Aspire motor in festiva?

[stainless1911]

Wasnt sure where to put this, sorry.

I found a new 96 97 aspire motor, wondered if it would fit in a 93 festiva. It looks very similar, the distributor is a little different, so is the intake..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-96-97-Ford-Aspire-1-3L-Complete-Engine-Assembly-/270818005255?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f0e02d107

[zoom zoom]

You would have to swap the ecu and wiring harness out, the 96/97 is obd2 vs. The obd1 pre-96 cars. the 96/97 also uses a MAF sensor on the intake tubing, whereas the festy's used a VAF, so that would need swapped also.

The engine/tranny mount locations should be the same, your best bet(easiest) would be to just swap the block/head out and use the existing intake and disty assuming its just a bad engine in the festiva.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong..im sure there's stuff I missed too.

Just clicked the link, in all honesty, 1200 is a bit much to ask for a 1.3L, brand new crate motor or not, you could buy 2 or 3 festy's/aspires for that price!

[jjk1224]

I just swapped a 95 aspire engine into my 92 festy. All you need is a festiva intake manifold, distributor and passenger side motor mount (the aspire mount is very similar to the festiva but has a slight offset and will not fit properly without modification, ask me know I know.). Other than that, keep in mind that the aspire engine uses a serpentine belt instead of the festiva's V belt, therefor you will need to make sure all of your accessories like your alternator are for the aspire engine. Otherwise you will need to swap all of your pullies over. If you have any questions about the swap let me know.

[stainless1911]

Thanks. I dont think I can get the money together, but if I can, I'll need a little guideance.

HP the same correct?

[jjk1224]

From what I know, the only difference between the b3 in the Aspire and Festiva is the fact that the aspire heads have hydraulic lifters. The engines should put nearly identical numbers. Also, my above post was assuming that you are using the stock Festiva VAF/intake tubing. The swap is extremely straight forward. Oh and BTW, I found my engine also on ebay for 250$ with 80,000mi. If you are in need of an engine, it is cheaper to buy used and rebuild it yourself (if you know how) or even take a chance and just straight swap a used engine in.

[Bert]

I doubt very much the speculator will sell very many of these 'crate' engines, if any at that price since they are not compatible with anything common or desirable (except Festys). Wait it out. He has money invested and after a few months will start to get hungry. A brand new engine for 1/2 that current posted price might tempt me since a cursory rebuild also involves numbers like that.

[hawkdoc60]

Also, you will need to change the cam out because you will need to remove the plate on the back of the head and mount the fuel pump. The Aspire cam, from my memory, does not have the lobe to actuate the fuel pump lever. The alternative would be to wire up an in-line electric fuel pump.

[FB71]

From what I know, the only difference between the b3 in the Aspire and Festiva is the fact that the aspire heads have hydraulic lifters. The engines should put nearly identical numbers. Also, my above post was assuming that you are using the stock Festiva VAF/intake tubing. The swap is extremely straight forward. Oh and BTW, I found my engine also on ebay for 250$ with 80,000mi. If you are in need of an engine, it is cheaper to buy used and rebuild it yourself (if you know how) or even take a chance and just straight swap a used engine in.

88-89 Festiva = mechanical lash adjustment, flat follower
90-93 Festiva = hydraulic lash adjustment, flat follower
all Aspire = hydraulic lash adjustment, roller follower

All engines are capable of replacing each other, if appropriate external hardware is swapped (intake, distributor, etc). Be sure to get the crank pulleys with the Aspire engine, as the Festiva pulleys have a different size bore.

[FB71]

Also, you will need to change the cam out because you will need to remove the plate on the back of the head and mount the fuel pump. The Aspire cam, from my memory, does not have the lobe to actuate the fuel pump lever. The alternative would be to wire up an in-line electric fuel pump.

he's installing into an EFI car, the cam lobe for the fuel pump isn't required.

[FB71]

Just clicked the link, in all honesty, 1200 is a bit much to ask for a 1.3L, brand new crate motor or not, you could buy 2 or 3 festy's/aspires for that price!

I disagree. $1200 is actually pretty reasonable for a fully dressed, brand new engine. A proper professional rebuild of a long block (block and head) can easily exceed $800. Then, all ancilliary components must cleaned, repaired or replaced. Add up prices for a new water pump, alternator, IAC valve, EGR valve, and distributor, plus intake and exhaust gaskets. Add that to the cost of the rebuild... along with the addition sweat equity you'll invest...

[stainless1911]

Sure wish I could do this, I have a pretty good body, (well, the car does lol), I have a new fuel pump, new shocks/struts, the entire front suspension has been gone through, and the clutch is only a couple years old. This would really put the car on thye road for a very long time.

[jjk1224]

What is wrong with the factory engine?

[stainless1911]

200K+ miles, starts hard, runs rough, starting to tick, but I dont know what it is yet, and sometimes it bogs down and nearly quits, dont know why. Once in a while I'll get a check engine light, but it doesnt stay long, it usually goes away if I let in the clutch, or gas it or both.

[crazyrog17]

Dirty Carb?

[stainless1911]

injectors. I tried an injector cleaner, but its going to take more than liquid mechanic.

Sometimes it runs like a champ.