Car Stuff

Currently, I have an '88 Ford Festiva, and a '91 Mazda Miata. I've spent some time autocrossing these and other cars, so I'm providing this page to share my impressions.

Ford Festiva

My first new car, and still going strong after 10 years with little maintenance effort, moderate miles and hard driving.

I'm on a Festiva mailing list, where we share technical info. This is a car with a cult following, believe it or not. On the list, we share advice and tips on everything from doing maintenance such as valve lash adjustment, to upgrading to 13" or 14" tires, to engine swaps, racing suspension upgrades.

I don't have a lot of pretty pictures here. Just a summary of my machine and my advice for other Festiva owners and wannabes.

I have a 1988 Festiva L, with no options whatever, and about 71K miles.
I get about 42-44 mpg with it, best of 46 with mom driving, worst of 36 mpg long distance travel at 85+ mph.
I have a G-tech performance meter, which I've tested the Festiva to indicate 17.6 sec quarter mile, and 12.7 sec 0-60 time.
Some years ago, I put in my own Audiovox stereo and 40 watt amplifier/EQ from Radio Shack, and wired in a set of speakers for the rear. Note that the LX model comes with rear speakers, and the L model doesn't get the rear speakers but the wiring is already there for it, so it is not hard to do.
I have also replaced the plug wires with aftermarket high performance wires, and replaced the coil.
I found it is important to change the PCV valve occasionally to avoid blowing oil up through the breather into the air filter.
I had an emissions recall replaced the EGR valve (apparently with a blocking plate). My car turns roughly the same numbers as before, but this fixes a mid range hesitation problem.
It is a california emissions package car. I usually have no problem passing emissions as long as the engine is well warmed up beforehand. But I have had a problem once or twice getting it smogged early in the morning on a cold morning... it seems to run a little cleaner mid-day (note for the physicists... cold air is denser).

If you are interested in subscribing, go to http://www.egroups.com/subscribe/festiva

Trying to find performance parts for your Festie? Maybe http://www.festivamotorsport.com has the answers you need!!!

Mazda Miata

Bought after I discovered the Festiva was not competitive in autocross. The Miatas have been dominating C-stock and more recently B-stock SCCA Solo II events.

For me, it is still a weekend or nice weather car, and the Festiva is my daily driver, as it is more economical and provides better perspective in rush hour traffic.

Autocross

Autocross, or SCCA Solo II, is a timed racing event typically conducted in a large parking lot, such as at a stadium, with a course marked in chalk with traffic cones marking the course every 8-10 feet, each of which has a chalk marked box around it.

You get three to five runs (depending on particular event rules), and are penalized in time for knocking a cone out of it's box (though you are allowed to 'nick the cone' without penalty if it remains completely in the box afterward). I believe it is a 2 sec penalty, though some specific cones may be designated as being worth more.

For more information on the SCCA and SCCA events, see www.scca.com.

To find an Autocross club in your area, check out autocross.com.

To find more information on the physics of racing, check out The Physics of Racing.

Electric Land Speed Record

I was thinking it would be interesting to try and set an LSR record for electric cars, and that perhaps 200+ would be a nice hurdle to go for. According to the Physics of Racing, above, this would take around 650 HP, but that's for a Corvette with 20 square feet of frontal area, or similar full size sports car.

I took a look around on the net, and found that in 1996, one of the last things that Frank Healey did before he died of cancer was run 206 in an electric speed record car. The amazing thing is that it did it with only 150 horsepower. Which was possible because his car only had about 4.5 sq ft of frontal area. That's probably less frontal area than you have. Take a look at their site for more info...

The Spirit of San Antonio II

Maps/Travel info

To find your way to any address/event location in the country, check out www.mapquest.com.