My first engine swap build thread

[Charlie1717]

I just spent the last hour going through all 37 pages of this thread. I must say this is probably one of my favorite Festiva's I've ever seen. I like it being clean and simple not to flashy. Looks amazing overall. Just letting you know... Great job!

[neanderpaul]

the a/c will cost you two miles per gallon. Or twenty miles per tank full. So you have to buy an extra half a gallon of gas. At $2.50/ gallon it would cost you $1.25 per tank to run the air. Well worth it on a long cruise imo. Plus you get the quiet cabin w/o the windows rolled down.

x 2!!!

[neanderpaul]

definately mileage results a person could live with!

x 2!

[freshtiva]

The A/C will cost you two miles per gallon. Or twenty miles per tank full. So you have to buy an extra half a gallon of gas. At $2.50/ gallon it would cost you $1.25 per tank to run the air. Well worth it on a long cruise IMO. Plus you get the quiet cabin w/o the windows rolled down.

[MONSOON]

Definately mileage results a person could live with!

[neanderpaul]

Nice data, thanks!

[freshtiva]

Have you been checking fuel economy?

Im planning on taking the car to the Des Moines Iowa meet on the 12th of Sept. Ill do an actual MPG test then and let you know. Ill say it will do at least 38 mpg on the HWY, probably better, depending on the winds.

The results of the MPG test

Trip up to Des Moines Hwy miles 1st fill up 222 miles 5.5 gals = 40.36 MPG ( steady 70-75 mph )
Mixed driving around Des Moines A/C on 197 milles 5.6 gals = 35.18 MPG
Last fill up upon arriving home A/C on 146 miles 3.95 gals = 37 MPG

Total miles 565 used 15.05 gals for average of 37.54 MPG

Two people in car loaded with tools, emergency spare parts, cooler, overnight bag, slight head wind going and slight tail wind returning.

[eurotiva]

Nice.Congrats Fresh. I just clicked over 5000 on my swap and love it. Mines a little less mpg.

[freshtiva]

Have you been checking fuel economy?

Not faithfully, but there isnt a major difference from a stock festiva. Maybe a mile or two per gallon less. The B6 will pull hills and headwinds without a need to push on the gas pedal. Im planning on taking the car to the Des Moines Iowa meet on the 12th of Sept. Ill do an actual MPG test then and let you know. Ill say it will do at least 38 mpg on the HWY, probably better, depending on the winds.

[xanthinic12]

i had a problem with belts chirping in my b6, i think i put the one with the ridges on the back, dayco topcog. in and it worked fine.

[neanderpaul]

Have you been checking fuel economy?

[freshtiva]

Ive got over 3000 miles on this swap now. Ive done some adjustments. I put an aspire master cylinder on which really helped the brake pedal feel. About a month ago I started getting a belt chirp on start up. Checked the alt belt and figured it may be a bit loose, tightened it. A few days ago the chirp was back. Examined the belt and found whats shown in the first pic below. The standard festiva alt belt was being destroyed on the sides. Closer inspection showed the belt bottoming out in the pulley. Im sure I put festiva pulleys on this motor. Anyway my solution was to go with a thicker slightly longer belt to prevent the bottoming out. Went from the 7350 to the 9350, so far so good. Still dont understand why the original belt was being bestroyed. I had black rubber residue all over the alt and timing belt cover. Ill keep an eye on it. The parts store guy suggested the pulley was worn, I dont see the wear if thats the case.

[freshtiva]

Now you've got me more motivated than ever!

Maybe one day, I too, will be able to do something like that...

Looking at your cars (and this thread) puts expensive ideas into my head.

But I guess it's just part of the addiction.

you've inspired me to fix up my Festy.

That makes it all worth while. Inspiring people to save and fix up festivas is the main motivation here at the Festiva Ranch !!

[FeistyFesti]

Awesome work Fresh, you've inspired me to fix up my Festy. You should be proud of yourself!

[JPT]

...I especially liked that you took the time to tally the expense. That's kinda how mine was named expenstiva. It wasn't supposed to be like this, just a little cheap dd car- I never planned to mod a festiva.

...Its probably near $3000 now not counting my free labor.

Isn't it funny how these cheap, little cars just soak up all kinds of money? Bought mine for $400.00 and have put waaaay more than that into it so far.

...and I'm just getting started.

BTW Freshtiva, I also hate you. :p Looking at your cars (and this thread) puts expensive ideas into my head.

But I guess it's just part of the addiction.