Which engine would you recommend?

[Festiva_Fred]

Ok so as some of you already know I plan on building a AutoX festiva.. http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=25382 I have 2 extra B3's laying around (one w/147k on it) and was wondering if that with some minor mods would be good enough for AutoX? Keep in mind that this car will be alot lighter than stock since I'm removing everthing that isn't needed to make the car drive/stay street legal. Or would you guys recommend a engine swap?

-Fred

[sodikartracer]

the stock B3 is enough to have fun with and an engine swap will likely put you in a different class, but if your like a lot of us on here..... you wanna go FFAAAASSSTTT ; ) hahaha

[TominMO]

B3: 63 HP
B6: 82 HP
B8: 100 HP
The 6 and 8 obviously have more torque too. The 6 is probably the same weight, or close to it, as the B3. And the 8 can't be too much heavier. I'd get the B8 if possible, the B6 if not.

[Festiva_Fred]

B3: 63 HP
B6: 82 HP
B8: 100 HP
The 6 and 8 obviously have more torque too. The 6 is probably the same weight, or close to it, as the B3. And the 8 can't be too much heavier. I'd get the B8 if possible, the B6 if not.

Yeah, I had been thinking about a B8 maybe..

[blkfordsedan]

the stock B3 is enough to have fun with and an engine swap will likely put you in a different class, but if your like a lot of us on here..... you wanna go FFAAAASSSTTT ; ) hahaha

I would base the choice on class rules. There may be a competitive advantage to staying with the B3 in a particular class. You could also swap in a B6 long block and "pretend" it's a B3.

[Festiva_Fred]

I would base the choice on class rules. There may be a competitive advantage to staying with the B3 in a particular class. You could also swap in a B6 long block and "pretend" it's a B3.

You have a very good point.

[25Horseplay]

Fred you may want to PM Quaddawg about this. He is heavily involved with autocrossing and knows thr rules really good. This may help you decide on a swap or use the stock engine. I would stick with the stock motor and hop it up where you can and work on a better suspension.

[TominMO]

You have a very good point.

Are there identifying marks on the B6 that would differentiate it from the B3?

[blkfordsedan]

Are there identifying marks on the B6 that would differentiate it from the B3?

Probably, but if I don't know and you don't know, then what are the chances that the average Joe Tech Inspector would know? Besides, even if it has B6 cast on the head, how many non-Festiva people actually know what it means or that the Festiva never cam with a B6? You could even use a bored B3 block and head and install B6 pistons and valves. The only way they would know for sure is by pumping the cylinders or a tear down. Not that I condone cheating, but running the local dirt tracks around here taught me that the points leader is the guy who figured out the best way to cheat. I've seen small block Chevys with flat tops in 7 cylinders and 1 cylinder with a dished piston. I've also seen blocks machined for larger diameter lifters, cams with less lift on 1 cylinder and tiny holes drilled in the intake runners to increase air flow to circumvent the 2V carb
restriction! A good Tech Inspector can catch these things, but most of them around here only do a quick check unless someone files a claim.

[JPT]

Handling and braking is everything in AutoX. I'd sort out the suspension first, learn to drive it and then worry about power.

[GenevaDirt]

don't understand why someone would want to cheat to win..... if you do win while you cheated....can you really consider it a win?

[eurotiva]

I've run a couple auto-x with mine and a b3 is the best bet, not too much power, and you can control the car better. I recommend lots of suspension work. Auto-x is about smooth transitions. My wife was competitive (time wise) with stock corvettes.Note my avatar .....that's my wife drivin' on 3 wheels.

[muscle_Car1]

The b6 is lighter than the b3 as its a bored out b3. lower right hand, frontside of the block near the distributor is the engine code

[eurotiva]

^ good info

[Festiva_Fred]

Looks like I'll be sticking with the B3 then, that'll save me some $$ too since I already have one, and I can put that $$ towards suspension work.