festiva vs aspire gears

[Festiva_tunner]

OK from titbits and disscussions I've gathered that the aspire trans mtx has better lower and gears then the Festy mtx transfer however the Festy has the more desirable overdrive gear. So the question I pose and the reason I place this in the custom drivetrain threads is this: is it possible to take the lower gear of the aspire box and Install the overdrive gear from the Festy box on the countershafts? I ask because I'm not familiar with the Festy/aspire shafts and have never actually had them apart. But I know this is possible on other transmissions out there so can it be done on ours?

[FestYboy]

Tuner, the ONLY differance internaly between the festy and aspire trans are the ring/pinion combo. everything else is the same. sorry to burst that bubble.

[Festiva_tunner]

So if everything's the same could you simply swap the pinion set from the aspire into the Festy box and save having to mount the trans bracket backwards on the aspire trans swap?

[Biff]

Final drive ratio is lower in Aspire Trans. I really am hesitating to put it in because some posts state the Aspire 1st gear is way to low with the final ratio being 4.1:1 or so.
How many people out there are running an Aspire trans?
I want to put it in, but again, the lower ratio scares me.

[FestYboy]

that's the idea, but really i think the mount swap would be a bit easier. also remember that the pinion set is the ring and ENTIRE output shaft (pinion isn't seperate).

[FestYboy]

Final drive ratio is lower in Aspire Trans. I really am hesitating to put it in because some posts state the Aspire 1st gear is way to low with the final ratio being 4.1:1 or so.
How many people out there are running an Aspire trans?
I want to put it in, but again, the lower ratio scares me.

it shouldn't scare you, just remove the rev limiter and shift at 7000 in first, you'll be fine!

[Festiva_tunner]

Final drive ratio is lower in Aspire Trans. I really am hesitating to put it in because some posts state the Aspire 1st gear is way to low with the final ratio being 4.1:1 or so.
How many people out there are running an Aspire trans?
I want to put it in, but again, the lower ratio scares me.

I know elcamino is and we compared Rev points on the way to ohiostiva one year his revs were lower than mine up until
fifth gear when he jumped 200 above
He had more speed off the line as well

[Biff]

It goes to 6600 right know, if I get the Wasted spark into it It should spin to 7200 RPM?
I am concerned about highway speed RPM.
The auto trans in it right know makes about 3600 at 60 mph.
Probably about the same with a standard Aspire trans?
Any one run the Aspire with 14" tires and what is there RPM at 60 mph?

[FestYboy]

actually, the waste spark is there for emissions only... you just need to reflash the PROM and you'll be good to go.

the aspire 5 spd should be at between 28-2900 rpm at 60.

rim size won't affect the engine RPMs at speed, it's the tire size (roll out/hight) that you need to keep an eye on. if you're gonna run 14s, i'd use 165/55, or 185/55 (slightly taller).

[Festiva_tunner]

It goes to 6600 right know, if I get the Wasted spark into it It should spin to 7200 RPM?
I am concerned about highway speed RPM.
The auto trans in it right know makes about 3600 at 60 mph.
Probably about the same with a standard Aspire trans?
Any one run the Aspire with 14" tires and what is there RPM at 60 mph?

We ran 80mph all the way from IL to OH when I was at 3500 in fifth he was at 3800
I do 70 all day long at 2900 in fifth

[JPT]

Final drive ratio is lower in Aspire Trans. I really am hesitating to put it in because some posts state the Aspire 1st gear is way to low with the final ratio being 4.1:1 or so.
How many people out there are running an Aspire trans?
I want to put it in, but again, the lower ratio scares me.

It's not THAT bad. First gear is short, but you'll get used to it. 3rd will make getting on the highway much easier.

You'll be able to pass people on the highway easier too.

Overall, your car will be quicker, but it will cost you about 2 MPG and a couple of hundred RPM more.

BTW, the final drive is 4.0588:1 (69 teeth on the ring gear divided by 17 teeth on the pinion)

...the aspire 5 spd should be at between 28-2900 rpm at 60.

With 155/80-12 tires, mine runs right around 2800 RPM at 60 MPH