Probe GT Doner parts put to work !

[SimonTuffGuy]

The guys over on ProbeTalk wanted me to build a KLZE Festiva...

[gorgonheimer]

Bump for updates.

[pr0nst4r]

Well, I was close on the measurements. I'll just subscribe so I know when you do update it

I understand about work though. That's all I've been up to lately.

Remember you can always stretch those fenders if need be.

[lxoom]

So I'm understanding that you're planning on running the swoopies from the PGT, the question I have for you is this; Do you think you'll have enough room in the wheel wells to handle that wide of a tire? I have a friend with a 96 PGT with the chrome swoopies and he's got 225s on it. Something like 225-55-15 or so, are you forseeing fitment issues or will you be chopping the Festiva to make them fit?

oem size for the swirlies is 225/50/16. Im gonna get 215/40/16 when the time comes. Where my control arm sits the ball joint is 3/4 of an inch further out then the festy ball joint, i had the wheel mounted with the big tire already and it clears at the front no problem, but hits the fender at the back when turned to the right. thats with the big 50 tire on there so well have to wait and see when i get my tires... which wont be for months im guessing. so dont bother watching this thread too intently lol .. i havent had a chance to work on the car at all the last 5 days... work gets in the way

[pr0nst4r]

So I'm understanding that you're planning on running the swoopies from the PGT, the question I have for you is this; Do you think you'll have enough room in the wheel wells to handle that wide of a tire? I have a friend with a 96 PGT with the chrome swoopies and he's got 225s on it. Something like 225-55-15 or so, are you forseeing fitment issues or will you be chopping the Festiva to make them fit?

[gorgonheimer]

I know I caught on in the bend of my arm a month ago. It just healed.

[lxoom]

ever thought of tubular a arm. you have the mount on the festy body and could use the mount you made on the rear of your a arm. tube would weld nice and one could use the servicable ball joint from the egt as a base for your a arm.

I think youre right.. if the egt ball joint wont work with the pgt hub i cant use it though. pgt hubs give me the ability to run 2007 mazda 6 front rotors/pads/calipers...bolt on

if the a-arms would be the weak link im assuming making them from mild steel is ok ?

Man i really need to find a way to get this car in the air higher... chain fall to the rafters maybe, lol welding smaw overhead with a 14" electrode with this much room is not fun anymore

[pr0nst4r]

Watching this thread intently.

[gorgonheimer]

i was thinking that if your are in a competitive racing circuit you will eventually crash. i dont wish that on you, but my point is that you want the control arm to be weaker than the car, so that when you impact the control arm will bend and not the car body, you will essentially have a "fuse" in place. something that will absorb impact and not bend up the body. i think it would be easier to replace a control arm or other suspension parts then have to get a new shell every time you slip off the track.

[muscle_Car1]

^ I'm with him use what you have as a template for tubular control arms. You might even make it so you could retain the stock sway bar

[gorgonheimer]

ever thought of tubular a arm. you have the mount on the festy body and could use the mount you made on the rear of your a arm. tube would weld nice and one could use the servicable ball joint from the egt as a base for your a arm.

[lxoom]

true, but somehow I doubt that was done in this case, given the rubber bushings are still in place, and there are no signs of heat cycling on the painted PGT LCA. The heating and cooling process must be done over several hours, sometimes days, in the case of larger pieces. Additionally, the required heat cycling for the forging or casting will significantly change the temper of the stamped steel piece attached to it. Thermal conditioning is only successfull if welding a casting/forging to a casting/forging. Attaching stamped or rolled steel to a casting or forging requires furnace brazing.

you sound like you know more then i do... obviously a welder or some background in metallurgy ? All i did was heat the end of the festiva lca with oxy/acet. then put it in my jig and welded it. after it was welded I let it cool for a bit and put the steel brace around it and welded that.. obviously I want to do this right and probably will make changes more then once if i find ive done something sub-par... but if the car brakes it willl be on the race track and I will be the only car on the track so no ones going to get hurt rest assured. thanks for the advice and input

[FB71]

welding to a forging can be done if the piece is pre and post heated

true, but somehow I doubt that was done in this case, given the rubber bushings are still in place, and there are no signs of heat cycling on the painted PGT LCA. The heating and cooling process must be done over several hours, sometimes days, in the case of larger pieces. Additionally, the required heat cycling for the forging or casting will significantly change the temper of the stamped steel piece attached to it. Thermal conditioning is only successfull if welding a casting/forging to a casting/forging. Attaching stamped or rolled steel to a casting or forging requires furnace brazing.

[Damkid]

no, i wanted something that will give me options for big brakes and good tires and coil over suspension for time attack, went with a pgt because im familiar with the car so why not ?

Ah makes sense, if you need a hand, your only an hour and a half away from

[lxoom]

Am I going to be the only one to point out that its a VERY bad idea to weld to a forging? The Festy LCA should not be welded to. Welding on forgings and casting causes embrittlement of the material, which will lead to catastrophic failure.

welding to a forging can be done if the piece is pre and post heated

So what exactly are you planning to do? are you going to attempt a V6 swap or something?

no, i wanted something that will give me options for big brakes and good tires and coil over suspension for time attack, went with a pgt because im familiar with the car so why not ?