The MX3 dohc isnt an upgrade. And it was fitted with triple the emissions controls. Its easiest to use either Capri Tranny and a Turbo or a BP. You are already flowing more than most B6Ds.
The MX3 B6D was the newest of the B6 series IIRC, and it's head is supposed to flow more than any of the previous versions. If it flows more, how is it not an upgrade?
The F transmission is a great transmission if driven properly. I'm certain it can flow 150hp. It is much lighter and performs nioticebly quicker. Its disheartening that it gets bashed so often.
The F-Series feels "quicker" because it has a shorter final drive. (4.10 as opposed to 3.85) It isn't built for power. The gears, casing, and differential are all very weak. Festiva guys blow them all the time with a stock B6T or n/a BP swap (both in the 130hp range). Time & time again it has been proven unable to handle the power - I believe that's sufficient reason for bashing it.
I would suspect your hybrid drive shaft to be a primary suspect in your steer and bearing issues. The later spindles' geometry is a non issue for the chassis'.
It's clear you don't know much about the BG chassis. The suspension components themselves are a total of 4 inches wider than the BF chassis. I believe the OP was referring to problems with his OEM bearings, not with his setup post-conversion.
A member of ClupProtege (user "DeeAOne") swapped in BG spindles and had massive caster/camber issues, the mounting points & geometry are
significantly different. So yeah, I guess that's a "non-issue"
AWD owners choose to update the entire drivetrain and powerplant for power but also availability reasons. AWD people also like the later bearings since AWD tends to need more servicings in a given time, but it seems using the later system is to your disadvantage.
Where are you getting this info??? There's been numerous BPT swaps, with or without the BG transmission, but only a handful of full drivetrain swaps. And most of these guys did so for the 5-lug bolt pattern. It's a lot of work to get the correct geometry with BG suspension in a BF chassis. Can you please cite some sources?
The MX3 DOHC head WILL NOT swap into the Capris' B6V engine. I am very interested to see the source where someone is said to have achieveed this feat!
Please tell that to member "B6T" of FordFestiva.com He made a hybrid B6T using an MX3 head on a B6T bottom end, with a B6T turbo manifold & MX3 intake. Here's a picture of the MX3 head & manifold in his Festiva:
Here's a link to a post describing what he had to do to get the MX3 head bolt up:
http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showpost.php?p=194879&postcount=13So, YES, it will bolt up, apparently with some minor work with the head's oil passages at the head/block interface.
Can you explain why you are calling the Capri engine a B6V? As far as I know it is still considered a B6D, I've also heard B6DE. Please clarify for me.