MusPuppis Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 I got a call from Bryan the other day stating that the Festiva had blown a headgasket. Ok, so its not 'dead' its just disabled, but I havent been able to really take a look at it to check for collateral damage. No telling if something else is toasted... Im a litle pissed. Ok, a lot of pissed. I've spent MONTHS building this little thing for him and he blows it up right out of the gate.. Ive been harping at him, yelling, telling, cussing, whining, bitching, the whole deal that it was NOT READY FOR FULL USE. I mean, we played with it, ran a couple races, those were 3/4 throttle, early shifts, never everything the car had.. Why? fuel pressure issues for one, and the fact it was boosting to 20+psi for a second. 20psi on a 16-17psi tune with a turbo whos safety limit was , in fact, 16-17psi. So, Bryan takes it to lexington for races, I know nothing of this. He tracks down a WRX that rolls around, the guy claims to have like 30 grand invested in the car, from paint, suspension to motor, its very fast, very nasty and is supposed to pull a high 11. Ive seen it EAT some pretty nice stuff, including the 11.90's Civic we lost to a weekend or so ago. So I beleive the guy.. Well, bryan arranges a race and promptly BEATS THE DAMN THING, from what Ive heard it want by very much, but he did beat him, sans slicks to. Yay right? I should be proud my little car did that right? Well, since it blew itself up at the end of the race alot of my pride turned to EXTREME anger when I heard about it.. Lets break down what he did wrong shall we? Tune is meant for 105 octane @ 16-17psi. Bryan put in half a tank of 93 w. a bottle of ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ NOS Octane Booster. Yeah, thats the same.. EVEN if the crap worked like it claims, which it doesnt, it adds UP TO 7 points or something.. Ok, thats 100 octane, still 5 shy cheif! Wastegate isnt working properly, I dont know why, havent been able to get Bryan to sit still long enough to pull the DP off and inspect the WG itself, the actuator is working.. but we're really overboosting. Anyway, 105 octane gets us safety at 17psi.. so, lets be nice and say 100 octane @ 20+ psi and a tune meant for 17.. YAY! That sounds SAFE! Gosh, I wonder why it popped? I guess we'll never know! Oh, and fuel pressure issues.. I dont know what the hell is wrong, but we cant get more than 35-40psi in the rail on the stock FPR and we've bought three new ones.. So we have a little check valve n the return line I can slide closed to build up more pressure and keep us around 65-80psi, which is what we need as far as I can tell.. It actually boosts and runs normally at those numbers anyway.. BAD for our pump and lines, so its a temp fix, designed to figure out the issue while I find and adapt a better FPR. Walboro 255 pushing the gas. Anyway, You can likely tell just why the car blew up. Its an 80-85% car. You can run it ALMOST to the limit, but not AT the limit, and Bryan did, KNOWING all the problems, all the issues and i THOUGHT knowing the dangers since I am the most paranoid person known to man and have been on his back about the borderline you walk with this sort of motor since the day we started PLANNING the damn car. So whats planned now? We found a copper head gasket, hes ordering that today along with a gasket kit for everything else we'll need for the HG replacement and while we have the head off and at a machine shop being inspected for damage he wants to get it ported out, which is nice, hooray, maybe he'll take his ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ time with this when I redo it for him and not blow it up before its ready to be driven around. I'm going to do my best to talk him into MSnS with larger injectors as well as a wideband, it'll put the Festy back on the project block for a few months, but I honestly think its the smartest route we can go. He's got a chance to taste the little son of a bitch and roll around in it, maybe that'll slake him enough to let me do this right. There is so much detail stuff that needs doing anyway, like I said, it was only 80-85% done! Wiring needs to be buttoned up, WG needs worked out, FP needs worked out, so so much left to do. BUGGER. I spent 8 months building it, I drove it 5 times for less than 2-3 miles per trip and they were all tuning and check runs.. Bitter? NOT I. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
typhoone Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 you could always just kill him. he wouldn't be able to blow anything else. just an idea. lol good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 That octane booster adds "7 points" right? WRONG. A bottle will take the gas from 93 to 93.7. You can figure it out yourself. It's mostly tolulene, which is 114 octane. Some mix it with xylene which is 118 octane. So I had figured that I needed 1 gallon of that to every 5 gallons of 91 to get 96 octane. 1/2 and 1/2 with your 93 pump gas only gets you 99.5 octane. From what I understand you really don't want to run more than about 33% tolulene because it is a strong alcohol and will eat your fuel lines and pump, etc. Just info for next time. Have him go get some race gas instead... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusPuppis Posted February 13, 2007 Author Share Posted February 13, 2007 Thanks for the break-down on how that junk works. I know it doesnt work as claimed, I was just using it as a sarcastic example. Wanna know something REALLY funny? LIKE REALLLLLLLY funny? I do mean funny by the way. Our school shares a common parking lot AND partial building with.. dun dun dun.. A SMALL AIR FIELD! Guess what they have? C'mon! Guess! 105 octane, pump, on hand, all we gotta do is ask real nice and pay out the butt-hole for a tank of the stuff, But yeah, less than, I dunno, 300 yards from where Ive been doing the final tune and trouble shooting work is a pump with 105 octane on hand. And he blows it up with 93. I SO just need to build my own Festiva.. Anyone have a Festy shell for sale? lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Wanna hear something else funny? I've been running 105 LL AV Gas for awhile. You need to be careful because their "low lead" is actually supposedly a LOT of lead. It isn't street legal, but it is entirely legal for you to fill up a gas can at the airport for your go kart, ATV, dirt bike, or other non-street engine. I've gone up to the pump and had a guy pull up his plane and STARE at me like "What the ♥♥♥♥ are YOU doin???" But there is no legal requirement for you to own a plane or have a pilot's license to buy the gas, at least that's how it was explained to me. Hell, you could buy some for your lawn mower if you wanted. But pulling up to the pump in a car is a big no-no, and you shouldn't do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_hunt Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Your entirely right jon, LL by aviation standards is high lead by automotive standards due to the air cooled engines that run it. They need the lead for lubricant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexideways Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Your entirely right jon, LL by aviation standards is high lead by automotive standards due to the air cooled engines that run it. They need the lead for lubricant! Did Porsche needed lead in their air cooled engines????????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ULISES Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Too bad,He should of finished it before getting on it..I have always put 104 octane when racing @ the track,that ECU is not the best une for the car.My car gets overboost too.. have a shell if you were closer you could have it free.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusPuppis Posted February 13, 2007 Author Share Posted February 13, 2007 Does it Ulises? Hm.. How does yours act? Our Festy, well, Bryan's Festy goes about 16-17psi in first and second, but in third where it has some time it climbs in excess of 20.. Man its a whole different WORLD up there, god it FLIES. It builds to 16 then holds for like a split second then jumps to 20 pretty quick.. I REALLY wish I could figure out what the hell is going on! By all accounts the damn thing shouldnt boost much over 9psi or so without a boost controller in place! Stock capri boost is 7psi and all we've done other than the ECU (that should have zero bearing on boost levels since nothing in that system is electronicly controlled..) is the FMIC, DP and larger piping to and from the turbo. I see it getting alot more air and everything, but i just dont see a change that should reult in THREE TIMES the stock boost.. Im wondering if the DP isnt maybe catching the WG valve or something and maybe keeping it from opening up all the way.. I dont know. Overboost is most likely what killed us. Well, over boost and 93 octane...... Damn, haha, wish you were closer, I'd love to take you up on that. It'll be a long while before I buy the Capri itself but I'd love to get a shell and start getting it prepped. In all honesty it doesnt take very long to prep, but you get the idea, lol. Get the wiring ready, I could pull Bryan's motor and use it for my mock-up, instead of the RR ecu I'd just go MSnS, but stick with the standard Capri ECU for intial start-up. Mine would be full interior less the rear seat. Slightly larger FMIC, same diameter piping unless I could find a larger TB and adapt it over, but otherwise I see no real reason for the tubing to exceed the size of the TB. Same clutch, lightnened flywheel, blah blah. Really just a more refined version of Bryan's. Now that I've done it once I can get it done alot faster and a whole lot easier than the first time around. Oh well, I'll have the money but I think I'm just gonna stick to my plan of buying an LTI Trans-Am or 1st Gen DSM, I need a car, not a project, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b__sosick Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 NOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo haha silly guy can you blame him? it'd be hard for me to hold back in a TURBO FESTIVA!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ULISES Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Mine climbs to 1.2 bars,the b6t stock turbo doesnt do anything after 16lbs of boost,itll just blow hot air wich is not good or making power......I have everything needed to start the second one(soon),they are too fun and cheap to build,since im upgrading the current festy,its getting a new turbo,injector,downpipe,intercooler and using a engine managment.i'm not going to daily drive it anymore.....one other thing is that its going to have stickers of two local company's,they are sponsoring on the new setup..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zwitha383 Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Forgive me for being completely out of the know. Are you talking about Ford Festivas? Interesting platform. How is it that you are boosting these engines? Are you using the stock ones or swapping in something else? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennysgreen280zt Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 You guys make me want to build a festiva too... im stuck with the fiesta for now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 ...they are too fun and cheap to build,.... Sergio, could you define "cheap" for me please? Reason I ask is that I may need a daily driver in the future, and a turbo Festy is right up my alley. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusPuppis Posted February 13, 2007 Author Share Posted February 13, 2007 Davy, I made a little list with general prices in a thread a little bit ago. Basicly, if your careful and patient you could do it for 3300$ or so, assuming you have no parts on hand and everything must be purchased. Feel free to PM me for any other info. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Davy, I made a little list with general prices in a thread a little bit ago. Basicly, if your careful and patient you could do it for 3300$ or so, assuming you have no parts on hand and everything must be purchased. Feel free to PM me for any other info. Thanks, "Mouse Poop (now we know!)," but that certainly answers my question. Around here the Fesitvas are dirt cheap, but most are beaten pretty soundly too. Once in a while a cherry one comes up and I always think about it. The $3300 is flexible from what you are saying and I think I could find a wrecked Capri for pennies if I am patient enough. I like the swap a lot and think if I kept the drivetrain somewhat stock (I would not be looking for the insane amount of power you guys want) that it would still be economical and fun. Thanks for the PM offer and I may take you up on it in the future, but for mow, the Z gets the attention (or lack of it). Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusPuppis Posted February 13, 2007 Author Share Posted February 13, 2007 Yeah, lol, Mouse Poop.. haha. Yeah, it can be done for less if you have parts on hand, good deals or simply get real lucky/patient. Stock b6 on stock boost swapped in is good for a 14 second 1/4 mile if I'm not mistaken.. 140-ish hp and 2100pds or so (thats with driver includes, haha). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moridin Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Actually, there was an article recently in Sport Compact Car that had a lab do some testing of various octane boosters. NOS worked exceptionally well if I recall. I have also seen various independent lab reports that Torco works as claimed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ULISES Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Thanks, "Mouse Poop (now we know!)," but that certainly answers my question. Around here the Fesitvas are dirt cheap, but most are beaten pretty soundly too. Once in a while a cherry one comes up and I always think about it. The $3300 is flexible from what you are saying and I think I could find a wrecked Capri for pennies if I am patient enough. I like the swap a lot and think if I kept the drivetrain somewhat stock (I would not be looking for the insane amount of power you guys want) that it would still be economical and fun. Thanks for the PM offer and I may take you up on it in the future, but for mow, the Z gets the attention (or lack of it). Davy Davy, you have two options on this build,If you want a daily driver and do not plan on beating it much, you could swap just the engine mated to the stock Festiva transmission and still get over 35 mpg.This won't let you enjoy your hp 100% you might go through tranny's every once in a while,If you have the lead foot.I think automatic's can take a little more beating... If you go with the second option wich is to swap the complete engine/tranny from the capri.You won't get much mpg due to the gearing on this tranny.I get about 22 mpg...If you keep it stock you might get away with a little more but I would say you would never see 30 mpg. Going with the secon option,you are reaquired to make all of your mounts due to the transmission,It makes you engine sit @ a different position by pushing it forward.If you go with the stock festiva tranny you need only the engine mount and you need to trim your transmission to clear the performance clutch.Anyways the fun part of the swap is to get the full drivetrain in there.I would never use that engine with the stock transmission. By Cheap I mean,I could build a copy of my car for about max 3500,this is a car that will turn high 12's... If you ever want to go with this swap,I will provide all the info you need to get her done,I could have my mounts off or can make some for you @ my cost..I believe I have one of the strongest set of mounts..One other guy claims to have the same setup but he has never posted pictures or prove.I'm running a total of 4 mounts.Most run 3 only...... Capri's are rare cars so when you buy the whole car you end up with a almost free drivetrain,I payed $150 for my first one,After selling some parts on ebay........I have bought two more engine's trans one for 350 and a complete project including a festiva for 450....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ULISES Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Forgive me for being completely out of the know. Are you talking about Ford Festivas? Interesting platform. How is it that you are boosting these engines? Are you using the stock ones or swapping in something else? We are talking about Ford Festiva's,They were build by Kia/Mazda.Same as the Mercury capri.This is the reason this swap is so easy after making the mounts,Axles bolt to the stock hubs.Also Mazda 323 gt/gtx from the late 80's have the same engine as the capri.The gt has a fwd tranny and can me use.Gtx is a all wheel drive. We can upgrade the the brakes useing a Ford aspire as a donor.This will change your bolt pattern from 4 114.3 to a 4 100,More wheels to choose from and incredible stopping difference.Im currently in the process of this swap.I'm done with the front and should start the rear this week. Check out http://www.fordfestiva.com for further info....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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