My 18+ Year Build Thread (Page 9/10)
328 mera MAY 17, 11:29 AM
by the way...

i've read about Corson targa conversion.in nineties


Is any targa kit still available now?

I've heard about B&B targa conversions.

Any rewiew about it?

thank U
355Fiero MAY 17, 03:33 PM
I just bought a 308 replica that had a targa top put into it just last year by Aldino down in the States. I think the guy said he paid about $5k for the targa installation. I bought the car already done but the targa itself looks OK. I need better reinforcing much like Doc John did on his though so make sure you do some good reinforcing before cutting anything on the roof panel.

Find Archie's Finale Convertible build thread for a good write up on how to reinforce before cutting.

Cheers
Don
328 mera MAY 18, 05:08 AM
thanx
328 mera MAY 18, 06:30 AM
so there are still targa conversion kits for sale,aren't there?
328 mera MAY 18, 04:25 PM

quote
Originally posted by Doc John:

Good point. I've driven the car with three distinctly different drivetrains: 2.8 + 4 speed n/a, 2.8 + 4 speed turbo, and LS2 + 6 speed. We all know how the stock 2.8 feels, ok off the line, fair midrange, and out of breath fairly early. It wanted to bog on my car, doubtlessly because of the large (265/50R15) rear tires. Lets all remember, however, that back in '85 and '86 the V6 Fiero was one of the fastest cars on the market - certainly in the top 10 of American cars. It's interesting to see how far the technology has come in the past 20 years - pretty much any new V6 car is faster than any stock Fiero and gets better mileage, too.

The turbo motor was interesting, once you got it to 2500+ RPM it really pulled nicely, esp in second and third gears. It still bogged a little due to the tire size. Putting the Darrell Morse TB and manifolds on it seemed to help the throttle response. I wish I had tried the Trueleo intake on the turbo motor - that might have woken it up even more.

The LS2/F40 6 speed is nothing short of astounding. I'm 46 and I guarantee that I would have killed myself within 6 months if I had a car like this when I was in my 20's. On those occasions when you're not pushing the car, it is incredibly smooth and tractable. No surprises, no headaches. When you punch it, however, it changes personality (think David Banner and the Hulk). It pulls like you wouldn't believe in second, third, and fourth gears. First gear is almost useless, when you're moving you only use it to get the thing rolling and then grab second. It even has some pull left in 5th and 6th.

I've driven real 308's and 328's, their power delivery is totally different. They (esp the pre-QV GTBi and GTSi) are actually pretty slow until you get above 5000 RPM. The LS2 has power to spare RIGHT NOW, it doesn't care if you are at 1800 RPM or 4800 RPM. It feels a lot like a 60's muscle car. Some people won't like that feeling for a Fiero, but for me, it's juuuuuust right.





wow! very interesting!
TommyT913 JUL 23, 02:12 AM
Great read. Great pics. Thanks.
ANTEC900 DEC 02, 10:24 AM
O.o just how much have you spent on the car in all?
Great thread
I want to do something like you did so bad but I think its out of my price range for a few years or more lol
Australian AUG 04, 07:33 AM
Just documenting all this gives it a history. Nice work.
Sage OCT 28, 11:37 AM
Bump cause this is a great thread..a great read...a great guy and a great car! This thread is Grrrrrrreeeaat!

HAGO!
IRMFieroKid JUN 02, 12:06 AM
DocJohn,

I am the eldest daughter of Jim Sutter. I only recently discovered this forum and so far I love that there are so many out there who truly love the Fiero all these years later.

Dad had a stroke in 1999, and he doesn't get out much anymore...so I can't wait to show / read him some of these threads.

I love how detailed your posts were, but I can't view any of the pictures and it would be great to share with dad.

Thanks,
Janet