I'm adding the GT body style to my 88 coupe and am finally beginning the process of putting the rockers and ground effects on. Now, I have all of the pieces needed for the conversion (including the door skins) except for the GT fenders and rear quarter panels.
Can I simply just drill holes in the correct locations so that the ground effects can be installed? Any special considerations while doing this? Would the modified body pieces need to be reinforced after adding the holes?
All you have to do is drill the holes in the right place & proper size. There are locater pins on the ground effects - these holes are fairly critical. Best thing to drill them with is a step bit. HTH, ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver"
Any recommendations on how to best locate the holes for drilling?
If you have access to the panels with the holes (I assume you don't) you can make a paper template. Just measure everything very carefully. The ground F/X pieces fit flush with the panels on the door ends, & overlap the ends of the panels on the wheel openings. Pay careful attention to the "V" in the F/X pieces where they match the body lines at the door & fender & you should be fine. ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver"
Are you keeping the coupe front fascia? Ive fitted FX's to my 87 coupe whilst keeping the coupe rockers, but widened and lengthened them as they're way to short and narrow to work with the FXs... I think it helps tie the 2 very different body styles together.
I'd get the rockers and door skin with its FXs on first, then check everything is level and that your panel gaps are good before you drill any holes. Then strike a level from the door FX's, There was definitely a certain amount of eyeballing involved, but seem to remember using the speed nut prongs on the back of the FXs as a centre punch to mark the areas to be drilled.
Thanks for the comments. I figured a lot of it would be eyeballing and being careful. I suppose that if a piece turned out a bit off it could probably be redone as well (though that might be a pain).
And no, the coupe nose is being replaced by the aero front end. However, I have to say that the way yours turned out looks very nice!
Any recommendations on how to best locate the holes for drilling?
I recently did this to my 88gt as I had to replace one of the fenders w/ a non-gt one. I basically made a tape template off the other side gt fender. It is quite difficult to get the holes in the proper location w/o a template. If there not in the proper location, you will begine to enlarge the hole(s). this will make the GFX piece fit lose.
If you like, I can mail you the template I made, you can use it on both side by simply flipping it over... Or you can wing-it and if the holes become too large, you can glue/tape the metal backing plate in place to secure the GFX in the proper location w/o it being sloppy...
Do you have another side shot where the rocker shows up a bit more. I'd like to photoshop the rocker (just the rocker, not the rest of the ground effects) the same color as the wheels and see what the car looks like.
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02:44 AM
PFF
System Bot
Patrick Member
Posts: 38562 From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Registered: Apr 99
I'd like to photoshop the rocker (just the rocker, not the rest of the ground effects) the same color as the wheels and see what the car looks like.
Did a quick and dirty photoshop of what I had in mind. I"ve never liked black rockers as they often disappear into the shadows under a car and make the car therefore appear to have more (than desirable) ground clearance. All this notchie needs now are some five spoke mags.
The silver colored rockers remind me of the way Vettes were done years ago.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-13-2012).]
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02:45 PM
fieroall Member
Posts: 403 From: Great White North Registered: Feb 2008
Wow I like this look a lot! Do you have a build thread with info on what is involved? Especially how you widened and lengthened the rockers?
Thanks
Cheers! I was intending to start a thread but never got round to it, I'll create one shorlty, took lots of pics of the rockers too.
quote
Originally posted by Patrick:
That looks pretty good!
Do you have another side shot where the rocker shows up a bit more. I'd like to photoshop the rocker (just the rocker, not the rest of the ground effects) the same color as the wheels and see what the car looks like.
Good work with the photoshop =) (I added the orange pinstripe in photoshop in the 1st pic) The rockers and effects were going to match the Borbets at one point. It was a little too close to white for my taste though. But looks good in your pic, i like the 'Vette reference, I always saw the Fiero as the Corvettes younger brother
Here some early on pics.
The white is just primer here...
The coupe rockers roll under so the tend to aways be in the shadows, they're actually a matte gun metal silver.
Sorry to hijack your thread!
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05:06 PM
Boostdreamer Member
Posts: 7175 From: Kingsport, Tennessee USA Registered: Jun 2007
------------------ Jonathan 23K mile '85 notchie w/ 88 cradle, '87 2.8/Getrag, Air, PW, PDL, PM - Still under construction https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/121056.html I'm not a mechanic but I play one in my garage - me Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely - Lord Acton Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not - Thomas Jefferson The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants - Thomas Jefferson
