From the photos above, a rectangular hole square with the ribs on the sheet metal works fine. IMO, you can't make it too big to leave maximum room to get the pump in / out, however I'd avoid cutting through the stiffening ribs.

I like the idea of leaving a corner attached to allow the cutout to be bent over out of the way instead of complete removal requiring screws or an over-sized patch panel to close. I would still apply duct-tape or something to keep it from rattling when bent back into place.

 

The measurements that were going around, I duplicated it on the floor in my convertible Trans Am using those two big creases off the center and I come up with 6 1/2 by almost 9 inches long. I’m gonna send a photo if someone can get back to me I would appreciate it. Let me know that I am definitely on the right track. I would appreciate it. Thank you so much for everyone’s time on this. It’s just that before I cut. I really want to get other people‘s opinions to be a photo attached.

 

i’m getting so confused. I’m being told to cut that. I’m using the first line. It should be going more to the back because on a convertible. The location is further back. I’m getting so unsure about this project and I’m a person that doesn’t not afraid to work on the car I do so much work with the engine transmission, but this is like really getting me nervous. Me it should be further first line. Should I move it or leave it like that what’s your thoughts thank you. So should I move the first cut more go into the back of the car tail light by a couple inches

 

I already posted about this in your other thread, but here it is again:

The cut location is not different because it's a convertible, it's different because it's a 1999-2002 car. The 1993-1998 cars have a different gas tank and a different cut location. If you use the exact dimensions contained in the pictures I posted in this thread, it will be wrong for your 2002 car. The reason I linked you to this thread is because one member posting here (@idahoz28) had mentioned doing this on a 2001 convertible, so that would be the same as your '02 car. I was hoping he (or someone else) with a later car would be able to post some correct pictures for your application.

 

Short of having pics of a '99+ car to go by, you can still get there by cutting an initial hole, then you'll be able to see how much more to cut and in which direction to get the pump out of the tank. You'll have to fab a patch panel, but this would allow making it larger w/ some overlap for sheet metal screws to seal up the hole. No reason to be nervous, take pics of what you find and be the first to post them. Like I said earlier, I don't think you can cut a hole too large. Having more room to work is always a positive.

 

Yeah,

@idahoz28 kinda left us hanging on this. I too am waiting on accurate measurements for my 02, I missed a chance to cut up an 02 firebird at the local pull and save and they don't see many 4th gens.

DaveDog

 

The cut on a GEN 4F body convertible with the updated plastic fuel tank (ONLY) will be when the sheet metal bends down to the thing they call a trunk from there. You want to measure of the crease 6 1/2 inches to both sides of decrease. I will have photos to better understand what this all means the measurements that are posted are for the metal tank which are correct for that application but if your tank is the plastic tank, then the measurements I’m posting are correct which is for the plastic tank 99 to 2002 always always ask around to get the correct tank application on the plastic tank The pump further back towards the the bend on the panel ( see photos )



7 1/4 inches up to the backseat on both sides using those two creases that are even the floor pan has guide you want to measure approximately.

 

Nice job, thanks for the follow-up. So its about as far back as you can get on the flat portion of the hump over the tank, and nearly to the ribs on each side.

 

To be clear for anyone else reading this in the future, the above is incorrect. The specs & pics (higher cut location) shown earlier in this thread are absolutely correct - for a 1993-'98 car. It has nothing to do with being a convertible, nothing at all. The difference is that you have a 1999-2002 car. That is the difference. But you are correct about the lower cut location for your 2002 (as well as every other 1999-2002 car).

Again, being a convertible has nothing to do with it. It's all about model year and the fact that GM changed the gas tank for the later cars. If you had a 1998 convertible and cut in that lower location, you would find it was incorrect.

 

Thanks @ RPM_WS6. I was going to post similar to explain its the year difference, not the convertible difference. I am assuming that was due to the change to a plastic fuel tank in the later year models.

Would probably be beneficial to all to make notes in the non-convertible fuel trap door posts.

DaveDog