acquired a fastiva. fishing for suggestions

[shoggoth80]

hey guys. brand new to the board...
you guys seem like some knowledgeable hacks... so here goes.
i have a 1988 festiva... has 201,000 miles on it. seems to run well, save for a bit of valve tick, and a little oil burining. that is gonna be a beater for my G/F. but it will eventually be needing attention.
i also have the chance to pick up another dirt cheap festiva... also an '88. it has some tranny issues...pops out of gear. but i was thinking that at the price, it'd make an excellent project. 5 speed tranny is a no brainer... as if there's a unit with higher ratios, thats usually what i like. the engine also has about 200,000 on there. but if it is better than the one that is in my g/f festiva, i'd swap it out, so she could have a decent run around machine. that would leave me open for all kinds of fun. the car wouldn't be my primary get around, so it would be ok to be a bit junky for a bit. i w as thinking using a masda B6T (i have read about this a lot on the web). is the B6T the same as the B6 (just with turbo)? would either engine be a good replacement? i know running a turbo engine in a 1700lb car would be pretty hot. looking for feedback, and tips from those who have done it before. if it is a difficult process, it doesn't have to be modded out... i can live with stock... ha ha ha. just most of my mechanical abilities are basic, although i am sure i can do an engine swap, with a manual, some advice from those who have donbe it before, and a couple friends. any feedback you guys could give would be great!

[oxbrain]

If you haven't done an engine swap before, a sohc b6 swap is easy to do and a good learning experience.

[shoggoth80]

i've swapped engines.... just not on a festiva. done drops a number of times with my VW beetles... however they are much easier than anything else. SOHC B6 huh? i take it that it's the same as a B6T (just no turbo).... as far asa mounting/eninge dimensions themselves?(or is an intercooler part of the engine... i am new to turbo stuff).

[oxbrain]

the b6t is dohc.
the sohc b6 is a straight replacment for the b3(stock festiva motor)
the dohc b6 takes some more work to install and is bigger and puts out more power.
the b6t is a slightly different version of the dohc b6.

From what I've seen the b6t swap isn't that difficult, there is a bunch of information about it on these boards.

The intercooler is a lot like a radiator, but for cooling air, not coolant.

[shoggoth80]

so the B6 is a drop in replacement? so, i could drop in a B3(stock replacement), or a B6 (bolt in larger displacement). i thought kia made the engines for these? or did kia AND mazda make engines that would be considered stock?

[oxbrain]

they are all mazda engines. Not sure if they were made in korea or japan though.

There are some minor differences between the b3 and b6, but it uses the same mounts and hooks up to the same tranny. Read through the b6 swap faq, its good.