88LX - Carb To Fuel-Injected?

[Twistiva]

Guys -

I've got an 88LX (carb) that does not run. As a matter of fact, the engine has not run in probably 12 yrs. It supposedly ran when it was impounded 12 yrs ago. Just bought it about 2 yrs ago as a parts car. The plan now is to totally restore it since it's actually in decent shape (other than the engine). Engine has about 151,000 on it. Thinking about swapping it out for a stock Festiva FI engine with a lot less miles.

So....'fit-wise'....will a stock Festiva FI engine just drop in to a carbourated engine bay? Yeah, I know hose hookups are different, etc, but I'm talking about 'fit'.

Also, if I swap the carb'd engine for FI, will the carb'd air conditioning system be fully compatible with the FI engine?

Based on what I've read on different threads here, guessing these answers are "Yes" and "Yes"?

Thanks in advance!

[shadetree]

Yes and yes. It will fit with no problems . You will need to swap wiring harness from a FI car as well and run an electric inline pump or swap to a fuel inj gas tank. And the ac will work , just bypass the carb ECM when you remove it .

[Twistiva]

Yes and yes. It will fit with no problems . You will need to swap wiring harness from a FI car as well and run an electric inline pump or swap to a fuel inj gas tank. And the ac will work , just bypass the carb ECM when you remove it .

Hmmmm....so what is different about carb'd and FI'd gas tanks? I know there's a difference between the fuel sending units but did not know there's anything different in the fuel tanks themselves?

[shadetree]

Carb fuel tank has a small oval opening and FI tank has a larger opening so you can remove the in tank fuel pump .

[Twistiva]

Carb fuel tank has a small oval opening and FI tank has a larger opening so you can remove the in tank fuel pump .

OK, good to know. I learn something every day around here!

And thanks for the words of wisdom on my original questions.

(If anyone else has anything to add, pipe right up!)

[bravekozak]

Also, check to make sure you have a fuel return line.

[db2u]

If you are going to go that far... seems it might just be easier to throw a b6 out of a late 80s tracer or 323. might be easier to find, still bolts in, and would be an extra 20ish hp with a fairly negligable fuel economy loss.

[bravekozak]

If you are going to go so far as to install a B6, it might just be easier to install a twin carb setup (that I just happen to have an extra). They are jetted for a 1.5L engine.

[db2u]

Yeah, I guess its just a decision of if you want to swap an entire ready to go engine, and rework the fuel system and ECU, or keep everything the same and swap on just the intake onto the B3 or b6 of your choice I like your option better, especially for someone in OK that doesnt have to deal with a carbed engine fighting cold temps. Only sticking point of that is some locations in the US that wouldn't pass emissions.

[BigElCat]

I really like my stock carb '88. The carb motors have the highest compression ratio of all the B3 motors. Perfomance wise, they equal the EFI B3s. You really ought to just drain the gas, including from the carb. Put a new filter on, and go. The stock motor is plenty peppy once tuned up. You might need a new oxygen sensor.

[BigElCat]

I have an open element air cleaner on my carb, therefor, no heated intake air. It started just fine all winter. I confess, my idle runs high. Idling is a concern with the stock carbs.

[Twistiva]

I really like my stock carb '88. The carb motors have the highest compression ratio of all the B3 motors. Perfomance wise, they equal the EFI B3s. You really ought to just drain the gas, including from the carb. Put a new filter on, and go. The stock motor is plenty peppy once tuned up. You might need a new oxygen sensor.

BigElCat -

I doubt firing it up again is going to be that easy. The car was impounded/seized (why, I don't know) and sat for 10 yrs before I found it. It was, according to the tow/wrecker company who did that service for the county, a running Festy when impounded. But....it sat without wheels (for who knows how many years) and a busted out back window (for enough years that the recessed spare tire area collected/held water and rusted right through in some spots) with numerous small critters living inside for at least part of its unloved life. About 151K on the engine. I figure I could overhaul the carberatour, put in new plugs/wires, new distributor/cap/roter, new battery, drain/clean the fuel tank, drain/clean the radiator, install a new fuel filter, put in fresh oil/oil filter and......crank it and see what happens. My biggest fear is what if water got down into the cylinders? Think I'd be screwed then. The air filter pan was off the carberatour for at least a portion of that time though the hood does appear to have been down/locked.

If it actually cranked I think I'd drop dead of surprise.

[BigElCat]

As long as the air cleaner was on, you'll be alright. Pull the plugs, spray PB Blaster in the cylinders. Put a wrench on the crank bolt, and turn it by hand for a few revs. I wouldn't bother rebuilding the carb before starting it. Just drain the bowl. You could maybe do that with the carb on the motor. There is a sight glass in the bowl. How cool is that? A little old fashion sight glass. Maybe it comes off (??)

[Twistiva]

As long as the air cleaner was on, you'll be alright. Pull the plugs, spray PB Blaster in the cylinders. Put a wrench on the crank bolt, and turn it by hand for a few revs. I wouldn't bother rebuilding the carb before starting it. Just drain the bowl. You could maybe do that with the carb on the motor. There is a sight glass in the bowl. How cool is that? A little old fashion sight glass. Maybe it comes off (??)

That's what I'm saying, though....the air filter pan was physically OFF the engine, and it looked like it was that way for a long time.

[Twistiva]

Here's 2 pix as I found it. I do believe the term "rats nest" is meant literally here....

P4152520.jpg

P4152521.jpg