Na Capri 5 spd into Festiva

[rhink12]

Has anybody here put a na Capri 5 spd into a Festiva? Does anybody know the final drive gear ratio?

[bhazard]

Its a hydraulic clutch trans so swap isn't as easy as the cable trannies. Final is 4.11 I think.

[FestYboy]

Seems like a noob question for someone who's been a member for 10 years...

[TominMO]

Has anybody here put a na Capri 5 spd into a Festiva? Does anybody know the final drive gear ratio?

Besides doing specific searches, it's a good idea to check the Articles forums at the bottom of the main forum page.

[firebush357]

Seems like a noob question for someone who's been a member for 10 years...

They only have 23 posts though, maybe they had a Festy a long time ago and got rid of it. That was my case, that and I was only 18 when I first joined and was not very knowledgeable about automobiles.

[Advancedynamix]

Has anybody here put a na Capri 5 spd into a Festiva? Does anybody know the final drive gear ratio?

Randy! How have you been?
This swap has been done, but it's a lot of effort for not much gain. Do you still have the BP auto Festiva?

[bhazard]

Hey BP autos are cool.

Anyway unless you already have the Capri trans, better off going with a Rio trans. Cable clutch.

[rhink12]

I'm doing good. I've still got it. With the 3 spd auto it's really wingin the engine on the freeway. I have the trans and other parts already so I am going to figure out the clutch part of it. I need a clutch pedal and the part that the cable goes into under the dash.

[bhazard]

Tell me about it. I have an aspire auto in mine. 3300 rpm at 55 mph. 4000 at 70.

[jawja jim]

Tell me about it. I have an aspire auto in mine. 3300 rpm at 55 mph. 4000 at 70.

Is there a difference between the Festiva and Aspire autos ratio as with the manuals? Those RPMs are higher than I experience with either of my autos. They run more like 2900-3000 at 55 and 3500-3600 at 70.

[TominMO]

Is there a difference between the Festiva and Aspire autos ratio as with the manuals? Those RPMs are higher than I experience with either of my autos. They run more like 2900-3000 at 55 and 3500-3600 at 70.

There probably is, because the Festiva auto trannies had to compensate for shorter tires. Looks like a 10% difference.

[bhazard]

Yes, 94-95 aspires are the lowest geared. Then 96-97 they went a little higher and used the lockup converter to try to get some mpg back.

[FestYboy]

Is there a difference between the Festiva and Aspire autos ratio as with the manuals? Those RPMs are higher than I experience with either of my autos. They run more like 2900-3000 at 55 and 3500-3600 at 70.

Yes, according to Jim (FB71), there are 3 ratio sets for the aspire depending on the year. Festiva stayed the same.

[Advancedynamix]

I'm doing good. I've still got it. With the 3 spd auto it's really wingin the engine on the freeway. I have the trans and other parts already so I am going to figure out the clutch part of it. I need a clutch pedal and the part that the cable goes into under the dash.

The Non turbo Capri 5 speed is only going to be slightly better than the auto. The Capri is geared for larger tire diameter than the festy. The Turbo Capri trans 5th gear can be swapped out for the taller 626 5th gear, so that tranny works good and it's a cable clutch tranny. Adapting the hydraulic clutch takes custom fabrication, as does the tranny mounts. Nothing directly bolts up, except the trans to the engine.

[FestYboy]

Yes, 94-95 aspires are the lowest geared. Then 96-97 they went a little higher and used the lockup converter to try to get some mpg back.

And that centrifugal lockup is the worst POS on the planet. It comes in at 1900 rpm!?! Why?? It just lugs the engine and keeps the converter from doing its job, which is to multiply torque.
Ever since the one in Kermet "broke", Caety has picked up a consistent 4-5mpg in her mixed driving. And passing on the highway is now doable. Dipping into it allows the rpm to flair an extra 300 rpm to get the needed torque.

If you get an auto aspire, toss that lockup converter and put in a Festiva unit.