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My Wife’s 88 T-Top Chop-Top LS4 Build by F355spider
Started on: 06-15-2011 10:37 PM
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Last post by: KVCFIERO on 05-08-2020 03:47 PM
Marine1981
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Report this Post08-11-2012 01:11 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Marine1981Click Here to visit Marine1981's HomePageSend a Private Message to Marine1981Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I will check with Becca to see when we would be able to make the trip down again. Or maybe just me if she is busy.
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Report this Post08-11-2012 10:41 AM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
We are trying to go back down weekend after next.
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Report this Post08-13-2012 11:25 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Marine1981Click Here to visit Marine1981's HomePageSend a Private Message to Marine1981Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Becca may be busy but I will see what I can do.
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Report this Post08-15-2012 06:50 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Marine1981:

Becca may be busy but I will see what I can do.


10-4
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F355spider
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Report this Post08-21-2012 10:12 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I’m thinking of losing the rear wrap around spoiler. Any thoughts?
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av8fiero
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Report this Post08-21-2012 11:28 PM Click Here to See the Profile for av8fieroSend a Private Message to av8fieroEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
No rear wing = best possible rear vision in a chop top which even without a wing back there has fairly poor rear vision. Plus for me I think notchie chops look better without wings [my opinion]. I may do something similar to the ppg cars on mine but that will be it. Sometimes less is more.
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Report this Post08-22-2012 12:39 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Marine1981Click Here to visit Marine1981's HomePageSend a Private Message to Marine1981Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I like the way the spoiler looks on there, It flows nicely with the rear end. I'm sure whatever you decide to change will look good too though. Doesn't look like I will be able to make it down this weekend. Still need to troubleshoot the 84...

Ben
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Report this Post08-22-2012 12:03 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by av8fiero:

No rear wing = best possible rear vision in a chop top which even without a wing back there has fairly poor rear vision. Plus for me I think notchie chops look better without wings [my opinion]. I may do something similar to the ppg cars on mine but that will be it. Sometimes less is more.


This is sorta my thoughts to clean it up a little
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Report this Post08-22-2012 12:07 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

F355spider

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quote
Originally posted by Marine1981:

I like the way the spoiler looks on there, It flows nicely with the rear end. I'm sure whatever you decide to change will look good too though. Doesn't look like I will be able to make it down this weekend. Still need to troubleshoot the 84...

Ben


thats cool . I think i will bring back pieces to work on. I got rid of the Ranger. It will have a new home in Houston
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Marine1981
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Report this Post08-23-2012 12:28 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Marine1981Click Here to visit Marine1981's HomePageSend a Private Message to Marine1981Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
That also gets rid of the temptation to steal your wife's wheels and make them work lol.
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Report this Post08-23-2012 08:46 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Marine1981:

That also gets rid of the temptation to steal your wife's wheels and make them work lol.


Yea I got some real dirty looks when we got that idea. I think she was afraid I was going to part the car out.

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Report this Post08-25-2012 11:27 AM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
LS 4 is kicking my b***. This is the hardest swap i have ever done.
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Report this Post08-26-2012 06:34 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Marine1981Click Here to visit Marine1981's HomePageSend a Private Message to Marine1981Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I was telling a guy about your swap yesterday and he told me there was no such thing as an LS4 so I had to look it up and show it to him on Wikipedia. What problems are you running into on the swap?
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Report this Post08-26-2012 08:02 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Marine1981:

I was telling a guy about your swap yesterday and he told me there was no such thing as an LS4 so I had to look it up and show it to him on Wikipedia. What problems are you running into on the swap?



Back from the weekend. The Engine is just so big compared to others I have done. I worked on the engine bay and took a few pictures.

I took out all the insulation





I had to remove the batt tray and passenger side hinge. I also moved the dog bone bracket.






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Report this Post08-26-2012 08:08 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

F355spider

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It does not look like a lot was done but it was just time consuming.





Another test fit





You can see were I moved the dip stick location.





Here are some very tight places







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Report this Post08-26-2012 08:12 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

F355spider

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Here you can see there is not a lot of room anywere












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Report this Post08-26-2012 08:16 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

F355spider

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I cut the stud off for the shaft to clear/

Then it was welding the passenger side hing back.







Thats it.
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Report this Post08-26-2012 10:45 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Marine1981Click Here to visit Marine1981's HomePageSend a Private Message to Marine1981Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Man that is a tight fit!
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Report this Post08-27-2012 10:11 AM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Marine1981:

Man that is a tight fit!


Yep I was so close to doing a stretch but Gianina talked me out of it. I had the saws all in my hands .
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Report this Post08-27-2012 09:17 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

F355spider

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With the long weekend Gianina said we are going back to work on the car. I will try to use the Fiero Alternator and change up the AC. At over 400 bucks for a LS4 AC compressor I will find a new solution. I can get a street rod one for 135 bucks or might find a way to make the Fiero one work. Most of the weekend will be getting this worked out. Once I get the wheels back on it I will move the car to S/A.


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Report this Post08-29-2012 08:34 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Well I ordered the starter and AC compressor today. I will pick up tomorrow. So I hope I can get the assy and belt done this weekend. I saved 100 bucks on the AC compressor buy buying it at the dealership. New GM 100 bucks less than AutoZone and
Other parts stores. It is worth checking sometimes.
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Report this Post08-30-2012 01:58 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Marine1981Click Here to visit Marine1981's HomePageSend a Private Message to Marine1981Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I left you a voicemail. We will either be down Late Friday night or Saturday afternoon / evening. Depends on how things go.
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Report this Post08-30-2012 08:47 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Marine1981:.

I left you a voicemail. We will either be down Late Friday night or Saturday afternoon / evening. Depends on how things go.


We will be there so anytime. Any luck on the 84? I saw what looked like a restored red notchie in Pleasanton TX. today I wonder if anyone knows of this car? It was at a shop that has a 57 Chevy and some other cars. I will be back out that way tomorrow and will stop to see.
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Report this Post08-30-2012 10:40 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Marine1981Click Here to visit Marine1981's HomePageSend a Private Message to Marine1981Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I can't even get to work on it during the week. It's an hour away from me in North Austin. I will give you a call and let you know when we are heading down.
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Report this Post09-03-2012 10:35 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I picked up the new parts.




looks like Gianina snaped a picture of her baby while I was not looking.



New GM parts.




AC installed


I wanted to use the Fiero ALT but had a wrong size pully so I picked up one foe a GM truck.

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Report this Post09-04-2012 06:14 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Moving on Ben and Becky came back down to help out. Still working on getting the LS4 in the car and did a little electrical run down on Becky's car.





I started by making use of what I had.



I decide to put the Alt here.



Test fitting the belt




Cutting out the brackets




more test fitting.


Testing the tension arm


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Report this Post09-04-2012 06:39 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

F355spider

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A shot of the fit on the Alt. There are several ways to do this I wanted the alt away from heat a grime so I went with this location.




Becky and Gianina putting the interior back in Becky;s car.





Ben thinking how do I get this out of here with him not knowing?







making more room for the oil pan.








[This message has been edited by F355spider (edited 09-04-2012).]

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Report this Post09-04-2012 07:05 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

F355spider

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Getting ready to test the engine again.



trying to get the engine back on the cradle






new oil pan clearance







droping the body





They always say two heads are better than one


Sad to say we still have clearance issues. The pullys hit the shock tower and the alt hits the firewall. next trip I will have to cut out and weld in cut outs for the areas. My goal of having the car rolling did not happen this trip.















Then there was the purple dragon fly.


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Report this Post09-05-2012 02:31 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Marine1981Click Here to visit Marine1981's HomePageSend a Private Message to Marine1981Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Next time we get down there you should have it. Did you figure out what you were going to order for the coil overs yet?
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Report this Post09-06-2012 12:18 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Marine1981:

Next time we get down there you should have it. Did you figure out what you were going to order for the coil overs yet?


Will look up what i bought for the silver car and get the parts again. I have a coulple things to work on I brought back so it should be a roller next trip.
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Report this Post09-06-2012 12:46 PM Click Here to See the Profile for blakeinspaceSend a Private Message to blakeinspaceEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
that sumbich is tight!

(talking about Ben of course)...
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Report this Post09-06-2012 08:31 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Marine1981Click Here to visit Marine1981's HomePageSend a Private Message to Marine1981Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by blakeinspace:

that sumbich is tight!

(talking about Ben of course)...


I know, I make everything look good.
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Report this Post09-07-2012 10:01 AM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by blakeinspace:

that sumbich is tight!

(talking about Ben of course)...


Yep he is a great help. It is good to have him pushing me. I ordered the coil overs from Summit racing last night. I need to finish putting the polly in also.
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Report this Post09-07-2012 12:56 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Marine1981Click Here to visit Marine1981's HomePageSend a Private Message to Marine1981Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I'm good at pushing, too bad I'm not a better mechanic though lol
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Report this Post09-08-2012 11:12 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I did a little rubber removal today. Will try to finish up tomorrow to have ready when I go back to the car.





[This message has been edited by F355spider (edited 09-08-2012).]

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Report this Post09-13-2012 04:55 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I have been thinking about putting a small window in the B Pillars. Has anyone done this before? I'm thinking I could build a tubing frame and weld it in. It would really help side rear blind spots.
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Report this Post09-14-2012 10:33 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
The coil-overs came in from Summit.



The parts I used



I did go up 25lbs on the springs the V8 will be heavier than the V6 was and the 325lb springs were great for it so I went with 350lb for this one.









And the new KYB struts. The ones on the car seem ok but they are 20 years old so I replaced them.





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Report this Post09-14-2012 10:45 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

F355spider

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Everything laid out





Went to work removing the unwanted parts.









Gianina came out to check out her springs. I think she likes them.





After a little removal they will fit like a glove.



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Report this Post09-15-2012 12:23 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Marine1981Click Here to visit Marine1981's HomePageSend a Private Message to Marine1981Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Looks like an easy upgrade. Might have to order some of those myself.
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Report this Post09-15-2012 07:45 PM Click Here to See the Profile for F355spiderSend a Private Message to F355spiderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Marine1981:

Looks like an easy upgrade. Might have to order some of those myself.


Yea it’s a good weekend job. The tools I used. I do not have the big compressor here so it took me a lot longer but done.







Not there yet








Put some paint on the Struts







I put some black RTV around the tubes but not needed








This is as far as I can go I need the impact to get the nuts off the old struts. I will take them with me to the shop next time we go.


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