B6T vs. BP

[IndyFestiva]

I'm very new to the Festiva world and would like to hear everyone's pros and cons for the B6T (1.6T) vs. BP (1.8 engines. From what I've read the difference in HP is almost negligible. Please let me know what you guys and girls think.

[bhazard]

Depends on how much effort you want to put into a swap. I recommend a G series trans for either assuming you want a manual. Both engines can kill a stock festiva E series trans quickly if you abuse it. And both will require a clutch upgrade anyway.

BP is an easier swap wiring-wise. B6T requires you to add the engine harness for it or run a standalone ECU.
B6T in stock form has a smoother power band, being a low compression turbo engine, there is a lot less power off-boost and the boost comes in smoothly. Its easier on the drivetrain and easier to drive altogether.
BP is naturally aspirated and higher compression, so more "punch". Harder on drivetrain components and such.
B6T is a shorter engine, easier to fit in the engine bay. BP's tend to require some massaging of steel under the hood.
B6T, being a stock turbo engine, is easier to get more power out of if desired. BP's in naturally aspirated form take a lot more money for the same gains.
However a BP will readily accept boost, and at that point you can make a lot more power easier than with a B6T.

So it really depends on your goals. Stock for stock I'd rather have a B6T. If you want massive power, boost a BP. I don't see much value in a stock BP though.

[IndyFestiva]

Great info, thank you. What are some good sources for the G series transmission you refer to?

[fitsbain]

Capri XR2, or Escort. The Escort is a hydro clutch. You can make that work or get a kit to make it linkage instead. A B6T should come attached to the G series (in a capri XR2) and the BP to the hydro G (in an escort GT)

[Advancedynamix]

I'm very new to the Festiva world and would like to hear everyone's pros and cons for the B6T (1.6T) vs. BP (1.8 engines. From what I've read the difference in HP is almost negligible. Please let me know what you guys and girls think.

Welcome to the forum! The Festiva is an amazing little car that is capable of running 11 second quarter mile runs, lapping sports cars on a road coarse, or winning your local autocross FWD championship, all while still perfectly capable of making home depot runs or doubling as a tent on camping trips. There is so much that can be done to and with these cars.
The best engine choice for your needs really depends on what your goals are for the car, and how you want to enjoy it. There are several other engines which may meet your needs better as well.
What kind of driving do you want to do?

[IndyFestiva]

It would likely become my daily driver, but I'd also like to be able to have some fun with it. I've found a b6t for a little over $450 at a yard nearby and a BP for just over $200 in Southern Indiana. Both are doable but I wanted to see what everyone thought about the value between the two. Also I've seen that some have added a turbo on the BP on the rear and I'd like to know what level of modification would be needed to do this. This would probably be the route I'll go since the BP is easier to get and currently costs less where I've found it. I'm also concerned about modifying the engine bay to fit the BP since I have limited experience in that sort of work. Swapping out a like for like engine is not an issue, but making custom mods to make it fit is pushing my experience. Thanks for your feedback. - Aaron

[IndyFestiva]

Does the transmission need to be from a XR2 capri or will the trans from a non-turbo capri be the same?

[firebush357]

Pretty Sure it is different, I remember reading that somewhere in here.

[Advancedynamix]

The non turbo capri has a different transmission that is more work than it's worth to fit.

[Advancedynamix]

It would likely become my daily driver, but I'd also like to be able to have some fun with it. I've found a b6t for a little over $450 at a yard nearby and a BP for just over $200 in Southern Indiana. Both are doable but I wanted to see what everyone thought about the value between the two. Also I've seen that some have added a turbo on the BP on the rear and I'd like to know what level of modification would be needed to do this. This would probably be the route I'll go since the BP is easier to get and currently costs less where I've found it. I'm also concerned about modifying the engine bay to fit the BP since I have limited experience in that sort of work. Swapping out a like for like engine is not an issue, but making custom mods to make it fit is pushing my experience. Thanks for your feedback. - Aaron

The BP engine requires quite a bit more work to fit in the engine bay. The transmission that comes on it uses a hydraulic clutch, which requires a special kit to adapt the cable. Custom tranny mounts must be made and you can't use the BP axles or intermediate shafts, so you'll need Kia Rio axles.
The b6t will bolt right to your stock transmission and it will work fine if you don't abuse it. You'll need a good replacement clutch for this. Exedy replacent clutch seems to hold a stock b6t power. You'll need a custom engine mount if you run the b6t on the stock tranny, but no modification will need to be done to the engine bay of the car.
The Capri turbo tranny will need custom tranny mounts and the drivers side frame rail will need to be pounded in a bit. This tranny is the best one to use if your going to upgrade because it has a cable clutch like the festiva. The shifter linkage will need to be cut and welded as well. You'll have to do that with either the BP transmission or the b6t.
If you mount the BP to the stock transmission, you'll have to pound your firewall in a lot. Some people actually cut the firewall and weld a box in for clearance. The passenger side frame rail will need to be pounded in as well.
The BP engine is known to be hard on transmissions, so it's a bad idea to mount it to the stock transmission. The b6t isn't nearly as hard on transmissions. This is because of the way the 2 different engines make their power, not because of the amount of TQ, as a stock b6t makes 20-30ft lbs more TQ than the BP and is less likely to destroy the transmission.
The fastest 1/4 mile festiva on record, on this site uses a rear mounted turbo on a junkyard bp. It works, and is also daily driven. Look up Eurotiva for more info.
If you dont have access to fabrication equipment, but want a fast festiva, you may want to look into a B6D swap. It doesn't require a lot of custom work, and it's friendly to the stock transmission. The non turbo capri has the easiest engine setup to use.
I've got this engine in my 88 festiva and the car will beat a prepped s2000 around a race track by 2 seconds. I've been pounding on it for 2 years with no transmission problems at all.

[FestYboy]

With proper rotation, the BP can and does fit without firewall bashing when mounted to the E series transmission. John Jacks currently owns the car I'm referring to. It was built by another member (who's name escapes me) and there's a write up about it. There are several other examples of this with the G series as well using the no crossmember install method.

[IndyFestiva]

If I go with the B6D should I get a clutch replacement as well? Also, how difficult would it be to add on a turbo to the B6D?

[Team Lightning]

With proper rotation, the BP can and does fit without firewall bashing when mounted to the E series transmission. John Jacks currently owns the car I'm referring to. It was built by another member (who's name escapes me) and there's a write up about it. There are several other examples of this with the G series as well using the no crossmember install method.

I believe it was Matt Swab. Not sure on the spelling.

[skeeters_keeper]

You're right it was Matt but he cut and boxed the firewall and modified the heater core. With stock e-series mounts and the vics intake many you have to modify the firewall.

[FestYboy]

OK, I didn't recall the boxing of the firewall...
In either case, the BP+E can fit without firewall bashing.