PFF - Pennock's Fiero Forum, PDA Edition

85 Notchie Build (Page 9/23)

ericjon262

FEB 26, 11:13 PM

if you can get your hands on a Buick Lucerne water manifold, it mounts the alternator above the waterpump. when I get a 3900, it will be from a Lucerne for that reason. it may require some trimming of the decklid hinge box though.

I used an astro van alternator on my LX9, it only requires the charge wire, and a wire to the charge lamp on the cluster, and will probably be easier to find replacements for in the future.

are you planning on using the alternator to apply static tension to the belt, or are you going to mount a tensioner somewhere?

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"I am not what you so glibly call to be a civilized man. I have broken with society for reasons which I alone am able to appreciate. I am therefore not subject to it's stupid laws, and I ask you to never allude to them in my presence again."

cognita semper

zkhennings

FEB 27, 02:51 AM

Why is the Lucerne LZ9 rated at a lower HP? Looks like it comes with the LZ4 intake too which is convenient. Planning to go with the starter motor from this vs the 07 Uplander.

https://www.rockauto.com/en...cc=1446762&jsn=10681

ACDELCO 3371136

This is the starter in the Uplander in 09 (and Lucerne). I expect this will work for my application. It is the starter that the later model LZ9s use.

Which year Chevy Astro for the alternator? It seems to get a new alternator every couple years. In my searching only 85 came up as having an alternator that only needed the 2 inputs (at least all the rest have a four pin connector and some may only require 2 inputs), and it seems to be the same part as the Fiero 2.5 alternator.

Also Interestingly enough the stock Uplander alternator only has two pins.

https://www.rockauto.com/en...cc=1433507&jsn=10695

[This message has been edited by zkhennings (edited 02-27-2021).]

ericjon262

FEB 27, 03:08 AM

quote

Originally posted by zkhennings:

Why is the Lucerne LZ9 rated at a lower HP? Looks like it comes with the LZ4 intake too which is convenient.

Which year Chevy Astro? It seems to get a new alternator every couple years. In my searching only 85 came up as having an alternator that only needed the 2 inputs (at least all the rest have a four pin connector and some may only require 2 inputs), and it seems to be the same part as the Fiero 2.5 alternator.

Not sure on the HP output, I hate myself and was going to fix that the hard way.

I think the one I used was from a 2003 astro with the 4.3, it uses a 4 pin connector, but you only need to connect to the "L" terminal, and the power feed back to the starter/battery.

longjonsilver

FEB 27, 12:11 PM

Any updates on the bus?

jon

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Astronomy says we will find a coded signal from outer space. Then we'll KNOW that life exists there, for coded signals aren't by chance.

Biology says there are coded genetic signals in every cell, but we KNOW that no intelligence created life.

I'm the original owner of a white ' 84 2M4 purchased Dec 10, 1983 from Pontiac. Always garaged, no rust, 4-wheel drifts are fun!

zkhennings

FEB 27, 08:09 PM

No real updates on the bus, it is slightly more stripped than in the picture.

But I did locate a bunch of Fiero parts I am going to play around with including a timing cover. I do want to see if I can modify it to work with the recirculating system. I have a mill at work with a rotary table so I am going to machine a flange for the 3900 thermostat and attempt to weld it to the Fiero timing cover, along with weld two barbs to the water inlet area for the recirculating lines and heater core. I just want to see what both setups look like and weigh pros and cons and feasibility of both.

[This message has been edited by zkhennings (edited 02-28-2021).]

jdv

FEB 28, 06:21 PM

It is nice to see another bus owne

r !

zkhennings

MAR 02, 12:57 AM

Very nice bus! A good size too, I think similar to mine length wise. A full size bus seems like such a hassle.

I have been doing more research on what to do for a timing chain solution. There is a double roller available, but I am not sure if it is required as I have seen that most people with a cam and valve springs use a first gen 3400 timing chain. WOT Tech pairs this with what looks like a 3900 timing guide.

Opinions on this would be great, I would like to shift at 7000rpms ideally and will select a cam to suit this, and valve springs that can handle the cam/rpms. If I need a double roller so be it, but it seems like most get away with the 99 and older timing setup.

Here are some links, crank gear, cam gear, timing chain, timing chain guide.

I also bought a N* throttle body off of Ebay, it was surprisingly the most plentiful and cheapest I came across in the correct size, and all the additional junk is below the throttle body instead of above which is good for hood clearance, and the throttle cable will end up on the correct side too. I went with a 2000-2005 Deville TB. No MAF on this 3900.

Going to go get an LZ4 intake at a yard soon, hopefully this week, maybe they will straight up trade me for my LZ9 intake, it is definitely more expensive with the actuator.

[This message has been edited by zkhennings (edited 03-02-2021).]

ericjon262

MAR 02, 03:24 AM

where do you see double rollers available? I organized the group buy for what I thought was the last production run.

I'm running a cryo treated, micro polished unit from WOT-Tech, it's a nice piece.

Do you have an adapter for the N* throttle yet? you might be able to run a DBW throttle if you feel like throwing down on a DBWx2, I'm running one and it seems pretty awesome, that being said I haven't been driving the car a whole lot either, nor have I actually hit WOT yet. I'm not 100% sure it's compatible with a microsquirt though.

modifying a stock fiero cover to work with the recirculating cooling system would be a new way to do it, personally, I would probably just use a stock LZ9 timing cover, but that's me.

zkhennings

MAR 02, 08:44 AM

Here is a link to the double roller timing chain from TCE, maybe it is out of stock, but it does not indicate that anywhere on the web page.

I may go with the WOT Tech one as well because it works out to the same price as buying all the GM components.

I am going to machine a throttle body adapter for the TB, the MicroSquirt does not support the DBW, and I want to keep it simple anyways. If I wanted traction control the DBW would be cool.

The MicroSquirt also does not support the N* idle control valve as it cannot run a stepper motor. I need to get a PWM operated valve or an on off style solenoid idle valve from another car. I am thinking a PWM one from a VW per their recommendation. I will make my throttle body adapter have a spot for the new valve and a mill a pathway for the air. I could always get a solenoid valve off McMaster if it will be hard to machine a nice seat for an actual idle control valve, I need to look into it more and find some options.

Edit to say I looked into it and there is a solution that exists to control the stepper motor with MicroSquirt now, here is the documentation that goes with it. At $60 it is cheaper than getting a new IAC that is either 2 or 3 wire, and the TB I bought will come with a IAC already. So I may end up pursuing this option.

Edit to the Edit, I was looking at 2 wire IAC valves for a mid 90s Nissan 240, Early 90s VW Golf, and Foxbody Mustangs. They are all way more expensive than the stepper motor IAC on the N* Throttle body so it seems to make sense to try and drive that. I really don't need to worry about this right now though, I can get everything working without an IAC, and I don't have to use one at all if I don't mind giving it some gas during cranking and warmup. I can always add in the IAC if I get sick of that. I also could use a 12V normally closed 2 port solenoid valve as long as it flows enough air, it seems as though I would feed it 12V and the Microsquirt can control a PWM ground wire that would go to it. They are cheaper than any car specific valve.

I do want to try the Fiero timing cover modifications, if for no other reason than to get some aluminum TIG welding practice in. I will be able to mock things up and decide what works best as nothing is set in stone. Nothing about the new water pump design seems superior to the Fiero water pump other than it is a simpler casting for the consumable portion of it, but I will investigate that further as things come apart as it may influence my decision.

I have also come across some well priced 304 SS tubing for the ex haust and for the headers , seems like this motor is extremely similar to an LS in terms of cylinders and heads, and they have good luck with 1-3/4 primaries, so I will probably go that route myself... Now I just need some header flanges

Injectors I am looking at. The Bosch EV14s for an S4 Audi 2.7. Part number is 0280158117. Come in sets of 6 for a good price. I think these are the smallest ones at 550cc which is 52lbs which is a big step up from the stock injectors, but as long as they are fast enough it should still idle fine. These are very highly rated injectors. They are slightly longer, but appear to be fine, I can always add small spacers under the rail and maybe clearance the upper intake manifold if necessary. But I think it will be fine.

Part numbers for 630cc ones are 0280158298. Here is a link to an Audi Wiki that has some other options for injectors with part numbers and lengths.

And from the 60*V6 forum I found the LZ9 stock injectors are 47mm Oring to Oring (54mm end to end). These EV14s are called 52mm, but from a picture I have seen are slightly longer. The 52, may be referring O-ring to Oring length because they are definitely spaced a little farther apart than LZ9 injectors.

[This message has been edited by zkhennings (edited 03-03-2021).]

zkhennings

MAR 03, 11:30 PM

Picked up an LZ4 Intake from a junkyard today, N* throttle body comes in soon and I ordered some 3/4" aluminum to mill an adapter plate between the two.