Festiva - BP swap how-to?: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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July 22, 2009 9:53 a.m. poopshovel SuperDork

So - even on the "fordfestiva.com" forums, I can't seem to get a clear answer.

What I have:

Escort GT engine and trans.

Entire Escort front and rear subframes (just in case.)

Complete festiva.

What I need:

4 x 100 hubs.

Preferably larger axles that will pop right in without cutting and pasting.

I'd like to retain the EGT transmission, as we already have it, and it's way more stout than the festiva unit.

SO - Seems like most of the dudes on the festiva forums are using the stock hubs, festiva trans, and festiva axles, which just seems retarded. Everyone says "use aspire hubs," but I can't seem to get a straight answer on what axles will work with with the EGT trans and ass-pyre hubs. Someone said "use the turbo capri axles-" but I hate to scour the junkyard endlessly only to find they don't fit.

PLAN B: The Escort hubs bolt right up, give me a 4 X 100 pattern, I already have them, and it looks like we can use the lower Escort mounts, the upper Festiva mounts, and figure out the struts and springs later. This will, of course, require cutting and pasting the Escort axles, which I'm not a huge fan of, but I want to get the damned thing done.

Thoughts?

PS: Apparently the entire rear ass-pyre setup will swap right in, so I think we're good to go there.
July 22, 2009 10:14 a.m. 93celicaGT2 Dork

I don't know if your main problem with plan A is that you don't like the transmission or not.... But a word of advice:

The EGT transmission is not the most robust of units. Actually, i'll go right ahead and say that it's pretty crappy.

I'd just do Plan A. You know it works, and while you might not want to tell people that you have Ass Pyre parts in your project, the stock EGT drivetrain is barely able to even deal with a stock BP driven in anger, and i really doubt it would be any better.

Besides, the gear ratios on the EGT SUCK. Hard. Most ridiculous 1-2 shift powerband drop EVAR. 1st gear is too short, 2nd gear is too long. It's not good.

That all being said, join feoa.net. I'll tell you right now that there aren't a lot of BP Festivas on that forum, but there are guys that drag race their EGTs, and they've done a TON of research about what works, what doesn't, and what they'd like to change. If you start a thread up there, i'll call them in and see if they can answer or at least point at how to do what you really want to do.

Just keep in mind that NOBODY there likes the EGT tranny.
July 22, 2009 10:36 a.m. maroon92 SuperDork

ooh ooh, I wanna get in on this project. I am moving to the Atlanta area, and I have able hands to wrench with. I want to learn how to do this, because I need to figure out how to swap one into my Aspire soon...

rallycross winner here I come.

PM me when you start the project, I only accept payment in beer!
July 22, 2009 10:42 a.m. 93celicaGT2 Dork

And keep us posted on this.... my girlfriend for some reason wants one of these as well.
July 22, 2009 11:08 a.m. The Brown Stig SuperDork

I had this all at one time, the BEST transmission to use is a Turbo Capri box, inner shaft joints, outer OE joints and OE shafts. The Aspire rear beam axle allows for wider rear tires inward, plus more wheels can be used. Aspire hubs, struts, brakes, beam axle, rear brakes are what you want to find. Miata wheels with 205/55r14 R compounds can fit with a little will.

NO MATTER WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO CUT A 12"x4" BOX IN OUT OF THE FIREWALL TO MAKE THE INTAKE FIT.

Not a hard ordeal but it is a twice in job before it's right.
July 22, 2009 5:57 p.m. RexSeven HalfDork

I found the SCC Hybrid How-To article on swapping a B6T into a Fester:

http://sportcompactcar.automotive.com/75264/0401-sccp-ford-festiva/index.html

I know you're using a BP instead, but hopefully there'll be something of interest to you in that article.
July 22, 2009 6:27 p.m. Rumnhammer New Reader

I didn't do the BP but did do the B6T. Best thing to do is to look into the members that have done the BP swap, as the procedure has been listed by those that have done it several times on FF.com. And yes the Aspire brake conversion is a very good one to do. It not only adds an inch of width to the track of the car, but also adds brakes that go on hat style instead of being pressed on and converts the bolt pattern to 4x100. Also the brakes on the Aspire are an inch larger then the festiva ones and are ventilated too.

From what I recall the BP swap wiring wise is even easier then the B6T, since apparently more of the festiva wiring harness will plug into the BP, which was not the case with the B6T. Here is a link to what you are looking for.

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4800 Chris Rummel
July 23, 2009 7:07 a.m. The Brown Stig SuperDork

By the way, FESTEVL was sold to the guy who wrote that article.