Bump for hopefully the end of winter, been getting itchy to take the Kid out of winter sleep mode.
I gave GM my quit notice back around Christmas time frame, they asked me very nicely to keep working until they could find a suitable replacement, which finally happened Mid January. I decided to go back to "Day Trading" the stock market full time. Different kind of stress, but rewards have been greater for me.
Looking forward to the warmer weather, just hope we don't get pinched too bad at the gas pump this spring, & summer.
Finally got the car out a couple weeks back, located the electrical gremlin's that appeared late last season (door locks and part lights cycling on their own at random), had to do with alarm system wiring (which was supposed to have been "all" removed from car). It took a few hours to locate the culprits and exterminate them. First few runs out with the car made me realize it was time to switch over to Synthetic, as this engine, and my driving style beats the heck out of regular oil (and engine is broke in now). Put Synthetic Valvoline Racing 20W50 in it and gained 15 psi on both cold and hot temps (I only had 800 miles on the old high quality dino 20W50 oil that was previously in there). This should take care of pressure drops I was seeing after about 1,000 miles, as this engine seems to break down the regular oil real quick.
Hit the Hot Rod Power Tour at GM Milford Proving Grounds, which I posted in General same Hot Rod Power Tour Topic, meet a few of my old GM co-workers with their cars out there, and had a terrific time. The California Kid got a lot of attention out there, plenty of pictures taken of it (like below), that are now surfacing on the internet. SEMA/Hot Rod left a business card in my car while I was away, note written on back to "Stop by Hot Rod Bus", which I did, and was told they were out taking pictures. Waited for 20 minutes, no show, and I had to leave. Turns out that they wanted to do a photo shoot on my car, as I found out later that night via email with SEMA.
I don't have much planned for this year, still trying to figure out if Day Trading Stock will work out versus Employment. The Market has been a #@?!!! to figure out over the last 3 months. Still ahead of the game, but not by as much as I thought I would be (hoping for 2 times Employed earnings). So I'll have to mitigate some of the stress and get out to a few Cruise Nights.
Attended the GM Employee Car Show at the GM Tech Center Wed. July 25th, took my oldest son with me, and we had a great time there. It was great seeing a lot of old friends since I quit my job back in January, many of them wanting me to re-hire back in. It was a great show with about a 1,000 cars present, the spectrum/variety of cars was incredible. Here are a few pictures from the show:
Parked next to my friends '33 Plymouth Hot Rod, he'll trailer to North Carolina on Friday to swap for a Pro Street Dodge Colt (copy of Sox and Martin car). Seen pictures, it's a beauty.
[This message has been edited by California Kid (edited 07-27-2012).]
Oooh DRoooool! Yeah I think I'll take one each of the Detomaso Mangusta, the little brother Pantera, and then possibly that wicked looking Trans Am concept convertible. Gawd why did they get rid of Pontiac??? Oh yeah and your Car California always pleases too... hehehe Nice pics of some very very nice cars man.. peace
Thanks for the comments. There should be more pictures/video's surfacing on the internet very soon, just do a search for the car show. There was a lot to cover in short one day show, naturally there were some unbelievable cars that broke out of the garages for this event. I just snapped a few photo's to show a cross-section of what arrived.
If you come across TV interview of the California Kid, let me know link to it, I was too rattled to even get TV Station name (LOL).
[This message has been edited by California Kid (edited 07-27-2012).]
Well, spirited driving turns on the Wallet Check Light every now and then. Took the car out for a cruise night yesterday, as I was headed for home a guy comes up fast from behind me, pulls along side, and says " A long bolt with a large washer fell out of you car when you got on it back there." I thanked him, told him I'd check the car over. Noticed the back end felt a little loose doing an excel/decel, so I took the car to shop I deal with to get it up on the hoist. Turns out I sheared the right rear trailing arm bolt, lost half the urethane bushing, along with metal bushing sleeve (where it connects to rear wheel hub). No bushing available locally, so I'm having a set overnight-ed from The Fiero Warehouse. Shop thinks finding the correct bolt/washer, nut, won't be a problem.
Not long ago I took the "Kid" out for a ride to see my buddy's Pro Street Dodge Colt at a car show, was doing "gentle" back-in to a parking space when is snap/clunk sounded off. Free reving engine left no doubt what the issue was, time for another set of axle's. As there wasn't much of the season left, just flat-bedded it back into my garage for winter hibernation. Pictures of my buddies Pro Street (which he recently sold) below:
Had a great time this year, already looking forward to next season !
Just wanted to let you know this is one of the sweetest Fieros I've ever seen. I love the engine, in particular. Those stacks look so sick. I've been set on a 3800SC or turbo, but you make me want to do a V8 similar to yours. Not that I can do that anytime soon. Just dreamin'.
Any idea on how many horses that bad boy puts on? Torque? Any other specs (0-60, 1/4, etc.) as of late?
Just wanted to let you know this is one of the sweetest Fieros I've ever seen. I love the engine, in particular. Those stacks look so sick. I've been set on a 3800SC or turbo, but you make me want to do a V8 similar to yours. Not that I can do that anytime soon. Just dreamin'.
Any idea on how many horses that bad boy puts on? Torque? Any other specs (0-60, 1/4, etc.) as of late?
Thanks very much for the compliment on the car !!! The engine is built to produce between 450 and 500 HP, which is the range that I had the Hilborn Setup built to. The torque number will be equal to or greater than the HP with the length stacks I'm running (according to Hilborn, similar setups have produced 25 - 45 more torque than HP). You can actually dial down the torque by shortening the stacks without affecting the HP very much at all. Haven't done a 0-60 or 1/4 with this setup, I'm not a 1/4 mile guy, built it mainly for street - road course fun, but I assure you it's a riot to drive. Haven't had the car over 165 mph yet, too chicken, but the car is very stable up there.
Latest update: New custom built high performance axle assemblies should be arriving next week to get the "Kid" back on the street. This is the Company making the Assemblies:
These new assemblies are rated to 600 HP/Torque, the consist of Larger Outboard CV, Bearing core broached for larger spline, Larger diameter axles without inboard "C" Clip groove, material change on shafts to be high strength "torsion" steel (to reduce shock loading at critical points). Splines on the new shafts are "rolled in", not machine cut, to eliminate stress riser tears at the splines.
Also making a change to the car by adding new rear stock springs, that will be cut to raise the rear end another 1/2 inch over my current springs. Doing this to get the drive shafts more horizontal neutral position at rest, reducing some of the angular loading on the shafts.
Below is a pictures of a stock design showing red dots at the failure zones I have experience over the years, even with higher alloy shafts:
Picture below shows shafts that have a "rolled" spline and no inner "C" Clip groove (would have zoomed in but quality went to hell):
[This message has been edited by California Kid (edited 05-04-2013).]
You know, the only flaw in your car, and it is a HUGE one, is that it isn't parked in my garage!
What you have done with your Fiero is THE gold standard as far as I am concerned. I have gone back and forth as to which drive train I want to swap in so many times it is driving me (and everyone else crazy!) Your updates look period correct and are extremely tasteful. I have settled on a SBC/Inglese set-up. I love what some of the other members have done with LSx an such but I kept going back to the era of the car.
Your car reminds me of the line in an old Dan Fogleberg song, "the thundering velvet hand". Refined yet brutal.
Dr. W.
------------------ Is your Fastback GT's trunk seal shot? My Gen IV replacement GT trunk seals with miter double bonded corners are now in production. $95 + $15 flat rate shipping to the US (contact me for international shipping rates) or buy two and pay only a single shipping rate! More info can be found here GT Trunk Seal Project
Dr. W Thanks very much for that post !!! You have hit on the essence of my motivations, that went into creating this car. Each change to the car has been made with a lot of thought involved, that has lead it to where it is today. I'd be the first to tell you this type of project is border line "Nuts", but when your chasing a dream of something you envision, you cast aside reasonable thinking to meet your goal. I know my car is not to everyone's liking, but it certainly has completed my vision of what I wanted it to be, and most certainly gets a great deal of attention where ever I take it.
I can't tell you how many times I've thought of buying a new ZR1 or a Viper and letting the California Kid go to another home. I've never followed through with those thoughts, because then I'd just be another Corvette or Viper owner, with no mystified crowd looking my car over. I don't know how you put a value on that, but for me it has been great.
I can't tell you how many times I've thought of buying a new ZR1 or a Viper and letting the California Kid go to another home. I've never followed through with those thoughts, because then I'd just be another Corvette or Viper owner, with no mystified crowd looking my car over. I don't know how you put a value on that, but for me it has been great.
And that is the essence of hot rodding. Anyone can buy one of thousands of identical production line cars. No matter how nice the new car may be, it doesn't compare to taking your personal vision and making it a unique reality.
Here is a more detailed description of "The DriveShaft Shop" Kit #3.9 Axle Assemblies:
1. Main shaft diameter is same diameter (actually 8 to 10 thousands smaller), may not be turned down like stock shaft under CV boot. Material is claimed to be high grade torsion steel.
2. Larger spline outboard CV has larger body (at paint line), that does not allow the use of "Dust Seal" (gets crushed locking up axle on assembly, must be removed).
3. Slightly larger spline with heavier teeth.
4. Hubs must be broached to accept larger spline outboard CV, you are expected to supply parts to them, or request to be added to Kit.
5. Showing Dust Seal that cannot be used, which goes in backside of casting.
[This message has been edited by California Kid (edited 05-25-2013).]
Cali any mods or anything new with your burgundy GT ??
I haven't done anything with it for a long time, last time I drove it the oil pressure gauge appeared to be giving me phony 0-5 psi reading after driving a while - believe sending unit ca put. Also had idle surge on coast down that was pretty dramatic, so I got a little work to do. Think it's about time for me to clean it up and put it on the market, have too many toys. This would be a perfect car for a 3800 SC swap (if it weren't for the fairly new 2.8 in there), money just going other places currently.
I noticed some push buttons on you steering wheel and was wondering what their function was? I am looking for something similar that may work for my tap shift and line lock functions.
Jim
Car looks GREAT by the way!
[This message has been edited by Jims88 (edited 11-26-2013).]
I noticed some push buttons on you steering wheel and was wondering what their function was? I am looking for something similar that may work for my tap shift and line lock functions.
Jim
Car looks GREAT by the way!
Thanks Jim !
The wheel currently in the car (pictured below), is a "quick release" removable wheel, it does have plastic plugs on rt. / lft. arms where switches can be installed (but wires would have to be unplugged from switches before wheel removal):
The previous wheel also pictured a few pages back, came with switches (relatively same location) already installed. I just wired them to the horn, have a new Hurst Line Lock I was going to install / wire to one of the switches, but since I don't drag race this car, I decided against it.
Both Wheels are/where made by GRANT, I purchased them from SUMMIT RACING. Hope this helps you out.
Yep, I'm still around, didn't kick the bucket yet. Still haven't touched the car this year, but itch-in to. Roads still suck in my area, pot holes all over the place, be like riding in a covered wagon in the old west.
Yep, I'm still around, didn't kick the bucket yet. Still haven't touched the car this year, but itch-in to. Roads still suck in my area, pot holes all over the place, be like riding in a covered wagon in the old west.
Thanks for the compliment and bumping the thread.
LOL.......Glad to hear you're still around and in good spirit.......We're the ones that should thank you for sharing your car, knowledge, and experiences.
IMO, this thread should always be readily accessible.
Cheers and Thanks
[This message has been edited by I FAR I (edited 05-31-2015).]
A lot of us develop a relationship with a car that is kinda mystifying at times. I put my sole into this one in a way and I don't know if that's a good thing, or a bad thing. It has given me incredible pleasure/memories, but at times it also brought me to my knees in frustration.
This song captures part of the essence between the Hot Rod and the Owner (who push the edge). I choose this solo version, no only because it's a incredible performance, but it's a solitude setting, much like being in the garage with your car:
I understand what you mean.....'The way of the pioneer is always rough'.....(heavy tune btw).
“The person who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The person who walks alone is likely to find himself in places no one has ever seen before.” ― Albert Einstein
Great looking machine, Kid. What do you have planned for it next?
Thanks !!!
I don't have any further plans at this time, at least not big ones. There are always little refinements that no one would really notice though. This is the second year that I gave the car a rest, but sure getting the bug to put it back on the road this spring. Roads are still terrible in Michigan, they are making some slow progress at the repairs needed.
Have you ever considered a wide body Kit? The car looks great as is! I just wonder if the wide body gives you any better cornering.
Thanks for a long stretch of Great photos and History of you and your Fiero!! It's been cruising this forum for a long time! I've got an 85GT fast back conversion I've been working on that is similar to yours, with a little "change to the rear". I hope it will be worthy of some photos this year if health allows. I've got lots of help from members of this site and your Fiero's a Shining Example of taste and function, and what to do to my car questions!!
Keep 'em coming!! Best of luck,and Merry Christmas to EVERYONE!!
Have you ever considered a wide body Kit? The car looks great as is! I just wonder if the wide body gives you any better cornering.
Thanks for a long stretch of Great photos and History of you and your Fiero!! It's been cruising this forum for a long time! I've got an 85GT fast back conversion I've been working on that is similar to yours, with a little "change to the rear". I hope it will be worthy of some photos this year if health allows. I've got lots of help from members of this site and your Fiero's a Shining Example of taste and function, and what to do to my car questions!!
Keep 'em coming!! Best of luck,and Merry Christmas to EVERYONE!!
If I were starting another project car Wide Body would be a primary must do item, while I don't believe it would do much more for cornering, I do love the look. I won't do it to the yellow car because panels and total repaint $$$. The car currently performs better than I can drive, meaning it sticks so well my driving skills need more improvement than the car does. It's an incredible driving experience on a road course. Show Trophies have never been a problem with this car, so it's hard to justify the Wide Body expense (I'm guessing $6-$10,000 for panels, re-paint, and wheels/tires - and that may be light $).
Thanks for the compliments on the car, greatly appreciated. Good luck on your project, just take your time and don't short cut things.
Merry Christmas to All !!!
Tom
[This message has been edited by California Kid (edited 12-21-2015).]
That's the type motivation that keeps projects alive.
I have gone back and forth as to which drive train I want to swap in so many times it is driving me (and everyone else crazy!) Your updates look period correct and are extremely tasteful. I have settled on a SBC/Inglese set-up. I love what some of the other members have done with LSx an such but I kept going back to the era of the car. 
