Fiero 2m8 LT1 NX Roadster conversion (Page 36/46)
seegeer JUN 28, 10:23 PM
awesome build, it gives me hope that mine will be done soon, 2 points i want to ask you about. i love the flares, did you have to do any real modifications to get them to fit, and second that brace you built for underneath. do you have dimensions on that.

now back to the car. i too have taken out the body molding, and mine showed alot of stress on both sides of the door handle. i ended up drilling several holes, then filled with fiberglass filler to fix that problem. hell the panel will come off first..but since you shaved your handles you probably wont have that problem. also are you going to mold the lower portion of your front bumper together. i think it would be cool to cut the middle out, put a large billet grille in there. maybe one of those photo shop gurus can mark something up, but thats just a thought, whatever you do will look great just like the rest of your work.

great car, great work and my wife is mad at you because i was suppose to go to bed 45 minutes ago before i started to read your build..lol

[This message has been edited by seegeer (edited 06-28-2008).]

Gokart Mozart JUN 29, 07:21 AM

quote
Originally posted by Fiero2m8:

The Roadster is down to two colours now with a coat of filler primer added this week:



Fiero2m8



I bet seeing it in two colors is motivating, starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Fiero2m8 JUN 30, 12:29 AM

quote
Originally posted by seegeer:

awesome build, it gives me hope that mine will be done soon, 2 points i want to ask you about. i love the flares, did you have to do any real modifications to get them to fit, and second that brace you built for underneath. do you have dimensions on that.

now back to the car. i too have taken out the body molding, and mine showed alot of stress on both sides of the door handle. i ended up drilling several holes, then filled with fiberglass filler to fix that problem. hell the panel will come off first..but since you shaved your handles you probably wont have that problem. also are you going to mold the lower portion of your front bumper together. i think it would be cool to cut the middle out, put a large billet grille in there. maybe one of those photo shop gurus can mark something up, but thats just a thought, whatever you do will look great just like the rest of your work.

great car, great work and my wife is mad at you because i was suppose to go to bed 45 minutes ago before i started to read your build..lol




Thanks!
The Sunbird Turbo flares are a cheap simple mod IMO.
Here's a pic - All I did was trim back the side mouldings with some snips and cut the bottom edge wherever you want them.
I just used the existing screw holes in the lip to fasten to the wheelwell liner the tension holds them tight to the fender.
I'm surprised more guys don't do this mod:




This is the only picture I kept of the x-frame (it wasn't my design)




I like your idea on the mod to cut the center out and recess a grill - plus for you!
It might give me a better spot to install the front plate as well.
As far as molding the chin spoiler to the bumper, probably not as I'll need it to be removeable for repairs.
I've already used it as a shovel bringing the Roadster to my weekly beach volleyball game (scooped up alot of gravel).
Either tire/rim swap or longer springs are in the plans so I'm not too low in the nose:




Everyone at cruise nights asks about the "softtop"
Here's my current "stow and go" model to keep the thunderstorms out:




No tools required, just roll up windows and close door on them, then tuck in at firewall
Here's a picture of the "spare" installed (yes I have two tops).
Definitely an upgraded tonneau cover is planned but the functionality of this one can't be denied - LOL

Ryan

P.S. Tell your wife I'm sorry - (I can relate staying on the forum too late)!
Fiero2m8 JUL 03, 02:57 PM
Well, I had a little ordeal this past weekend.
I decided to relocate the coil from the alternator bracket to the frame so the new ICM won't get so hot in the future.
As I'm loosening the nut from the alternator pivot stud - SNAP, it breaks off flush with the cylinder head!
Now I've got a much bigger problem and was unable to even drive the car.
After I cooling off period when I was fearing the motor needs to be dropped to fix I looked at my options...
Easy-out (never going to work as the stud has been in there since the 90's and it twisted in half before turning in the head).
So the other choice was to drill and tap a new bolt.
Hardest part was fitting a cordless drill in there, but once in I CAREFULLY drilled with a cobalt bit hoping not to drill too far.
Then tapped a M10x1.5 bolt to reattach the alternator bracket - here is how it looks now:




After all that, I was able to mount the coil and ICM here and the coil wire still reaches:




Then I trusted my handywork and drove to Sherkston Beach for the afternoon with no issues.
First time on the beach with the car and I got more gawkers than ever parked with the LT1 Camaro's from New York State.
On the cruise home I rolled over the odometer to 68,000 KM's (it's something fun to watch that is missing on new cars).
So far this season I've driven about 900km even with the price of gas @ $1.39/L
Hopefully I can get back to bodywork soon.
seegeer JUL 03, 05:33 PM
well i caught hell again from you reading your build on our vacation....lol.. i can really relate to you when u come across set backs like that broken bolt, i recently had some trouble with my body work, as far as your car goes, have you ever considered a removable hard top, something like that off of an mr2 or miata, for the front if you cut the front out, maybe you could build an induction box in the front, its hard to describe, plus thanks for the plans on the cross brace
spence
Fiero2m8 JUL 05, 09:29 PM
Yes, I have considered a removeable hard top and may still attempt one in the future.
In the meantime I've been working on the front air dam.
I started by opening up the hole with a sawzall and trimming it up with the angle grinder:




I decided rather than just a grill across the opening, I would install side diverters to the rad.
This design might solve the headlight doors opening at speed.
I made a template with cardboard and cut them out of an aluminum grilled sheet Bubbajoe gave me.
I also tested out a location for the front plate bolted to the metal crossbar behind the bumper:




Here's a shot with the aluminum installed and more finish work and sanding on the repaired chin spoiler completed:




Now it's sprayed with a coat of filler primer.
I'm open to suggestions on the plate location (wish we didn't have to run one here) as it's currently in the windshield:



Fiero2m8
fieroguru JUL 05, 09:39 PM
Holy Radiator Openings!!!! It is HUGE and I like it!

I ran with my front plate in the windshield for years until I moved to KY - no front plate state!
Fiero2m8 JUL 05, 09:50 PM
Well I finally decided that the rear marker lights had to go.
I cut the molding at the edge of the tailights and grinded the rest of it down.
With the marker lens removed I fiberglassed the holes with cloth, then long strand filler.
After it cured, short strand fiberglass filler and finally a skim coat of body filler was sanded on both sides.
Now it's primed and ready for finish work with the rest of the quarter panels.
Here's a few pictures of the progress:







I will probably remove the front marker lights as well.
Since they are also indicator lights, I need to find some suitable replacements at the wreckers I like first:



Also I found some aftermarket Neon rims that I liked but they were already sold.
Still looking to replace the one on the car as I've currently got them advertised for sale.

Ryan
Fiero2m8 JUL 05, 09:52 PM

quote
Originally posted by fieroguru:

Holy Radiator Openings!!!! It is HUGE and I like it!

I ran with my front plate in the windshield for years until I moved to KY - no front plate state!



Nice!
Yeah it looks Widemouth Bass or a rally car.
Hmmm - maybe room for an intercooler
seegeer JUL 05, 10:07 PM
looking good, i definitly like that opening, i posted some markers lights im going to use in my post, you can get them from ebay for 11 bucks shipped...