I don't want multiple threads going, so I won't be documenting much over here on my build, but thought you guys might be interested in the Fiero build. I'm planning on attending the GRM $2009 West Coast event and the build will be an AWD Fiero hybrid. I'm pretty sure this is the first AWD Fiero (that isn't on a 4x4 truck frame) and also pretty sure it's the first Fiero hybrid, so it's not exaclty a slam-dunk of a design. I've been doing lots of homework though, and I'm trying to pull as many parts as possible out of the parts bin so that I just have to do some hacking and wacking for new mounts, etc. with little true design work.
I'll do a very thorough job of detailing all the parts used with lots and lots of pictures as the design comes closer to completion and I've proven what will work. There will be a website detailing the parts bin project, all in due time.
Bryce
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05:04 PM
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Tony Kania Member
Posts: 20794 From: The Inland Northwest Registered: Dec 2008
Wow, only one comment? I thought an AWD hybrid Fiero would go over well around here. Weird. Maybe I'll have a better response in a few weeks when it's driving...?
Boo! Hacking up a running 88, and it looks like it doesn't have much rust...
You make it sound like I cut it in half to make a trailer out of it or something. There's no way I could do this powertrain swap without some cutting...I'm making an AWD Fiero for chrissakes! When I got it, it WASN'T running, had damage from somebody breaking into it, and had been torn apart for months...I brought it back to life. It has zero rust, it's actually in way better shape than my '88 GT. If you want a rust free Fiero, just come out west (or down south), they're not that rare unless you are in the heart of the salt belt and refuse to leave the salt belt to get one.
Rather than considering it "hacking up a rust free '88," perhaps you could look at it as "reviving a dead '88 and giving it a heart, brain, and lung transplant."
Bryce
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01:55 PM
Jun 15th, 2009
Nashco Member
Posts: 4144 From: Portland, OR Registered: Dec 2000
On a serious note, this is cool because it's the first AWD Fiero I've ever seen (lifted 4x4s don't count).
I'm a member of Texas A&M University's chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers and we have both a Formula HYBRID car and a grassroots car. We placed #1 internationally in the hybrid car this year by a long shot. This was our first year competing in this class. The grassroots car is not complete yet. I seemed to be the only one opposed to a turbo Civic. Anyways, point being that I understand how much work you must be putting into it
So I finally got a chance to stop by and take a look at this project last night. I was very impressed with the progress so far. You guys have come a long way in a relatively short period of time and I'm pretty excited to see it on the road. This is one of the most fun and unique builds I have ever seen in a fiero and I'm sure it will be tons of fun once its on the road. Talk about a sleeper... you'd never know there is a second motor under that hood! Thank you Bryce for giving me a chance to see the progress. Let me know when you need more help, especially once you get past the welding stage.
mOsh_man: Its a V6 with a getrag. Once again Jalopnik almost gets the info right.
[This message has been edited by Fieroseverywhere (edited 07-08-2009).]
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10:16 AM
eph_kay Member
Posts: 933 From: Independence, MO Registered: Apr 2006
How is the stick going to work with the electric motor? you might want a way to control the electric throttle between shifts so the doesn't stop pulling...
Chris
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02:16 PM
WhiteDevil88 Member
Posts: 8518 From: Coastal California Registered: Mar 2007
Very awesome. That makes me want to put an electric 4wd in the trunk of my PT Cruiser GT. The thought of it gives me goosebumps. Congrats on the Jalopnik coverage.
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03:02 PM
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R Runner Member
Posts: 3679 From: Scottsville, KY Registered: Feb 2003
Nice to see it on the street. Seems very strange to me to see a fiero moving under its own power but not making a sound.
Congrats Bryce! You guys have done a wonderful job so far. Ready to pull the V6 out for cleanup?
I'm not sure when I'll be pulling the gas engine. I'd like to do it later next week, but I still have some bugs to iron out with the stuff up front before I get to that. The clutch needs swapped out (I've got another stock used clutch for cheap) and I was hoping to have that done before the electric car drag races that are at PIR next weekend. Either way, I'll keep you posted.
Bryce
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04:38 AM
Jul 21st, 2009
RCR Member
Posts: 4397 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
Bryce, This is a very cool project with lots of possibilities. The one thing I find real interesting right now is your front suspension setup. How did you do the strut towers? Could you provide more info (pics) on how you did this?
Very cool stuff...
Bob
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11:51 AM
Nashco Member
Posts: 4144 From: Portland, OR Registered: Dec 2000
The "towers" themselves are 10 ga sheet metal about 8-10" wide that was pounded over metal (my engine hoist legs) to form a 90 degree bend. That sheet metal was trimmed to fit and welded to the chassis in two places along the entire length of the contact area, one bead where the inner fender meets the hood seal area and another bead on the "leg" of the chassis on the bottom side. I'm still doing some shakedown work, but once I've got rid of all the clunks/thumps in the front end I'll be boxing in the front and rear of this 90 degree bend to look more like a factory strut tower and offer a bit more rigidity. You can see the towers fairly well in this picture:
The struts aren't like the struts would be in the rear. In reality, they are just a coilover shock...I've still retained the double a-arm setup that was on the stock '88 suspension. The coilover attaches to a wishbone looking casting that wraps around the axle shaft and attaches to the lower control arm. The damper and wishbone are stock parts from an '86 Accord, the same parts were used on several years of Accords, Civics, and their Acura cousins. This is what I started with:
I used some generic poly bushings to create a lower mount for the wishbone. I welded in a circle of sheetmetal where the spring pocket used to be on the control arm, then attach the lower mount to the lower control arm in that area. The wishbone wraps around the axle, and the damper squeezes between the upper control arm and the upper control arm mount. It's a tight fit! The damper then attaches to the welded in strut towers and uses the stock Honda upper strut mount. The '88 Fiero upper and lower control arms are unmodified (with exception to the plate of steel welded into the spring cup). This is what it looks like assembled:
All in all, the only new parts are the upper control arm mount, upper strut mount, and coilover assembly. Of course, there were lots of sheet metal modifications made to get the motor, axles, etc. to fit. The only suspension geometry that has changed is that the steering rack had to be rotated about 5-10 degrees so that the input shaft would clear the axle shaft.
Bryce
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12:18 PM
Nashco Member
Posts: 4144 From: Portland, OR Registered: Dec 2000
If any locals want to come do some "simple" wrenching on the car, I plan on pulling the cradle tomorrow (Wednesday) to replace the clutch and do some general cleaning up. This won't be any crazy custom work, just regular ol' Fiero work, and I could definitely use the help as I'm supposed to be driving this thing to San Diego in show-car form in only FOUR weeks. PM me if you're interested in helping out, or just want to come check out the car in general.
Bryce
[This message has been edited by Nashco (edited 07-21-2009).]
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12:20 PM
electric-car-racer89 Member
Posts: 29 From: portland oregon Registered: Mar 2007
I just read through the jalopnik post, and watched the youtube video. More power to you and this build. 
