The new life of the formula fastback

[NoMad]

Did some searching and it seems Rodney Dickman sells a shim to tighten the dipstick on the transmission. Looking at the image I am fairly confident I can make a similar shim with a spare penny and my percision file kit. Will try it and report back.

[NoMad]

Going back now and adding photos. Tried PIP but the width restriction meant I would have to resize all my photos just for here. So instead they are links and I might have to updated them from time to time.

[GTRS Fiero]

My eyes are bad.  I cannot see any links.

[Fierofool]

Going back now and adding photos. Tried PIP but the width restriction meant I would have to resize all my photos just for here. So instead they are links and I might have to updated them from time to time.

In order to keep my original, I copy the image then resize it to 1024 pixels wide.  By doing that I can post an image with PIP and also have an image that I can send to someone so they can enlarge to see detail. 

[NoMad]

In great news, I heard from Sage Glassworks today and should be having my side scoops all finished up and shipped next week.

Now I just need to get my butt in gear and get the rest of the side panels and supports I need to do the GT aeros.

[Fierofool]

Have you considered doing a cash and parts swap with Tha Driver for the panels from the Warrior Project car?  Give him your parts and some cash for his parts that already have all the aero trim on it.  You will need to pull all your panels off, anyway because you can't put aero trim onto the present panels. 

[NoMad]

That is actually pretty close to what I was planning to talk to him about once time allowed. Been a very busy spring.

Also, anyone heard from Mike? Sent him a message on his phone but haven't heard anything from him.

[GTRS Fiero]

I corresponded with him a few days ago.

[NoMad]

So it sounds like my side panels will ship this week and I will begin preparing them for paint and getting all ready to go for panel swaps once I have located everything I want for body parts.

Finished adding photos to the old posts so I am sort of up to date in that department.

with the change in engine and transmission oil and the replaced air filter my average on mileage went form 22-23 mpg up to 24-25 mpg. I am guessing it was mostly the transmission oil change as the milky watery stuff that came out couldn't have been doing much actual lubrication. The shifting feel is still very much improved after the change as well.

Lots to do still but progress is being made.  Once back from Oregon the AC will be my number one target as it is getting WAY too hot for me already and I know it will only get worse....

[NoMad]

Been a few crazy weeks of travel and work, but I have managed to work a few small things.

I ended up ordering a new shift and e-brake boot for the car. This triggered me to also order the shift boot bracket to replace the broken plastic one in the car now. Since I was already ordering from Rodney I went ahead and bought the shim for my getreg dipstick rather than spend the time reworking a penny.

Today I went ahead and installed the shim today and now the plug is tight and will keep water from making a second appearence in my tranny.

Also took the time to try and diagnose my low voltage at the gauge issue. At idle I am seeing 12.95v. I know it should be sitting closer to 13.6v so I will have to dig deeper into if it is a ground issue, the alternator, or the odd ball of the starter robbing it away. The real worry is that the car starts fine while cold, but seems increadibly slow cranking when it is hot from running. So now I need to get that sorted as well as the AC.

[NoMad]

Lots of things have been ordered or obtained since the last update.

All my A/C components to include a new H6A compressor and related components has been ordered or is here. Last bit I need for this is a new belt which I will source locally.

Got my rearview camera install finished with wiring finally buttoned up.

Ordered my other electronic flasher so I can make my hazards work again with my LEDs.

Also ordered an aftermarket power door lock kit and switch so I can bring the car into the 21st century in preperation for the BCM install I have planned.

Recieved and installed my shift and e-brake boots from RW Upolstry and am very pleased. He actually threw in a steal boot ring so I now have an extra due to my one I had ordered from Rodney.

A TFS dash recap is ordered and on the way as soon as they have it back in stock.

I have talked with ThaDriver and will be purchasing the body panels off of the warrior project car as well as one of his hood vents. Due to the paint from that car being so good but not the color I had planned I will be painting the remaining portions of my car to match before doing a vynal wrap of the whole car. Best of both worlds really. I will have to dig back through the build thread and figure out which shop painted the car originally. Also need to find the support brackets for the GT rocker panels.

I have also finally decided on interior color scheme as well. Going to stick with the dark grey and black that is currently there with some changes to what panel is what. Going to be adding carbon-fiber accents where appropriate. Not sure the TFS stick on are worth the $280 they are asking though. Next comes ordering the Mr.Mikes covers, deciding on how I am adding heating and cooling to the seats, and getting a bit of replacement trim for down by the drivers door where I broke the existing piece putting it back in after installing the e-brake boot.

I also plan to look into a tint film that will work to reflect and reduce heat gain without being dark. The car just gets way to hot.

Driving great though and doing over 100 miles a day on average the past few months.

[GTRS Fiero]

A TFS dash recap is ordered and on the way as soon as they have it back in stock.

What is wrong with the dash?

[NoMad]

There are several good size cracks and it is sun bleached enough to be brittle. While I do plan to eventually do a different dash, this will be a good interim for a few years.

[GTRS Fiero]

Some people have reported success with using a compound that hardens to a base, then getting that dash upholstered.  I'm not sure what RW Upholstery charges to do a dash.

[Fierofool]

The car was painted by Eagle Paint and Body in Grovetown, Ga., down near Augusta.  They are on our home page and our vendors' list.  I had requested that they use a bright silver similar to a Mercedes Benz color.  It is a brighter color than the Fiero silver but I don't know for sure that it's the Mercedes silver. 

I have always wondered if one could use a thin cloth-backed cowgrain vinyl and using contact or headliner adhesive, bond it to a good clean dash.  It would need to be a thin material to conform to curves and for clearance for the speaker grills, defroster vent and other trim pieces.