225 1936 Dodge Two-door Touring Sedan
On my '86 SE MT 4spd the trunk popper only works when the engine is off. Makes sense to me, it's a nice security feature preventing people from accidentally opening the decklid while I'm blasting down the freeway. (It works regardless of the e-brake being engaged, or not) It is a minor inconvenience though.
Don't know if it helps you or not, but on my 5 speed car, if the key is off, the popper will work anytime, park brake or no park brake. If the key is on, the park brake has to be on.
And I mean key on, engine off or running, doesn't matter, just key on.
Now I'm curious. I need to try pulling the e-brake with the engine running, and see if the trunk-popper works.
Originally posted by bmwguru: [...] but she really loves the rumble-pop on deacceleration. The VR6 sounds similar to a Harley with race pipes.[...] Dave
Kind of like the rumble and popping on a MINI Cooper S? Cause that would awesome. I still can't believe MINI removed that feature from the later model years. - Stupid customers thought it was a defect. Didn't read the manual that MINI designed it that way on purpose in the spirit of the original John Cooper rally cars.
The good news is that the '08 MCS Works edition has the popping again. Unfortunately the regular Turbo S doesn't
The Dodge SRT-4 (Neon)'s have that as well. They burble and pop. Only factory car without mufflers, just a cat. (at least that's how it was advertised)
the trunk popper only works when the ebrake is applied whether the engine is running or not. I think I'll take a close look at the wiring this weekend and see if I forgot to hook something up. As for the MINI's, we see a bunch of them come in the shop. We added a JCW exhaust and 17% s/c pulley to Scrubby's car (I think he has the only automatic S). Have you driven the R56 twin scroll turbo S yet. It builds boost right off idle. I should be either going to Bear Mountain for a day break on Saturday or going down to the shop to work on the VR6....if I don't spend the day in the ER. I was using the air chisel last night and it jammed and trapped my thumb under it and chiseled my thumb. Shawn wound up having to hammer the air chiesl and my thumb out of the car. If the swelling and pain don't go down, it may be time for some x-rays. Dave
the trunk popper only works when the ebrake is applied whether the engine is running or not. I think I'll take a close look at the wiring this weekend and see if I forgot to hook something up. ....if I don't spend the day in the ER. I was using the air chisel last night and it jammed and trapped my thumb under it and chiseled my thumb. Shawn wound up having to hammer the air chiesl and my thumb out of the car. If the swelling and pain don't go down, it may be time for some x-rays. Dave
Is your blue dingy thingy plugged in? that is the only other source for ground for the relay other than the parking brake switch.
Hope the finger is ok.
Back to lurkin.... Oh, Nice job on the build. done the way it should be, carefully with attention to detail and the target results...
Is your blue dingy thingy plugged in? that is the only other source for ground for the relay other than the parking brake switch.
Hope the finger is ok.
Back to lurkin.... Oh, Nice job on the build. done the way it should be, carefully with attention to detail and the target results...
I'll check it out this week. I'm pretty sure that the blue dingy thingy is removed from the car due to it's annoying properties. I never made it to Bear Mountain or the ER yesterday because my gold GT's fuel pump wouldn't shut off. I traced it back to the oil pressure switch. So, instead I went out driving the orange and black GT and then joey's VR6 and stopped at Applebees for some Killians. I think it was better that way. Dave
I'll post up a new video soon with the tach in the picture. It is pretty cool to watch it spin up to almost 8,000 rpms...and the sound is just plain sexy. Dave
I didn't know Vr-6's rev that high. Is that stock specs, or is it because of modifications?
Not to get too far afield...but I have a question. My MkII Jetta originally came with a 4 cylinder; I got the tach working by running the output signal from the first and third coilpack on my VR6, so the tach sees four impulses from the motor for each rpm. It reads accurately up to about 5 grand, and as it passes thru 5,000 rpm, the tach drops down to about 2,000 rpm indicated until the revs come back down. (93 Passat motor, if that makes any difference) Any ideas on how to correct/compensate?
Vonov, I would get a VR6 tach or an aftermarket tach. The VDO one I use will work on just about any engine. The redline is 7200...(or 7500if I remember correctly)....and it pulls the whole way there. It is about 200-300 higher than stock with the programming. Joey and I got to take out the V8 and VR6 together over the weekend. The V8 is definitely faster and pulls harder, but the VR6 is still more fun IMO to drive because of the powerband. We were turning a lot of heads when we went out...probably because the cars are so loud. Dave
[This message has been edited by bmwguru (edited 11-03-2008).]
I started building a bigger brake kit for this car. I found a good balance using Audi TT 12.5" brake discs, VW Jetta calipers and my own adapters. No drilling of the bolt pattern is necesary. The Audi is a 5x100 just like the Fiero. Other than that, I got the speedo working properly and just ordered a new set of lowering springs, so I will be selling the WCF front springs and the rear springs that are coming in the set I bought....so check the mall later this week. I'm hoping to get "The Shawn" suede headliner and visors made later this month before it goes off to paint. I'll post up some pics of the brake kit later this week when I find five minutes. Dave
Here is a teaser pic of what I am working on for the VR6. I still need to aquire a hubcentric ring and make the caliper bracket, but it all looks do-able and pretty easy to accomplish. The rotor was not redrilled. That is the stock pattern for the Audi. Dave
[This message has been edited by bmwguru (edited 11-10-2008).]
The next swap we are doing at the shop will make this look like a walk in the park. The VR6 was a good way to cut my teeth on German swaps. The R32 will be done when I find a great deal on a crashed R32. I'm selling a bunch of stuff from my shop to raise some extra cash for my next crazy swap. I'm $3000 shy at this point, so expect to see a lot of stuff of mine show up on fleabay, craigslist and the mall here. (I'm not selling any of my Fieros, though). Only a small handful of people know what the next swap is. Anyway, back to this VR6..... Joey and I are shopping for rims and I found exactly what I want on the car, but I am not about to lay out the cash for a set of custom HREs. Not with all the potholes here in Jersey. Joey wants a 18x8 and 18x9 with a seven spoke type of pattern. She insists on a big brake kit. I think the car needs bigger tires first, but the brakes are a close second. I just got the new lowering springs and I'll be selling the WCF springs within the next two weeks. Dave ps...I still have no feeling in my thumb. Probably nerve damage?
[This message has been edited by bmwguru (edited 11-14-2008).]
I don't think I could do a kit. The shifter was a real nightmare of a fabrication that took hours to get working even after the parts were installed. The mounts were pretty easy to do, but I don't want to run into the negativity that has been casted towards Archie, FieroX, PR etc. I'm happy just repairing German cars for a living and making cool Fieros for a hobby.
I had no issues putting on the scoops. The body shop will be taking them off to paint the car anyway, but I wanted to make the CAI functional for now. Dave
I had no issues putting on the scoops. The body shop will be taking them off to paint the car anyway, but I wanted to make the CAI functional for now. Dave
99.9% of the air coming into that area comes in from underneath.
Did you figure out why your camera is clipping yet?
I'm still thinking it's a camera mic thing. Here's the in-famous Twin Vr-6 VW Lupo swap (which is obviously waay louder than your cars. No soundproofing 2x the engine, fairly aggressive exhaust system, etc.) http://s104.photobucket.com...rent=14112008068.flv
btw.: the 24v Vr-6 is still That engine is a total beauty (visually at least) Would that fit in a Fiero? How much is it different from your swap? (would it bolt in instead of the 12v?)
The air filter has the scoop and underside fully open so it is getting colder air over a stock air box. The camera clipping is most likely because it is a cheap camera. I spent all my money on the Fiero swap. The 24v is the same size as the 12v, so I imagine it would bolt right in. I found a couple of cool backwoods deserted roads that I can open it up on. I also know of a private airport that will let me play at certain times. I might have to wait for spring because it is going into the body shop in a week or two. Then when it comes back I'll be giving it a rim job and bigger brakes. Dave ps...I got pulled over last week for the tint and loud exhaust and the cop was a motor head and we talked about the swap for 15 minutes and I got off with no ticket for the tint, illegal license late cover and loud exhaust.
Originally posted by bmwguru: The camera clipping is most likely because it is a cheap camera. I spent all my money on the Fiero swap. The 24v is the same size as the 12v, so I imagine it would bolt right in.
Nothing wrong with that. Cameras just take video. Without great engine swaps, there is nothing worthwhile to take videos of anyways. So there wouldn't be any need for a great camera.
When you say "bold right in" do you mean, it physically fits, but you have to do different tranny mounts, engine mounts, different tranny, different hookups for various lines and electrical? Or is it "bolt right in" like swapping Honda engines between different Honda cars?
When you say "bold right in" do you mean, it physically fits, but you have to do different tranny mounts, engine mounts, different tranny, different hookups for various lines and electrical? Or is it "bolt right in" like swapping Honda engines between different Honda cars?
I imagine that it would bolt right in into my current mounts...The engines are almost identical in external size. I would probably run the six speed manual from a '04 Jetta. When I do the swap, I'd probably start from scratch again and see if I can make it better, but the mounts seem great. There is massive abuse going through he drivetrain now and nothing has shifted and I am not running a dog bone. Each mount has its own counter angle built into it for a little extra protection. Dave
Just wanted to post up that evn with Joey's "spirited" driving ie spinning the tires at every light...the swap is still holding together with no issues (except needing rear tires) and it is averaging 21mpg with a mixture of city/hwy/spinning tires driving. I'm taking a break from any more mods until it heads out to the body shop for paint. I'll post progress pics then. Also, since my shop has become a GIAC dealer, I will be revamping the tune on the car a little bit more. The current tune is a 8 of 10 in my opinion. I want an 11. After listening to Joey talk about the car, I think it will only be a matter of time before she insists on a turbo. Dave
I can't believe I'm just now seeing this swap here. It's not all that different from the Nissan CA18DET swap I'm doing in my other '84. (Nissan 1.8L, 16 valve, DOHC, turbo)
I absolutely love the exhaust note. Would really like to hear a couple of drive-by recordings. Where did you do your conversion from VW to Pontiac? If you used the VW axles, I'm assuming you did your conversion at the struts and lower control arms?
I'd love to see a pic of your shift linkage in the back as well. I had to fabricate an entire manual shift linkage from scratch that adapted the Fiero cables to take the place of the Nissan shift rods. I haven't posted pictures of the shift linkage yet as I'm not real thrilled with it, but if you think you might be able to lend a bit of guidance or insight, I can snap a few pics. This is my build thread so far.
Again, I love the build, I love the fact that it's 100% completed, and I'm thrilled that you're both 110% satisfied.
[This message has been edited by Brocephus (edited 12-01-2008).]
I used the entire drivetrain from the Jetta. I had the driveshaft shop make me up a set of custom axles this way I could position the engine exactly where I wanted it and didn't have to conform to and particular specs. Dave
Brocephus Dave owns his own shop that works on german cars mainly. Dave again you are very talented. To think you started with a fiero and a wrecked jetta. Good job.
Just wanted to update the fuel mileage....we have been averaging 27.6 mpg on the highway over the last week. I found a small vacuum leak from the intake manifold changeover tuning valve vacuum element. One that was replaced, we picked up some decent mpg. I'll be taking the car to the Garden State Fiero meet tomorrow. Dave
I need to try pulling the e-brake with the engine running, and see if the trunk-popper works.
- Stupid customers thought it was a defect. Didn't read the manual that MINI designed it that way on purpose in the spirit of the original John Cooper rally cars.
Unfortunately the regular Turbo S doesn't 
