4WD Festiva... duh

[Mazda_Power]

I currently have a '91 Festiva. I yanked the motor and I've recently come across a rolled 323 GTX. I know the Festiva has the solid POS rear suspension and the 323 is independent. The entire subframe would need to be welded in. What concerns me more is the fuel tank (the 323 has tank that "U"s over the top of the driveshaft and has a lift motor from one side to the other. And the actual tunnel that the driveshaft would have to take. I would be using the BF drivetrain (including transmission) and probably a BP for an engine. Is this just a stupid idea or is it worth while. I've had my Festiva for 7 years and I don't plan getting rid of it anytime soon. Any real insight would be great. Constructive flamming is encouraged.

[festivaWES]

If your goning to go the independent suspension route why don't you go with a fuel cell in the back instead of the 323 tank for driveshaft clearance. I think its gonna be a real task to get the rear suspension up and running without tire wear trouble. Sell off the awd trans and rearend/driveshaft to someone who owns a 323 BG chassis. I think it would be just as easy to buy another BP and mount it in the back for a dual engine setup IMO.

[muscle_Car1]

there is that person on here that swapped the 323 gtx subframe into an aspire. Turbo awd aspire

[nonamekid]

How much do they want for the whole car? I have a GTX transmission, and if you are going to go BP, I will trade you for some of the stuff I have, I need some of the B6T electronics.

[Mazda_Power]

Well, the engine has Miata pistons and some hybrid turbo. So he wants quite a bit more than I can afford for the whole car. What do you need from it... I can probably get you in touch with him. Also he'd be giving me all the electronics for it.

[niklid05]

nm.....

[IdealSociety]

go for it man, let me know if you need help with the fabrication, you know this stuff is my specialty

[Pocket_Rocket]

Re: 4WD Festiva... duh

I currently have a '91 Festiva. I yanked the motor and I've recently come across a rolled 323 GTX. I know the Festiva has the solid POS rear suspension and the 323 is independent. The entire subframe would need to be welded in. What concerns me more is the fuel tank (the 323 has tank that "U"s over the top of the driveshaft and has a lift motor from one side to the other. And the actual tunnel that the driveshaft would have to take. I would be using the BF drivetrain (including transmission) and probably a BP for an engine. Is this just a stupid idea or is it worth while. I've had my Festiva for 7 years and I don't plan getting rid of it anytime soon. Any real insight would be great. Constructive flamming is encouraged.

First of all, it's not a stupid idea to want AWD in any car. A stupid idea would be welding some extra fins on your turbo's compressor wheel or recirculating your exhaust manifold into the intake like some retards I've seen on the net. For the rear subframe, search a little on this site; there was a guy that was swapping an IRS from an Escort GT in his Festy; can remember who, but it was pretty well executed, and would be a pretty good starting point for inspiration. I would recommend to also swap the front suspension so you can match the front track with the rear. The fuel cell idea is a logical one; the 323's fuel thank needs 2 fuel pumps to work: one that pumps to the engine and another one to pump fuel from one side of the tank to the other (because of the notch for the driveshaft). There was a 4WD Protege I wanted to buy, that ran out of fuel at approximately half tank because the crossover pump didn't work. A fuel cell would be more reliable, and cheaper to maintain, because 323 GTX fuel tanks are hard to find, and may be discontinued, if you ever need to replace it. The transmisson tunnel is not that big of a deal if you have good fabrication/metal working/welding skills. And don't forget that if the 323 has a wider track, the shock mounting points move outwards, so you may have to modify or make custom shock towers. You'd also might have to swap the 323's steering rack too. So after all that, if you ain't scared and think you have the skills and that you are up to the task, well yes, it is pretty much possible; EVOGUN is the perfect example: mad skills+money+time+right parts= AWD SR20DET Festiva!!! Good luck!!!