Ecotec, Fastback, T-Top Build. (Page 6/22)
Lunatic AUG 15, 05:16 PM
Okay, back to the cradle we go. I capped the ends, added two stiffener braces and made mounting points for the trailing arms.




I will machine down a spacer and install it between the two points shown. It'll help to spread the load.
Quad Raider AUG 15, 05:23 PM
Man, those welds are spectacular.

How did you come up with the dimensions for your homemade cradle? I spend a lot of time "shopping" in my local salvage yard and often see aluminum cradles from later-model cars just lying on the ground. Always makes me wonder if someone has tried to adapt one to a Fiero, but what you've done here has me thinking that making one from scratch would be better.
Lunatic AUG 15, 08:36 PM

quote
Originally posted by Quad Raider:

Man, those welds are spectacular.

How did you come up with the dimensions for your homemade cradle? I spend a lot of time "shopping" in my local salvage yard and often see aluminum cradles from later-model cars just lying on the ground. Always makes me wonder if someone has tried to adapt one to a Fiero, but what you've done here has me thinking that making one from scratch would be better.



I too was like you. Looking for a nice cradle, and lower radiator support, etcetera. (I live in the rust-belt area of Ontario, Canada though.) So, it was just easier to make new parts. This way, I could put braces, mounting points, etc where I wanted them. My cradle is a little heavier than a stock piece. However, it's more rigid and my Ecotec driveline is lighter, so it all balances out in the end. Also, on my cradle, with the engine and transmission mounted, I can get at "everything" and there's nothing in the way. It took a little bit of planning but I like the way it turned out. I can drop my starter, alternator, A/C compressor and such very easily. I suppose I could've made it (the cradle) in 6061 aluminum tubing, maybe on the next one!

Another member on here, Ericjon262, had also inquired about a "cut list" of materials used. I'm glad to share this information freely. However, I'd like to reinstall the cradle, and the fast back prior to handing out this information. I know it all fits but I'd rather the community be their own judge. Plus, I'll upload the CAD files (of the 88 suspension and sway bar brackets that I made) to the net. Then all one has to do is make their own engine and transmission mounts. It's not difficult of a job to build a cradle.

[This message has been edited by Lunatic (edited 08-31-2014).]

FieroCustom AUG 17, 11:10 AM
Bookmarked. I'll be watching this one.

------------------
John
1955 Chevrolet 210 Sedan (Shopping list in progress)
1988 SE seized duke...next engine...1996 LQ1 found
~Future 1990 Fiero Clone?
1988 T-Top Coupe rocking 41 MPG!
1986 SE Project Mayhem
1999 F350 Crew Dually ~17mpg city 22 hwy
Wife's 2001 Saturn SL1 51MPG high score

Lunatic AUG 20, 05:37 AM
Some of you may be wondering the weight of this cradle. Well, I decided to weigh the stock 88 cradle and mine. So I'll share the results.
PS-This 88 cradle that I used for comparison is damaged! The car was hit in the side. The only thing missing from the crossmember is the steel plate where the engine mount was.

Cheap bathroom scale with two piece's of 2" x 2" used as a platform. Zeroed out after placing the tubing onto.


88 Cradle on the scale.


88 bare cradle weight = 50 lbs.


My cradle on the same scale.


My cradle weight = 66 lbs.


So as you can see, my cradle is 16 lbs heavier than a stock 88 piece. However, with the lighter weight of the Ecotec and F23 versus the stock 2.5 Iron Duke and automatic transmission, I'm probably close to the same weight overall. Perhaps a little lighter, which is good, but nothing serious enough to upset the balance of the Fiero.

[This message has been edited by Lunatic (edited 08-20-2014).]

Quad Raider AUG 20, 10:02 AM
Your cradle outweighs the stock cradle by 16 actual pounds, and several tons in coolness factor.
Lunatic AUG 24, 08:45 AM
I was busy dealing with the estate and didn't get too much done on the Fiero. I did manage to repair two holes in the floor, install the floor plugs and lay down the jute backing.











I picked up some 18" wheels too! I'll need bigger wheels to clear the 13" rotors that I'm going to install.




Lunatic AUG 30, 02:34 PM
Since I'm trying hard to remove all the crusty parts from my car, I decided a new rear bumper would be in order. So, here it is. 1/8" aluminum.

















And now I'll clean up some light scale with a wire wheel, add zinc primer and add paint. All this in preparation for the 88 rear sheet metal. It was just easier to do it this way. Now I'll have the 88 specific strut towers.

















[This message has been edited by Lunatic (edited 08-31-2014).]

RCR AUG 30, 03:41 PM
Looks like great work.

Bob
fieroguru AUG 30, 06:22 PM
Many years from now this car is going to really confuse someone... 84-87 Vin, but 88 suspension and 88 rear strut towers.

Keep up the good work!