Real tech discussion on design, fabrication, testing, development of custom or adapted parts for Pontiac Fieros. Not questions about the power a CAI will give.
Boscolingus wrote:To me a pre-88 cradle loaded up with Delrin/AL bushings on the pivot points far out weighs the butchering needed for an 88 cradle install.
When it's done right, there's a ~1.5" hole holesawed in the top of each strut tower and the strut top protrudes through it. With the HMS adapters, it still uses the stock early mount holes.
So the cradle itself can make a difference over new shock/springs etc. on a pre 88, and an 88 cradle with similar new parts is even better again?
For some reason I thought there was a point where the 88 cradle became redundant because of all the new parts added to the old cradle but apparently I'm wrong.
Good thing I don't need extreme cornering ability.
Boscolingus wrote:To me a pre-88 cradle loaded up with Delrin/AL bushings on the pivot points far out weighs the butchering needed for an 88 cradle install.
Boscolingus wrote:To me a pre-88 cradle loaded up with Delrin/AL bushings on the pivot points far out weighs the butchering needed for an 88 cradle install.
Boscolingus wrote:To me a pre-88 cradle loaded up with Delrin/AL bushings on the pivot points far out weighs the butchering needed for an 88 cradle install.
The butchering had nothing to do with swapping in a craddle - that was done for clearance of a 4.0 + NSX 5 speed
Not buying it.
Dude it has a stock 86 cradle. The left frame rail was clearanced for the tranny (impossible to fit otherwise) and the right strut tower was clearanced so the motor could be shoved as far over to the right as possible so the left side axle is not too short. The left strut tower was trimmed for symmetry. There will be plates welded in and smoothed over so the strut towers don't have holes in them.
The Dark Side of Will wrote:I understand what's involved in installing the NSX trans.
Cutting the left strut tower is not necessary. I don't think it's even of any aesthetic benefit.
Having done a Northstar Fiero install, I don't see why cutting the other strut tower that much would be necessary.
As I said above: the right strut tower was clearanced so the motor could be shoved as far over to the right as far possible so the left side axle is not too short. It wasn't required on your swap because you did not use an NSX transmission.
You installed your Northstar with a Getrag which has a narrower diff and the diff housing shoved more to the right. The left side axle is an ok length with the engine in a position that has enough clearance. The NSX has a wide diff and the diff housing is moved to the left more so the axle ends up being very short unless you move the drivetrain over to the right a lot. Also on the NSX the transmission is closer to the center of the car than the Fiero's transmission is stock.