'91 Festiva, fun daily build

[TominMO]

Does anybody knows what this sensor/box is?

That is the fuel pump safety disconnect thingy. If you have an accident, that will trip (pop up) to shut off the fuel. Then you just push it down again to reset it.

Car is looking good!

[Festiver]

SHIFTER ::

Installed the Civic short shifter, no pics as we all know what it is. Does anybody have specs for the proper bolt to use since the stock bolt does not fit in the hole and I used what I had in my random box of bolts for now, its smaller then the hole and probably not ideal. I guess I will take it out again and go to ACE hardware to find something that will be snug.

SUSPENSION AND WHEELS ::

Installed wheels then rolled the fenders.


Assembled the suspension.


Slammed look before I adjusted the suspension.



For those that wonder, I don't think its possible to be this low because the toe adjustment was maxed out and I still had plenty of toe out. Do different tie rod ends allow for that? There's also about an 1" of clearance at the pinched panels inside the wheel well, I suppose these can be hammered out of the way, but I'm not about that life, plus who knows how well it'll ride at that height. I also had to use a washer at the back and I'm sure that added some toe in and thus extra wear on the rear tires.


Adjusted the suspension, it sits at about 21 1/2" or so in the front. Camber was eye balled. Toe was eye balled.
Once I rebuild the rack and pinion I will have it aligned at the shop. Removed the washer from the back, no rubbing so far.



Does anybody knows what this sensor/box is?



Also I drove it on the highway at the adjusted height and I had something weird happening to steering as if it was binding at the center. Like when I would try to turn, it would be nothing then it'd sorta snap and turn.

I drove it again today on the streets and did not notice anything weird with the steering, so maybe it went away on its own, or its still a problem just manifests itself on the freeway.

Can be due to tie rods angle? Too straight? Looks like some cars are at this height or lower have they done some adjustments?

On the miata I was able to space the rack higher to avoid bump steer when I lowered it, but the way the rack is mounted I don't think there's any possibility for adjustments to create some angle.

I guess I'll see if its still a problem when I'm on the highway next time.

Wow that's beautiful

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[festyfreak39]

man that looks unreal!!!! good job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! beautiful!

[Advancedynamix]

Didn't your front coilovers come with upper spring hats? That's why your steering is binding, you need spring hats so that the spring and shock shaft turn with the bearing in the strut mount.

Like these. You can see the aluminum spring hat between the spring and strut mount. The spring needs to rotate with the shock. I also put a 5/8" washer between the hat and strut mount so that the bearing isn't supported by the soft aluminum.
Your car looks awesome with those bottle caps BTW!

[parrainx]

Didn't your front coilovers come with upper spring hats? That's why your steering is binding, you need spring hats so that the spring and shock shaft turn with the bearing in the strut mount.
Like these. You can see the aluminum spring hat between the spring and strut mount. The spring needs to rotate with the shock. I also put a 5/8" washer between the hat and strut mount so that the bearing isn't supported by the soft aluminum.
Your car looks awesome with those bottle caps BTW!

Yes they did, but I saw a photo of struts assembled without them on here and followed it as an example. Will re-do them. Thanks for catching that.


Thank you all for the compliments.

[firebush357]

I relocated my Fuel Cutoff thingy to the inside of the fender to clean things up a bit. Just make sure that it is mounted facing the same direction if you do that because if it is Sideways or upside down it will trip much easier.

[TominMO]

I relocated my Fuel Cutoff thingy to the inside of the fender to clean things up a bit. Just make sure that it is mounted facing the same direction if you do that because if it is Sideways or upside down it will trip much easier.

Isn't that going to make it susceptible to all the stuff the tire throws onto it?

[firebush357]

Isn't that going to make it susceptible to all the stuff the tire throws onto it?

Sorry, I made that sound confusing... I just moved it to inside the Rear Panel where all of the Brake Light Wiring goes.

[Advancedynamix]

Yes they did, but I saw a photo of struts assembled without them on here and followed it as an example. Will re-do them. Thanks for catching that.


Thank you all for the compliments.

You'll have to run the adjusters all the way down to install the spring, and then even squish the spring a bit, but it all does fit. That should improve how the car steers.
In the rear, how did you support the bottom of the rubber shock bushing? It's important that this bushing works correctly or you'll have premature shock wear. I've never tried using that style of rear spring hat, but I have a pair of them somewhere.
The rear seam that you speak of, is that where the rear bumper attaches?

[parrainx]

I installed the spring hats yesterday, but it was pouring out, so I didn't end up driving it, but I'm sure that was the problem.

I used the original cup that the bushing sat on and put it over the new spring hat (cupping it), this way it will definitely stay centered and bushing is sitting on top of that as it was originally.

Seam I was taking about is in the front wheel well at the back. it has a screw hole in it for the liner.

[festyfreak39]

what is your overall plan for the car? never thought in a million years bottle caps would look that cool

[Advancedynamix]

Seam I was taking about is in the front wheel well at the back. it has a screw hole in it for the liner.

I haven't had any problems with my tires hitting there.

[parrainx]

what is your overall plan for the car? never thought in a million years bottle caps would look that cool

My excuse is to occasionally commute for work related stuff, I can walk to my main office, but sometimes I need to drive to Corporate or other properties.

Real reason? I was bored and wanted another car to mess with. I always missed the first one I had. It's sort of a dream car and hopefully I can keep it forever.

Basically immediate goal is to have a reliable fun car to drive around which I pretty much already achieved. Take it to Good Guys autocross for poops n giggles, since they don't want my miata because its not American. Take it to a back road for fun and hunt some sport cars (already do that with the miata).

Long-Term - motor swap, but I want to have a smog legal car (Miata is not and that's enough hassle). I was at the junk yard today looking at Festiva for random parts and there was a Capri with what I'm guessing is a 1.8 motor (DOHC 16V), and Escort GT with 1.9 EFI right next to it. It was very tempting, but a motor swap and living in an apartment in the middle of SF does not go together. Yes, I got a nice place I can work on the cars in, but motor swap is not doable there.

Someone mentioned that a B6 is somewhat passable for SMOG, but I'm not sure what that engine looks like. I need to brush up on Mazda engine designations.

[parrainx]

Look at what I scored at the junk yard today!



Got it out of a '88 L, is that factory or was it custom work? Front seats were vinyl as well. Passenger was perfect also, and driver's just had a bolster seam ripped, but was totally fixable. I didn't get them cause I got my mind set on the Miata seats up front for better support.

I was actually looking for power steering rack for quicker steering, but totally forgot to check because I was so excited about the seat (might go back).

I also went to another yard and looked at '90 L Plus (auto), it had the instrument cluster with the tach in it. Will it work on my '91? Is it possible to roll the odometer to match my current mileage?

I also noticed that it had fancy door cards with pockets and cloth insert, never seen that before (I'm guessing that's why its the "Plus"). It had all cloth seats.

There is another yard that just got a '93 L, I might go see if it has the P/S rack tomorrow.


I seem to be the only one looking at Festiva's in this area, so it works in my favor.

[william]

Custom recover ! Looks good