F4EAT (4 speed auto) anybody

[htchbck]

So I'm not the biggest fan of autos and never have been... but... the last festiva I got is an auto (didn't really have a choice) and I'm actually liking it ok. Its smooth shifting and the gear ratio isn't bad at all. The only thing i don't like about it is the lack of an overdrive. I did a little research and found that the festiva uses the mazda F3A trans (also used in the 88-89 B6 tracers). I also learned that the B6D capri and the B8 and BP proteges use the F4EAT mazda 4 speed which means that it should bolt up to a B3 (or B6) also. So has anyone had any experience with these transmissions? I'm going to stick with the 3 speed for now but at some point I will probably install a B6 or even a B6D and if possible try to install a four speed (F4EAT) at the same time. I know the F4 is electronically controlled so I will need a complete donor car. My best bet will probably be to find an N/A capri and get everything from the same car. My biggest gray area is the axles. Anyone have any insight on this?

[elcamino1]

Is the whole trans electronically controlled,or just a electronic lockup converter?

[nonamekid]

Here is the discussion we had earlier about it. I did quite a bit of research on the subject.

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13339&highlight=auto+trans

As for axles and transmission, I would suggest the automatic tranny and axles from the capri. The axles will be the right length. The biggest problem I see is the physical size of the transmission. This may not be an issue but no one has tried to get it to fit.

[Festiva GTX]

Here is the discussion we had earlier about it. I did quite a bit of research on the subject.

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13339&highlight=auto+trans

As for axles and transmission, I would suggest the automatic tranny and axles from the capri. The axles will be the right length. The biggest problem I see is the physical size of the transmission. This may not be an issue but no one has tried to get it to fit.

F4EAT are quite big and I tried to put in it once before and it don't align right away so it may need fab the unibody frame and move radiator bit farther.

But hey it's possible with some work!

[htchbck]

Thanks noname I remembered seeing something about a 4 speed from an MX-3 before but I thought that it was a different trans. I'll take a look through that post when I get home from work. Then I guess its off to the jy to look for one to measure. My main reason for considering this swap is to get better gas mileage out of the car on long trips (over 70-75MPH) but for now the car is fine as our backup pizza car since we rarely get over 65MPH up here in the mountains

[nonamekid]

If the guys can squeeze a BP with a G-series trans in the festiva, by modifying the frame rails, I don't see why one could not fit the B6 with a bigger automatic. You will have to make new mounts.

[Festiva GTX]

If the guys can squeeze a BP with a G-series trans in the festiva, by modifying the frame rails, I don't see why one could not fit the B6 with a bigger automatic. You will have to make new mounts.

Nonamekid,
Only thing I haven't known or tried F4EAT line up (if after frame fab mod) and check the festiva's steering rack to be sure not blocking the back of fat F4EAT housing. If it blocking then capri axles might not have a correct measure length to hubs for festiva?

[nonamekid]

Nonamekid,
Only thing I haven't known or tried F4EAT line up (if after frame fab mod) and check the festiva's steering rack to be sure not blocking the back of fat F4EAT housing. If it blocking then capri axles might not have a correct measure length to hubs for festiva?

If you can't get the transmission down to where it should be the axles will be at an odd angle. That is not good for normal wear and tear. One might need to remove the subframe and build a custom one or mounts to take its place so that the transmission can be put in the correct location. Also with the festiva and capri axles having the same spline count but slightly different lengths, one might be able to shift the tranny slightly one way or another by using a different set of axles.

[htchbck]

sounds like a start, and like this may be at least attemptable if not actually doable. now to find a free saturday or sunday to hit the jy... or maybe just take a weekday off of work.