Sorry but i gotta ask, whats the story with Archie and Cletus? (Page 10/20)
Archie JAN 10, 11:49 AM

quote
Originally posted by Oreif:


The intake is the same. It comes with the engine. I am using an Edelbrock carb instead of a Holley but generally carbs of the same size but different manufactures do not make any difference when tuned to the engine. I personally don't think it is misleading because the 355 hp rating is at the crank and the 309 hp is at the wheels. There will always be drivetrain loss which depending on the type of trans and the particular set-up can be anywhere from 10% to 20% for a manual and up to 30% for an automatic. (Generally speaking)
I may not have the same exhaust manifolds or set-up that they used, But it must be very close in flow since there seems to be very little (if any) loss due to the exhaust.



OK, Dave let me see if I got this right......

You have the same exact car that we put together for you here.

You've been drivine it for more than 2 years?

It has a stock ZZ4 Chevy crate engine, with the factory rating of 355 Brake hp at the F/Wheel?

It has off the shelf Sanderson Headers, it doesn't have tuned headers?

It has the same 2" Diameter dual exhaust that we put on it. Those pipes were bent on my pipe bending machine here, what some people call crush bent exhaust (even tho my dies don't put the wrinkles in)?

It has the same dual 2" cats that we put on it here with dual 2" resonator tips?

It has a full unmodified trunk area, with no mods to the chassis to clear the true dual exhaust system?

So this Cletus built car with non tuned headers, crush bent true dual 2" exhaust bent tight enough to get out from under the car without mods to the chassis or trunk, is making 309 hp at the wheels & running low 12's???????

All these experts say it can't be done. Why is that?

All these experts say you can't rely on the factory HP rating. Why is that?

Archie
Oreif JAN 10, 01:40 PM

quote
Originally posted by Archie:

All these experts say it can't be done. Why is that?

All these experts say you can't rely on the factory HP rating. Why is that?

Archie



My guess would be that the "experts" are not really "experts".

All I can say is that the dyno done in June of 2005 and the 1/4 mile time from Aug 2006 speak for themselves.

I also know of two other ZZ4 powered Fiero's with similar dyno's and/or 1/4 mile runs.
MstangsBware JAN 10, 08:05 PM
A handfull out of 20 years worth!!!!!
buddycraigg JAN 11, 03:16 AM
i know for a fact that i do NOT have the fastest fiero in KC.
there is a 3800SC that easily beats me in the 1/4 mile and on a road course.
but it has some unknown glitch that they have to depress the gas pedal a little while turning the key to get it to start.

i can reach in the window and turn the key for about 1/3 of a second and my car is rumbling.
that makes me feel like i did a good job putting my engine in.
so i'm happy

EDIT (there's another guy with a N* in town, he wont race. but he might beat me too)

[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 01-11-2008).]

buddycraigg JAN 11, 03:18 AM

quote
Originally posted by MstangsBware:
A handfull out of 20 years worth!!!!!



are you an Archie hater too?
MstangsBware JAN 11, 03:41 AM

quote
Originally posted by buddycraigg:


are you an Archie hater too?



Nah--Just commmenting on what I have read over the years. I mean I maybe wrong but I can only go off what I have read and seen in others post. I have nothing against a V-8 swap, I am working on an LS4 swap now. Nothing like a nice FI V-8 on a strong auto trans that can handle the power and still get 27 plus MPG.
Formula88 JAN 11, 11:11 AM
The ZZ4 hasn't been available for 20 years.

If you did a SBC swap in 1990, you were pretty much limited to a TPI 350 with about 245 HP max unless you started modding it. If you put a 250 HP engine in the car, you should expect about 200 HP at the rear wheels. That's not a design flaw or problem with Archie's kit. It's totally dependant on the engine the owner chooses to use in the swap.

When the LT1 came out in the '91 Corvette, it's 300 HP rating was a tremendous leap over earlier engines.

Today, you can buy a new SBC with anything from about 250 HP to over 500 HP. That lets the owner choose their budget and horsepower level. We have many more options today than we've had in the last 20 years. And not everyone who does a V8 swap has to have the meanest, baddest engine on the planet. For some people, throw in a 250 HP engine and they're happy. That's more than a stock 3800SC and over 100 more HP than a stock 2.8.
Firefox JAN 11, 04:20 PM

quote
Originally posted by Formula88:

.......




Back several years ago, I had the opportunity to spend some time behind the wheel of a LM1 powered Indy Pace Car that Archie had. That was coupled to a 4 speed and that engine combination seemed to be something that should have been an option from Pontiac. I believe that the LM1 was rated at 230 or 240 HP so it wasn't a monster high horsepower car......just a nice, clean, smooth powerful engine. It felt like it belonged in the car. It felt like a stock setup. The 4 speed seemed to have the proper shift points for the power band yet when you stepped on the gas the car just took off. I also spent a bit of time behind the wheel of a carbed V-8 in another Fiero and that was rated a bit higher in HP and rumbled a bit more than that LM1 but that, too, felt great in the car. Kristie ( my honey ) really wants a V-8 Fiero and eventually we'll have one. It's not going to be the fastest car by any means, but I personally prefer the SBC rumble over the 3800 series. Nothing against them as I have many friends with 3800/3800SC motors and they are really nice setups, but for me it's the SBC. No big deal.....I'm just a paint guy. My word doesn't mean much anyway. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Mark the paint guy

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Archie JAN 12, 01:28 AM

quote
Originally posted by MstangsBware:

A handfull out of 20 years worth!!!!!



That is a totally stupid statement.

In the last 20 years we have built about 450 V-8 cars for customers.

Everyone of those cars were built with the engines the customer specified. With intake systems & exhaust systems that those customers approved.

Everyone of those customers were happy enough with the work we did for them that they paid their bill in full when they picked up the completed cars.

What would you suggest that I do?

Should I contact everyone of them and get a notarized affidavit from them that they were happy & satisfied when they rec'd their car, happy & satisfied with the years of service they've had since getting their car & a statement that they guarantee they will be happy & satisfied with all the future use they get from their car.

Would that be what it takes to get 5 or 6 Internet bashers who've never built, driven or rode in one of my cars from talking trash?

Yep, your statement is pretty stupid. Try again.

Archie
Fierotaz JAN 12, 01:54 AM
Well I for one would give you a signed paper! I love this car and with the LT1 and 6speed (IMHO automatics are no fun) I have reached 30MPG on a tank of gas and I have left people eating dust with their mouth wide open. No Dyno or 1/4 time slip needed for me to know this is a fun car that I love to drive!