West Coast $2009 Challenger - AWD Fiero Hybrid

Is he sure he didn't put the decimal in the wrong spot or add 1 too many zero's?

Makes my donation look more kinda paltry...

Either way Bryce you deserve it, that build is killer!

I

Love

GRM...Nuff said

The car is killer. We wanna see it compete. Just wish I could have done more.

I'm definitely going to be putting my sticker's on that Fierohybrid when I get to Florida! Anyway, when you calculate what I saved by not towing my car over the grapevine both directions to San Diego, it's not too far from that amount anyway! Damn I need a turbo diesel!

I posted another video from the drag strip on youtube. This is the very first pass I made with the car at the strip. Actually, this is the first time I put down full power with the car in AWD mode through more than first gear:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFekcI919Jc

I was pretty pleased with the results for the very first pass. Actually, this was my fastest pass of the night (9.36 at 69 mph). The runs were fairly consistent, all things considered, with my runs all being within .2 seconds of each other.

The entry form was sent in per Margie's suggestion. Wade's donation has got me very close to being ready to pull the trigger, but I'm not quite there yet. On that note, I want to be clear that each and every donation is appreciated, even $8.42 helps! Wade's donation is obviously very cool, but without all of those smaller ones adding up, his wouldn't be so significant. Thanks to everybody who has been helping out, I hope I can live up to the hype!

Tonight I started working on improving the wire routing and coolant plumbing for the EV system. Both of these systems are functional, but need some cleaning up to reduce clutter, weight, and cost. I am nervous to be fixin' what ain't broke so close to the challenge, but word on the street has it that I still have a lot of beautification projects to do, plus I'll be able to cut about $30 out of my budget that was previously used for hoses and fittings.

Bryce

As usual I added my 0.02c...

I have to be at a wedding on Saturday, but I have some time Sunday and/or Monday to help out. I am totally willing to bring the 12-speed polisher and work on the detail

Thanks a bunch aussies!

Michael, I'll have to keep you posted. I'm also at a wedding on Saturday, not sure when I'll be getting back into town on Sunday, but probably not early enough. Monday would probably be good, since I'm off work for the holiday. What is it with people and their summer weddings? Don't they realize that I need to take advantage of the long days and warm weather to get car work done? Sheesh!

Bryce

I hear you man! I don't even know the person who's getting married Saturday. My girlfriend's brother-in-law is one of the best men and since he has to go, he convinced the rest of us to follow along with promises of top hats, monocles, and cheap 40's. We're also hitting up the drive-in afterwords for District 9.

Monday is probably doable. Keep in touch. You have my e-mail right?

Dang I wish I lived near you. I would have loved to help you with your build. I've got pretty good mechanical skills and know my way around electronics. The thing I can't do is weld.

I've circled the idea of turning my old 73 mustang into a hybrid, but the funds aren't there for that. It'd be great to stuff one of those tahoe hybrid drivetrains into the old stang though. Maybe someday.

Anyway, best of luck to you. Your car looks great, and it runs!!

Nashco wrote: JThw8: That's a good idea. Yesterday I worked with the cheapest shipper I could find and got another slight discount just by asking for it, but hadn't considered the sponsorship angle. I'm still new to this whole "sticker on a car" concept. I've got a call in to see what I can swing in regards to cutting a sponsorship deal, we'll see what comes of it.

To follow up on this, the shipper isn't interested in cutting me a sponsorship deal, not even a little bit. It sounds like times are tight (we've been hearing that story a lot lately!) and they don't think they would get any more business by this added exposure. Oh well, it was worth a shot.

Bryce

If you need a house for them to drop the car let me know. I am 1 exit away from the host hotel (<3 miles). Josh

This thread is awesome. I can't wait to get back down to G-ville this year. Lots of work left...

I'll get you some money as soon as I sell some more stuff, you better be there with bells on! :)

MrJoshua wrote: If you need a house for them to drop the car let me know. I am 1 exit away from the host hotel (<3 miles). Josh

Actually, it's significantly cheaper to do transfer station to transfer station instead of door to door. The closest transfer stations with this shipper are Jacksonville and Orlando (both cost the same); It looks like it would work out best if I had it shipped to the transfer station in Orlando, as that's where I would fly in. I might need somebody to get the car out of the Orlando station during business hours and park it somewhere handy, but those kind of details I can work out once I commit to shipping it...which will be soon, hopefully.

Thanks for the offer, though.

Bryce

bryce, have you shown this thread to your boss to see if you can get some comp time? you really want to be at the hotel by about 4pm Thursday so you can meet and greet as everyone straggles in from the road. IMO, being at the hotel is only about 0.001% less sweet than being at the track.

If I come, I'll be there for the whole thing. :)

Bryce

If you need to get it towed to Gainesville from Orlando, I am willing to go get it, if someone can watch/store my car while I do it (Josh)

Ive got space, tools, and a little bit o time. Whatever I can do to help.

Nashco we seem to have the pick up and delivery at Florida covered, mate is this going to happen, what do we need to do to see this awesome car in Gainesville.

I am a competitor and am looking forward to running far behind your car

I'm getting very close to committing guys, just need to come up with a couple hundred more bucks to cover the costs of shipping the car down and back. I'm hoping some stuff I've got for sale will solve that soon. No need to trailer anything or turn any wrenches once it gets there, it will be ready for driving and competition once I get it back from the transporter. After 3000+ miles on a transporter, it will need a thorough detail, but I'm hoping that is all I have to do down there.

Thanks for the offers guys, hopefully more updates coming soon!

Bryce

Alright, it's official, the Fiero will be at the REAL $2009 challenge. The donations are greatly appreciated guys, I'm really impressed and flattered that so many of you care enough to speak with your pocketbooks. I'm still shy a bit towards the transport costs, but I'll find a way to pay for it by the time the bill comes my way. IMO, this is literally what a grassroots movement is all about, so I think it's fitting to have the Fiero in the Grassroots Motorsports challenge.

I booked the transporter today, the car will arrive in Orlando in the week prior to the challenge. Jessica and I have our flights booked to arrive Wednesday night and leave Monday, so we won't miss any of the action. If anybody in Orlando is reading this and would be willing to help me get the car out of the transporter's lot, shoot me a message. This will be really simple, all you will have to do is pick up the car during business hours and either hold on to it or park it somewhere safe, as I won't arrive into town until a few hours after they close. Don't worry, it drives just like a regular Fiero when the batteries are disconnected, and they will be disconnected during transport.

I have been continuing to whip the Fiero into shape. The wiring continues to get stripped down and cleaned up, removing as much unnecessary clutter as possible. I also have my new coolant plumbing 80% done, which will free up a bunch of money in the budget and clean up under the hood. Jessica figured out how to reinstall as much of the stock interior as possible yesterday, which will help hide more of the batteries and give the car a more finished look inside. I've also been doing lots and lots of little details all over the car to iron out all of the details that I didn't have time for before San Diego.

I'm hoping to have some update pictures in the next few days with "finished" under hood pictures. Of course, it's never really finished, but it will be finished for now aside from cleaning/detailing. I was out of town for most of the weekend and will be again next weekend, so unfortunately the only way I'm making any more progress is by working on the Fiero during "second and third" shift. It ships out in ten days, so the clock is ticking...

Bryce

Woot woot I really want to see this car, great to have you aboard Bryce

Very cool!