Fiero 2m8 LT1 NX Roadster conversion (Page 25/46)
85SE JUN 23, 03:05 PM
Hey Ryan!

Sorry that I haven't posted lately - I haven't been here much myself. Been terribly busy with work plus slowly working on this:


This is the first car I've ever drained the oil out of (though I've done some basic stuff on my Fiero) so it's pretty slow going - learning as I go. The engine and tranny are going to have a home in my Fiero eventually. Lot of time and $$$ between here and there though, like most projects.

Anyway, I can't wait to see your car in paint. I think it's going to look amazing! Those fender flares have got me thinking...

Andrew
Fiero2m8 JUN 24, 11:07 PM
Some progress this weekend, slow but in the right direction.
The front flares are the right shape as it's looking more like a widebody kit.
They are ready for scratch removal and finer sandpaper:




The front antenna hole was glassed in last year and hasn't cracked which is good news, so it got a coat of bondo today:




I was very happy with the blending of the side skirts to the door.
The rear of the door was a little too thick, so I sanded in down flush with the panel behind it.
You have to be careful while using the long block on the doors that you don't press too hard.
Since the panels are flexible it can cause waves (high and low spots):




Here is a shot of the redesigned b-pillar covers and a few tools of the trade:




The rear spoiler fiberglass was sanded with coarse paper to shape and is ready for a coat of filler:




I am trying to stay patient - the paint is the first thing everyone will notice...
Since I've put hundreds of hours into the car already, mostly in the engine bay - I don't want to rush the bodywork.
My plan is to get it as close as possible to ready for paint and then bring it to the bodyshop where they will probably point out more work that needs finishing.
At that time I can negotiate whether I finish it under their supervision or pay the experts for the final prep.

Cheers,
Ryan

BTW nice 4.9 you got there Andrew - you'll learn quick by getting your hands dirty.
If you haven't already I would suggest a Haynes Manual or similar book for that car so you can read and learn as you go.
Fiero2m8 JUL 07, 08:53 PM
Good news today - I've now got an important piece to finishing my project.

First I went to look at a Fiero for sale in Niagara Falls for $300.
It was a red 1984 2.5L 4spd.
Since I really don't have anywhere to store it for parts, I decided to pass on it.
Then I went to see the Father/Son that were building there own car from a Fiero chassis.
It is coming along nicely and has an all metal removeable body.
The roof line and doors are from a TR7 while the seats, floor pan, firewall, engine/transaxle are Fiero.
Tailights are round Ford Fairlane - the overall design reminds me of a Lotus Extige.
Sorry I didn't have my camera, but the orginal design of the widebody fenders with air intakes were very cool (77" wide!).
The wraparound dash is also all original and should look great when done.

Front suspension was Fiero and brakes were Cadillac
He still had his 1985 GT parts car that I bought the decklid off of last year.
With their help, I was able to remove and purchase the windshield surround for $50 (actually I gave $60 because they helped me remove it in one piece undamaged)

I couldn't help but notice the aero style font and rear bumper covers - hmmmmm!
I do like the appearance of my front end, but I might be going back to get the rear cover - haven't decided yet.
The dual exhaust outlets, lower valance to hide my cat's and no bumperettes might look sweet.
However, I would have to redo the rear fender flares with fiberglass to make them fit.
I'm also a little concerned it won't match the side skirts or the front bumper in appearance.

Better decide soon, I guess.
Any input would be appreciated.
Here are the pics of the two rear bumper cover styles for comparison.

My current bumperette cover:




The style I found today on the black 1985 GT (This is Steve's car from page 6, thanks again):




Fiero2m8
Fiero2m8 JUL 09, 07:29 PM
This afternoon I was able to do some work that didn't involve sanding for a change

First I changed over my starter - the Powermaster 9000 was upgraded to the 9004 model.
I just reused the starter block I had previously modified to fit.
The spec sheet for the 9004 is on page 5 of this build thread.
It was a direct swap, just a little longer.
I still badly need a new flexplate, but I can't see how I can replace it without dropping the cradle, so it's still postponed till after paint.

Alright, I went back yesterday and picked up the rear bumper cover off the 85 GT.
I also got an ashtray cover cause one of mine was broken.

Here is the new one, it was in good shape but had been repainted:




This is the bodywork I needed for the windshield frame - tomorrow's project:




Chapter 11, section 15 in the Haynes Manual has a good description of how to remove the bumper cover.
Six phillips screws hold the tailights in, with these out you get access to the top clips:




I found the easiest way to remove the retaining clips was by prying the center pin up with some dull side cutters and then pulling them out.
These clips are also on the underside.
The 7mm screws from the wheelwell liner also need removal along with the marker lights using T-15 Torx to get access to the 7mm screws.
Don't forget to unhook the license plate lights before pulling the cover completely off:




Here are a couple shots with the cover removed:




The fiberglass fender flare was cut with a knife prior to removal:




I did need to transfer the license plate lens to the aero bumper:




And the reflectors - I thought about filling these in but the urethane is very flexible so I passed, but I might relocate them to be flush.
If I do that, I'll want to do the front indicator lamps too - stay tuned on that:




Here you can see a comparison of the two styles of covers - hopefully the cutouts for the tips will be right:




Test fitting the new cover - of course it's gonna require some custom fitting due to the fender flares:




Unfortunately the flares are also going to have to be shortened to end at the skirt like the front ones do:




On the other hand the exhaust tips are both in the perfect location
Drivers side:




Passenger side:




I was very happy with the results - it's an improved look and matches the rest of the skirts nicely.
It also achieved my goal of covering the exhaust.
Now was the last chance to do this mod before paint, and it was well worth the time involved in my opinion.
Best of all, it still clears the car ramps so I will have no issues getting under the car easily (something I was concerned about):


------------------

1986 Fiero2m8 (LT1 NX / 4T60 Roadster Build)
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/071642.html

Winkie JUL 10, 11:26 AM
What did you use to paint the transmission?
Fiero2m8 JUL 11, 07:56 AM

quote
Originally posted by Winkie:

What did you use to paint the transmission?



Hi Winkie - thanks for looking.
I used red engine enamel spray paint - pictures near bottom of page 1.
The transmission was degreased and primed by Mister Transmission.
Here's a shot of it in primer:




Cheers,
Fiero2m8

[This message has been edited by Fiero2m8 (edited 07-11-2007).]

Fiero2m8 JUL 11, 08:46 AM
Yesterday, I got the windshield trim modded and reinstalled.
You have to remove the fender bolts to slide the bottom corners in.
two screws in the bottom held it in position so I could mark the top edge for cutting:




The studs in the top section had to be grinded off to sit flush:




I used my grinder with a cutoff wheel to cut the curve - it did a nice job with no splitters or paint cracking:




Then I spent some time regapping the front fenders and I reinstalled the front shroud:




All the Sunbird convertible parts were reinstalled including the modified interior lamps.
The header still needs to be recovered with cloth or vinyl.
I am going to try and match the tan, if I can't it will be black.
I haven't used butyl rope on the pillars yet - gonna let Standard Auto glass do it during the windshield install:



I'm gonna make a windshield appointment soon, so I reward myself with a cruise between sandings

Fiero2m8
Fiero2m8 JUL 11, 09:21 AM
So here's my solution to redo the rear fender flares to accept the new rear bumper valance.
After looking at the front flares, they stopped at the front apron and side skirts, so I decided to cut my rear flares to match.
I also tapered them in to meet the top of the rear skirt and mechanically fastened them hold them in place so I could glass them:




I also made a decision to keep the rear side markers basically to match the front ones.
This time I built up the flare so that the marker lens with appear to blend and disappear into the flare.
The first step was to roughen up the surface with 40 Grit sandpaper.
Then I layed a few layers of fiberglass cloth.
I decided to use bondo-hair long strand fiberglass to create the desired shape and add more strength.
Here is the cured look prior to any sanding:




Next step was to add a layer of bondo-glass short strand fiberglass to finalize the shape so it is ready for body fller:




Now that I can easily visualize how the finished body will look, I didn't mind having to redo the rear flares.
The lines and overall shape are flowing nicely from front to back - not bad for a budget junkyard body kit.




I think I've got something fairly unique for around here.
Judging by the dozen passerbys that stop daily to check out the project, I'm feeling confident that's my vision is coming to life...

What do you Fierofanatics think?
85SE JUL 11, 08:32 PM

quote
Originally posted by Fiero2m8:
What do you Fierofanatics think?



As you've noted earlier, you can't rush bodywork, but I really want to say "Hurry up and finish it already!"

I think it looks great. I love the flares, I love the fact you went with a GT bumper. I also love how you handled the transition from the doors to the decklid. One of my pet peeves with cutting the top off the Fiero notchback is the up and down and up from fender to door to decklid - particularly from door to decklid. You've handled that really well!

When I'm back to Ontario I have to make a trip to Niagara - see the falls and Fiero2M8

Andrew
Fiero2m8 JUL 12, 11:32 AM

quote
Originally posted by 85SE:

I think it looks great. I love the flares, I love the fact you went with a GT bumper. I also love how you handled the transition from the doors to the decklid. One of my pet peeves with cutting the top off the Fiero notchback is the up and down and up from fender to door to decklid - particularly from door to decklid. You've handled that really well!





quote
Originally posted by Fiero2m8:

The goal is to blend the height transition from the door to the rear deck.
Fastbacks don't have this problem, but most guys wouldn't cut a fastback roof off anyways







Yes Andrew, I tried to make the transition as gradual as possible after seeing a few other solutions that bothered me.
I'd like to see someone make the whole door higher on a notchie roadster to flow the lines from front to rear fenders.
But the Fiero certainly has character and I'm not trying to disguise it as something else.

Be sure to let me know when you make the trip.

Latest progress was just another sanded coat of filler on everything behind the doors.







I have an appointment Monday for the new windshield to go in (weather permitting)
In the meantime, if there's any photoshoppers out there, please post a black version so I can see how the marker lights will look.
Feel free to edit 18" 5 spoke rims in there too...

Cheerio