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| Back in the Fiero Game after a few years (Page 2/5) |
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Dennis LaGrua
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DEC 17, 05:31 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by 86FieroCentPa:
Over this past weekend the engine came out
Capturing the "Witches Hat" completely came apart. I ended up cutting a 2" hole in the frame so that I could get some heat on the bolts and grab them with a vice-grip. From there it was as simple as lifting the car up and rolling the engine out. I'll need to work on separating the Iron Duke and transmission from the cradle so that I can start coming up with a mounting solution for the Ecotec.
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No need to butcher cut the frame to access the rear cradle nuts. You just remove the rear facia and you can access them within the frame with a faucet wrench. Works well every time.
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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE " [This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 02-23-2020).]
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Dennis LaGrua
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DEC 17, 05:33 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by 86FieroCentPa:
Over this past weekend the engine came out
Capturing the "Witches Hat" completely came apart. I ended up cutting a 2" hole in the frame so that I could get some heat on the bolts and grab them with a vice-grip. From there it was as simple as lifting the car up and rolling the engine out. I'll need to work on separating the Iron Duke and transmission from the cradle so that I can start coming up with a mounting solution for the Ecotec.
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No need to butcher cut the frame to access the rear cradle nuts. You just remove the rear facia and you can access them within the frame with a faucet wrench. Works well every time.[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 12-17-2019).]
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Spadesluck
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DEC 17, 06:01 PM
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Welcome back to the madness...again! Ha
Good luck on that swap, I do hope you keeps us up to date with information and pictures so that we can all live vicariously through you.
Btw, I used a chain through bracing in the trunk area to lift both my fieros up. Worked like a charm and it also allowed my cherry picker to be further back. I would rather have your hoist for sure. I bet it gives much better access to swing that cradle out.
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Pontiac Fan 89
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DEC 18, 12:43 PM
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I know lightspeedfieros have been working on an LSJ swap. They have a lot of content on YouTube, I'd reccomend checking it out.
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olejoedad
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DEC 18, 01:33 PM
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I used the latch hoop a few times, the trunk firewall cross-brace once.
I have used the top of the strut towers on dozens of swaps.
Your lifting bracket design is very good, stick with it.
Less chance of failure when picking up the car with drivetrain installed, damaging the space-frame or having an injury.
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DimeMachine
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DEC 23, 06:55 AM
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1. I just stumbled on this swap and will be following - thanks for sharing!
2. I have used the trunk latch several times through the past 25 years but each time I have to bend it back down with a BFH a couple inches. In my case I think the metal has is starting to fatigue a little and I will be using an alternate lifting point next time.
3. Nice work on your custom lifting plates - Laser cut?
4. Should be a heck of a nice ride.
5. What do your frame rails look like inside the trunk area behind the carpet on both sides? This is where they tend to rust the most (in Minnesota anyways...)
6. Nice to get that IRON DUKE out. In 2020, that thing needs to go for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck!!
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84/87 NB, 3800SC, E-85, VS Cam, 2.8 Pulley, 4T65E-HD, HP Tuners, AEM Wideband, Regal GS Gauges, S-10 Brake Booster. 1/4 mile -11.85 at 114mph[This message has been edited by DimeMachine (edited 12-23-2019).]
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86FieroCentPa
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DEC 23, 08:36 AM
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Over the past week or so I've really just been doing some odds and ends
Got the old drivetrain off of the cradle
Got the exhaust, engine mounts, suspension, etc off of the cradle
And spent far too much time on this guy:
3-Jaw Puller was no match for it, heat and beat only succeeded in putting about 1/8" of slop into the bearing. I'm going to see if a local machine shop can press the axle out
As far as cutting into the frame goes, I think that a hole saw leaves it pretty tidy
I know some that have done the hole saw method have left the hole there without issue. I'll probably be welding a patch back int there once the swap is complete. The picture also gives a pretty good look at the rust situation. Not quite "no rust" but nothing catastrophic. Here's a look inside the trunk.
| quote | Originally posted by Pontiac Fan 89:
I know lightspeedfieros have been working on an LSJ swap. They have a lot of content on YouTube, I'd reccomend checking it out. |
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Thanks for the tip. I'd seen their channel but not checked it out yet. There's another YouTube channel doing a pretty good restoration of an 84; Check it out here
| quote | Originally posted by DimeMachine:
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3. Nice work on your custom lifting plates - Laser cut?
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I'm not actually sure what the process was for making these, though the edges look more machined than cut. I actually used eMachineshop to have them made. You send in the CAD or make a drawing using their software, select a material and they issue a quote. This was my first time using their service and I was pretty happy with it. I can see myself getting some more parts made that way in the future.
Thank you all for your interest, insight, and support. It'll soon be time to get into some fabricating 
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olejoedad
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DEC 23, 09:37 AM
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I usually use a cutoff wheel and just cut a flap in the lower frame rail, bend it down for access to the witch-hat nut and the fold it back up, tack weld and seam seal the area.
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fierobear
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DEC 24, 09:18 AM
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| quote | | 3-Jaw Puller was no match for it, heat and beat only succeeded in putting about 1/8" of slop into the bearing. I'm going to see if a local machine shop can press the axle out |
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Wait, so is the half shaft rust-welded to the bearing at the splines??
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Raydar
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DEC 24, 05:37 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Gall757:
Prettier maybe, but that looks like the unusual WO2 package..(only offered in red or white). Is It? |
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Good eye. Yes, it is.
I'm kind of torn between keeping it looking "stock" (such that it is) or going back with the dark lowers. It's getting painted Lexus/Toyota pearl white at some point.
I still like the medium red.
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