supercharged024

Well, after seeing fieroguru's Fiero LS4 6 speed I guess I just couldn't resist the thought of doing it. Some of you know that the Fiero pretty much used the cradle from a front drive X,A car and just stuck it in the back. Well, The F40 6 speed was also offered in the Saab 9-3, 9-5 with all wheel drive so I began researching the idea. I was originally going to keep the car low tech low budget and simply replace the cars 2.8 with a carbed 3400 and 4 speed manual. I just picked up a complete LS4 from an 06 GXP. Now I need to get a flywheel machined, and of course tons of work to get this all to work. The only info I haven't found is what the gear ratio is of the rear differential from the Saab. When I look all I do get is the final drive of the F40 which is 3.55. If that holds tru for the rear diff I'll make it a bit simpler by using an 8.8 solid axle from a Mustang or something. Anyway, I'll start tossing pics up as I get into this. For now I've had some up on cardomain of the car itself for a while. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/334157...smobile-omega/

V8Rumble

iTrader: (9)

Uhhhh... WOW... I admire your drive, & determination to get this little-known piece of Olds history back on the road again!!!

Gotta say, as much as my project frustrates/aggravates me, I don't think that I would tackle this one... Can't wait to see the video you post of it doing a KICK-@$$ 4WD burnout!!

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

Ok. This I gotta see! Subscribed!

i r teh noobz

iTrader: (4)

I've been following your car for a while. I can't wait to see it done.

fieroguru

iTrader: (1)

I have always thought it was an interesting project and anxious to see you get started with it.

If only there was a way to flip the AWD unit and get it to clear the engine block... then I would do an AWD LS4/F40 Fiero!

supercharged024

Well fg, as you know some cars do run shafts right through an oil pan. I guess that if it's possible for the transfer unit output to run through the front and a shaft can be made to run under/saddling the main cap, mayyyybeeeee! See now you've got my mind thinking again. I'll let you know my thoughts on that as soon as I get the ptu. Gotta earn some more dough now first.

sierrac3_s2000

iTrader: (6)

This I definitely want to see. Looking forward to it coming together.

fieroguru

iTrader: (1)

I might need to run an adapter plate between the engine/transmission so I can rotate the differential housing down to gain more room, but not sure I can get it low enough. From the pictures the output is down low when it faces the rear, so it would be up high when I flip it.

supercharged024

What I mean by running the output through the front in your case is that I am wondering if you can modify the transfer unit as well by machining a new hole that goes through the front side without having to flip it over. I'll let you know if that's possible once I get one.

SpeedyMerrickan

PICS! What an interesting build!

LilJayV10

iTrader: (39)

This has the potential to be epic.

Project GatTagO

iTrader: (7)

Isn't the "final drive" ratio what some manufacturers call the ring and pinion ratio?

Andrew

i r teh noobz

iTrader: (4)

Yessir

supercharged024

I dropped off the flywheel to get the pilot hole machined to fit the LS4. So fg, I'm using the 60V6 Camaro Flywheel. Will I still need to space it further or will it sit back far enough for the disc to be fully engaged on the input shaft? I did get the new dash installed a couple weeks ago. I called a guy to help put in the new windshield this weekend. Just for fun I thought I'd throw in a pic of a model car. This is how my love for cars began as a kid. I still had a few in boxes from years ago so when I had my hernea surgery & couldn't work on real cars I decided to get a few of these done. So anybody else like the 69 GTX conv.?

fieroguru

iTrader: (1)

I think the flywheel you are trying to use is 148 tooth and the ring gear will not fit inside the F40. One guy did use it (3.9/F40 swap), but turned down the ring gear landing and installed a 142 tooth flywheel - there isn't much material left on the ring read landing with this mod, but he has been using it for a couple of years.

With that flywheel, you need to make sure the hub on the clutch disk protrudes to the transmission side to maximize spline engagement.

supercharged024

You're right, it doesn't fit inside the bellhousing. After some thinking the easiest solution is to use the LS4 flexplate for the starter and also as a shim. The outside of the flywheel is being cut down and the ring gear land is completely cut off. I'll show a pic of that when I get it back from the shop. I ordered a Ranger clutch disc from rockauto, now I just need to get a pressure plate that can hold it. Will a Centerforce II be good enough or will I need something else?

supercharged024

I got the flywheel modified to fit but I've been working on the wifes Solar Gold 78TA lately. I've been replacing the quarters. Almost finished with the drivers side. Bodywork is certainly not my favorite part of restoration, but I'll do it only for myself.

cam

iTrader: (9)

Neat. What size are the internals of that Saab front diff? Ring gear dia, axle spines etc

cruisin'73

iTrader: (8)

That Depends, does it have a mini LS under that little hood?

supercharged024

I had to keep myself busy with something light duty shortly after my hernea surgery so that's why I built a couple of my old models. If you think the GTX is funny how about this? A Ford EXP, haha. Seriously though, at least I've gotten the drivers quarter finshed on her TA. I got started on the passengers side which wasn't as bad so I'm only going to use the lower sections of the skin. It should go much quicker.