just started to read on this forum. But i caught this thread and id like to say that i love my fiero's hand down. I have a 85se4 and a 87 gt
I also have a 94 3000GT VR-4 and id have to say good choice man on not buying that car. Mine had dont nothing but nickle and dime me the hole time. Id sell it but i just love the car to damn much. I hate selling my cars lol..
I may have missed it in the thread, but could you tell me what the engine viewing window was made out of. Glass or Lexan or ? I had planned on molding in a scoop, but your idea is much cooler.
Dave has loads of time, many custom fabricated parts, lots or re-engineering and if I'm guessing correctly big bucks in his car. While some of his ideas are certainly duplicatable they won't come cheap. Rather than trying to copy Skitimes car, it may be preferable to do your own custom build.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. 87GT - 3.4L Turbocharged engine, modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Dave has loads of time, many custom fabricated parts, lots or re-engineering and if I'm guessing correctly big bucks in his car. While some of his ideas are certainly duplicable they won't come cheap. Rather than trying to copy Skitimes car, it may be preferable to do your own custom build.
Dennis, I feel you have the wrong impression of my car. The car was a rough inexpensive GT when I bought it. Yes, I did spend a ton of time of my car engineering and re engineering the modifications. Yes, I did lots of custom fabricated parts. But I feel I did it all at very little expense and certainly not big bucks. How? Do everything yourself. The only thing that was not done in my little garage was fabrication of the exhaust which I had already designed with a muffler I had modified and I did not paint the car. I did all the body work myself but I am not setup to spray cars. I did all the mechanical and engine work myself. The new crate engine cost $1400 and the West Coast Fiero headers were graciously donated by West Coast Fieros. After selling my old 2.8 engine and automatic trans, I was only out about $600. I bought a junkyard 2.8 engine and Getrag and complete wiring harness for $200. Kept the Getrag setup and sold the engine for something like $600 so at that point out about $400 for the 3800 swap. I constantly bought and sold parts along the way to keep my expenses very low. (At the time, I was recently divorced and had two daughters in college) A few years latter I did add the inter cooler for somewhere near an additional $1000. All in all I feel I have one of the least expensive 3800SC Fieros out there. Now I would agree the cost to reproduce this GT by having a shop build it with all the unique modifications would be major big bucks but it did not cost me much compared to most Fieros I see out there including your sweet Fiero. Course, if I would sell it I would expect to make a profit ;-)
[This message has been edited by skitime (edited 02-09-2009).]
Dennis, I feel you have the wrong impression of my car. The car was a rough inexpensive GT when I bought it. Yes, I did spend a ton of time of my car engineering and re engineering the modifications. Yes, I did lots of custom fabricated parts. But I feel I did it all at very little expense and certainly not big bucks. How? Do everything yourself. The only thing that was not done in my little garage was fabrication of the exhaust which I had already designed with a muffler I had modified and I did not paint the car. I did all the body work myself but I am not setup to spray cars. I did all the mechanical and engine work myself. The new crate engine cost $1400 and the West Coast Fiero headers were graciously donated by West Coast Fieros. After selling my old 2.8 engine and automatic trans, I was only out about $600. I bought a junkyard 2.8 engine and Getrag and complete wiring harness for $200. Kept the Getrag setup and sold the engine for something like $600 so at that point out about $400 for the 3800 swap. I constantly bought and sold parts along the way to keep my expenses very low. (At the time, I was recently divorced and had two daughters in college) A few years latter I did add the inter cooler for somewhere near an additional $1000. All in all I feel I have one of the least expensive 3800SC Fieros out there. Now I would agree the cost to reproduce this GT by having a shop build it with all the unique modifications would be major big bucks but it did not cost me much compared to most Fieros I see out there including your sweet Fiero. Course, if I would sell it I would expect to make a profit ;-)
Dave. I guess big bucks and expensive are subjective words. I am aware that you did all the work yourself but the point that I was making is to build a duplicate of your Fiero today would be very costly. The custom tempered glass window on the deck, the rear window that slides open, the intercooler, the Mecham scoops, a new 3800SC, clutch/flywheel, the beautiful paint etc would seem to represent a considerable expense. I've got over $5,000 in my 3800SC (auto) swap and I did it myself so costs can add up quickly. It was a powertrain with 60 miles on it. Then I added SS brake lines, KYB struts/shocks, Prothane bushings, Mr Mikes Upholstery, mag wheels and Addco front and rear sway bars so I figure that about $6,000 to $7,000 is the total cost, then figure in the $2400 that I paid for the car and the paint still needs refreshing. My car is probably a $10,000 Fiero and its nothing special. Perhaps cost is all relative All in all I understand your point and I agree. For what you invested on your 88, it is probably one of the least expensive and good looking Fieros around
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. 87GT - 3.4L Turbocharged engine, modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Yep I still love this car, I remember logging in everyday specifically to see if there had been an update. I have watched this car from the very beginning and have always had the upmost respect for skitime and all of the work that was put into this beautiful show piece.
Yep I still love this car, I remember logging in everyday specifically to see if there had been an update. I have watched this car from the very beginning and have always had the upmost respect for skitime and all of the work that was put into this beautiful show piece.
Wow! Thanks You had to have been around here for a long time to have been watching the build phase.
Well, I have been around custom/classic cars all my life. I can honestly say that I have rarely if ever seen this kind of craftsmanship. I enjoyed reading this build so much. Skitime really put alot of hardwork into this. I never once saw any corners being cut, or doing anything the lazy way. Skitime, I salute your hardwork and talent. I'm envious. Truly a great ride.
What mods have you seen others do that you find interesting beyond what you have already done ?
I really liked the shaker intake trunk lid that Rockcrawl did to a 4.9 Caddy engine. I thought that was really cool. Unfortunately it would not be the same on my 3800 with my intake system. The factory transverse V8s being put on the Fieros has keep my interest as well but I definitely would want to maintain a manual transmission. I have been tempted many times to do a digital dash. There are a few other things I have considered. Some are still top secret incase I ever get the bug to work on my GT some more.
Well, I have been around custom/classic cars all my life. I can honestly say that I have rarely if ever seen this kind of craftsmanship. I enjoyed reading this build so much. Skitime really put alot of hardwork into this. I never once saw any corners being cut, or doing anything the lazy way. Skitime, I salute your hardwork and talent. I'm envious. Truly a great ride.
Semper Fi! ----FieroFella----
Hey that is much appreciated. I still love my GT although I do not get it out hardly ever. When I get it out and drive it, it still amazes my how nice it drives, how much power it has and how much attention it gets. I seem to have a one track mind and lately other things in my life have got my attentions.
Not sure what is left for you to do to it, but have you gotten the modifying bug again lately ?
Well, not really, I am currently in the process of building a garage for my toys so the GT will soon have a new home. I was feeling pressure to sell it for the garage space so the new garage will alleviate that problem.
Always been an inspiration to my car, that still sits broken 
