archie is gettin bashed on streetfire? (Page 17/53)
DrCPU MAR 15, 12:14 PM
Just my 0.02 worth. I have a crate V8 conversion (350/330hp at crank) from Archie with a TPI with siamesed runners. The exhaust is cast - and I picked it for a reason. In Daytona I posted 238hp and 309lbs Torque. I expected more HP - but to be honest, the car has base tuning and has never been tuned for highest horsepower. The biggest problem with TPI is finding someone who can tune it in the Greater Toronto Area.

I am thrilled with the performance and the torque is the big bonus for me. From a standstill the engine and 6 speed keeps you glued to your seat. The other reason I picked the package was for the reliability. I can't wrench on my own car - so the last thing I need is a problem engine. I also have to pass emissions every two years. I passed last August. If I can't pass the emissions I can't drive the car. A completely tuneable computer would be a better option for me to go with - but I'm very satisfied with it as it stands. I only ran a drag race once - 10 days after getting the car and posted 12.8 at about 110mph (179kph) - but everything was new to me and I shifted way to late all the way down the strip. Could I get low 12's - I'm sure with practice I could - but I just love driving the car.

Could I have done better with a 3.8 - stage 2 or 3? Maybe. Would it have been cheaper? Maybe. I'm an old fart who loves the big displacement engines rahter than high reving - big inches mean big torque - enough torque to rip stumps outta the ground.

Archie's customer service (in my opinion as one of his customers) is second to none and he stands behind everything he sells. I have to many specifics to list - but just say that I'd be back to him for an LS2 or LS7 convertion if I ever had the money. Money isn't the most import factor - I want someone who has a history of great service.

Do I have the fastest car around. Never did and never will. Is it enough for my tastes - you bet it is. I took a few pictures of an F40 replica in Pigeon Forge, Tennesee as a FOCOA event in 1989 (i think). I knew from that day on - I needed a V8.... Guess who did the work on the F40?





I'm hoping everyone appreciates these pics are almost 20 yrs old. The twinkle in Shawnbag's parents eyes was but a fading memory - and since then a constant source of embarassment and a source of constant pain. Archie already had and has kept a thriving business going in the Fiero community from before that show. I don't know of too many other businesses that still exist from back then - that catered to such a small (relative) group.

The best compliment anyone can give a company is this - "Would I do it again knowing everthing I know today?" The answer is "Yes, in a New York minute".
Archie MAR 15, 12:42 PM

quote
Originally posted by DrCPU:
..........
Do I have the fastest car around. Never did and never will. Is it enough for my tastes - you bet it is. I took a few pictures of an F40 replica in Pigeon Forge, Tennesee as a FOCOA event in 1989 (i think). I knew from that day on - I needed a V8.... Guess who did the work on the F40?





I'm hoping everyone appreciates these pics are almost 20 yrs old. The twinkle in Shawnbag's parents eyes was but a fading memory - and since then a constant source of embarassment and a source of constant pain. Archie already had and has kept a thriving business going in the Fiero community from before that show. I don't know of too many other businesses that still exist from back then - that catered to such a small (relative) group.

The best compliment anyone can give a company is this - "Would I do it again knowing everthing I know today?" The answer is "Yes, in a New York minute".



Wow, great pictures.

That was my 1st F-40.

The most I can remember from that weekend was how freekin hot it was. And the pig roast being held inside the hot swimming pool area with no place to sit & the clorine smell.

That's the skinny Archie with the white shirt & sunglass holder in the pocket.

I had my 328 there also. We went from there straight up to National Trails dragway to participate in the Kit Car Magazine Run-N-Gun event the next weekend.

I didn't take many pictures back in those days, that's when you thought life would last forever.

Thanks Dave for the memories & reminding me of the good old days when if someone wanted to insult you, they had to do it to your face. Now the pussies can do it hiding behind their keyboard.

Archie

[This message has been edited by Archie (edited 03-15-2008).]

crzyone MAR 15, 12:43 PM

quote
Originally posted by fieroguru:
All the swaps that have been documented to have lost 100 hp to the wheels fall into 3 catagories:




Nice post. I would also like to add that most SBC swaps I've seen have crush bent exhaust pipe. You can only flow as well as your most resteictive point so this will also hurt power production.
ferrobi MAR 15, 01:00 PM
Love the pic of Archie's first F40 - I have to say he does and did great work.

Rob
Blacktree MAR 15, 01:04 PM

quote
Originally posted by KennyC: Perhaps I am mis-reading this.... but the loss of power through the driveline... umm.... last I knew archie wasn't making the transmissions, etc, just the adaptor plates and hardware to make the pieces bolt together.... it's still up to the owner to select the components. Nothing to be addressed within the kit about that one....


Didn't ya know? Archie's adapter plates are made of a special material that absorbs horsepower.

The previous sentence makes about as much sense as half the posts in this thread.

Enjoy!
Archie MAR 15, 01:10 PM

quote
Originally posted by crzyone:


Nice post. I would also like to add that most SBC swaps I've seen have crush bent exhaust pipe. You can only flow as well as your most resteictive point so this will also hurt power production.




You know, this is getting to be old.

It's time you guys get real & tell the truth.

Crush bent exhaust has the ripples on the insides of the radii. I've never had an pipe bending machine that did that type of bend.

The exhaust systems that I've sold are totally optional. Most of my customers buy my Economy kit. That kit doesn't include the exhaust system.

Once I ship a kit, I have no control over how it's assembled or what parts a customer chooses to use.

Did you ever once consider that the exhaust systems you've seen were supplied by the customer?

It seems like the only people who complain about my kits or the cars I've built or the parts I supply are people that don't even have one.

I'm pretty well fed up with these freekin experts that have no 1st hand knowledge of my kits, my customers or what we do.

Archie
Leafy MAR 15, 01:13 PM

quote
Originally posted by DrCPU:

Just my 0.02 worth. I have a crate V8 conversion (350/330hp at crank) from Archie with a TPI with siamesed runners. The exhaust is
cast - and I picked it for a reason. In Daytona I posted 238hp and 309lbs Torque. I expected more HP - but to be honest, the car has base tuning and has never been tuned for highest horsepower. The biggest problem with TPI is finding someone who can tune it in the Greater Toronto Area.

I am thrilled with the performance and the torque is the big bonus for me. From a standstill the engine and 6 speed keeps you glued to your seat. The other reason I picked the package was for the reliability. I can't wrench on my own car - so the last thing I need is a problem engine. I also have to pass emissions every two years. I passed last August. If I can't pass the emissions I can't drive the car. A completely tuneable computer would be a better option for me to go with - but I'm very satisfied with it as it stands. I only ran a drag race once - 10 days after getting the car and posted 12.8 at about 110mph (179kph) - but everything was new to me and I shifted way to late all the way down the strip. Could I get low 12's - I'm sure with practice I could - but I just love driving the car.

Could I have done better with a 3.8 - stage 2 or 3? Maybe. Would it have been cheaper? Maybe. I'm an old fart who loves the big displacement engines rahter than high reving - big inches mean big torque - enough torque to rip stumps outta the ground.


Do I have the fastest car around. Never did and never will. Is it enough for my tastes - you bet it is. I took a few pictures of an F40 replica in Pigeon Forge, Tennesee as a FOCOA event in 1989 (i think). I knew from that day on - I needed a V8....




That's fine I can completely appreciate and respect your engine choice and the reasons behind it. You have gone for what you like and envisioned, and aren't claiming outrageous HP numbers like Alot of fellow SBC'ers. You know that there are faster solutions out there and aren't afraid to swallow your pride and admit that. That's respectable. There's definitely an appeal to having a big V8 in a small car like the Fiero. Kudos to you for picking what you like and being honest about it.

It's the outrageous claims that bother people. In the Information age, no one goes unchecked, people like proof to back up claims. In short, it weeds out the BS'ers from the True Enthusiasts. You can be an enthusiast at your own level, owning a 238hp SBC Fiero can be an enthusiastic experience to the right person, but it's not for everybody, and these days with technology on our side, definitely not the the fastest or easiest way to go.
DrCPU MAR 15, 01:45 PM

quote
[B] You can be an enthusiast at your own level, owning a 238hp SBC Fiero can be an enthusiastic experience to the right person, but it's not for everybody, and these days with technology on our side, definitely not the the fastest or easiest way to go.



You assume too much when you say I'm swallowing my pride and say I have a lesser car. I have a beautiful and unique car.

Only the young, with unlimited access to cash and time, can continually try to have the best/fastest for all time. Ask Dan Marino about most of his "records".

I had a budget and an idea. I never ever said a SBC was the only way to go. For me it is. I was lucky that Archie had just tested the 6 speed and I was able to change to that from the old 5 speed. It's all about timing. I'd likely opt for an LS2 TODAY. But in August of 2005, the LSs had just started.

Same for the exhaust. Archie supplied the exhaust and I picked cast to avoid all the header crack issues that come up. He said I could open it up with a header exhaust and he also told me carb option yeilds higher HP. I didn't want the continual tuning issues - plain and simple.

A local (well respected) mechanic told me I could get 50 more horses easy if I opened up the exhaust with a good set of headers. Maybe some day - bit it won't be to try to impress anyone because my Fiero is ONLY getting 240 down on the pavement. If I wanted to do that I'd simply opt for an dual turbo LS7 and be pushing 650hp without breaking a sweat.

I get real (tm) enjoyment from seeing tons of different solutions. From a superchardged and turboed Quad 4 - to an nicely kept iron duke. Lots of guys have 3.8s here and some have nitrous and more. They can beat me. Who the heck cares. I wouldn't change anything - except the year - for anything else. An 87 in Ontario does not need emissions. Anything 88 and up does - from now to eternity. Missed the cut by one year. I'd do many other things to my set-up if I didn't have to pass emissions. Maybe it's a good thing I need to be responsible.

If Archie sold me my configuration and promised the best/fastest baddest ass Fiero - then I'd be mad. As a provider - he layed out the options and the costs and let me pick what I wanted. He pointed out all the benefits and pitfalls of each choice. Not many shops will do that.

Archie - here are my pics of the 308..





As a closing comment, if I had access to a bay, dyno and a chip progamming tool I could set the engine up to maximise the fuel burn to be eco-friendly and get the best performance out of the enging exhaust combo. If anyone knows where I can get this done - ping me. As for now - I'm happy to pass emissions and have a kick ass car - in my eyes at least - yeah I know I could use new glasses too....

[This message has been edited by DrCPU (edited 03-15-2008).]

crzyone MAR 15, 01:56 PM

quote
Originally posted by Archie:
You know, this is getting to be old.

It's time you guys get real & tell the truth.



It's time you start following some of your own advice.

Here is a picture YOU posted, the bottom left corner is the easiest to see. Clearly a crush bent exhaust pipe. See how it gets skinny as it goes around the bend? That is what is meant by crush bent. Mandrel bends are the same diameter all the way through the bend.

If you don't have a mandrel bender, you deforming a pipe to make it bend.

Your exhaust


Mandrel bends

[This message has been edited by crzyone (edited 03-15-2008).]

Leafy MAR 15, 02:15 PM

quote
Originally posted by DrCPU:


You assume too much when you say I'm swallowing my pride and say I have a lesser car. I have a beautiful and unique car.





I totally agree with you. I Never said you have a lesser car, the car is what it is to you, and you being satisfied with it is good enough for you. Fact wise you agree with me, there are faster methods. which is fine. I'm happy for you and respect your decision on motor, it's not my first choice, but I'm not putting it down because it is what it is.

I'm singling you out as one of the SBC'ers that have their heads on straight. Not making outrageous claims on power that you don't back up. like I said, Kudos to you.