Well, my '85GT officially graduated yesterday from Ryan Gick's (Sinister Performance) school for horse-power challenged Fieros.
I was looking for a stock SC3800 AOD install that will be a solid and dependable summer time daily driver. In real terms only time will tell, with my supplied SC3800 assy being a variable, but first impressions, visually Ryan's workmanship is top notch, first class. Initial drives have been flawless.
Up front I had some requests. Leave the deck lid uncut and the hinge and springs stock (I think he does this normally). Leave the air cleaner and battery stock. I wanted a nice sounding, but on the quiet side, exhaust and Ryan provided exactly what I was looking for on all counts.
------------------ RickN White 88GT 5spd White 85GT (SC3800 Series II w/ AOD) White 99 F250SD 7.3PSD 6spd 1956 Ford 860 Tractor w/ Freeman Loader 20Ft H&H Tilt Bed Trailer
[This message has been edited by RickN (edited 03-13-2010).]
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12:42 PM
PFF
System Bot
AkursedX Member
Posts: 2890 From: Lackawanna NY Registered: Aug 2000
I like the Coil packs being on top too bad I just finished mine to be by the battery.
Stangs don't say that. Mine's stock too. But I'm looking to FieroX for assistance for my next drop in engine. Something a little mild but strong, kinda wanting to retain a little bit of fuel mileage..... And Tires.
[This message has been edited by DIY_Stu (edited 03-07-2010).]
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05:30 PM
AkursedX Member
Posts: 2890 From: Lackawanna NY Registered: Aug 2000
I like the Coil packs being on top too bad I just finished mine to be by the battery.
Stangs don't say that. Mine's stock too. But I'm looking to FieroX for assistance for my next drop in engine. Something a little mild but strong, kinda wanting to retain a little bit of fuel mileage..... And Tires.
The nice thing about the 3800 swaps is that you can make great power and still get great mileage. I still get about 27-28mpg combined on my setup and that's with 3.29 chainset.
As for the tires.......I can't help you there
------------------ '88 GT- 3800 Turbo Best E.T.- 11.654 Best MPH-120.65 gmtuners.com -Build info
I understand that I've opened Pandora's box with this but I'm going to try to resist the temptation for a while. Besides, my wife is using the build as blackmail against some home remodelling so as you can imagine there won't be any play money for the Fiero for a while.
[This message has been edited by RickN (edited 03-07-2010).]
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06:05 PM
nosrac Member
Posts: 3520 From: Euless, TX, US Registered: Jan 2005
I tried to get all the performance options I wanted up front so I would not be trying to add them later but once you get bit by the speed bug it is hard to resist getting more. Expecially since you upgraded the car for the purpose of more speed and driving excitement. I am already going for more power and only had my car back for about a month. I am going to take it to the dyno and then track. I will stop modding for performance when I run under 12.....well that is what I am telling myself.
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08:37 PM
nosrac Member
Posts: 3520 From: Euless, TX, US Registered: Jan 2005
I like the Coil packs being on top too bad I just finished mine to be by the battery.
Stangs don't say that. Mine's stock too. But I'm looking to FieroX for assistance for my next drop in engine. Something a little mild but strong, kinda wanting to retain a little bit of fuel mileage..... And Tires.
Next engine...How close are you to finishing this one? Next to the battery is the CLEAN look so you can admire all the SC beauty. By all the compliments I get my car will be winning lots of shows and hopefuly races too.
I see you had him mount the updated CC module on the install. Glad you posted the picture being I have to mount on myself on a car in a few days. Does the cable just route around the stryt tower to the TB?
I see you had him mount the updated CC module on the install. ...
Well, the only credit that I will take for the install was hiring a talented guy that knew what he was doing and then I got the h*ll out of his way! LOL ...and yes it is routed as you said.
[This message has been edited by RickN (edited 03-09-2010).]
Well, the only credit that I will take for the install was hiring a talented guy that knew what he was doing and then I got the h*ll out of his way! LOL ...and yes it is routed as you said.
Well I give you credit for choosing one of the best swaps to do in the Fiero. You will end up driving the car daily as it takes driving the Fiero to the next level..Then when you drop to a 3.4 pulley it will be all new again.
Well I give you credit for choosing one of the best swaps to do in the Fiero. You will end up driving the car daily as it takes driving the Fiero to the next level..Then when you drop to a 3.4 pulley it will be all new again.
It is amazing how much difference one liter and some boost makes.
If you don't mind my asking, what was the price sticker on the swap? Been thinking of doing one in the future, but want to know how many decades I have to save my pennies for.
If you don't mind my asking, what was the price sticker on the swap? Been thinking of doing one in the future, but want to know how many decades I have to save my pennies for.
If you don't mind my asking, what was the price sticker on the swap? Been thinking of doing one in the future, but want to know how many decades I have to save my pennies for.
Ha--it is just money....I heard a kidney on the blackmarket goes for few grand these days...you only need one to live.....
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03:52 AM
DIY_Stu Member
Posts: 2337 From: Republic of TX Registered: Jun 2007
stangs, when you show up here to get the dews i'll have to show you the digital cruise. Very simple install as everything goes to the module mounted on the unit. if your feeding your pcm with a speed input then there's an output for the cruise. If not then there's a buffer you can use instead. mine is getting mounted where to factory air cleaner goes. And i shortened my cable. Not hard if you have a dremel.
[This message has been edited by DIY_Stu (edited 03-10-2010).]
Yesterday I took the day off work for a doctor's appointment in the morning then after lunch, it was an nice day here so, I took a drive in the '85GT. After leaving a friend's home southeast of Indy I pulled out onto a two lane state highway posted 55mph and set the cruise on 60 to head for home. After a mile or two, a pickup truck pulling a tandem axle trailer pulls onto the highway way out ahead of me, by the time I catch up it's only doing 50mph or so but oncoming traffic momentarily keeps me from passing for a bit. When the last oncoming car gets by I pull out into the oncoming lane to pass, floor it, the car down shifts, rpms build, and the car accelerates (under statement). But the exciting part was when I got to the the drivers door of the pickup, as the revs and boost are building, the transmission up shifts and I swear, in my peripheral vision, the truck looked like someone grabbed it and yanked it backwards. Wow!!!
[This message has been edited by RickN (edited 03-11-2010).]
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09:01 PM
nosrac Member
Posts: 3520 From: Euless, TX, US Registered: Jan 2005
stangs, when you show up here to get the dews i'll have to show you the digital cruise. Very simple install as everything goes to the module mounted on the unit. if your feeding your pcm with a speed input then there's an output for the cruise. If not then there's a buffer you can use instead. mine is getting mounted where to factory air cleaner goes. And i shortened my cable. Not hard if you have a dremel.
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09:32 PM
Mar 12th, 2010
Darth Fiero Member
Posts: 5921 From: Waterloo, Indiana Registered: Oct 2002
Yesterday I took the day off work for a doctor's appointment in the morning then after lunch, it was an nice day here so, I took a drive in the '85GT. After leaving a friend's home southeast of Indy I pulled out onto a two lane state highway posted 55mph and set the cruise on 60 to head for home. After a mile or two, a pickup truck pulling a tandem axle trailer pulls onto the highway way out ahead of me, by the time I catch up it's only doing 50mph or so but oncoming traffic momentarily keeps me from passing for a bit. When the last oncoming car gets by I pull out into the oncoming lane to pass, floor it, the car down shifts, rpms build, and the car accelerates (under statement). But the exciting part was when I got to the the drivers door of the pickup, as the revs and boost are building, the transmission up shifts and I swear, in my peripheral vision, the truck looked like someone grabbed it and yanked it backwards. Wow!!!
Drove from Indy to Louisville, KY and back today. 229 flawless miles (a very few city miles on each end) @ 75 mph & 27.5 mpg. Nice highway cruiser. About 3 mpg better than my 2.8 at highway speeds. I wonder if my tire diameter hurts me a little here? I'm not really interested in running larger tires but I'm running 24.2" diameter tires and I'll bet that the 3800 could handle a couple more inches in tire diameter and give some more gas mileage.
[This message has been edited by RickN (edited 03-20-2010).]
Well, I've been driving this thing to work every day, all summer long. The build is still flawless, the engine and transmission -top to bottom, are bone dry. Not a hint of any leaks. Thanks Ryan!
Note: Ryan discussed the typical leak points of the engine with me before the install and I had him fix the usual suspects; new intake gaskets, valve cover gaskets, rear main insert seal, etc.
------------------ RickN White 88GT 5spd (<10K miles) White 85GT (SC3800 Series II w/ AOD) White 99 F250SD 7.3PSD 6spd 1956 Ford 860 Tractor w/ Freeman Loader 20Ft H&H Tilt Bed Trailer
[This message has been edited by RickN (edited 02-07-2011).]
