Here's the '84 I've been working on the last few months. This is the one that I converted from a 4-speed to a 5-speed, etc.

I put those wheels on in the last couple of days, and in case you've noticed, yes, those rocker panels are white. I want to paint them when it warms up a bit, but in the meantime the car looks better with white rocker panels than with none. (After seeing what it looks like with white rockers, I think it would look good if the rockers were painted a lighter shade of silver/grey than the rest of the trim, rather than exactly the same.)

I plan to put the hood (with the custom vents) from my GT on this Fiero. A rear wing or a custom rear spoiler are also in the works. I'd like to lower it a bit as well.

I took it for a test drive today as I suspected the passenger side front caliper was binding somewhat. (The only caliper I haven't already changed.) The car handled fine, but after a few miles of driving the one brake rotor was HOT. I'll need to change the caliper and hose on that wheel.

Clynt, ol' buddy. I'll need to borrow your flare nut wrenches one more time!

 I do have to say that car looks amazing.  You have done an awesome job on it.

I'd also like to comment on the cut springs post.

      The master suspension guru at Pontiac Racing.  Did exactly that, he cut 1 coil from the front suspension and claimed, Pontiac was dumb for not doing it in the first place it was one of the most effective mods you could do to any early Fiero.  You can leave the rear springs stock or order just the rears from JC Whitney for less than $100.

Car-2-Lo wrote: From your fleet of Fieros, what are you driving to the next meeting ?

If the weather cooperates and I get the caliper changed, perhaps this one.

Dr.Fiero wrote: Is this the 'un-insurable' car that you were hunting down the papers for?

I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that it may incriminate me.

Romeo wrote: Naw, just cut the springs with an angle grinder.

Actually, that's just what I'm planning to do!  

Capt Fiero wrote: I do have to say that car looks amazing.  You have done an awesome job on it.

Thanks Dave. The pictures were taken from the most flattering angles and a lot of sins can't be seen, but I do see promise for it.

My planned changes to the hood, the rear spoiler/wing, paint touch ups to the rockers and elsewhere, and chopping the springs should make a real difference.

I'm real happy with how well it goes, even with a duke. Driving a 5-speed again is SO much fun!

       Yep kinda like many things, the people that can grab a stick in there hands, it just somehow makes the world a better place. 

  If you think you are having fun with that stick, you should try a stick with some muscle behind it, the bigger the stronger, the more punch behind the stick its always better.

      Ok enough with the dirty talk.  Driving a 5spd is a ton more fun when you can slide the clutch out grab the next gear and go for more.  Its just the way cars were meant to be.     Auto's have there place in life, for those people that just want to cruise and have a fun car.  However those that really want to "DRIVE" their cars, a manual trans is the way to go.

Dr.Fiero wrote: If you want to have the appearance of it being lowered, make the rockers darker than the body.  If you do them white, it'll look even higher!

John, I was wondering about that myself after seeing what the Fiero looks like with the white rockers.

I did some photoshopping and I have to say that I think you've got it backwards.

Seriously though, the problem with dark rockers, especially black, is that they blend in with the shadows under the car and therefore "disappear". This gives the impression that the aero trim along the bottom of the door (and along the other side panels) is the "bottom" of the car, thus making the car look higher from the ground.

On the other hand, a lighter colored rocker panel stands out against the shadows under the car and therefore makes the car look lower.

I don't want white rocker panels on this Fiero, but I think a light silver/grey on the rockers would look sharp along with the rest of the darker silver/grey aero trim.

And I want to chop the springs to actually make it lower.

Capt Fiero wrote: If you think you are having fun with that stick, you should try a stick with some muscle behind it, the bigger the stronger, the more punch behind the stick its always better.

We are talking cars here, right?

I know all about driving powerful cars with manual trannys.

Remember Dave, I'm old and I've owned cars since 1974. Among others, I've had a '67 Chevelle SS396, '70 Nova SS, '78 Z28 Camaro...

You're preaching to the converted!

Yes, I'd still like a V8 Fiero, but for now I can be content with a 2.8 or even a duke!

By the way, my '67 Chevelle SS396 was a monster and would've kicked the ass of any 4.9 Fiero.

Romeo wrote: Patrick wrote: Romeo wrote: Naw, just cut the springs with an angle grinder. Actually, that's just what I'm planning to do!   Once you're done lowering it, don't forget to put NOS stickers on it. Each one adds ten horsepower!

I don't get the connection. Seriously, what's the problem with cutting the springs? I'm talking like one coil here, maybe a coil and a half.

Or do you prefer the four wheel drive bush buggy look?

Paint the ground effects the same colour as your wheels

My opinion only

Marcel

marcelvdgn wrote: Paint the ground effects the same colour as your wheels

That's exactly what I thought I'd do with the rocker panels while I was photoshopping and trying different colors!

By the way Marcel, those are the rockers I bought from you almost two years for my GT. For one reason or another, I took the rockers off this '84 and put them on the GT instead, and now your rockers are on the '84. It's a complicated world.

Patrick wrote: Romeo wrote: Patrick wrote: Romeo wrote: Naw, just cut the springs with an angle grinder. Actually, that's just what I'm planning to do!   Once you're done lowering it, don't forget to put NOS stickers on it. Each one adds ten horsepower! I don't get the connection. Seriously, what's the problem with cutting the springs? I'm talking like one coil here, maybe a coil and a half. Or do you prefer the four wheel drive bush buggy look?

You are joking, right?

Romeo wrote: Patrick wrote: Romeo wrote: Patrick wrote: Romeo wrote: Naw, just cut the springs with an angle grinder. Actually, that's just what I'm planning to do!   Once you're done lowering it, don't forget to put NOS stickers on it. Each one adds ten horsepower! I don't get the connection. Seriously, what's the problem with cutting the springs? I'm talking like one coil here, maybe a coil and a half. Or do you prefer the four wheel drive bush buggy look? You are joking, right?

About what? About you preferring the "four wheel drive bush buggy look"?

Yes, I'm kidding about that.

As reported in http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?FID=1&TID=1960&PN=1&get=last - This thread , I finally got around to dealing with the lowering of the '84.

Here's what it looked like once I had one side apart up front...

And here's the options I had in regards to front spring replacement...

On the left is the factory spring (DMF) that I took out, the middle spring is from Intrax, and the spring on the right is a Suspension Techniques unit.

I'll leave you all in suspense for awhile before I tell you what I eventually used to lower the front of the '84.

Right now I'm headed out to do the back!

Cool.. looking good!  Did you have to use a spring compressor to get them off/on?

Oh and before/after pics are req'd

i say use the st springs, gives a nice stance, expecially with 14" wheels, I loved how my car looked with the little rims (stance wise that is)

Austin wrote: Did you have to use a spring compressor to get them off/on?

The fronts? No need to. Just undo the lower balljoint and then lower the control arm with a jack (with the car/cradle being supported). The bottom of the spring will then hang up on a lip. Clynt wanted me to just pry the spring out of there without taking any precautions, but it looked like it was still under a bit of tension to me. I didn't want it ricocheting around our work area and nailing one of Clynt’s dogs! I put a chain around the spring and I’m glad I did. There was quite a bang when I popped the spring out. Other springs in different Fieros may be shorter and/or have less tension, but on this particular ‘84 it was a good idea to use the chain.

A spring compressor is certainly necessary when removing the spring from the rear struts.

Austin wrote: Oh and before/after pics are req'd

Well, you've already got the "before" pictures at the start of this thread which show the mega-gap above the tires in the wheel wells. There'll be a few "after" pictures coming.  

Fire451 wrote: i say use the st springs, gives a nice stance, expecially with 14" wheels...

My '84 currently has 16" wheels with 225/50 on the back and 205/55 on the front. (It works out they have the same diameter as each other.)

Patrick wrote: A spring compressor is certainly necessary when removing the spring from the rear struts.

Oddly enough, I have never needed a spring compressor on any rear spring.  I just undid the nut and it popped up about 1/2"  Installing the lowering springs was also just a drop in, push down thread on the nut and install in the car.

Another trick if you are really worried, is undo the nut on the strut while the car is still on the ground That way as you raise the car it slowly releases tension as you jack the car up.

Dr.Fiero wrote: Rears - I sit on them, and undo the nut (works great assembling them that way too - just sit a bit harder to compress, and spin the nut on).

Please do NOT post the video of you doing that procedure.

Dr.Fiero wrote: Then one day I actually read the GM manual (!!!)

Sorry, you'll now be required to turn in your man card.

Romeo wrote: Next up on Patty's list: 19's front, 20's back. Right?

No.

Okay, here's the back all apart.

Here's three back springs lined up. From the left... stock (NWY), stock (NXD), Suspension Techniques.

And here's my able assistant, Clynt's dog (one of 'em)... Sam.

I'm purposely holding off reporting what springs I used. I'll take some pictures of the actual car and how it now looks... and then I'll reveal what was done.

No comments from the peanut gallery!

Capt Fiero wrote: I'm betting he cut the stock coils and is trying that first.

Shouldn't you be packing?

Patrick wrote: Capt Fiero wrote: I'm betting he cut the stock coils and is trying that first. Shouldn't you be packing?

Yep however have a little issue we can't find the trailer keys. So I can't hook it to the Blazer and all the stuff won't fit in the blazer and my 88. 

Capt Fiero wrote: Yep however have a little issue we can't find the trailer keys. So I can't hook it to the Blazer and all the stuff won't fit in the blazer and my 88.

Oopsie.

Patrick wrote: Oopsie.

Uh oh? What'd you break?

Austin wrote: Patrick wrote: Oopsie. Uh oh? What'd you break?

The "Oopsie" was in regards to Dave's trailer keys being lost. I've since edited my post to avoid future confusion.

I've returned to this thread after a long absence because I have some exciting news, but first an update.

Patrick wrote: I'm purposely holding off reporting what springs I used. I'll take some pictures of the actual car and how it now looks... and then I'll reveal what was done.

Here's a shot (from a frame of video) taken at one of the autocross sessions last fall...

It's probably no secret now after all this time, but yes, I used the stock springs with two complete coils cut off front and back. I'm very happy with the stance, and with the Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks/struts, the ride is nice and firm.

------------------------------------------------------------ ---

So what's the big news, eh?

It's only taken me 6 1/2 years since I bought it, but the '84 is now finally running, registered, AirCared, and... drumroll please... insured!

I gotta show you the AirCare readings. Clynt helped me install a "lightly used" cat I bought on eBay for 20 bucks, yes $20, and that included shipping.  What can you get for 20 bucks? Well, take a look at these readings!

The previous readings (which failed) were with no cat. But man oh man, look how low the current readings are. Far lower than they've EVER been!

The duke is ready to rumble!

I've mentioned his name briefly already, but I gotta mention it again. Clynt has been a lot of help with this car. If it wasn't for Clynt and being able to use his yard (and hoist, etc), I could not have resurrected this car. Thanks very much buddy!

I like that height for sure!  You say it's nice and firm...eh?  Can you imagine what my 18's ride like? .

Looking Good.

kharmata wrote: Looking Good.

Thanks Kevin.

With a little (okay, a lot) of help from John Carlo, I'm hoping to improve/finish the rear deck, spoiler, hood and nose. Should only take a weekend or two, eh Johnny?

Patrick wrote: I used the stock springs with two complete coils cut off front and back. I'm very happy with the stance, and with the Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks/struts, the ride is nice and firm.

I was discussing installing sway bars and custom end links with Colby on page 4 of  http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2484&PN=1&TPN=1 - This thread , and I went out to look at my factory end links. Something else caught my eye. See anything unusual in this shot?

The bumpstop is sitting right on my lower control arm!  No wonder the ride is so "firm"!  I guess I haven't had a close look at my suspension since I lowered it while the suspension was compressed.

I may need to make some alterations here...

kharmata wrote: When I lowered my SE I sliced off almost 1" of bump stop.

Kevin, did you happen to notice how much you could actually get away with when cutting off the bumpstop? There needs to be some rubber left there obviously to prevent metal on metal impact, but could you have removed more than an inch?

Thanks Colby. I've seen that page, and that's exactly what Clynt did to his choptop. However, I don't have the required tools to cut and weld that metal "cone" on each side. (Being the good guy he is, Clynt probably would've helped me with this, but he's recently moved and no longer has a "shop" in his backyard.)

I was hoping that simply cutting down the rubber bumpers (like Kevin did) would be enough, but I won't really know until I can at least take a closer look at what I'm dealing with.

[EDIT] Continued http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2542&KW - Here .