The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"

[TopNotch]

Nothing beats a good automatic transmission for driving in traffic. My silver Formula is also automatic, but the 4-speed in the white car will make the 3800 get better gas mileage than the 2.8 in the silver car.

[GTRS Fiero]

To be fair, the 3800's are known for good MPG.  The 2.8?  Not so much.

[TopNotch]

The color on the center console surround was wrong, as can be seen in this picture:

Since the car used to be a 4-cylinder coupe, it wouldn't have had the extra gauges, and would have had a different console surround. So it was obviously replaced with a non-88 surround.

I found some paint at the hardware store that was fairly close to the 88 color, and painted it.

Unfortunately, the Fiero Store doesn't seem to sell exact match paint anymore, or I would have got some.

[GTRS Fiero]

The x88 beechwood looks much better than the earlier brown.

I had thought that the shift surround overlaps the lower portion of the HVAC surround.

[TopNotch]

I had thought that the shift surround overlaps the lower portion of the HVAC surround.

It actually does, but the overlapped part is stepped in.

[TopNotch]

Would this be a bit too gaudy as a replacement arrow?

It's a Pontiac Solstice side arrow.

[GTRS Fiero]

Very sharp.

[MikeMac]

Did the decklid have to be modified to clear the alternator? The 3800sc Series 1 in my '88 required a pretty good slice and the decklid in now warped. This all was done way before my ownership.

[Raydar]

I found some paint at the hardware store that was fairly close to the 88 color, and painted it.

It looks a lot better than what came with it. Not quite as "orange" as the regular beechwwod. (Not a bad thing.)

But I really like how the stereo and EQ look. Is that your install? Or did it come that way?

[TopNotch]

Did the decklid have to be modified to clear the alternator? The 3800sc Series 1 in my '88 required a pretty good slice and the decklid in now warped. This all was done way before my ownership.

There's a notch cut in the brace to clear the alternator. I'll take a picture tomorrow.

But I really like how the stereo and EQ look. Is that your install? Or did it come that way?

The equalizer doesn't do anything, and the radio doesn't sound all that good. I'll investigate that later. There's also a "performance sound" subwoofer housing in the car. The wires from it are not connected to anything.

[Raydar]

...
The equalizer doesn't do anything, and the radio doesn't sound all that good. I'll investigate that later. There's also a "performance sound" subwoofer housing in the car. The wires from it are not connected to anything.

Understand. That's just a nicely done installation. Most single DIN radios don't look as "integrated" in a 1.5 DIN hole. Obviously the EQ helps. 
OTOH, there's no telling WHAT was done behind it.
I'm sure you can improve on the sound.

[TopNotch]

Did the decklid have to be modified to clear the alternator? The 3800sc Series 1 in my '88 required a pretty good slice and the decklid in now warped. This all was done way before my ownership.

This view shows the notch cut in the decklid brace to clear the alternator.

[Fierofool]

If you're looking for a good subwoofer system, Richard Chen may still have the one he removed from his Formula.  It was a good operational unit.  He said he didn't use or need it for the type programs he listened to on his radio. 

[NoMad]

Loving all the details you are sharing. Your build is looking great. Thanks for sharing.

[GTRS Fiero]

Did the decklid have to be modified to clear the alternator? The 3800sc Series 1 in my '88 required a pretty good slice and the decklid in now warped. This all was done way before my ownership.

This view shows the notch cut in the decklid brace to clear the alternator.

Was the decklid re-enforced in any way, to be sure there isn't future damage?