The guys at the shop have been scaring the crappola outta me about some possible problems that could occur if they don't take certain precautions. They were saying something about wheelie bars, which confuses me. Were they talking about the actual wheelie bars that drag cars have? I hope not, I don't want that on my car. Or is there something else. They also said that if they DON'T do it, there's the possiblity of tearing the subframe RIGHT off. Now are there any risks of breaking the bolts that hold the subframe to the frame?
------------------ Dan 1985 Silver GT
LT1 Coming Soon.....
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07:37 PM
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jelly2m8 Member
Posts: 6281 From: Nova Scotia, Canada Registered: Jul 2001
Originally posted by sloth85GT: The guys at the shop have been scaring the crappola outta me about some possible problems that could occur if they don't take certain precautions. They were saying something about wheelie bars, which confuses me...
LOL! Wheeliebars?!? That's the best one I've heard in a long time!
Uh, in all seriousness - you might really want to reconsider using this "shop" for your conversion. Might be worth a trip to Archie's instead of letting these clowns loose on your baby...
Hartz
'84 SC 5.7L V8 '85 SE 3.1L V6 Turbo hartzfeld.home.mindspring.com
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08:07 PM
Tina Member
Posts: 2858 From: At an elevation of 8564 feet. Registered: Nov 2000
Originally posted by Hartz: You might really want to reconsider using this "shop" for your conversion. Might be worth a trip to Archie's instead of letting these clowns loose on your baby...
Well those were the guys that aren't doing the swap, just helping a bit, a guy by the name of Lenny is doing it that knows Fiero's inside and out, he wasn't in the shop today and through all of our talks, he hasn't brought up any of these concerns, so I trust him. I will talk more to him about it tomorrow. I didn't think I was crazy to think that these guys didn't know what they were saying.
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09:32 PM
Jan 8th, 2002
tesmith66 Member
Posts: 7355 From: Jerseyville, IL Registered: Sep 2001
No offense to you , but if the shop you have doing the conversion makes comments like that , you may want to consider a new shop. If there technical ability leads them to believe you will need wheelie bars , perhaps they will install a chute too...
I have a video of Archies with a 383SBC , brodix head small block , dual quads with NOS , all in a Mera. That car didn't lift the wheels , and it put down about 160 more HP than an LT1 , it just squatted and went. I also believe archie said it was the fastest V8 car he has been in (it was a dark cobalt blue if memory serves me)
The beauty of IRS , There are some Killer z06's out there running 9's with no need for wheelie bars, so a Fiero in the 12's should be Ok.
JM
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11:09 AM
Mach10 Member
Posts: 7375 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Jan 2001
I'm the one who refered Sloth to these guys. They know what they are doing...
BUT, I'm afraid that their mechanics tend on the side of melodrama. Lenny consistantly quotes high, because he assumes the worst. You're usually in for a treat when the bill comes in.
I'd trust these guys with the swap. I've been dealing with them since I bought my car. I've had plenty of things done in that shop. Their work is top-notch...
On the other hand, this will be the first time they've done this particular swap. Sloth: Tell them to go by Archies kit. If it turns out that more is needed, you can get it later.
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11:23 AM
Mach10 Member
Posts: 7375 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Jan 2001
Talked to Lenny this afternoon... He's going via Archie's kit. The Wheelie-bars and tearing talk was more in fun than seriousness... Don't worry about it! Lenny will take care of you
Drop me a MSN tonight, I'll explain things
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06:01 PM
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Avery Montembeault Member
Posts: 392 From: NIskayuna NY Registered: Jan 2001
Er, I was unaware that anyone had ever managed that swap... How the hell did he get traction? Who owned the car? Who did the swap? What did he use for a tranny? HOW THE HELL DID HE COOL THE DAMN THING?!?
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06:48 PM
Avery Montembeault Member
Posts: 392 From: NIskayuna NY Registered: Jan 2001
I wasnt privy to alot of the particulars on the swap, I do know that he installed a better radiator and custom build his own mounting/adapting kit. If I could afford an engine swap, I would have asked more details at the time
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10:55 PM
Jan 9th, 2002
Fierobsessed Member
Posts: 4782 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 2001
I have one thing to say, 454's dont fit transversly, only longitudinally, and then you loose the trunk to the nearly bullet proof Toronado/Cadillac/Rivera FWD 425 Transmission witch to all the muscle car buffs is a turbo 400 with the bell housing turned around 180º and moved over with a chain drivig the transmission, and a differential bolted to the end. this puts much more of the weight BEHIND the rear axles and you can put a Huge big block OLDS, Buick, Pontiac and Cadillac's monsters right in or use an adaptor plate to use a chevy big block. these combos make the car extreemly rear heavy, they have the ultimate traction, and plenty of power for a wheelie. as for cooling, I dont know, but I think Archies 4 core might do the trick.
------------------ Matt D 1984 Indy Fiero (auto) 1985 2m4 V6 DIS 3.1 Auto
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01:09 AM
Mach10 Member
Posts: 7375 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Jan 2001
Sorry, scratch that... I know of one being built... But it wasn't really running.
I'm going to have to call on the 454 business. YES it would have PLENTY of juice... I just don't think that anyone's managed to get one running. Feel free to prove me wrong.
I've heard rumor of a 454 Fiero in Green Bay, WI. I've never seen it myself, but one of the guys who works for me has. I had actually heard it was a 455 Rocket, but one of the forum members here confirmed its existence and said its a 454.
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07:03 AM
MrPAW Member
Posts: 56 From: Fort Wayne, IN , USA Registered: Jul 2001
There was a big block Fiero at the Kruse auction in Auburn, Indiana last summer. I can't remember if it was a 454 or 396ci engine. It was a white notchback, there was no trunk and it was run without a rear decklid. The engine was mounted transversly. It was a tight fit and the frame was trimmed on both sides to give the necessary clearance. I can't remeber for sure but I think it had an automatic transmission. The note in the window said the car was built by Ponitac for an auto show (or race or something) in Detroit. The owner was not around so I couln't get any more information. If I see it again this year I will get some pictures and more info.
Paul
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08:49 AM
Raydar Member
Posts: 41253 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
Zumalt used to advertise that his kit would work with a small block or a big block. I think that his kit was based on the one previously mentioned that was built by/for Pontiac. Even remember seeing pics of the big block. Seems like it was a white 85 GT or an Indy, with dual carbs on a tunnel ram poked up behind the window. Of course, since Zumalt has made himself scarce, this is probably a dead issue. I might consider doing a small block. A big block looks like waaaaay more trouble than it's worth.
------------------ Raydar
From the Department of Redundancy Department.
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09:10 AM
Mach10 Member
Posts: 7375 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Jan 2001
I know it's "been done," but I still haven't heard of one actually being driven, or run at much more than an idle... Again, feel free to prove me wrong
A Caddy Big-Block installed in an '84 Indy. I shot these photos myself (My GT is in the background), and I've seen it run, drive, and more! He is planning on building it as a wheel-stander.
A 455 Powered Fiero GT:
I've got more... just gotta see if I can find 'em!
[This message has been edited by MinnGreenGT (edited 01-10-2002).]
Originally posted by Mach10: Seen those pics. Both of them are trailer-queens, from what I know. I want proof of one being DRIVEN, and not just off the back of a trailer.
Does the Indy with the Caddy Big-Block look like a Trailer queen? I don't think so! He not only drives the car, he pounds it! I mean look at it... no decklid, header wrap on the exhaust, a piece of cardboard back in the corner, leaking valve cover gaskets, loose wiring. If you saw it in person, then you'd know- without a doubt- that it's the real thing. Other PFF members in attendance (witnesses): Tina, Jaei Sun, Chris Weeks, Fierohoho, lowfierogt, and more!
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04:50 PM
Mach10 Member
Posts: 7375 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Jan 2001
The white indy was the Zumalt creation, right? That was the one that couldn't run for more than a few minutes without overheating, if I'm not mistaken... At that show, *I* heard that he was seen PUSHING it off the trailer...
If course, I could be wrong. I just haven't seen anything to prove otherwise...
Originally posted by Mach10: The white indy was the Zumalt creation, right...?
Nope... the one shown above was completely built by a local guy here in Minneapolis (Matt Kneen). Built just this past summer as a matter of fact. He really quite enjoys the Caddy Big-Block. He also has one mid-mounted in a 6-wheeled VW pickup with "winged" doors (hinged on the windshield pilliar). He's quite an interesting character. Did all the "engineering" himself. I can attest to the fact that it runs, drives, roars, and doesn't overheat.
I can't vouch one way or another for the White "455 GT" or the Purple Big-Block shown above... I think they're both Zumalt kits though.
There was also a guy on the east coast (PA maybe?) that has a 454 built in a stretched Silver Coupe with a glass hatch over the engine compartment. He also used the toronado drivetrain.
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05:50 PM
Mach10 Member
Posts: 7375 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Jan 2001
That's the best one I've heard in a long time! 
