Got me a black 1989 Festiva!!

[sketchman]

So if it's more than that the swap was not done!? I will check the measurement.

What is the stock (original) tire size?

Correct. Stock is 114.3mm. Not sure on tire size. Thinking 145 or 155 R12.

[muleskinner]

Correct. Stock is 114.3mm. Not sure on tire size. Thinking 145 or 155 R12.

So it could be safe to say if the tire size is a R13 the swap was done?

[Prafeston]

No...the Geo Metro wheels are 13in and fit the stock pattern. Lots of people will do that too.

[Bert]

Check to see if the wheel bolt pattern is 4 1/2 inch. That will pretty much identify any stock Festy (except Capri-derived, I think) whereas all the Aspire/Rio swaps involve 100 mm (slightly less than 4 inch) bolt patterns.

[muleskinner]

No...the Geo Metro wheels are 13in and fit the stock pattern. Lots of people will do that too.

They are 13" tires but to the center of one lug nut to the other center of the opposite lug nut is 4.5". So I guess the swap was not done.

I did find a "how too" and parts needed in the search engine.

[DriverOne]

Re: Got me a black 1989 Festiva!!

Muleskinner, you will need the front sway bar from the Aspire including the front-mounted brackets and rubber bushings. You'll need the entire knuckle assembly from an automatic Aspire as well as the tie rod ends from either the Aspire or a 91-96 Escort (cheaper, same part). If you can't find the knuckle assembly from the Aspire, use 2001 RIO knuckles, as they are the same as the auto Aspire setup. You will need the entire rear trailing arm from the Aspire, auto or manual, including the entire e-brake cable and the passenger side rubber brake line. Grab the spare tire, as it has your new bolt pattern. It will still fit and bolt into your spare tire well. If you can also find a set of 4x100 14x5.5 or 6" wheels at the junkyard, grab them. If you get alloys either aftermarket or OEM, you'll need 16 M12x1.5 studs in a 1.75" length and corresponding nuts to mount them without issues. You'll do well to purchase some Federal Formozas from the internet in 165/55R14 to keep your stock OD. If it is available to you in working order, grab the brake master cylinder from the Aspire. It improves braking capability even further, and is a bolt-on upgrade.

[lessersivad]

Muleskinner, you will need the front sway bar from the Aspire including the front-mounted brackets and rubber bushings. You'll need the entire knuckle assembly from an automatic Aspire as well as the tie rod ends from either the Aspire or a 91-96 Escort (cheaper, same part). If you can't find the knuckle assembly from the Aspire, use 2001 RIO knuckles, as they are the same as the auto Aspire setup. You will need the entire rear trailing arm from the Aspire, auto or manual, including the entire e-brake cable and the passenger side rubber brake line. Grab the spare tire, as it has your new bolt pattern. It will still fit and bolt into your spare tire well. If you can also find a set of 4x100 14x5.5 or 6" wheels at the junkyard, grab them. If you get alloys either aftermarket or OEM, you'll need 16 M12x1.5 studs in a 1.75" length and corresponding nuts to mount them without issues. You'll do well to purchase some Federal Formozas from the internet in 165/55R14 to keep your stock OD. If it is available to you in working order, grab the brake master cylinder from the Aspire. It improves braking capability even further, and is a bolt-on upgrade.

I didn't know the Aspire front sway bar or the automatic knuckles were "needed".

I thought they were more of a preferred, desired, or wanted types of items.

I was under the impression the stock Festiva sway bar and the manual trans knuckles were fine to use. As long as you know which, (either manual or auto) knuckles you got so the correct brake components can be purchased when replacing with new.

Then again, I've been wrong before.

[georgeb]

I would worry about the other stuff before delving into an Aspire swap. It involves either getting an Aspire parts car or crawling under a junk yard car and paying $200 just for more choices of aftermarket rims. You already have 13s.

[muleskinner]

Hey, thanks driverOne
I got this info

http://www.clubprotege.com/wil/howto/aspirebrakes.htm

of parts and how-to also.

That is alot of time and money for just brakes right now.
-I think what I will do is replace the brakes with the stock ones right now.
-Then replace the clutch, pressure plate, and throw out bearing.
-Put new shocks on.
-Also fix the headlight wiring the previous owner screwed up.
-Then find a drivers door and fix the rust on her and have it repainted.

After all of that, and I get my use out of the stock brakes I will do the swap!

[bravekozak]

Stock brakes are smaller, solid rotors. Not as safe as larger vented Aspire rotors.

[muleskinner]

Stock brakes are smaller, solid rotors. Not as safe as larger vented Aspire rotors.

Yes I do understand, but the money for the swap is not there right now. I need the money for all the other repairs as well. So I will go with the stock for now and when I use them up I will do the swap. It will probably be next year or in a year and a half.

I'm easy on brakes anyway, and I do want to driver her around now but can't until I fix the brakes at least.