LS4 / F40 swap - fieroguru (Page 28/216)
fieroguru JUN 04, 01:03 PM
The intermediate shaft is now fully welded. I built up the area around the seam and enlarged the OD about 1/4" and then turned it down smooth about 1/8" thicker at the seam. This should help ensure the welded seam is at least as thick as the original tube thickness. This intermediate shaft is 19 1/4" in length.


Also, made the template for the new firewall panel:
blackrams JUN 09, 09:47 PM
Bump back to the top.

------------------
Ron

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 06-09-2011).]

fieroguru JUN 11, 12:51 PM
Took the fastback clip off so the new firewall panel could be installed easier and it also gave me an opportunity to check out the frame rails (been 6 years since the clip has been removed).





They are still rust free! I purchased this fiero from KY back in 2000 and in 2005 stripped it down to the spaceframe and cleaned and repainted the back half of the chassis. The paint looks like it has done its job especially since this car has lived outdoors since for the last 5 years.

Then used the cardboard template and traced the shape of the panel on the sheet metal.


Hopefully, I will get this cut and test fitted this evening.

A large clamp collar is on order for the intermediate shaft bearing housing. I will turn the ID so the bearing can slide into it and then turn a snap ring groove to hold the bearing in place. Then the collar can be welded to the remaining portion of the bracket that bolts to the engine via the stock engine mount holes.

A replacement 12" digital caliper is also on order... I broke the display on my other one...

I only have a couple more weeks to make progress on this swap, before it will go on the back burner for a couple of months. June 26th I have another 88 Fiero coming here for a SBC/Getrag swap.
fieroguru JUN 12, 04:36 PM
First test fit of the panel:





I have marked a few places where I can remove a little more material to even up the gaps and provide room for the panel to expand slightly.
KissMySSFiero JUN 13, 04:28 AM
looks good. What color will the firewall piece be? Why not diamond plate this time?

Are you going to tune the engine yourself?

also, I'm jealous of your chassis.

[This message has been edited by KissMySSFiero (edited 06-13-2011).]

fieroguru JUN 13, 11:19 AM

quote
Originally posted by KissMySSFiero:

looks good. What color will the firewall piece be? Why not diamond plate this time?

Are you going to tune the engine yourself?

also, I'm jealous of your chassis.




I haven't decided on a color for the engine bay yet. Black would be easy, but then most would not notice the majority of the engine bay tweaks, so it needs to be a lighter color that would still go with the blue on the engine. Been kicking around a light gray/charcoal color or even painting it blue to match the body. I didn't do the diamond plate again for a couple of reasons. Cleaning it was a pain, and the polished finish would scratch with just a sponge rubbing over the top. The tread pattern had sharp edges and would also tear up the sponge and leave sponge debris. Then there is the cost of a 4x8 sheet that would only have a single use (I still have the left over portion from the original one) since I do not use tread plate much for anything else. With the flat mild steel panel, the left over material will be put to use **cough - gas tank - cough**.

I purchased HP Tuners and a wide band for this project and plan to do all my own tuning. My experience with mail order tunes (from 3 vendors) on my RamJet swap was just a waste of $$$ and convinced me that I needed to learn how to do my own tunes.

The chassis on this 88 is pretty decent and better than most ($800, base coupe from KY), but it was tapped a little in the front/back and the rear frame rails about 4" right behind the bumper are slightly wavey. I picked up another 88 this year with a near perfect chasiss... only issue with it is someone cut a hole in the driver side frame rail with a torch to fix the rear cradle bolt. Even with that hole, this other car has an even better chassis... I just haven't decided what that car will get.

[This message has been edited by fieroguru (edited 06-13-2011).]

dobey JUN 13, 03:05 PM

quote
Originally posted by fieroguru:
I haven't decided on a color for the engine bay yet. Black would be easy, but then most would not notice the majority of the engine bay tweaks, so it needs to be a lighter color that would still go with the blue on the engine. Been kicking around a light gray/charcoal color or even painting it blue to match the body.



What about aluminum or silver? I know it's been done before, but Rickady88GT's engine bay is sexy in that color.
fieroguru JUN 15, 07:05 PM
Finally got around to making the bearing holder for the intermediate shaft. The ring is 1/4" thick around the bearing and had a machined lip on one side and a snap ring groove on the other. Now I can weld this bearing holder to the rest of the bracket (once I finish making it).
qwikgta JUN 16, 09:49 PM

quote
Originally posted by dobey:


What about aluminum or silver? I know it's been done before, but Rickady88GT's engine bay is sexy in that color.



I always loved that engine bay, and I love the use of factory stickers too. I would not normally use stickers, but in that case, it looked good. Thought about re-doing mine and using LS3 type of stickers from a vette or camaro.

Rob
fieroguru JUN 18, 11:49 AM
Intermediate shaft bearing holder is now complete: