Dash swap? anyone got any ideas?

[fingfastfestiva]

Hi. Im new to this forum my name is James. Im in the process of buying a ford festiva. Ive got it half ways paid off. My question is I like the dash in the 94 mazda mx3's and was wondering would they fit in the festiva. I plan on swaping in a bpt 1.8L with 5spd trans anyhow so it would make sense if the mx3s dash would fit to put it in to make my swap more unique. Ive never done this to a festiva before although ive swapped motors and tranys in all kinds of cars before. If you guys have any suggestions I would appriciate it. Also if anyone has any dash swap pics please post them hear so I can see them. Thanks for the help and Im glad to be a part of this forum. Too many people laughed when I said I wanted a fast festiva well with you guys help Im sure to be the person with the last laugh when I fly past their slow mustangs, camaros, and cobalts.

[JPT]

Welcome to the best auto forum on the 'net. :thumbup:

I haven't heard of anyone doing an MX-3 dash swap before (this doesn't mean that it can't be done). Someone was working on a Capri dash swap, but I haven't heard of any success. Aspire dash swap was discussed too, but I don't know if it has been attempted.

Good luck.

PS. you want a fast Festiva? You came to the right place.

[TominMO]

There have been very few full dash swaps done. Every swap like this would be a customizing adventure; other than some general advice, you are probably on your own with this. You could try instrumentation swaps tho; that would be easier. Do a search for writeups on these.

Also, with a full dash swap you would have to remember to retain the VIN number in the Festy dash, and swap it over to the mx3 dash.

[fingfastfestiva]

thanks I know I have to keep the festys vin. but im not sure what all is involved legally to swap the vin to the mx3s dash. I just love the dash in the 94 mx3s I hope with any luck itll fit. when I get some free time Ill have to find an mx3 and measure the dash to see if itll work.

[gauge_half_inch]

as long as the VIN tag is riveted in, you shouldn't have any issues.

[Damkid]

I can't see a dash from an MX3 going into a festiva very easily, my guess is it'll take months to complete if it ever get finished, if you want to swap the dash for something different, take a look at the 88-89 323's those dashes are probably close enough where they could be swapped

[htchbck]

A guy on the Fiero forums put an NB Miata dash in a Fiero, so nothing is impossible Make sure you have fiberglass and know how to use it! And good luck!

as long as the VIN tag is riveted in, you shouldn't have any issues.

Yep, as long as its riveted on like its supposed to be and matches the rest of the VINs elsewhere on the car its fine. Its if you start using the wrong tag on the car is when you get into trouble

[bravekozak]

least effort

I am lazy. I hate fillers. Make a template of the top of the Festiva dash, and take it to the wreckers. I was eyeballing a PT cruiser dash. The curvature has to be almost the same, otherwise it will be a sloppy fit. I still have to make my template.

[fingfastfestiva]

well i was also thinking a mazda miata dash from the first gen miata would give it a kind of european look to it and probly be a better fit then the mx3 dash so im still up in the air on wat dash. As soon as I have the festiva in my name im gonna go look around for a miata and a mx3 to measure the dashes to see wat needs customized

[Dr_Dseries]

if you want to look different just take the dash out.

[gauge_half_inch]

if you want to look different just take the dash out.

its only cool till the first rainny day, or dew covered morning. been there done that in my first festy

[nitrofarm]

Nitrofarm is thinking about a Aspire dash in his Festy. I think the two can be blended together. Time will tell-

[getnpsi]

With all that work it needs to be a functional and cosmetic improvement. I say something out of an eclipse with a nice double din, more ergonomics. If not then you might as well do a lot of fiberglassing/diamond plate/suede/ whatever is your style and just go to town like the mini truckers.

[resuwrecked]

Gives it that JDM racer look.

[thered56]

mazda miata dash

I think that'd be pretty cool. I'm also pretty sure it'd be more to a similar width of the Festiva dash. I think the MX-3 dash would be a bit bulky, not to mention a totally contrasting style imo. That said, I personally quite like the Festiva dash though. Something like this would be pretty darn sweet: