Aspire/Festiva suspension swap

[Pu241]

I will have a closer look at how straight up the wheels currently are (Festiva control arms are much shorter) and post some pictures tonight.

I don't think pics are needed, the axles are now too short for the LCA and will pop out at the first turn.

I guess I'll spring for Aspire axles since the donor car has already gone to the wrecking yard. This has been a time consuming stunt.

Again, who's procedure did you follow for this, link please.

If I understand right the low mileage Aspire B3 (1997), that came with the car, should produce about 10 more horsepower than a Festiva EFI B3.

No, where are you getting your info from, so we can fix/remove it?

[getnpsi]

The aspire has roller valve assembly but it wont give you 10 hp. I think converting to rollers on a 351W ford gives you 10hp.

With these swaps it's all or nothing. I have extra aspire axles and i need 2 festiva axles to get on the road. I'm thinking about getting aspire control arms and doing it this way too.

[neanderpaul]

The aspire has a more restrictive exhaust manifold iirc.

[htchbck]

Hmmm hadn't thought about the possibility of using an Aspire rack to gain power steering... I'll have to keep an eye out for that to go on Babystiva when I'm sourcing a brake swap for Chuck. Wifey wants PS for the "big fat" 175/70R13s lol. I told her when those wear out she'll be getting 155/80s but she still wants PS lol. If I can find a rack I'll just give her the pump and lines off the Miata since I no longer use it

[Bert]

The pump, pulley, hoses and reservoir will take up a lot of time and space in a Festiva engine bay! Manual steering is preferable in most regards if you really like to drive. It's only when standing still that power assist is of any consequence. I grew up with 'armstrong' steering in Ford pickup trucks and Ramblers and being able to spin the wheel on ice or snow is not something that can be done as easily on powered steering cars.
I took a break from car mechanicals today and will have another looksee at CVs next weekend. It may be I have to switch back to Festiva control arms if castor/camber is not right, and/or buy into Aspire driveshafts.
By the way has anyone out there found stock 14 inch rims that fit right on? Virtually everything 100mm I've looked at VW/Honda and Toyota has more than 4 1/2 inch backset. Most 14 inch rims sit about 5 1/2 inches in.
The Internet site for Aspire/Festiva suspension swaps was somewhere on the Mazda Protege forum. That contributor had itemized everything and suggested it only takes about 4 hours.
As to B3 engine specs; Wikipedia for mazda B-series engines lists B3s as having 58 hp for carbs, 63 for EFI and then 73 hp for 1994 and up B3s. If I get that Aspire motor in the car I would imagine, if it has 10 extra hp, I will notice for sure.

[muscle_Car1]

We will have to look @ wiki. I have the complete aspire swap done on 4 festys now. Use the festiva control arms w/aspire hubs. Then add the aspire sway bar

[yelo festiva]

manual steering

You wouldn't happen to know if the power steering setup from and Aspire will fit a Festiva would you?

That I don't know. Mine is manual steering.