4 speed automatic in a Festiva

[clphipps79]

I just was wondering about this. I read that the only 4 speed automatic that will fit in our cars is from Mazda in the late 80's. Having three gears is what prevents the festiva tranny from being
almost perfect. I added a Link. Hopefully someone can clarify!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_G4A-EL_transmission

[Spike]

I've seen a few auto w/overdrive 323s in junkyards, always wondered if that would work. A 4-speed auto Festiva would be awesome, especially with how good the 3-speed is. I've been in a lot of stock Festivas, but I swear.. that auto was the fastest of them all. Gun it and go!

I think I remember someone wanting to do this at one point, possibly up to actually obtaining the trans. Hope they chime in.

Joe

[clphipps79]

I completely agree with you. My automatic is a quick feeling car. A 4 speed would greatly improve economy too because the RPM's are so high when you get at highway speeds.

[bhazard]

I've never felt like a stock automatic festiva felt "quick". But put a BP to one and yes it feels pretty peppy

A 4 speed auto HAS been done, but is not documented.

Supposedly certain versions of the 88-89 323 came with a *hydraulically* controlled version of the G4A, called the G4A-HL.

I don't see why the electronic version couldn't be used, if the TCM were separate from the ECU. Either that or figure out a standalone controller (Megashift).

It is a physically large transmission though.

[htchbck]

I have a G4A-HL. It is huge. Width-wise it would fit the Festiva frame, but front to back its massive, it would require relocating the radiator at the very least. I never got around to attempting the install, just pulling measurements, but I can confirm that it does exist, and is hydraulically controlled, no computer running it. It does have a kickdown cable, like Chevies and many others, but the throttle cam that it attaches to bolts right up to B3/B6 throttle bodies, and probably BPs as well. The only wiring going to it is a pair for the park/neutral switch, and a pair for the reverse light switch. But again, its huge! FestYboY ran some numbers on the gearing and since it has overdrive and a lock-up torque converter it should run only about 100rpms more than the stock 5 speed at about 60MPH on the highway.

[David88]

http://ocala.craigslist.org/cto/4966834043.html

Looks like this one may have it. Too bad its so far away and reverse is out. It was on its way to a quarter of a million miles.

[htchbck]

If someone is interested in the G4A-HL trans I have just let me know, I will sell it for what I paid ($100) plus shipping. I would recommend a rebuild on it, since the car I pulled it from had well over 200k on it, and it was a junkyard car so I never got to run it to confirm everything worked. I did throw the motor that was with it in a '90L-plus and it was in decent shape. I have the whole thing, including the shift cable and floor shifter with overdrive lock-out button, which has the same bolt pattern as the Festiva 3 speed shifter. I had planned to rebuild it and put it in my '93GL behind a B8 SOHC, but that car was sold over a year ago, and I don't own anymore Festivas.

[clphipps79]

31987190013_original.jpg

the shifter and elector look eerily similar. I wonder where the radiator would, or could be mounted out of the way?

[bhazard]

So how does the OD lockout work if theres no wiring on the trans for it?

[clphipps79]

I think that would be a worthwhile upgrade for someone who likes an automatic and regain the lost fuel economy that a 5 speed brings

[htchbck]

So how does the OD lockout work if theres no wiring on the trans for it?

My bad on the wiring count, there is one more single wire going to the trans for that, the button on the shifter has a wire that pulls power from one of the "hot in run" fuses, and another wire that runs to the trans. When it is grounded, a solenoid (I'm assuming) in the trans locks out OD. Forgot about the extra wire since technically it isn't an extra, the Festiva auto has a fifth wire too, the kickdown solenoid wire that drops to second via the WOT switch on the accelerator pedal.

[Spike]

I loved that WOT switch.

[MiltonHavoc]

One of the guys that was looking into this was me.
ill have to dig up my old thread because couple people posted good info.
Someone suggested looking into the rio and the hatchback trans. I kinda let the idea fade as it would almost be cheaper to find a 5speed shell.

[bhazard]

Yeah I don't think my kickdown switch is working. It won't kick down to 2nd over 35 mph or so...

[bhazard]

Hey guys...

Over in Oz, their WB-WF festiva, aka Aspire, could be had with a B5 and four speed auto. The trans was the F-4EAT... aka F4A-EL. Same 4 speed auto we had in most any 90s BG based car. EGT/Protege, 323 etc. Up to the Rio, and I read even the Mazda 2.

I wonder how hard it'd be to get some mounts sent over here? And also figure out the electronic controls?