Many of us have done swaps. To change engines often requires that the stock deck torsion springs need to be removed for clearance. Trouble is that when you remove the springs, the remote deck release will work but there is no force to pop the deck free so it can be lifted up. In short you lose the remote deck release function. I've tried to remedy this by using a door popper but there are few places to locate them and they don't exert enough force to pop the latch. Anyone discover anything that works?
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
I have Rodney's deck lift on a LS4 Fiero. While the deck doesn't lift by itself it does lift off the latch when I hit the release button in the cab.
Joe Sokol
Joe: No doubt Rodney makes great stuff. Thanks for the tip but on my setup I can use only one lift strut on the passenger side.( and I do have one there) The SSIC combined with the large CAI setup (4" hose) for the supercharger that I have on the drivers side of the engine negates the use of one there. So you have an LS4 -nice! Always liked them in a Fiero but the complexity of that swap always scared me away from doing one.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
I thought the design intent is: The torsion rods reduce the effective weight of the decklid for easier opening. The rubber trunk seal compression releases the catch when the solenoid releases the latch.
I have no idea what you're talking about... I took out my torsion bars, and my power decklid works just fine.
-Mitch
Do you have that heavy spoiler sitting on the rear of the deck lid?
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
In most cases the release latch on my 86 SE will not raise the decklid at all especially after a few weeks of being closed. I just went out and tried it with a willing observer watching the lid. It didn't move at all and I have the original torsion rods along with a pair of Rodney lifts.
However I can go back and lift it by hand. Sometimes the lid will stick to the seal but it still opens. It appears that the latch operates like an over-center mechanism and once it energized it stays in the release position until you close the lid.
Now that its been open a few times it will raise about an inch when hitting the release. Either way it still opens even if it appears closed. You may want to dig into the archives and find where someone put a Cadillac closer/opener on his Fiero. It raises the lid about an inch or so when you hit the release. When you close it just push the lid down until the latch engages and it will automatically pull it down tight.
I was thinking about doing it to mine but I have too many projects going on.
Spoon
------------------ "Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut
Dennis I only use one lift cylinder on the builds that I do. I have completed 4 LS4 swaps and 3 of them use just the 1 lift cylinder. The other LS4 swap was in a Murcielago kit car.
Joe Sokol
------------------ 85 SE Daily driver with a 3.4 DOHC OBD II 88 Formula/GT 4.9 Allante Intake (My Baby) www.fieroking.com
I've seen one or more where someone made their own set up. They mounted the bottom of the strut much lower so it has lift all the time. There is no easy place to mount them lower so mine go on the shock tower so they are easy bolt on. But someone that wants to make some kind of bracket etc and mount it lower they can get the lid to raise all the way just by hitting the trunk release switch. Weld or drill into the shock tower wall or mount to the rear wall etc. The cruise system also gets in the way some etc.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
Good info. Thanks for all the replies. I guess that it is possible to pop the latch with one strut. Back to the drawing board.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
My 3800 sc car has Rodney's single strut on the passenger side with no torsion bars. It pops open every time, but it does have to be lifted part way up before staying up under strut pressure. I have a Camaro spoiler on it. Likely weighs about what a stock one would weigh.
, neither of my Fieros have poppers.
