parts graveyard. what have you destroyed?

[info4all]

Hello Festi-maniacs! I have been crawling through this forum for about a week now learning from all of you and getting to know everybody. I must say you all are great. I am in the planning process of my very own project car (starting with an 88 L carb 4 speed) and I thought this might be a fun post to introduce myself. What have you worn out, killed, or replaced?

[packrat427]

Welcome to the board

If you are talking about a Festiva being killed ,or worn out parts ,and replacing .

I can't wear it out , it is the most dependable car I have ever owned ,
The bearings in my tranny were on there way when I got the car , so I had the tranny rebuilt and replaced the clutch at that time .

Repacked the wheel bearings several times , I have replaced the front rotors twice , the first 2 sets actually melted down , now it has a Raybestos Rotor set on it .

I did replace the lower control arm assy's and swaybar bushings and had a torn CV boot.

Replaced the fuel pump several times FI ( in the tank pump )

I have upgraded a bunch of things on my Festiva , BUT I can't actually recall breaking anything . As for other cars ,
I have sent a bunch to the scrapper , I like my GM cars ,but it is always something with them . I would put my Festiva up against most anything for dependability as would others IF it has been 1/2 way maintained .

How many cars do you know that have 470,000 + miles on them ??

[info4all]

Wow, that was exactly what I was looking for and what a testament, 470,000 . I have a hard time getting my former cars past 150,000.

Thanks

[Guest]

150k is break in on a well maintained Festiva.. 300k+ average if taken care of with regular inspection and replacement of old worn parts..

[neanderpaul]

durability

Yeah man, welcome! I've seen 2 festivas this month here in Roanoke, VA with 378,000 (carbed) and 389,000 miles (efi). The rear wheel bearings, e brake cable, and muffler are the only weak spots on a festiva. If you are brutal to a transmission you can knock out some gears, but thats only if you are brutal. I plan to do the aspire brake swap on my 91. I've got an 89 L that I'm thinking about putting a b6t in. Aspire brakes for that one to. If you stay bone stock on the engine and trans and just change the oil they will just go and go. I have 2 now, but I've had 14 total. I've said it before I'll say it again. Festiva, best car.... ever. Good luck!

[Damkid]

Re: durability

If you are brutal to a transmission you can knock out some gears, but thats only if you are brutal.

that's how i blew my tranny

[Festy46]

We have been racing Festivas on circle track dirt for 4 years and have only had one DNF for mechanical failure, a blown head gasket. I love it when the track announces a big race like a 100 or 150 lapper. There will be 26 or more cars start the race and only 10 or 12 will finish it and the Festiva will be one that is there at the finish. The Festiva has taken some hard hits and is still able to contine which is amazing considering how light they are built. We run a 1/3 mile track all the way around in second gear - 5500 rpms through the corners and 7000+ at the end of the straights.

[neanderpaul]

sweet!

We have been racing Festivas on circle track dirt for 4 years and have only had one DNF for mechanical failure, a blown head gasket. I love it when the track announces a big race like a 100 or 150 lapper. There will be 26 or more cars start the race and only 10 or 12 will finish it and the Festiva will be one that is there at the finish. The Festiva has taken some hard hits and is still able to contine which is amazing considering how light they are built. We run a 1/3 mile track all the way around in second gear - 5500 rpms through the corners and 7000+ at the end of the straights.

SWEEEEEEET! Crazy fun!

[neanderpaul]

Re: durability

If you are brutal to a transmission you can knock out some gears, but thats only if you are brutal.

that's how i blew my tranny

me too, twice. But that was about 12 years ago when I was still crazy! 8^) I knocked out 2nd and then third in my first festiva (89 L) and 3rd and then 2nd on my second festiva (89 L) I don't do that anymore.

p.s. I still think your scoops make the coolest festiva hood ever!

[Damkid]

Re: durability

If you are brutal to a transmission you can knock out some gears, but thats only if you are brutal.

that's how i blew my tranny

me too, twice. But that was about 12 years ago when I was still crazy! 8^) I knocked out 2nd and then third in my first festiva (89 L) and 3rd and then 2nd on my second festiva (89 L) I don't do that anymore.

p.s. I still think your scoops make the coolest festiva hood ever!

i didn't blow the gears, i blew the differential, so i could still drive it in every gear but it shook the hell out of the car

thanks about the hood

[roycehof]

Hey, Carbonvmax talked me into opening up my 5 speed that was making noise. Found out that the original input bearings are sealed units and that is typical weak spot in those trannys. When mine was making noise I got another trans from a salvage yard - same thing! Then on "Click and Clack" some festiva guy calls in with exactly the same problem. So I must say that is a weakness. Mine failed and I did not abuse it and had owned if for about 3 years (Previously, who knows). Don't let this worry you though because I will soon have a spare if you ever need it.

[neanderpaul]

Great job Roycehof! What did click and clack say? Any praises for the festiva? what about the caller?

[roycehof]

The general concensus was that it was time for the guy to move on. The guy stated he had 225K mi. on it. They poked a little fun at the festiva (they had a laugh on us), but nothing sinister. They mentioned that parts would be hard to find and that they weren't very popular cars. They threw in the safety factor (little, with no airbags). With all that said - they said to get something newer and safer - forget about fixing the transmission (cost morethan it's worth). I guess if you never owned one, you would give the guy the same advise. If they called me I would have told the guy how easy it is to get the transmission out, including all the tools he needs, and how to pop it open and replace that bearing (although honestly, to do the transmission right you do need special tools to check the clearances and set the differential pre-load - but you could just do the one input bearing and I'm sure you could get away with it for a while). All I can say is another one bites the dust- OR some lucky guy will get a bargain. I prefer to think the latter.

[Deathshead]

We have been racing Festivas on circle track dirt for 4 years and have only had one DNF for mechanical failure, a blown head gasket. I love it when the track announces a big race like a 100 or 150 lapper. There will be 26 or more cars start the race and only 10 or 12 will finish it and the Festiva will be one that is there at the finish. The Festiva has taken some hard hits and is still able to contine which is amazing considering how light they are built. We run a 1/3 mile track all the way around in second gear - 5500 rpms through the corners and 7000+ at the end of the straights.

Wow!! that sounds like my drive to and from work, northeastern pa to montville nj everyday, 65 miles.

never once a DNF for me! I try to get too and from as quick as possible to cut the ride down under and hour and a half.

[packrat427]

They mentioned that parts would be hard to find and that they weren't very popular cars.
Ha ha ya right , I had a full bearing set over night !!


- they said to get something newer and safer - forget about fixing the transmission (cost morethan it's worth). bargain. .

Ha ha ya right , I had a full bearing set over night !!





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