I'm back! 1989 White L with a Hockey Stripe!

[chrisofna]

Hey guys,

Long time member but I took a hiatus from Festivas for 4 years after my brother did this:

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?40642-This-was-totally-proper-revenge-for-telling-my-brother-to-turn-down-music

I had to get settled into my new life in Connecticut. Ending up building a 1984 Toyota Cressida with a 2JZ, and now I have this car: a 1989 4-speed L.




Plan for this one is a B6D with suspension and wheel mods, essentially make it my backroads go-kart. Looking forward to seeing all the new stuff you guys came up with in forms of modifications and keeping these cars alive.

[Advancedynamix]

Welcome back! B6d is a great choice. We've been hard at work sorting suspension setups since you've been gone.

[chrisofna]

I see that there is a rear camber mod now which probably helps a bit on handling. Is it a slanted spacer I assume?

[TominMO]

Hey, great to see you back! Car looks pretty rust-free, probably a rarity in CT.

I just read through that whole thread you posted. Sad and hilarious at the same time! :-)

[Advancedynamix]

I see that there is a rear camber mod now which probably helps a bit on handling. Is it a slanted spacer I assume?

Yeah, that's exactly it. Its slanted and slotted for camber/toe adjustment.


Nate is working on a production run of these that fit both festiva and aspire beams.
We've also nailed down spring and dampener rates that allow the Festiva to be both comfortable and handle well enough to out handle exotic sports cars with ease. Festiva owners are now taking home trophies in autocross and road racing events all over the country with a setup that costs less than 700 bucks to build.

[Advancedynamix]

Is that Mazda 2 also yours?

[chrisofna]

Nate is working on a production run of these that fit both festiva and aspire beams.
We've also nailed down spring and dampener rates that allow the Festiva to be both comfortable and handle well enough to out handle exotic sports cars with ease.

I'll keep a look out when these spacers are available and grab a set.

I've been reading the Advanced Suspension thread and the ultimate street suspension thread getting ideas on what to go with. Basic maintenance to make sure the car isn't going to break first (the cheap stuff), then I'm going to start working on suspension and wheels/tires set-ups.

Still trying to figure out if I wanna do the Aspire brake swap or the Rio brake swap, I suppose it only matters what bolt pattern I want.

[Team Lightning]

Aspire and Rio swap is the same bolt pattern, 4x100. Welcome back!!

[Advancedynamix]

Like Jerry said, both Aspire and Rio are 4x100. 2001 and 2002 Rio is exactly the same as the Aspire automatic, and 2003-2005 is a larger brake that won't fit 13" wheels.

[chrisofna]

Like Jerry said, both Aspire and Rio are 4x100. 2001 and 2002 Rio is exactly the same as the Aspire automatic, and 2003-2005 is a larger brake that won't fit 13" wheels.

Ahh, for some reason I though the Rio was 4x114.3.

I assume it's just the front though right? Like the rear Rio beam doesn't fit the Festiva for it's rear brakes? Also I saw that the knuckle is taller on the Rio.

[Team Lightning]

Mine has the Aspire stuff under it but on the 2001 Rio's the rotors have the same number as the Auto Aspires. That's according to rockauto.com Part numbers. And yes, it's only the Aspire rear beam that works.

[Advancedynamix]

Also, both the Aspire and Rio knuckles are taller than the festiva, and have longer arms for the tie rod end (results in slower steering). The Rio power rack fits the festiva though, and corrects the slow steering issue.
The front VW mk2 adjustable coilover struts are also shorter than the stock festiva struts, so the extra knuckle height isn't a problem.

[skeeters_keeper]

Welcome back chris! If you want 4x114.3 you can look at the capri brake swap.

[chrisofna]

Welcome back chris! If you want 4x114.3 you can look at the capri brake swap.

Yep! That's what I did on my first car I built since I had a full Capri parts car. I gotta weigh the options but around here 4x100 is much easier to find wheels for.

[Dragonhealer]

Welcome Back! Is the Mazda 2 yours also?