At this point I had figured I would have some fun with some neon lights. Some people think its ricey and corny but all of the lights are hidden so its not like it takes away from the appearance of the car when I flip the switch to have them off. The lights attracted a lot of attention and were alright in my opinion. The underglow did meet its demise though and were smashed.
So the underglow is no more and I removed the tubes. However, here are some pictures while they were in one piece. I even did the engine compartment:
And the interior was accented with a few hidden neons as well... theres two behind each seat that you cant see that light up the rest of the interior. These are still in the car, however, Im considering removing them as well...
Let the ricer calling begin haha
[This message has been edited by doublec4 (edited 04-07-2009).]
Lately I've been neglecting this thread in favour of my exams. However, I'm now finished and ready to get back into this.
At this point after the neons lights, I decided it was time to throw some money into real performance. I was displeased with the get up and go of my 2.8, especially behind the 3 speed auto. I love manual transmission cars and I felt like with my fiero being sports car, it needed a new transmission. At first I considered just doing a manual swap, where I would have gone with the 4 speed manual. I drove a 3800SC down the track once before and I remembered how that felt, so I came to the conclusion that if I was going to spend the money, I was going to do it right the first time.
I heard on the forum that mating the fiero 4spd to the 3800SC was a pretty wicked combination. To me, this would be the best of both worlds.
Being a student, I had to come up with quite a bit of money for this swap. I started my own little business and am proud to say that I made enough money for the whole swap within about a month. I was pressed for time because I wanted to get the car to FIEROFLYER before I would not be able to drive the car for a few weeks anyways. I was motivated and determined, and I met my deadline.
Here is the last picture of my interior as an automatic:
The first part of the swap I'll go through is the collection of all the parts I needed. First and most important, is the engine itself. I found a Buick engine from a fiero friend which had a pretty reasonable 98,000kms on it. Not too bad. I picked it up for a good price too.
A few more things to tick off the checklist were the fuel pump (Walbro 255lph high pressure), some new exhaust tips (burned tips, slash cut), and a magnaflow muffler.
I also needed a few other things such as a clutch (I bought a spec 3), a flywheel from a Camaro V6, a fiero 4spd transmission, and a bunch of other miscellaneous items. FIEROFLYER was a big help and I bought some things off of him, and he replaced some things on the engine for the swap along the way.
I'll get to more of the engine swap in the next post, and show off some of his work!
[This message has been edited by doublec4 (edited 04-27-2009).]
After collecting all of the pieces I could find, I took everything to FIEROFLYER for the installation. After getting his hands on the engine, in no time it was cleaned up and a nice fresh coat of paint was applied to match my car.
After collecting all of the pieces I could find, I took everything to FIEROFLYER for the installation. After getting his hands on the engine, in no time it was cleaned up and a nice fresh coat of paint was applied to match my car.
I think it took shape nicely:
More to come soon!
How's that 4 speed holding up to the torque of that motor? Why the 4 speed and not the 5 speed getrag? Is the 4 speed more durable?
[This message has been edited by Eau_Rouge (edited 04-28-2009).]
How's that 4 speed holding up to the torque of that motor? Why the 4 speed and not the 5 speed getrag? Is the 4 speed more durable?
I've only driven it for a few months last summer but nothing is broken yet. *fingers crossed* I've dumped the clutch a few times and its held up.. I've heard that its stronger than the 5spd...
Only because the 282 getrag has a weak differential housing. The isuzu 5 speed has a weak 2nd gear. Mine's still holding up after several months of abuse.
I also chose the 4speed for the gearing... I wanted something quick from stop sign to stop sign. I really don't do high speed runs or anything like that.
Continuing with the engine build up... Dan put a little more shine on things and the engine cleaned up very well. Here's another look at it after most of the painting is done:
Jay, yes I will have it out for the summer and the shows. The engine was actually done last year and I'm sort of catching up on the build thread. It sprung a coolant leak at the end of the season last year, I put it away for storage and I just got back from school last week. I've fixed the coolant leak and I will be out terrorizing the streets again now
After the cradle was removed, the new engine was fitted with some of the wiring and then mounted to the cradle. I'm just going to assume that Dan makes his own mounts for the engine:
Next up is a test fit.... and it looks like everything is nice and straight! Tons of room in there ...maybe for a future turbo
Awesome! I'm jealous, I want a L67 swap, though I really don't have the money right now. Nothing against your engine or anything but If I did a L67 swap to my fiero I would want to get rid of all those black hoses on top of the blower.
Awesome! I'm jealous, I want a L67 swap, though I really don't have the money right now. Nothing against your engine or anything but If I did a L67 swap to my fiero I would want to get rid of all those black hoses on top of the blower.
Thanks
As for those fuel lines and hoses, Im getting rid of them real soon. I'll post some pictures of the new fuel rails I will be installing soon
At this point I had figured I would have some fun with some neon lights. Some people think its ricey and corny but all of the lights are hidden so its not like it takes away from the appearance of the car when I flip the switch to have them off. The lights attracted a lot of attention and were alright in my opinion. The underglow did meet its demise though and were smashed.
So the underglow is no more and I removed the tubes. However, here are some pictures while they were in one piece. I even did the engine compartment:
And the interior was accented with a few hidden neons as well... theres two behind each seat that you cant see that light up the rest of the interior. These are still in the car, however, Im considering removing them as well...
when you do underglow you almost have to use the LED tubes. they dont have a good lightstreem flow under the car but they will last longer and hold up a lot better. also the high end kits allow you to change the colors of the lights. only problem you run into it depending on the state laws they will fine you i think its $10 a bulb around here and depending on the cops mood they will go and count every led in the tube.
Originally posted by pontiackid86: when you do underglow you almost have to use the LED tubes. they dont have a good lightstreem flow under the car but they will last longer and hold up a lot better. also the high end kits allow you to change the colors of the lights. only problem you run into it depending on the state laws they will fine you i think its $10 a bulb around here and depending on the cops mood they will go and count every led in the tube.
I just used those ones because they were cheap. Either way, the durability of these things suck and I ditched them. I also recently decided to ditch the interior neons. It was all pretty flashy at night but just a pain in the ass with wires running everywhere. I opted for a cleaner, simpler look.
So you'd think that right after I get the fiero home from the swap I'd drive it! Well... there had been one part of the car that had been bothering me for quite some time. Ever since I lowered it, I felt like the front of the car sat a little too high. I wanted a more raked look toward the front... so what did I do instead of drive it? Chop the front springs of course!
I wish I took before and after shots, but I was too excited to tear into the car again. So here are after pics. I think the stance is much better now
I think you can see a big difference with how the wheel well hugs the front wheels now
Also, one more engine shot because I'm so proud. Finally seeing the sunlight:
Did you have to cut your trunk at all for your exhaust and any pics from below the car of it? I have bullet style mufflers on my swap now that has the manifold exit where the 3800 is but im looking for was to fit a muffler like yours. Thanks and nice car.
The stance on your car looks much better...want to do the same to mine at some point. How's the ride now? Does your suspension hit the bump stops at the front...when you hit bumps on the road?
So how fast it that thing...in comparison to that yellow C5 in some of your other photo's?
Did you have to cut your trunk at all for your exhaust and any pics from below the car of it? I have bullet style mufflers on my swap now that has the manifold exit where the 3800 is but im looking for was to fit a muffler like yours. Thanks and nice car.
Fieroflyer did not have to cut my trunk at all. The muffler fit in the stock location... its tight but it fits. Unfortunately at this point I do not have any pictures from under the car. I may have some soon though, I have a lot more to work on
quote
Originally posted by Eau_Rouge:
The stance on your car looks much better...want to do the same to mine at some point. How's the ride now? Does your suspension hit the bump stops at the front...when you hit bumps on the road?
So how fast it that thing...in comparison to that yellow C5 in some of your other photo's?
Very nice car!
The ride now is definitely rougher. I probably am hitting the bump stops when I run over big pot holes. I do my best to avoid them, but its almost impossible around here. Its a good thing I have 16 inch rims with decent tires or else if I had rubber bands it would be worse.
As for how fast it is... its really quick. I haven't taken it to the track yet, but maybe I will. I doubt it will beat my dad's C5 but its fun none the less. My problem is that I need better tires for traction. I just have cheap ones on the rear right now that will spin off the line and won't hook up very well.
The ride now is definitely rougher. I probably am hitting the bump stops when I run over big pot holes. I do my best to avoid them, but its almost impossible around here. Its a good thing I have 16 inch rims with decent tires or else if I had rubber bands it would be worse.
As for how fast it is... its really quick. I haven't taken it to the track yet, but maybe I will. I doubt it will beat my dad's C5 but its fun none the less. My problem is that I need better tires for traction. I just have cheap ones on the rear right now that will spin off the line and won't hook up very well.
Thanks for checking the car out guys![/QUOTE]
I hear you, it always seems as if they decide to repave the roads right before the winter hits again. Last year on the 401 around the Milton area was a nightmare.
About going to the track, make sure you have good brakes and braided brake lines...I took my car to the track a few years ago with the stock brake setup and after braking after two long staights, my pedal was on the floor - not a good feeling!
Can't wait to get my car back on the road, your car is giving me fiero envy especially since it looks alot like mine.
Originally posted by Eau_Rouge: I hear you, it always seems as if they decide to repave the roads right before the winter hits again. Last year on the 401 around the Milton area was a nightmare.
About going to the track, make sure you have good brakes and braided brake lines...I took my car to the track a few years ago with the stock brake setup and after braking after two long staights, my pedal was on the floor - not a good feeling!
Can't wait to get my car back on the road, your car is giving me fiero envy especially since it looks alot like mine. !
Thanks for the tips I'll keep them in mind. The only track I think I'll be able to get to this season is the drag strip, I'm curious to see what kind of time it will post. I think in August I will also dyno it
[This message has been edited by doublec4 (edited 05-22-2009).]
So now that I'm finally caught up in the build thread, I can post what I've been doing lately!
Over the winter I bought a few items off of some members here as well as other places, and they are waiting to go on the car.
Recently I took the Rodney Dickman Short Shifter out of storage, as well as my Aeroforce Interceptor Scan Gauge and decided it was time to install them
Take a look!
These two items were pretty easy to install, the short shifter just bolts in, and the scan gauge pretty much plugs in (with the addition of a 12V power source). After hiding the wiring, I was all done
Here are some pictures of the final products sitting in place:
J/w again on the exhaust, does the inlet pipe go under the rear brace of the cradle and up or does it all fit behind the cradle in the space between it and the trunk? Thanks again.
J/w again on the exhaust, does the inlet pipe go under the rear brace of the cradle and up or does it all fit behind the cradle in the space between it and the trunk? Thanks again.
There is no crossover pipe, it was eliminated because of the transmission linkages. The front side of the engine exhaust comes down and under the cradle brace as an inlet on one side the muffler. The rear engine bank comes straight down between the trunk and engine and connects to front side exhaust pipe before the muffler inlet.
Yeah that picture is a little misleading... you can't really see the rear part of the exhaust system. I'll see if I can get one from under the car soon
So I completely forgot to take a picture of the exhaust, however, I did manage to snap a picture of the ZZP modular pulley system that is now installed on the blower.
I went with a 3.4 pulley and it seems to be working fine. I only get a bit of KR doing 4th gear pulls on really hot days, which is apparently pretty normal with the 4spd manual from what I hear.
Take a look (Ignore the dirty engine compartment right now, it needs a good cleaning):
As usual, more updates and upgrades to come
[This message has been edited by doublec4 (edited 06-07-2009).]
haha 
Now were talking!
