Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

The A/C had leaked down over the winter so I put some dye in and charged it enough to find the leak. The leak was just a o-ring where the hose end bolts to the compressor, simple fix. It's never been converted to r134 so I bought a drier and orfice tube to convert it. I'll pull everything apart to add all new o-rings when I flush the system.

I knew the air wasn't blowing out of the vents as hard as it should have so I thought that the evaporator might be clogged... wasn't expecting it to be as bad as it was though. I stuck my phone up to the recirc intake with the flash on and the pic was pretty ugly so I ended up dropping the evap housing. The perks of buying a used car!

https://i.imgur.com/UWE7CU7l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YIhwjM4l.jpg



I really don't know how it could ever get that bad, it was filthy! I brushed off as much as possible then backflushed the fins and soaked/scrubbed it with purple power until it was clean again.

https://i.imgur.com/CGNwvQ7l.jpg



I also cleaned out the evaporator box and glued new foam (upside down headliner material) on the recirc/outside air door so it'll seal up like it should.

https://i.imgur.com/Gqm9nuIl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/kTxdMTyl.jpg



I've started buffing the paint.

https://i.imgur.com/oDryfCSl.jpg

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Well that looked disgusting. Its always interesting to see what out of sight and out of mind will get you, especially when you are dealing with used cars.

What did they do to that poor car? My guess is they went muddin'. They drove it until they got stuck and all 4 people piled out of the car (you don't do dumb stuff when your alone), picked it up and carried it 50 yards back to the road where they all jumped back in and drove off!

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Pretty sure it's pet hair and nicotine residue.

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Hit a yeti while lighting their smokes! NICE!

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Using a coil as the filter. Never good. Looks much nicer for sure.

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

LOL!

Your imagination is awesome!

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Got the A/C all back together, vacuumed/charged, and it's not cooling very well. It'll only get down to 70ish parked and 60ish driving down the road. It also stinks, I must not have got all the junk cleaned out deep inside the evaporator. I ordered a new evaporator core, shoulda done that to start with since they're cheap, and I got a new expansion valve. Pretty sure the expansion valve was the problem with it not cooling enough.


I finally got around to installing the woodgrain shift know a friend made for me.

https://i.imgur.com/eLDFyPTl.jpg


And another friend gave me a set of leftover 185/60-13 Toyo R888's with a bit of life left. These are a good bit softer than my current track tires so it'll be even quicker around corners now.

https://i.imgur.com/hDJmORSl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qp9l3ZEl.jpg


I found a set of 13x6" Compomotive mesh wheels to mount the R888's. There were no offset markings so I'm hoping they fit; I've already rolled and pulled the fenders as much as possible. I'll paint them a dark grey to hide brake dust better since they won't be easy to clean.

https://i.imgur.com/cT6BaH6l.jpg

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Cool wheels. Can’t wait to see them mounted up. Interior looks nice.

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Thanks! A friend bought them early this year and ended up not using them, then gave them away with a car he sold. He posted all of his Festiva stuff for sale but I asked about them after they were already gone. He gave me the new owner's number though, so I sent him a message and he was willing to part with them. He actually gave them to me since my friend Trey threw them in with the car he was selling, so he passed on the favor and I got them just for shipping.

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

A few more parts I picked up recently. Found a domelight from an overseas model equiped with a full length "Funtop" sliding sunroof. I'm buying the US-spec optional sliding sunroof from a friend to go in the maroon '88, so this will be a nice addition to keep it all OEM inside. The factory Fun Top sunroof was pretty bulky looking due to the wind deflector and electric slide mechanism, vs the better fitting US-spec optional sliding top.

https://i.imgur.com/LX7bFMjl.jpg


A Kia Pride brochure showing the Fun Top.

https://i.imgur.com/uFTsRQ1l.jpg



This site has a few pics of a Fun Top, you can see the dome light I have in the one of the pics.

http://80shero.blogspot.com/2015/01/fun-top.html


A US-Spec sliding roof. These fit much flatter to the roof when closed and don't have the front wind deflector. They're also manual instead of electric.

https://i.imgur.com/xKddVHCl.jpg



I bought a set of front camber/caster plates, mainly so I can dial in extra caster. Caster isn't adjustable without these.

https://i.imgur.com/8Oq0gYYl.jpg


Also traded for a pair of 3.5 and 5 degree rear camber spacers; 3.5 for street and 5 for track/autocross.

https://i.imgur.com/PuUas1Yl.jpg

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

So you said Kia Pride. Was that the overseas model?

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Yeah, they were sold as the Ford Festiva, Mazda 121, or Kia Pride depending on where they were sold. Ford had Mazda design them and Kia built them, except Japanese market cars were built by Ford in Japan. Japan got the cool stuff we never did, like factory 1.3 DOHC engines (a destroked, high revving version of the Miata 1.6) in the GT, GTX, and GTA models. The sportier models even had dual mode suspension that was switched from inside the car.


https://blog-001.west.edge.storage-y...g_0?1236639426

https://blog-001.west.edge.storage-y...1_m?1439387056

https://blog-001.west.edge.storage-y...g_8?1439387056

https://auctions.c.yimg.jp/images.au...fi85512913.jpg

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

So cool. I thought KIA really? Wow that’s pretty neat.

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Got the red '88 back out to finish up the engine swap. I'm trying to have it finished by the first weekend in October so I can take it to the Festiva show in Raleigh NC.

https://i.imgur.com/mtIWIwWl.jpg



Also pulled a wrecked parts car out to cut the roof off for donor sections (future chop top project), remove the rear beam, steering rack mount/joint, and a few other odds and ends.

https://i.imgur.com/BBtq2Kyl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IaCKb5ml.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/SSW9qpQl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ucSI8FAl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/N8lyiHTl.jpg

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

A few friends and I have started a Youtube channel to keep up with our autocross builds. Logan is building an Accord, Blake is building a '90 Integra, and I'll be finishing the red '88 Festiva. We'll be racing each other at one of the Clemson Sports Car Club autocrosses this fall, and hopefully I can talk them into doing a couple of track events as well. Road Atlanta, Atlanta Motorsport Park, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Carolina Motorsport Park are all nearby and the SCCA hosts track nights there regularly.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbZ...NtKaOYsVJPXKtg

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

I am still enjoying your Festiva fetish, can't wait to see it on the track. I had a red '88 Festiva once, served as transportation when I was painting my '71 at 17 years old. I loved that car...had an 8 ball shifter and nice stereo. Is it just me or is every Festiva a model "L" and does it stand for luxury? I always got a kick out of that, never seen one that wasn't badged "L".

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

L was the base model, L Plus was mid level trim, and LX was the top trim level from 88-90. L was still the base model from 91-93 but GL was the top trim level. 92/93 had the GL Sport model which had a spoiler and special upholstery added to the normal GL trim. Most are L or GL, the LX and L Plus are fairly uncommon.

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

I’ll be checking out the YouTube channel. I seen another Festiva Thursday. Lol.

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

I towed the Capri to the shop a couple weeks ago and have been pulling parts off it. I'll be using the transmission from it in the red car since the first trans I bought has some issues; someone hacked up the bellhousing by adding a lot of holes, and the tip of the input shaft that rides in the pilot bearing has been ground down to the point that it doesn't fit tightly in the bearing anymore. I also pulled the engine harnes, ecu, and all of the sensors so I'll have everthing for a future turbo engine swap. I sold the headlight door assemblies, driver side door, and headlight relay module for $170 bucks...the whole car only only cost me $200 so once I sell a few more parts and scrap the shell I'll be a few hundred bucks ahead.

https://i.imgur.com/oyRPPiDl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/sZO7PDjl.jpg



The red parts car went to the scrap yard.

https://i.imgur.com/dofIAhul.jpg



I used aircraft stripper on the Compomotive wheels to get the majority of the paint off. There's a few areas that'll need to be smoothed out before I blast before I shoot them with epoxy primer and paint.

https://i.imgur.com/MLkkP3vl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/FkgPKQxl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/tJ4reugl.jpg

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Looks like your all in on the festiva...
Will you be celebrating fetivus this year?....haha...like on seinfeld...

Those wheels would look good just in plain aluminum...what color you gonna do em in?

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Yeah I'm kinda hooked on these things now lol. I'm thinking a medium/dark charcoal metallic with a bit of flattener to knock the gloss off. Should hide brake dust fairly well... mesh wheels on a daily driver that doesn't get cleaned often need all the help they can get!

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Funny..i was reading thru your other builds last night..then watched the videos y'all are making...got on craigslist..and what's the first thing j see?.....https://huntsville.craigslist.org/ct...684491876.html

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Looks like they are more common than I thought. https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/c...676322945.html

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

That guy is dreaming at $2900 firm!



They're not terribly hard to find but they're usually pretty beat up. Finding a nice one is rare.

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

I took the transmission off the engine and cleaned it, then tore it apart today to figure out why it wouldn't shift into reverse. It ended up being a super simple fix; someone had pulled the reverse light switch off and left the sealing washer off. That let the switch sit in the case too deeply and the spot on the internal shift linkage that swings over to press the detent ball was hitting the tip of the threads, stopping the shift linkage before it dropped into reverse. Unfortunately I didn't spot that until I had the 5th/Reverse gear stack off and the case apart. Getting the shift fork alignment and 5/R gear stack back together correctly was a chore since I didn't have a clue about what I was doing (never been inside a transmission before). It's all back together (and working!) now except for torquing the lock nuts on the end of the shafts and installing the end cap.

https://i.imgur.com/z1FsEtTl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/TtJkoAVl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2XMlToQl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/tSdETKQl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Fgs1yEml.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/95wnKQTl.jpg

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

At least you figured the problem out.

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Yep, I'm glad nothing was actually wrong or broken! They're not the easiest transmissions to find.

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

I worked on straightening the wheels today. One was ok, one wasn't terrible, and two were way out. Used a porta-power and torch. Kinda sketchy but I got them straight enough for autocross. Also shot them with Rustoleum. After seeing how bent they were it would be a waste of time to blast, epoxy prime, and shoot urethane on them.

https://i.imgur.com/AXWywkOl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qqq30Syl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YwVeTyQl.jpg


Latest YouTube vid:

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Cool video.

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Thanks Jay!! I've got my fingers crossed that the rain holds off in Pigeon Forge this weekend...

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Yes me too. We've been here since Friday night and it was packed for the shades. I think thurs and fri is looking ok but with that storm out there I'm sure it will change daily. Are u bringing anything?

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Probably not, the '69 C10 is taking longer than expected to get it back together... as usual :lol:

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Got my race seat mounted, the R888's mounted on the new wheels, and fixed a blown rear shock. I've been running the car too low with the Escort wheels which killed the shock inserts in the front coilovers as well (no compression damping), but I didn't find that until the night before Saturday's autocross. I raised the car back up to it's optimal height for grip and stuffed soft bump stops on the front shock rods to add some compression resistance. Not the best solution but I didn't have extras on hand to swap in.

I hadn't driven on the R888's before the autocross so I wasn't used to the extra grip. My first two runs were pretty smooth and fast even with the added weight of a passenger, running low/mid 53's which was about 3.5 seconds behind the quickest times posted so far. I pushed the car harder on the third run and noticed that the car was cutting out in the corners; the carburetor wasn't fueling properly from the added grip of the stickier tires. My last run was with no passenger and a better idea of how the car handled with the new tires so it was my quickest at 51.6. They weren't annoucing everyones times like they used to but after asking around a bit we think 49.9 was the quickest of the day set by a modified S2000. So it did pretty good for having blown shocks and running low on power through the corners!

I have a pretty good idea what I need to change on the car to make it stick even better for the next event- taller rear bump stops to decrease body roll and increase the amount of weight on the inside front tire to keep it from spinning when on power out of a corner, and less toe out in the rear so it's not quite as loose. I'll probably have to go with a different carburetor setup to fix the fuel slosh issue; I've been looking at sport bike carbs and building my own intake manifold to fit them.

Intake would end up similar to this, four individual carbs on a simple manifold. I'm pretty sure the stock intake is a restriction now that I've done port work, cam, header, and exhaust work so there should be a gain in power with bike carbs.

http://www.turbosport.co.uk/attachme...474053&thumb=1


Busted rear shock.

https://i.imgur.com/vBBBkebl.jpg


Fronts height set too low- even chewed up the bump stops.

https://i.imgur.com/Mj2Rzi1l.jpg


Momo race seat mounted. This made a huge difference in driving the car- I had to learn to just steer with the wheel. With the stock seats I was having to hold myself in the seat with the wheel and steer so it made driving difficult.

https://i.imgur.com/Ld4cIG0l.jpg


Old ride height on the new wheels/tires. Looks good but rubbed the fenders, and the suspension geometry isn't the best for grip.

https://i.imgur.com/A1qYt8xl.jpg


At the autocross at race height. Blake brought his GoPro and had it mounted in the car for three of the runs so I'll post those once he get them on YouTube.

https://i.imgur.com/o5FehB5l.jpg

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Glad to see you beating on it. I bet it is a blast to drive.

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Just checked this out, extremely fun thread man

On to look for Festivas.......

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

It is! People that complain that fwd cars are no fun need to go for a ride in this thing, it'll change their mind real quick!


Don't do it unless you have room for multiples... they're addictive and you'll end up buying more lol. There's a blue '88 nearby on Facebook Marketplace that has me tempted.

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Back to the red car... I'm hoping to have it running by the Festiva Madness show in Raleigh in a couple of weeks. The to-do list is a mile long so it may not make it, but I'm trying hard!


I started by cleaning and painting the 1/8" plates I welded in, and also painted the new lower rad support.

https://i.imgur.com/JRyEeAxl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ctgwlvdl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Zu7PwbMl.jpg



The engine is back in.

https://i.imgur.com/qd4MOZpl.jpg



Carbs on to figure out linkage and caple placement.

https://i.imgur.com/NPC2VJOl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ee106ccl.jpg



The header flange was warped from welding so I roughly straightened it in the press. I'll have it surfaced and ceramic coated.

https://i.imgur.com/LKKRI3Zl.jpg



Fitted the downtube and tacked it to the flange.

https://i.imgur.com/pdtnd7jl.jpg

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

Cool project. Getting it done.

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

With the carbs that close to the firewall will that create a restriction in airflow? It’s really cool to see there are shows dedicated to these machines. When is the meet in Raleigh? If possible I’d like to go but if not this year maybe next. Looking good.

Re: '88 F*rd Festiva Autocross/Track/Daily Driver Build
 

There's about 2" right now which should be enough. I'll end up using shorter stacks and filter housings, making sure to keep enough space between the stacks and lid.

The festiva show is on the 13th in the Snoopy's parking lot (2431 Spring Forest Rd, Raleigh). Hope you can make it!