Need advice: 89 tranny swap

[curtis]

I'm new to the site here. I just bought an 89 L that at some point I believe had it's 5 speed replaced with a 4 speed. I'd love to reverse that and put a 5 back in. Having never done any thing major like that on any car I've owned, I'd love some tips. What year trannys should I be looking for, do any from other types of cars work or do I need a festiva tranny specifically. How difficult of a job is it? That sort of thing.
thanks

[Pu241]

Welcome curtis!

A little searching will tell you you could also swap in a Aspire 94-97 5 spd.
Which has some pro/cons depending upon the type of driving your doing and what you want out of the car (speed or MPG).

Obviously, the easiest solution would be a straight forward festiva 5 spd swap for the current 4 spd. No issues with mounts.

[bikerdude0269]

welcome Curtis. Like pu241said the search is pretty reliable on here. :p from what I have read on this it is a direct fit.

[91blufestiva]

Yes, it is a complete direct fit, the only difference is, the 5spd has one less wire connected to it, but is not needed, I believe it is the Shift Light wire, which was only available on 4spds. I myself did this swap in about 13hours on a buddy of mine's festy. It is all kind of a straight forward swap, just disconnect everything that's connected to the tranny. Also if you look in the "Other's Articles" there is a complete read through about how to swap a tranny. If I were you I would stick with a 90-93 Festiva tranny, the aspire tranny does fit just like the festiva does, but you need the rear mount I believe.

[curtis]

Thanks everyone. Now I just gotta find a tranny in minnesota in the middle of winter.

[GenevaDirt]

I'm new to the site here. I just bought an 89 L that at some point I believe had it's 5 speed replaced with a 4 speed. I'd love to reverse that and put a 5 back in. Having never done any thing major like that on any car I've owned, I'd love some tips. What year trannys should I be looking for, do any from other types of cars work or do I need a festiva tranny specifically. How difficult of a job is it? That sort of thing.
thanks

Hello Curtis......all the above stuff is good info....but the 89L came with a 4 speed so it is the right tranny....but a 5 speed will swap right in.

[roycehof]

Yes - the correct transmission for the 89 L is a four speed - not a 5 speed (in case you are trying to keep the car technically correct)