Thanks guys... the biggest issue right now (besides money) is the blown tranny... if I can get that replaced, the project will move on nicely. Right now the car is up on stands and collecting dust, ready for a cradle drop. I sure do miss driving it!
And to answer the question about the suspension... yes, the wheels, Eibach springs and poly bushings are the only mods I currently have... would like to have it a bit lower in the front, and add coil-overs in the rear to drop it a bit more.
[This message has been edited by ITALGT (edited 01-31-2013).]
Ok... so, there's not much new to report, but I did want to provide everyone with a quick update. I've done some more transmission research and have concluded that the best option for the 350 small block would be the new G6 6-speed. After reading through a few other threads on the subject, it sounds to me like this tranny is beefy enough to handle the V8 torque. Gearing is also better, with the exception of the stump-pulling first gear. I also like the idea of using a brand-new transmission, as apposed to an out-dated and rather fragile 5-speed Getrag.
As of right now, I have made no time frame for getting the swap done. I just began a new job a few weeks ago but I'm only part-time, so funds are still tight. But hopefully the next time I update this build thread, I'll be posting pictures of a new transmission!
Stay tuned...
[This message has been edited by ITALGT (edited 01-31-2013).]
Brett PMed me, he is still in Florida in the same spot. Spoke about putting in a 6 speed but I am not sure of his timeline. I would guess it is still up on stands awaiting some surgery!
Ok... so, not much new to report, but I did want to provide everyone with a quick update. I've done some more transimission research and have concluded that the best option at this point will be to install a new G6 6-speed. After reading through a few other threads on the subject, it sounds to me like this tranny is beefy enough to handle the V8 torque. Gearing is also better, with the exception of the stump-pulling first gear. I also like the idea of using a brand-new transmission, as apposed to an out-dated and rather fragile 5-speed Getrag.
As of right now, I have made no time frame for getting the swap done. I just began a new job a few weeks ago but I'm only part-time, so funds are still tight. But hopefully the next time I update this build thread, I'll be posting pictures of a new transmission!
Hey man, thanks! As of now, no major updates... I just wanted everyone to know that this project is still a go and that it hasn't faded into darkness. I'm now full time now at my job, so the madness can resume (slowly). Going to get that scrapped tranny out FINALLY and swap it out for the (hopefully) a G6 unit... will have my upper plenum/SLP runners ported, along with a brand new exhaust system and other mods. This car was quick before, I can't wait to see what it does when the TPI really breathes!
Updates on the way... stay "tuned!"
[This message has been edited by ITALGT (edited 01-31-2013).]
I'm buying a home in Port Saint John, Florida and may be moving the Fiero to a friend's shop for the transmission swap. Looks like I am going to be using a newer generation F23 Getrag 5-speed in place of the old one... I just can't afford the G6 swap right now.
As always... STAY TUNED! =)
[This message has been edited by ITALGT (edited 01-31-2013).]
Brett, Glad to hear you didn't give her up. Even if it was to me you would never have forgiven yourself! Of course, I would have just sold it back to you!!!!!!!!!!! Get 'er done! John
Brett, Glad to hear you didn't give her up. Even if it was to me you would never have forgiven yourself! Of course, I would have just sold it back to you!!!!!!!!!!! Get 'er done! John
The last several months have been crazy... still looking for my first home in the Titusville/Port Saint John FL area, and I'm spending most of my time house shopping. I was closing on a house until the inspection went bad.
I have nothing new to report on the project, other than I'm still planning to move the Fiero to friend's shop for the transmission swap... among other things. See, it seems that he has a ridiculous obsession with turbos... that is all I'm gonna' say right now. =)
STAY TUNED...
[This message has been edited by ITALGT (edited 01-31-2013).]
Here's another shot of the Fiero (partially disassembled) from several weeks ago... also shown is my friend's Corvette (one of them anyways) while it was being stored in my shop.
Dis-assembly begins while I'm waiting for the new tranny:
The front end of the car is also being dis-assembled for detailing and modifications:
[This message has been edited by ITALGT (edited 02-10-2013).]
Well, I never imagined for a moment that buying a house could be so ****'* difficult!
I've been in the house-hunting mode for over 7 months straight now and I am SOOO ready for the process to end. The Fiero is still sitting collecting dust... very regretfully it's still on the proverbial back burner until I find a new home.
THE GOOD NEWS: I've just signed the papers for a really nice house I found in Port Saint John and (if all goes well) I should close on it by June 30th. This will be my third attempt at buying a home... and they say "three time's a charm" and I hope "they" are right! So far, I have about $3K invested in this house and don't even own it yet (previous inspections, appraisals, gas money, etc...).
$3K would surely have fixed my transmission woes and then some. Sheesh.
So anyways, that's the latest update... if all goes my way, this project will soon resume. It better, 'cuz I'm getting antsy!
Stay "tuned" ya' all!
[This message has been edited by ITALGT (edited 02-18-2013).]
Well, I never imagined for a moment that buying a house could be so ****'* difficult!
I've been in the house-hunting mode for over 7 months straight now and I am SOOO ready for the process to end. The Fiero is still sitting collecting dust... very regretfully it's still on the proverbial back burner until I find a new home.
THE GOOD NEWS: I've just signed the papers for a really nice house I found in Port Saint John and (if all goes well) I should close on it by June 30th. This will be my third attempt at buying a home... and they say "three time's a charm" and I hope "they" are right! So far, I have about $3K invested in this house and don't even own it yet (previous inspections, appraisals, gas money, etc...).
$3K would surely have fixed my transmission woes and then some. Sheesh. =)
So anyways, that's the latest update... if all goes my way, this project will soon resume. It better, 'cuz I'm getting antsy as hell. =)
Stay "tuned" ya' all!
Brett, i know your frustration ! Me and my wife have been doing the house tango for the past 2 years ! It is getting pretty ridiculous. Just when we think all is done, something crazy pops up.
The project finally gets moved to my new home in Port St. John, Florida. Of course, it didn't rain until the EXACT moment we pulled up to the house to unload it... then it down-poured... lol.... good times! Special thanks go out to Brian S. for helping me get the beast moved into it's new cave:
[This message has been edited by ITALGT (edited 11-11-2014).]
Yeah, I plan to be there at Daytona amongst the other crazies... I'm sure I'll run into you at some point! Got the Fiero home now, finally have internet again so I can post some updates...
She's in the garage waiting for the trans swap. I am going to build a wooden dolly to use to set the cradle on. The plan is still to mate a low-milage F23 FY1 (3.63 ratio) to the 350... more details and pictures are on the way.
Stay "tuned" as always.
[This message has been edited by ITALGT (edited 11-11-2014).]
Hello again Tony... it was great to get out and see some familiar faces today, including your's. My half-hour Daytona "tour" was worth (just about) every moment! Aside from the rain cutting my stay short, it was a good time. I saw a LOT of Fiero's on the road while waiting to leave the track... it was quite impressive to see so many on the road at once.
It was great to see your car in person... as with Pedro's chop-top, pictures just don't do them justice.
Needless to say... I'm fired-up to get this project back on the road. I've got some work to do, and it's going to take a bit of time... but hey, they don't call this a "build" for nothin'!
Next up for this project: build a wooden dolly to set the cradle onto.
Yesterday I finally had time to build the engine-dolly... this dolly is very simple and easy to assemble. For those wanting more details on how to build one, check out the following link:
All wires are disconnected, coolant tube is removed, the water pump is removed, the throttle-body is removed, strut-tower bolts removed, etc... she's ready to drop!
STAY "TUNED..."
[This message has been edited by ITALGT (edited 01-31-2013).]
Too much torque; sometimes it's not a beautiful thing! lol...
Obviously there was some terminal damage done at the drag-strip... a closer inspection inside the case reveals a destroyed/mangled spider-gear and the resulting carnage thrown upon the rest of the drive-train. The big hole is where the speed-sensor used to be.
[This message has been edited by ITALGT (edited 01-31-2013).]
So the sun was shinin' here in Florida today... beautiful weather... I could have been hangin' out at a bikini-infested beach or something... but instead I went out to the garage, did some cleaning/organizing, and set the Fiero down on jack stands. What the !$@*...
So she's up in the air so the tinkering can begin... it's going to be a slow process unless somebody around here wins the lottery!
Up next... I'm going to need to support the frame better. I won't be comfortable underneath the car until I have more jack stands with better stability and support. Also, I'm toying with the idea of building a support cradle for the car to sit on, complete with dolly's to roll it around... we shall see. I will also be cleaning up the engine bay and removing unused brackets, along with opening up the trunk area.
Stay TUNED...
[This message has been edited by ITALGT (edited 01-31-2013).]
Today I spent some time thoroughly labeling all wires and connections in the engine harness so that reassembly isn't such a pain... also killed a BIG Black Widow spider that was hangin' out inside the front bumper cover... I'd say that some progress was made!!!
[This message has been edited by ITALGT (edited 04-25-2012).]
