94/95 aspire motor

[freshtiva]

Ive found a low mileage aspire 1.3 motor that Im thinking about buying. Just wondered if any one had some info I should know about putting one in a festiva. Dont know if the previos car had an auto of manual tranny.... Ill have better info tomorrow. Thought maybe the ECU and or other wiring might be a problem. Any input is appreciated.!! Thanks !

[Safety Guy]

ECU should not be a problem. Autos and manual ECUs are the same, at least with OBD-1.

TPS is probably transaxle specific. Mine was when I did my B6 swap. My auto harness did not directly fit my auto B6 TPS, so I swapped in a '91 Protege 5 speed TB.

I think if you use the Festiva B3 intake and exhaust manifolds and air plenum/TB on the Aspire engine, you should have little to no trouble with this swap.

I do know there was a change in the valve cover and VC bolts either from the Festiva to the Aspire, or during some model year of the Aspire. I broke a VC bolt during my '94 323 B6 install and a Festiva VC bolt would not work. I found a replacement off an Aspire B3.

The bolt and washer setup was different.

Do a thorough eyeball exam on both setups and you may see some differences, but they should be readily surmountable with minor swapping of small parts.

I think the right side engine mounts are the same. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Karl

[freshtiva]

What about the drive belts, isnt the aspire different ? Seems like it uses a flat belt instead of a v belt. Are the drive pulleys interchangable from the aspire to the festiva ? Will the festiva pulley attach to the aspire crank ? Other wise Id need to change the pulley on the water pump and alt. and a/c ??

[Levitan]

Hey Fresh,

Is there an advantage to swapping to that motor or did you just get it at a price that makes it worth swapping?

[freshtiva]

Im just getting it for an extra since its low mileage. But I think the the aspire has roller cam/rocker arm set up. Thats probably an improvement over the festiva B3. There may be some other small things too.

[nonamekid]

I think you may want to use the festiva exhaust manifold. I believe they flow better than the aspire ones. I remember this being a big discussion a few years ago. Something about the aspire one being more restrictive to bring down the horsepower.

[25Horseplay]

I would us the Aspire block and head, switch the intake, exhaust, and pulleys to the Festiva ones.

[jglutz]

if the $$'s are right...go for it
Even if it has a few crossover issues...think about what a crank...con rods...pistons...cam...or...head would cost...with your fleet, its probalbly worth its value in parts.

[freshtiva]

^ good advise, I found the engine because I was looking at a rebuilt head for my car Jerry. It alone is over $200. I can get the whole motor for just a little more. I think its going to be delivered too. Seems the seller passes by on a regular basis. Ive got one good spare motor but Im thinking years down the line. Id like to drive a festiva the rest of my life.

[jglutz]

.... Id like to drive a festiva the rest of my life.

God Bless You! I love my festiva and want to own it the rest of my life....but have some affection for the rest of my beat fleet.

[25Horseplay]

Id like to drive a festiva the rest of my life.

Me too!

[elcamino1]

Can't go wrong,go for it!

[freshtiva]

^ what else do you have in the "beat fleet" ??

[Damkid]

Id like to drive a festiva the rest of my life.

same here, i'll call it my casket on wheels :lol:

[Safety Guy]

"Casket on wheels."

I LOVE THAT!!

I'd like to be buried in a Funtop, with the top left open. Let the dirt shine in!

Besides, worms gotta eat too!

Karl