Improving my investment!

[redbirds25to5]

I have just purchased a 1993 Festiva Auto GL. I'll post before and after detailing pictures in the next few days. Luckily, there aren't too many existing body issues.

Basically, I just want to know what I can do as far as quick fix upgrades. What's best for the Festiva? What would you get into first? I've got hours of elbow grease to pour into this vehicle because it will serve as my DD. Thanks!

[links56]

I would do the aspire swap for the better brakes and suspension. Plus then you can run many more tire sizes and rims. The stock 12inch tires don't really last very long and they are getting harder to get ahold of.

[David88]

Welcome and Congratulations! You just made the best automobile purchase you could make for the money. When you get time in between loving your new car, fill in your location in your profile. Cant wait for pics. Get to know it. Drive it. Love it. It will tell you what it needs. We will help you. Enjoy. What color is it?

[DriverOne]

Welcome, Redbirds! Update your location. With the auto, I think you've got two upgrades that I think are 'almost' necessary. BP swap, which takes an early 90's model Escort or Protege engine and attaches it directly to your auto trans while utilizing the original Festiva wiring harness (get the BP ECU, it's behind the dash cluster, you'll need it) and the addition of two wires. Second is the Aspire swap which enlarges your brakes and gives you a better swaybar. If you have $1K and some time, you should be able to find both of these in the junkyards. That should get you started.

[georgeb]

Change the oil and flush the cooling system. While the system is empty, replace the bypass hose with a piece of 5/16 fuel line. Mine burst on the first lengthy trip in my '89, almost frying the motor. It also burst on my '93.

[ericsmith32]

The only investment you need is to bump the timing and maintenance. Brake wise the auto's are fine unless you plan on carrying a boat load of people or cargo everyday. I don't the exact setting for the timing but it should just be couple degrees. Change your trans fluid with a good fluid and bottle of Lubeguard Red. Takes 6 quarts and you can pump it out of the top hose coming from the radiator. My auto does just fine in traffic power wise and stopping wise. Bigger engine is less mpg.

[Safety Guy]

Welcome Redbirds.

First thing is to check your brake and fuel lines for corrosion so your brakes don't fail and you aren't stranded somewhere.

Second, check your ball joints. They get loose eventually and when they fail, you lose your steering when one of the front wheels flops over. Very bad.

Third, take care of all the necessary normal upkeep: timing, tune up, brake overhaul, checking rear bearings and bearing play (often they are loose, so why not put in new bearings while you're at it?), tire pressure and wear patterns, etc.

Before you do any major modification work, just drive your car as it is to see how you like it. Some folks don't want more power or even better braking because they drive easy and carefully. I've had Festivas with bad brakes, so I know how bad they can get. However, I've also had both autos and manuals with decent brakes, and they work well enough if you don't haul heavy loads or drive too fast all the time.

After you've checked the usual things and done basic maintenance, just drive it for a few weeks before doing anything radical.

Finally, it is really important to get a Ford Shop Manual or at least a Haynes repair manual so you have something to guide you in most of your work. The Ford Shop manual is much better, but the Haynes will do for most of your needs. I have both!

After you start digging into your car, you can always ask questions here. Try using the search function first though.

Note that while the BP (around 130hp) will give you lots of power, the B6 (82hp) will increase your driving pleasure with little penalty in fuel consumption. The B8 (103hp) will be somewhere in between.

Whether or not you do an engine swap some day, the Aspire brake/suspension conversion comes highly recommended as it will greatly improve braking and reduce lean in cornering (rear sway bar). You'll also get the more common 4 X 100mm bolt pattern to replace the stock 4 X 114.3mm pattern.

Karl

[redbirds25to5]

I greatly appreciate all the suggestions! For now, an engine or brake swap is not within my comfort level, but I'll still look into the other preventative maintenance issues that may pop up soon (this vehicle currently has almost 140,000).

To answer David88's question, the car is stock red. Other than a few spots to touch up, I want to return the grille to its original stock red color. One of the previous owners painted it black. Unfortunately, there are some obnoxious speakers in the front doors too which I will be pulling out and replacing the stock speaker covers.

Still, aside from the minor aesthetic issues, I'm most concerned with the functionality of this little beast. It will hopefully serve well as my DD to work!