ATX swaps

[MiltonHavoc]

Well I have seen a couple of threads where people have started to talk about swapping in better ATX's but they dead end. So has anybody upgraded to a better (see stronger) ATX?

[crazyrog17]

The F3A in a festiva is already quite stout. They're more than over kill for the B3's puny output. Anything 'better' is undoubtedly larger and will be difficult to install.

I think it was hatchbck, correct me if I'm wrong, that is in the midst of an F4A-HL swap. Essentially the same trans with a fourth gear for lower high speed cruising RPMs.

[bhazard]

Re: ATX swaps

The 4 speed also has a lockup converter I believe...as indicated by the L.

[htchbck]

Close Rog, its actually a G4A-HL, but from everything I've been able to gather it is pretty much an early version of the F4E-AT which was hydraulically modulated (hence the "H" instead of an "E" for electronic). Its a whole different animal from the Festiva ATX, physically much larger from front to back, though side to side its the same. To say I'm in the midst of the swap would be a gross overstatement, I simply own one, and have test fit it in the engine bay (NOT going to work with stock radiator thats for sure). 323 axles should work fine in it, the festiva auto ones fit, but the offset of the diff is a little different so with festiva axles one side would be a little long, the other a little short. I do hope to install it one day, but that may be years down the road.

Also, I don't think they are any stronger than a festiva ATX, maybe even a little weaker. I've heard lots about their electronically governed cousins grenading before their time even in something as mild as a stock 1.6L non-turbo Capri. If you want one, you're going to be wanting it for the gas mileage rather than the strength. Brad is right it does have a lockup converter, plus the OD helps too. According to some calculations Arty did a while back, it should turn only 100-200 rpms faster than a stock festiva 5 speed on the highway cruising in 4th with the lockup activated.

To find them just look for 88-89 323 hatchbacks and sedans. The earlier 323s didn't have it, and the tracers and wagon 323s never got it. Those all had the F3A (stock festy auto), as did many of the 88-89 sedans and hatchbacks. Quick check for IDing the G4A is its large black vertical pan on the front of the trans, and a pan underneath as well, vs the F3A which has a single slanted pan.

[MiltonHavoc]

I don't want it to put behind a stock b3. I need it to handle doing the dickmyere head and header in my festy auto.

[htchbck]

The factory ATX should stand up to even a BP all day long. Like I said, if you are looking for better gas mileage, you might consider looking for a G4A, otherwise, why even bother?

[MiltonHavoc]

Nope just something that can handle triple didgit power..

[bhazard]

Re: ATX swaps

Stock

[htchbck]

^^ X2, and if you really want to get crazy with it, PM Jim (FB71), last I heard he was building Yvan spec ATXs (do a search for Yvan's Aspire, he was laying down some heavy power numbers in it).

[MiltonHavoc]

I asked fb71 twice in pm. He is slow to respond.
I'll stick with stock and keep bugging fb71 till he caves and answers

[htchbck]

Sounds like a plan, stock will likely hold up better than the G4A anyway, at least from the stories I've heard.