Finally Back on the Road

[Festiva_tunner]

Looking Great Arnie - can you PM me with more infor on how your Teins are set-up? I'll be running them once I go pick them up.

[Tim]

I think Tim mentioned at the time that it was R134a that was used in this system when he pulled it out of his buddy's car. So that's what i'll be using.

Yes, I am 100% sure it was r134a. Somewhere, either on the car or the A/C system, was a sticker that had an install date from the mid 90s, and specifically mentioned R134a.



-Tim

[Arnie]

Thanks for the confirmation Tim. whew cant wait to get the AC finished.

[Festiva GTX]

Thanks for the confirmation Tim. whew cant wait to get the AC finished.

Let me know how temp coming out your main vent. Mine with R12a refrigerant went to 25's F darn cold!

[Arnie]

Whiteline Mazda 323 strut tower bar

The center section was a bit long so i had to trim a bit off each end and shorten the bolts that thread into the center section a bit as well. Also had to enlongate the holes of the mounting plate. Nothing too dramatic but now the engine bay has some bling. I imagine it works pretty well as this car has zero body stiffness. however i can't really feel any huge difference because of the tall sidewall tires. Still, its good to have the extra chassis stiffness to keep help maintain alignment angles.

[eurotiva]

Nice setup there

[Arnie]

thanks! i think i'm most excited about the new walmart battery that matches the car.

i was considering getting a braille battery to lose some weight but i'd rather have the reliability of the big battery. i sometimes leave the car sitting for several weeks and know that the battery would need a trickle charger to keep it up. dont' feel like dealing with that hassle.

i can't wait to get that AC pulley and finally finish the AC as i'll probably drive this car all the time and just mothball the subaru. :lol:

[eurotiva]

you will

[Arnie]

eurotiva - you have a B8 swap in your car, correct? That's fairly drop in right? No need to mod the firewall? wiring straightforward?

[fastivaca]

It looks like you'll lose the room for your strut bar when you swap in a B6 or a B8. you're going to lose the room for your strut bar.

[eurotiva]

Yup I have a b8 with the stock festy trans. Wiring is straight plug and play (ex. the isc which is 2 wires) and had to drill 1 motor mount hole. And trim the oil pan for the axle(because of the festy trans.) And I love it. It has a turbo too. Runs 14.3 in the 1/4. And still has a/c, b/c it's my dd. there are some pics in photo gallery under Cool festiva pics.
If you have any ?s Just let me know.

[Festiva_tunner]

Perhaps a write up could be done on your strut bar it looks sharp

[thered56]

Honestly, this is one of best best pictures of a Festiva I've ever seen! Nice job, and good to see the progress. Your car is soundin pretty sweet!

[Arnie]

Thanks! Yeah, not bad for a quick snap shot.

Yeah, unfortunately I didn't take any pics while doing the strut tower bar mod. But it was very straightforward. Just trim about 3/4" off both ends of the center section with a sawzall and then trim the turnbuckle bolts maybe 1/2" each. The holes on the bracket for the strut tower just need to be elongated maybe 1/8" or so to fit over the Festiva strut top bolts.

[batstiva]

That car is looking sooo good! Love the wheels, and I so very much want one of those strut bars. Hope you can mothball the Subu real soon.