New Project Car: Escort Wagon SHO

So, for quite some time, I've been thinking about taking a Second Gen Escort Wagon (USDM), and making it a 5 speed, V6 (3.2L Yamaha) powered "monster".

Discuss.

It sure would be a sleeper. Well, how would you go about doing this? I myself have been wondering if it was possible to put a conventiional V8 in an Escort and having rear wheel drive. The unibody would neveer be strong enough to counteract the torque of a HO v8. I was thinking that one could take an Escort body and weld an X frame onto the bottom. This would be strong enougjh to take the torqe. If one had some heavyduty cutting equipment and an acetylene torch and a welder it could be done. The only problem would be "How much money do you want so spend?". I guess I am a dreamer and due to practical problems it could never be done. Still, I think it's possible. If the HP of the v8 was around 300 it would give a HP to
weight ratio of 1HP/8lb weight. 1-8. With power like that you would be able to dust off just about anytning on the road. Can you imagine?

Well, for the 3.2, (Vulcan engine), the engine bolts to the OEM tranny, automatic or manual. Of course, I'd be using a manual tranny, and probably make it a little beefier than stock, although from what I know of them, they're pretty reliable even if you beat on them a bit.

I lightly considered keeping FWD w/ a 3.4V8 from a newer SHO... (96-99)... But that requires taking a transmission from a Duratec car, not a simple proposition when you think about it, considering the bulk of the Duratec transmission vs the OEM one.

I want to set it up so that I don't need to hammer, beat, bend, cut, weld, etc.. on the frame rails, other than for reinforcement to handle the 220HP and 235 lb ft from the Vulcan engine.

I also have thought about tipping the engine/transmission slightly so more of the engine's mass is behind the front axle, keeping the nose weight as low as possible.

I'm still making considerations for brake upgrades and such, but most of that will be junkyard test fitting over the spring/summer, just checking everything out to see what's going to work, what's easy, and what's light vs functional.

I'm going to do a complete harness swap and just leave out the bits from the Taurus that aren't connected in the Escort, so that everything looks like an OEM project from start to finish. I might even add some accents that are SHO specific, like the body cladding and Embossed SHO logo in the rear bumper.

I completely understand how much work this will be, but hell, I need something to keep me occupied, and I'm growing tired of playing with Hondas.

Later down the road, I may rebuild a 3.2 to stick in place of (what may end up being a 3.0 to start with) for E85 only. E85 has astonishing detonation resistance that allows for boost and serious compression without the same issues as pump gas presents, and I can only imagine that by the time that part is underway, technology will have advanced further, and it will be cheaper. That engine will almost definitely be built for boost, if it's built at all. I intend to use a non-intercooled remote mounted turbo setup if I do anything of the sort.

Obviously, at this point, so many changes have been made, that the vehicle will no longer pass a legitimate inspection in the state of PA under a standard motor vehicle title. Given the nature of the beast, I don't assume I will drive it more than weekends and/or to show it off, so a classic/antique/modified registration is in order. This will allow me to bypass emissions regulations and still operate legally.

That doesn't mean for a second that I will personally lax the emissions standard requirements... I'll still use all the emissions equipment and such, making it perform as good as, or better than, OEM specs. (Pet Peeve of mine when people gut cats and remove PCV systems and EGR "for more power"...)

If anybody can do it, I'm sure you can. You are very knowledgeable. There was a guy on the forum a couple of years ago that put a turbo from a T bird into his 95 Escort pony. It was putting out about 245 hp at the wheels. If you want more information about his modification you could search forums. We used to have inspections here in Arkansas, but they were such a joke that the legislature repealed them.