NS F355 Project (Page 11/73)
Yarmouth Fiero JAN 14, 08:11 PM
I know... I know..... but all this chassis reinforcement is cutting down space where they should be going. If I could fit them between the additional frames and the body, I'm not sure where the air flow will go. Will yours be ducted into the engine bay or the rear wheel wells or downward ahead of the rear wheels?
Bloozberry JAN 14, 08:52 PM
I'm thinking they'll be ducted partially through louvered wheel well linings, and partly in the tunnel above the linings and wheel inside the rear quarter panel, and ducted and exhausted through the rear tail light panel (which will be a grill a-la F355 F1).
Yarmouth Fiero JAN 14, 09:13 PM
Well it might still be possible since the new frames are inboard of the B pillar and thus completely inline with the door scoops. I may have to have them as tall and narrow as possible. Is there a good source for OEM radiators with applicable dimensions? I'd hate to have to go the custom route.
Bloozberry JAN 14, 10:34 PM
If you can't tuck them into the space behind the b-pillar, I'm not sure you'll have enough surface area to get the amount of cooling you'll need from tall narrow rads. For example, the aftermarket Honda Civic radiators I bought will completely fill in the space between the fiberglass body and the frame rail. They're rated for approximately 200 HP each so anything smaller than that is going to be rated for less cooling capacity and could give you problems.

You probably will have to stick with the front mounted radiator given those reinforcements. A good rule of thumb is to try to maintain the same overall surface area of the original rad but I've used a stock front mounted Fiero rad in my 308 replica for years so you should be OK with that.
Yarmouth Fiero JAN 20, 10:28 PM
With the rocker frame reinforcements being welded before final installation, we are now proceeding with the transverse reinforcement of the engine bay side of the firewall. When the roof is removed, a significant portion of the transverse structure will be lost, even though most of the roof is missing for the factory sunroof already. Still, we want to add as much transverse support as possible. Also, I expect much of the lower trunk structure to be removed in the future for the exhaust system.

Originally, I had thought about installing a triangulated truss structure made with 1" x 1" x 0.100" HSS. This would tie both the upper and lower frame rails together as well as stiffen the firewall. But after talking with Bloozberry about the engine deck hinge locations for the 355 engine deck cover, it became apparent that the stock Fiero hinges and supporting hinge boxes would have to be moved anyway. With this is mind, I decided to rethink the design of the additional transverse structure. With the hinge supports removed, it allowed me the option of installing a substantial transverse beam across the top of the firewall between the upper frame rails. The preliminary design is a 3" x 3" x 1/8" HSS with a forward sloping face angled at 17 degrees to match the firewall inclination. As well, I added a 1" x 3" x 1/8" HSS below the beam and angled to tie the lower frame rails to this beam. Then a triangular shaped gusset of 1/8" plate on each side to tie the whole structure together. The beauty of this structure is that it will allow me to install 2 roll over hoops behind the seats and these will be welded directly to the new structure. This has always been a desire of mine since we decided on a spider...... and I'll have 2 teenagers taking turns at the wheel some day.

Here is a quick view of the preliminary design. My new Rhino Rev 5 has a ton of cool rendering options but I'm still trying to figure them out... thus the poor quality rendering tonight.



So with this design in mind, we began removing the hinge boxes and numerous equipment attachment points that GM had so thoughtfully spot welded all over the fire wall. I don't think there is a more soul sucking job than drilling out spot welds.

Good thing they don't have to be reused.



The now " Naked" firewall.



Next step is to remove all the leftover spot weld reminents with the blending disk.

As a side note, it was also a good afternoon to work on a school project. Teach a kid to drive and your tank will always be empty. Teach a kid to build his own car and he'll be able to fabricate DNA for his grade 9 science project.

edit: remove photos of family members

[This message has been edited by Yarmouth Fiero (edited 02-23-2015).]

Driver_WT JAN 21, 01:56 PM

quote
Originally posted by fieroaddicted:


That sounds great! let me know if and when. Bixby (wade) is in Truro. I talk to him a lot, but have never got up to meet him yet. He has quite a few parts (if you are looking) and has done a few swaps.
Troy



I am in Pictou County (just outside New Glasgow). 1984 Fiero with 355 sbc and 4 speed. Doing some work this winter to get a little more power and I have the parts for the rear GT conversion.

Wade

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1984 Fiero, Black notchback, 355 SBC, 4 speed

Yarmouth Fiero JAN 21, 02:22 PM
Hi Driver_WT...... I would love to see your car this summer. As you know, we're planning a SBC install as well. We'll certainly have to find a central location and get together for a bar-b-que and car admiration session.
Yarmouth Fiero JAN 21, 03:57 PM
Here is another view of the roll over hoops. I really should be getting my work done.


Yarmouth Fiero JAN 21, 09:37 PM
I think a set of hoops might look ok on a F355 Spider although I have yet to see a 355 with them. Are there any reputable suppliers of chrome moly roll over hoops that might have a selection of off-the-shelf designs?
Bloozberry JAN 21, 09:51 PM
Very nice! The chalk and charcoal look is really cool and makes it very easy to see what's what. I think the roll bars can enhance the look of the car. Just think of all the Miatas that were retrofitted with them... even though they weren't part of the original design, they improved the look tremendously in my opinion. They also make a lot of sense.