FestiVWa 2.0 Aba Project

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After a long search, I found this 90 Festiva with the sole purpose of using it for my planned engine swap. I had a swap in mind but didn't know for sure until I had this Festiva in the garage where I could measure it. Also made multiple trips to the wrecking yards to take measurements from the planned donor engine & tranny.

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Engine: 98 VW Jetta 2.0 8V Aba
Transmission: 00 VW Golf O2J 5speed

Here's some specs for comparison.
VW Aba:
115Hp @ 5400 rpm
122Tq @ 3200 rpm

Ford BP
125Hp @ 6500 rpm
114Tq @ 4500 rpm

The reasons I chose the VW 2.0 8V Aba was because:
1. I like that the peak torque comes closer in the rpm range to what a everyday driver could take advantage of.
2. These engines are so plentiful.
3. They have a huge aftermarket ranging from intakes, cams, headers, turbo manifolds, chip tuning, etc...
4. It's a OBD2 which means I can plug into the diagnostic port to find out what's going on.
5. It's a strong iron block which can withstand boost being added to it, (more on that later).
6. It's a small compact design which fits a Festiva really well!

More Specs:
The VW Aba engine is almost 18" long which is about the same length as the B3.
The VW 02J 5 speed is 14 1/2" long which is only 1" longer then original Festiva 5speed.
Festiva 5 speed weighs in at 62 lbs.
VW O2J 5 speed weighs in at 92 lbs.

Here's some clearance pics at the tranny end to frame, crank pulley to frame, clearance by the steering rack, and firewall.
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The only place that needs some trimming is a little sheet metal on the core support to make room for the alternator.
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I bought the engine this morning and pressure washed it at the local car wash.
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My brothers tranny in his truck started slipping real bad and he couldn't make it all the way to my garage. So whata going now? In the back seat of my Saturn it goes.
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Continued...

[Fecomatter]

man, like you just made that swap sound so reasonable. i'm going to do a tdi swap when I get the opportunity

[wwwdotgov]

The tranny started slipping real bad in my brothers truck. I wasn't about to give up and rent a truck, so hauling in the back seat of my Saturn was the solution. At least it got pressure washed 45 minutes earlier. We made a ramp with 2X4's and slid it down into the back seat.
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Had to Jack up the car and remove the wheel to get the engine hoist enough room to lift it out.
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[sc72]

The engine compartment is nice and clean also. Good luck with the swap.

[wwwdotgov]

I have more pics but it looks like I exceeded my limit. Says I exceeded my quota by 35.4kb

[wwwdotgov]

The engine compartment is nice and clean also. Good luck with the swap.

Thanks.

[1990new]

I have more pics but it looks like I exceeded my limit. Says I exceeded my quota by 35.4kb

Set up a free photobucket account, upload pictures there and then you can link those pictures to show up here and you don't have to worry about a limit. Easier to do too once you learn how it works.

[wwwdotgov]

Set up a free photobucket account, upload pictures there and then you can link those pictures to show up here and you don't have to worry about a limit. Easier to do too once you learn how it works.

Thanks. I'm giving photobucket a try now.
Edit. Much better!

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Cleaned engine bay.

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Test Fitting:

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http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/wwwdotgov/Mobile%20Uploads/025%20800x600_zpskfrfp4dv.jpg

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Quick story. A few weeks back I was looking for a engine hoist on Craigslist. I saw an ad posted with this here picture attached.


I'm looking at the picture and realize, I know this street, recognize the culdesac and house in the background! Turns out the guy selling it only lives 2 blocks away. When I talked to him on the phone I said, "I already know where you live". Kinda spooked him a little I think. Lol.
Now I walk down the street to take a look at it and then noticed the VW sticker that was slapped on the hoist by the previous owner. Like it was meant be! Bought it on spot and brought it home.

[wwwdotgov]

man, like you just made that swap sound so reasonable. i'm going to do a tdi swap when I get the opportunity

I'm trying to forget the negatives though. Like what a set of custom drive axles are going to co$t me.

[Flyin4stroke]

I'm trying to forget the negatives though. Like what a set of custom drive axles are going to co$t me.

I was wondering the same thing.

[TominMO]

I'm trying to forget the negatives though. Like what a set of custom drive axles are going to co$t me.

Is it possible to go all-VW on the front end? Knuckles, brakes, and suspension? Then you would only need custom inner tie rods for the steering, which sounds much cheaper.

If the front wheel stud spacing is 4x100, you could just do an Aspire rear brake swap to match up the pattern. If it's 4x108, you could still do that, and get aftermarket wheels with both 4x100 and 4x108.