I haven't quite priced it out yet, but I'm hoping I can keep it under $550. I've decided to go ahead with the two piece nose. I'll have a better idea when I do a time trial on how long it takes to make. Thank, Rob
Please keep me in mind on this also...Can't wait to see the finished product- The fact that it is shorter and stil flows smoothly has me ready to pony up the cash if you go with it!
Amida, Definitely put me on your short list for the nose. I'm saving my pennies for one of your custom dashes.
Quick question, how much can be cut on dashes to make them fit before it's not worth the time to fabricate? In other words, I've been looking at the interior dash of a Grand Prix GXP. The width looks doable, but the depth and height of the dash seems problematic. Can you bird eye this picture and guesstimate if this is a doable project? My main interest is being able to use the electronics (guages, pods, ect) from this dash as I now have the BCM and ECM installed as part of my LS4 swap.
Blkcofy
[This message has been edited by blkcofy (edited 02-06-2008).]
Amida, Definitely put me on your short list for the nose. I'm saving my pennies for one of your custom dashes.
Quick question, how much can be cut on dashes to make them fit before it's not worth the time to fabricate? In other words, I've been looking at the interior dash of a Grand Prix GXP. The width looks doable, but the depth and height of the dash seems problematic. Can you bird eye this picture and guesstimate if this is a doable project? My main interest is being able to use the electronics (guages, pods, ect) from this dash as I now have the BCM and ECM installed as part of my LS4 swap. Blkcofy
You might check with RCR, I think he's doing a GP dash. The spacing on the driver side looks good. For sure the empty bay below the hvac will need to be removed & possibly the 2DIN stereo replaced with 1DIN. The cut lines in the bezel will need smoothing & repainted or covered with carbon look-a-like film. Passenger side not sure if needs trimming. Total width should be 54" or less . Windshield base may need trimming as well. Cool looking instruments .
I think the above design is starting to look a little too much like a gen-one MR2. I'd stick with the earlier design. It just seems to "flow" a little better. Just an opinion. Feel free to tell me to shut the hell up.
------------------ Whade' "The Duck Formerly Known As Wade" Duck '87 GT Auto '88 Ferrario '84 Indy
Blkcofy: Here is the thread I mentioned in my PM: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/F.../HTML/040418-13.html This is a car that Orville is building. There are probably other pictures around, but this is where I saw them. I didn't realize it was a GP until I rented a new one later that day.
Rob: Too much like the MR2..I like the Ferrari influenced design better, fwiw...Keep up the inspirational work.
Please keep me in mind on this also...Can't wait to see the finished product- The fact that it is shorter and stil flows smoothly has me ready to pony up the cash if you go with it!
-Gary
Right, you can see the difference here. Bottom side of the GT aero nose vs. the new Fi355 bottom. x
[This message has been edited by Amida (edited 02-07-2008).]
I think the above design is starting to look a little too much like a gen-one MR2. I'd stick with the earlier design. It just seems to "flow" a little better. Just an opinion. Feel free to tell me to shut the hell up.
Funny, that was never the intention. The MK1 & the Notchie do look very similar from the start. I wonder how that happened. x
Blkcofy: Here is the thread I mentioned in my PM: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/F.../HTML/040418-13.html This is a car that Orville is building. There are probably other pictures around, but this is where I saw them. I didn't realize it was a GP until I rented a new one later that day.
Rob: Too much like the MR2..I like the Ferrari influenced design better, fwiw...Keep up the inspirational work.
Bob
Extremely helpful. At least now I know it fits!! I've asked MadCurl if he can connect with Orville to find some more pictures. If Amida wasn't so darn popular I'd just as well send him the dash and let him work his magic to make it a plug and play for me...but he's got that NOSE to finish!!! Back to the nose...back to the nose!!
A couple more mods: Replaced the stock base mouldings with new slanted type & switched to the extended windshield that I have for the 355 kit. I can still see Fiero in this, which is good. Wheelbase is 3" longer yet overall length is shorter than the stock Formula due to the shaved rear bumper. I would like to see a Northstar in this one. x
Build it for me and I'll at least put an Aurora in it. If you insist on the N*, I'll do it.
Bob
That would be cool. I thought the Aurora is a 4.0L version of a N* . Are there other differences? I've been itching to do something like this or one of my other ideas to my Formula in the driveway. Maybe I could do a one-off & if anyone would like the same I could do some temporary moulds directly from the car.
That would be cool. I thought the Aurora is a 4.0L version of a N* . Are there other differences? I've been itching to do something like this or one of my other ideas to my Formula in the driveway. Maybe I could do a one-off & if anyone would like the same I could do some temporary moulds directly from the car.
Nope, you're right. They're pretty much the same. I only mentioned it because I have the Aurora. If you insisted on the N* (4.6L), then I'll take my Aurora out and get a N*. It would still use the same mounts, etc. Now when can I expect my body kit?
Originally posted by blkcofy: Back to the nose...back to the nose!!
blkcofy
It's alot more block sanding than I expected, but almost there. Got half of my demo unit lacquer painted & loosely fitted; still have to buff it out later. To prep, all it needed was some sanding & a little filler for the mould seams above the spear tips. The new paint makes the rest of the car look like crappola. Will need to replace the faded turn signals with a new set. x
[This message has been edited by Amida (edited 02-18-2008).]
Nope, you're right. They're pretty much the same. I only mentioned it because I have the Aurora. If you insisted on the N* (4.6L), then I'll take my Aurora out and get a N*. It would still use the same mounts, etc. Now when can I expect my body kit?
Bob
Will have to finish a few projects for others before I can work on something for myself...it always ends up that way doesn't it?
It's alot more block sanding than I expected, but almost there. Got half of my demo unit lacquer painted & loosely fitted; still have to buff it out later. As is, it just needed sanding & a little filler for the mould seams above the spear tips. The new paint makes the rest of the car look like crappola. Will need to replace the faded turn signals with a new set. x
Paint looks sweet on the new piece. So, uh.....you're gonna come to Myrtle Beach when I need to have paint thrown on the Ferrario right?
------------------ Whade' "The Duck Formerly Known As Wade" Duck '87 GT Auto '88 Ferrario '84 Indy
Originally posted by whadeduck: Paint looks sweet on the new piece. So, uh.....you're gonna come to Myrtle Beach when I need to have paint thrown on the Ferrario right?
Just wait until I get it polished up with the new nose. With all the prep work that goes into priming, painting & polishing just one panel, I wonder how good a Maaco paint job can actually look.
The surface of this nose has curves , design lines & radii all over it which makes hand block sanding a very, very, slow & tedious task. The entire surface was coated with glaze which is slowly being sanded off to achieve as smooth a surface as possible. I decided to go with the Formula wheel tubs instead of the GT tubs which I thought kicked the sides out too much at the bottom. Anyone with GT tubs can trim it down. x
As expected this is going to come out looking amazing. Are you still planning on making use of the modual style nose with the 512 as well?
Yes, I still have the 512 donor waiting in the wings. Part of the reason why I'm spending so much time on the Fi355 nose is that it's going to be the base structure for any future nose designs. So, I'm literally going over every square millimeter with a caliper, devider, block & sandpaper. Once that's all set-up any other design that I do will just be cosmetic changes. Look for the Fi512 nose mid to late summer. Thanks. x
this is a little mod i thought up to make it look more modern the lines under the car show the cars original length and wheelbase i kept the same roof, doors, and windshield. i had to make my own fastback because i only had a nochy drawing.
this is a little mod i thought up to make it look more modern the lines under the car show the cars original length and wheelbase i kept the same roof, doors, and windshield. i had to make my own fastback because i only had a nochy drawing.
That's cool. Is this your Fiero project? Does someone already make that rear spoiler?
dang... no way you could move that up. i kind of like the 512 nose better.
The 512 has a flatter profile that is more similar to the GT aero nose without the front rake. I'll have to focus on a few interior in the coming months.
Wow, I would seriously buy a 512 nose if you supplied one that would bolt up to my 88gt.
88White, It's a good thing that I went with the 2-piece design which will make other designs simpler to do. Is that a flame job on your car? Got a bigger pic?
What did you finally end up using for turn signals?
As is, the 355 & Ford Scorpion lights will do, or if you tell me in advance I can make the holes smaller for the Sebring or Jeep Liberty. The Liberty has a better installed angle & uses two bulbs. x
[This message has been edited by Amida (edited 02-20-2008).]
Amida, I know this is still work in progress, but do you have a ballpark figure you're shooting for in terms of cost for the Fi355 nose?
Blk, From a cost/labor standpoint it would have been more economical to just do the one piece, but I just had to do the factory component look which I thought would be cool. I'm estimating that It'll be US$525 + s/h for the new nose. I'll have a better idea once I do a time trial, & now I'm wondering how much time I have in it so far ? Hmmmm.....
While waiting for primer to dry I thought I'd throw some meat on the Formula to see how to do lowcost fender flares. Pretty beefy huh? Porsche (5x130) Cromodora Sin wheels 8.5x18f x235x40 , 10x18r x275x35 . Gotta lower the ride height just a tad & maybe replace the go-cart brakes. With the wider width & high offsets the 1" adapters put the wheel centerlines back pretty close to the stock wheel centerline with about 1/2"f / 3/4"r suspension clearance...that's about as far in as it will go. Pretty wild. Last post for a while...too much work to do. x
