I must have the worst luck ever.

Got the getrag rebuilt and re-installed. I have tons of pics that I will post shortly. While doing the rebuild I also replaced the upper and lower clutch fork bushings. Got them both from the fierostore. The upper one is good. The lower one is not. Its quite a bit sloppier then the worn out original one and is causing problems with the fork contacting the bellhousing and getting stuck. So back out everything comes yet again (#13 cradle drop? ). Since I can't find another source for a good replacement bushing I will be making my own. I will be doing that this weekend and will reinstall the trans one last time next week. Good thing I have access to a lathe.

While the engine is out I will also be replacing the waterpump yet another time. This time with a new one from NAPA. This makes #4 and hopefully the last one for a while. With less then 4k on the swap there is no reason for me to be replacing these pumps so often. Wish me luck.

One other thing coming in the near future. I'm finally getting around to re-doing the exhaust system. Now that I know everything works its time to finally ditch the 2.8 muffler and do something a little different. I have a good design and most of the parts here now. I will be using a different set of exhaust manifolds for the new design. I'll pick those up next week after the car is back together. Once thats done I will setup a time to go to the shop and use the welder to put evertyhing together. I'm excited for this change.

[This message has been edited by Fieroseverywhere (edited 03-24-2010).]

Way past time for an update. The main reason for the delay was the loss of the computer most of my pics were stored on. No only have I lost all the pics I've already posted in this thread, I also lost many that I had not gotten posted yet. All of the pics for the getrag rebuild are gone. Thats really too bad. There were hundreds and they would have made a good thread all by themselves.

I do have pics of the new exhaust system and a couple other changes I made. I'll start with those.

First I went to the wrecking yard to find the new set of exhaust manifolds that I wanted to use. I chose a set of cast iron manifolds off of a 92 deville. They looked like crap, as most yard items do before cleanup...




They had huge carbon deposits inside. I spent many hours cleaning them up.








After a few hours with the die grinder most of the carbon was removed. I also spent some time smoothing the transitions for better flow. They were also matched to the gasket. They are as good as I'm going to make them.




They turned out well in the long run...


That was the easy part. Now to eliminate the fiero muffler and redesign the setup. I wanted it short and sweet. I don't have pics of the build left. Here is a pic of the entire completed setup though. Also a pic of the new crossover pipe, modified to clear the getrag cables.



And a couple on the car...



The next major project was the beginning of a hood vent. Its still not complete at this point but its functional. Finish work will be completed this spring after some work on the garage has been completed.






Glass work done. Still have to fill the corners and add the mesh to finish it off. The car feels much more stable at high speeds now. Well worth the trouble.





The mesh I'm going to use will be a fiero dash defrost vent. It fits very well in the hood.


I also spent some time fighting an emmisions problem. It ended up being several issues stacked on top of each other. The car did finally pass though. One of the issues was the EGR valve itself. It somehow burned up and stuck in the open position. This lead to a massive amount of carbon buildup inside the cylinders and intake manifold. It was ugly!!


Underside of throttle body. Keep in mind this was after 4000 miles on a freshly hot tanked and rebuilt motor.



I spent quite a bit more time since then just working out the bugs. The car had quite a few. Now though, it runs like a dream.

I'll have to get pics when its fully complete but I started working on a set of LED marker light. The rear are complete but I still need the bridge rectifiers to complete the front. I'll post pics when done. Total cost was $16 dollars.

Most recently I installed a set of Rodney Dickman Master and Slave cylinders for the getrag trans. This is by far one of the best upgrades this car has ever gotten. As always the parts are top quality. The car shifts better then it ever has, and I mean EVER! It is truely a pleasure to drive now.

A month ago I also accepted a new Job with a new company. The job came with a big pay raise which is nice. Even nice though I now have access to 2 Lathes, 2 mills, 2 welders (MIG & TIG), metal shears/breaks, band saws, grinders, fiberglassing materials, a hose crimping machine, tons of GM connectors and pins, and more scrap aluminum then I can ever use. More intensive projects will be along in the near future you can be sure.

Still have lots planned for this little lady. For now though, here are a few other pics to leave you with...





Later.

[This message has been edited by Fieroseverywhere (edited 02-17-2011).]

I was just wondering if this thread had hit the archives yet. Since it hasn't I guess I'll post the soon to come updates here.

Progress over the last couple years has been slowed but not stopped. My daughter (she's 16 now ) is running track almost year round and life in general has been busier but I find time when I can

A few changes done...

Rodney Dickman Ultimate getrag shift kit added along with new shift cables and shifter rebuild. Amazing, simply amazing. One of the favorite mods I've ever done to this car. A few minor changes and repairs as I found the weak points. Mostly I'm just picking away at rebuilding and replacing parts that are showing their age. Mostly the more boring parts of working on a project car (especially one you drive every day). There can't be that many left at this point.... right? I'm not much for repairs. I prefer to modify.

Broke one transmission mount, 2 engine mount struts, replaced the catalytic converter, installed C6 exhaust tips, new hinge pins for the drivers door, replaced/replacing all locks, fixed broken wires for drivers power window, cut the hood and installed the fiero dash vent with machine screws (its cool, i'll post pics soon), and probably lots of other things I can't remember anymore. You can't own a fiero and only drive it. You have to work on it too. They just seem to require more attention than other cars. I've got ~20,000 miles of wheel time now. I still drive her almost everyday. I love my car. I love driving it and I love that every bolt in it was turned by me at some point.

Earlier this week my coolant reservoir blew its top and had to be replaced also. Coolant all over the windshield and, well, everything else. I guess I found a drawback to the hood vent.

On a good note I've just ordered a pair of ASA AR1's in 17x8 for the rear. This along with a new set of tires and some minor suspension changes coming over the next couple weeks. New tire sizes are 225-50/16 front and 245/45-17 rear. Still lightweight but a little more width in the rear. Then I start the body work. The new job (hehe, 3.5 years now ) is doing great and with a place to do proper fiberglass work I will be starting that after the suspension.

I have a special project in the works for the hood. I plan to start the body work there. I think it will be an "automatic" favorite on the forum.

I'll post a few pics next weekend of the new stance. Later

Edit: ebcaues a cnt tpye tdey

[This message has been edited by Fieroseverywhere (edited 07-19-2014).]

A lot has happened in the last couple weeks. Some good, some not so much.

The good:
Time and budget have allowed some work to be done on the car. A bigger budget then I was expecting too. I'm trying to make a big push on the bodywork but there are a few other mechanical things I want/need to change first. For me bodywork takes a back seat to the function of everything else. He he, fiero joke, back seat I remember those...

The bad:
The 4.9 blew a head gasket. It started with a bad radiator cap and lead to an overheat. Head gasket toast. A new one is going in tomorrow.
Bad tie-rod end has put off the final alignment also. Its better but not great. Front wheels need to be rebalanced again because a caliper shaved a wheel weight. 12" brakes, 16" wheels.

Time to get started...

^^^^ 17 X 8 rear wheels ^^^^


Everything disconnected as usual. Its only been a couple years since it was out so almost everything went smooth.

Another problem to deal with. The engine mount bracket is bent...


It doesn't look like much but its enough to put a dent in the oil pan and cause a leak. Everything is caked with oil. I will repair and strengthen the bracket at work on Monday. I would have done it sooner but I can't get the bracket off til the engine is off the cradle.

And of course the torn trans bracket...


Replacing with the stronger versions made by Rodney.

With everything disconnected I only needed the correct pallet. I had to move the other 4.9 to get it.


Out she comes again. I've stopped counting how many times at this point.



I never posted this before. This is the strut tower modification for the 88 cradle swap. Ground out to clear the welds on the adapter brackets.


While its out I decided to do some work on the engine bay
Before:


After:


Subtle changes only. Can you spot them?

Some of you might have noticed the deck lid is gone. Well, it followed me to work one day...


I am in the process of building a deck lid air-box and a few other mods. Again subtle.

The wife came home. Oh yeah, I got married. Forgot to mention it. Almost 3 years now. She loves to drive the fiero and tries to take it to work sometimes.



Last thing I did last night was remove the exhaust. The manifolds and crossover pipe also followed me to work today. They were in need to some time in the blast cabinet. They also spent some time with a grinder.


When I got home today they got the finishing touches. They still need to be cured. VHT flame proof silica-ceramic header paint. flat black.



Well, she's a bit of a mess right now but I'm working on it. Its been a daily driver for a few years so don't expect too much.


As you can see the paint on the valve covers did not hold up. I haven't decided if a color change is in order yet. Definitely a new type of paint. What works best on magnesium? Anyone know?

Big day tomorrow. I'll post pics when I can. Later.

[This message has been edited by Fieroseverywhere (edited 08-15-2014).]

Almost forgot to post a pic of my new best friend.


I'll see if I can find the pic of him riding in the fiero. He's 115lbs so its pretty funny...

[This message has been edited by Fieroseverywhere (edited 08-15-2014).]