Aspire Brake Swap Questions

[mastadamn]

Hello all

I've been reading on the brake swap from Aspire to Festiva. I work at an auto parts store, and I get a very generous discount. Really want to make her a nice cross country car, so I have already started putting newer parts. I'm thinking and planning, if Aspire parts swap, I will just buy the new parts from work.

My vehicle: 89 Festiva L 1.3 fuel injected

What years Aspire will swap with my vehicle, and what parts will I need for a full healthy swap for my Felicia the Festiva?

[redspire]

Masta where are you located? I think Bobby has a complete aspire brake/suspension swap still

[mastadamn]

I'm in Hampton Roads, specifically, Norfolk VA.

[redspire]

Try to send Bobbyspider a PM, He might be able to work something out.

[Advancedynamix]

You'll need aspire knuckles/hubs (manual or auto trans) and aspire automatic calipers and rotors and aspire tie rod ends.
You may want to purchase the knuckles/hubs used and install new wheel bearings. The calipers, rotors and tie rod ends can be found new for fairly cheap. In the back you'll want either a full aspire beam or you can modify the aspire backing plates to fit the festiva Beam and you can run aspire drums. Or you can machine a set of aftermarket festiva drums to 4x100 pattern to match the front.

[sactnato]

I'm in Hampton Roads, specifically, Norfolk VA.

There's a 94 aspire at PNP in Virginia Beach. I helped Huli do his Rio front/Aspire rear swap so if you need a hand let me know.

[mastadamn]

Right on! Mind meeting me at PNP? I'll PM you when I'm ready. Maybe sometime next week.

[Bert]

Hello all

I've been reading on the brake swap from Aspire to Festiva. I work at an auto parts store, and I get a very generous discount. Really want to make her a nice cross country car, so I have already started putting newer parts. I'm thinking and planning, if Aspire parts swap, I will just buy the new parts from work.

My vehicle: 89 Festiva L 1.3 fuel injected

What years Aspire will swap with my vehicle, and what parts will I need for a full healthy swap for my Felicia the Festiva?

One: you appear to be new to this whole business, including working at an auto parts store. Two: find an entire Aspire to scavenge from and then invoke your discount in order to get linings, drums, bearings, shocks etc. With how common Aspires are now don't shop around too much. It is easier to find hen's teeth up my way. Any and all Aspires are fine (94-97) for this but ATX models will get you thickest rotors, and a 2 door will also get you a Festy-compatible gas tank. Added bonus, if the motor is OK, is you get a freebie B3 with roller rocker actuated valves.

[sactnato]

Right on! Mind meeting me at PNP? I'll PM you when I'm ready. Maybe sometime next week.

I'm leaving for Florida in the morning and won't be back until the 14th so the weekend after that would be the soonest I could help you out.

[bugster69]

You'll need aspire knuckles/hubs (manual or auto trans) and aspire automatic calipers and rotors and aspire tie rod ends.
You may want to purchase the knuckles/hubs used and install new wheel bearings. The calipers, rotors and tie rod ends can be found new for fairly cheap. In the back you'll want either a full aspire beam or you can modify the aspire backing plates to fit the festiva Beam and you can run aspire drums. Or you can machine a set of aftermarket festiva drums to 4x100 pattern to match the front.

why auto calipers and rotors. well I see that auto rotors are thicker. is the reason just to get the thickest combo?

[Team Lightning]

The thicker rotors are the reason for using the auto stuff.

[gergorian]

why auto calipers and rotors. well I see that auto rotors are thicker. is the reason just to get the thickest combo?

Short answer. Yes. The thicker rotors allow for more heat build up before you start getting a mushy pedal.

[mastadamn]

Okay so I think I'm ready. I was going to change out my shocks this weekend, but lo and behold I cannot find them anywhere. Everyone has to special order them and they are not even available from Monroe or KYB. What type of modification will I need to swap the Aspire shocks and struts? Also with the B3 from the Aspire, the roller rocker valves will offer a better compression ratio, correct?

[Bert]

Okay so I think I'm ready. I was going to change out my shocks this weekend, but lo and behold I cannot find them anywhere. Everyone has to special order them and they are not even available from Monroe or KYB. What type of modification will I need to swap the Aspire shocks and struts? Also with the B3 from the Aspire, the roller rocker valves will offer a better compression ratio, correct?

Aspire shocks and struts are a direct fit. So are the springs although you might want to cut or grind off 1/2 or 1 coil in order to retain stock ride height. You could choose to go 00-01 Rio front struts (also direct fit) so as to be able to install corresponding Rio 'top hats' that have real bearings in them. Guarantee you'll like that for 'poor man's power steering'.
Roller rockers are a more efficient mechanical transfer system but don't figure on this making any difference to the compression. That's a function of machining the head surface or raising the pistons.

[mastadamn]

Aspire shocks and struts are a direct fit. So are the springs although you might want to cut or grind off 1/2 or 1 coil in order to retain stock ride height. You could choose to go 00-01 Rio front struts (also direct fit) so as to be able to install corresponding Rio 'top hats' that have real bearings in them. Guarantee you'll like that for 'poor man's power steering'.
Roller rockers are a more efficient mechanical transfer system but don't figure on this making any difference to the compression. That's a function of machining the head surface or raising the pistons.

So Bert, only the front struts from the Rio will fit? And the Aspire all the way around is direct fit?