>>I like your page. It is very informative. I own a Festiva. What is required to do a 1.8 swap?

I'm glad you like the page but I''m so f****ing sick of answering this question. I must get asked this at least 3 times a week. I have never done it (I own a Miata) but I have corresponded with about a dozen people who have. See the Festiva-tech list on e-groups and various other Festiva pages for write-ups (see also Jan-Feb issue of Grassroots Motorsports magazine for the answer I gave to them).

I'm told the engine bolts-in but the longer length of the engine makes things tight. A 1.6 SOHC would be a direct swap and the 1.6 DOHC is still easy they say. I do know the 1.8 tranny (Escort GT or Protege) is better suited to the 1.8 motor because it is stronger and has better ratio's but it is also longer requiring creative swapping of halfshafts to get the width right. The 1.8 intake manifold is also too wide for the engine bay and hits the firewall. You either have to shape/clearance the firewall with a hammer or try using the smaller GTR manifold. The 1.3 ECU can be used as-is to get it running if you swap some of the 1.3 sensors with it but the 1.8 ECU is really the best choice and is better suited to the higher reving DOHC motor. A 1.8 ECU of the same vintage has nearly the same harness layout as the 1.3 stuff so it swaps in easily.

Here is the engine list from the Festiva FAQ on egroups.com:

===============================================

<< I have a 91 with 268000 miles. I would like info on what engines

canbe swapped and what it intails? >>

Several inline four cylinders from the Mazda family can be used. Here is a

brief run-down:

1.3 sohc 8 valve. Aspire. Nothing really better, just sequential efi and

friction reduction. Good choice though for anyone wanting a stock 1.3

replacement as the cutoff was 97

1.3 Dohc- 16-valve. From Japanese GTX Festiva. Can imagine it would be hard

to obtain and really not worth it when you can go larger.

1.5 Sohc- 8-valve. From Australian Festiva (Aspire clone). Again..why bother.

1.6 Sohc (B6)- 8-valve. From Mazda 323/Tracer. Good for no hassle swap, but

no powerhouse.

1.6 Sohc (B6)- 16 valve. From Maxda Mx-3. Nice engine, cool for stealth

approach..likely hard to find compared to the b6 dohc. Watch for manifold

clearance though at firewall

1.6 Dohc (B6)-From 323 and Mercury Capri 91-94. 100hp engine. Engine mount

requires a little modification. Get a recent version..at least 91 (which

means Capri) which has the larger id crank snout. If you are thrashing the

engine, at least get an aftermarket clutch disc.

1.6 Dohc (B6 Turbo)- 16 valve.From 323 and Mercury Capri 91-94 132hp..but

easy 145-150 hp with exhaust change. Forget about using the stock Festiva

pressure plate with this one (i.e. transaxle). Engine has decent aftermarket

support. Count on a turbo rebuild. If the associated transaxle is installed,

expect some bit of fabrication to get everything positioned properly.

1.8 Sohc (BP)-16 valve. Everything from 323,Protege. Fair engine, but only

real advantage is you may pick up one with lower mileage than a 1.8 dohc.

Longer block than 1.3/1.6 will require clearancing of body at crank pulley

area or engine shifting to driver's side. Think you would be asking for

trouble using a Festiva pressure plate even with an uprated disc with this.

Manifold probably will not clear firewall, requiring mods. Motor mount

different.

1.8 dohc- 16 valve- 91-95 Ford Escort GT, Protege. Sweet engine. Decent parts

support. Same clearance issues, and that manifold will not clear firewall.

Lots of 1.8 dohcs are thrashed out in the salvage yards..so consider yourself

very lucky to find a good one.

1.8 dohc-16 valve (turbo)- 323GTX (later) and Japanese spec Ford Escort.

Believe these were rated at 160hp us (180 japan). Very powerful and in

demand. As with 1.6 turbo, use the proper transaxle (Capri is good choice

because it is cable operated unlike 323 or Escort).

Miatas. I believe that you can use the engine from these, with changes to oil

pump pickup, pan, mounts, water pump, etc.

Aside from the engine specifics, youll have to consider suspension,cooling,

and brake upgrades to cope with the added power and weight..extent just

depends on engine selected..obviously a 1.6 sohc swap doesnt require the same

attention to detail as a turbo engine making twice the hp. Wiring harnesses,

do as you must..best chance of conformity is with the 1.6 sohc swap using the

earlier engines from the 323/tracer. You can try and use the 1.3 computer on

some of these applications, but I would not use it for the turbo engines or

the 1.8 dohc with the split runner setup.