How can I make it faster?

I just want to know how to make my 95 escort LX faster without spending my ass off.

I would see if you could find the 1.8L gt motor for that car.. its made by mazda and is found in the escort gt and mazda protege, its a good starting point...

I would if I could but I just bought the car and I don't think my dad would be to happy about me swapping engines. But is there any other stuff I can do? I know some stuff about cars but I'm hoping to learn more. If there's anything you can tell me like exhaust or intake or other small stuff I can do I would really appreciate it

Check around with the aftermarket suppliers, i dont recall much of anything that was made for that motor..it wasnt a hot performance car...most of the performance mods are for the 98 and up cars, and there are very few of them....any power building is probably going to have to be internal modifications $$$$$$....there are a couple of people that have put a turbo on the motor but im sure that wasnt cheap ethier.

Okay. thank you for your advice. I have another question though. Would autozone or pep boys have anything? And also my sliding seat belt buckle isn't working and the thread I made for that subject isn't getting any replies. can anyone here help?

The seatbelt has a lifetime warranty from the manafacturer..gov says they have to stand behind the safety equipment....go to the dealership and have them fix it for you..

Even If I bought the car from a used car dealership without warrenty? What dealership would I take it to? Any ford dealership? or is there a certain type?

any ford dealership will do

Okay cool thanks. And one more thing. How do I take off my headlight lenses I looked at it and II can't get the headlights off. can you help?

if you are trying to change the bulb, look at the back of the light and you will see a ring with a wire harness in the middle...take the harness off and grab the ring and turn it to the left..the lamp will come out once you get the ring off..dont touch the new bulb with your fingers or it will burn out in a vary short time....if you are trying to take the lens off to change it, look behind the light and you will see the headlight body that the lamp is located in ...that whole assembly has to come out as one piece....im not sure if you can change the glass, or if you have to get a whole new assembly...some cars do , some dont...

I have a 95LX and I had the cam set up 2 degrees and a racing clutch installed and the linkage set up as far as it would go without buying new linkage(to give it faster shift points) and had a flowmaster exuast system put on with no resanator and a gutted cat. and got an edlebrock intake with venom fule rail and injectors. and I now can out run crx and civics(none turbo or nitros) and I've out ran one 305 camaro but I think that was because that dude just couldn't drive(just some suggestions)

Thank you for your help. Is there any other tips or anything you wanna tell me?

There's a ton of stuff you can do to a 1.9 Escort, your just not gonna find much aftermarket parts. Go to www.escortracing.com and look around the chat room.

There's: headers, UDP, chip's, clutch's, turbo's, N20, intake's, exhasust systems, cams, motor swaps, throttle body's, body kit's, lowering springs, coil overs...the list goes on, you just need to find them.

I have a 95LX and I had the cam set up 2 degrees and a racing clutch installed and the linkage set up as far as it would go without buying new linkage(to give it faster shift points) and had a flowmaster exuast system put on with no resanator and a gutted cat. and got an edlebrock intake with venom fule rail and injectors. and I now can out run crx and civics(none turbo or nitros) and I've out ran one 305 camaro but I think that was because that dude just couldn't drive(just some suggestions)
I'm not trying to be a dick, but your clutch, fuel rail and injectors did'nt make you any faster. The stock injector can support about 120hp. The stock fuel rail is good to about 250hp. Adding fuel with out adding air does not increase power.

A gutted cat and aftermarket muffer only adds about 5hp, unless you have a header than it could be around 8-10hp total.

A aftermarket clutch in only really needed at around the 130hp mark, even then I know of ppl to use the stock one at 180hp.

Your cam and intake proby made the most difference. The cam could add 10-15 hp, and intake/cone filter adds about 3-5hp.

A stock 91-96 1.9 lx (5 speed) puts down about 79-80 wheel hp, with a cam, intake and muffler your probly at about 95whp.

well, the first suggestion was a good one, the motor. I have the 1.8 maxda in my gt and it puts out 127hp stock. a thing you could get for under $200 in a k+n air filter, I felt the increase in power. more air will make it faster, but you wont just start winning races. I haev a good web site you might want to check out, deals with a few cars directly and the escort is one of them. intakes exhausts, tons of shit.....www.corksport.com

The 1.8 DOHC is a very big project to swap in a LX, every thing under the hood is differnt, Tranny, wiring harnes, computer...ect.

The 2.0 SPI swap is much easyer, you can reuse every thing. it get's you 110hp/125ftlbs.

I think the first thing I'm going to do to my escort is get some good plugs aand wires. What do yall think about that. is that a good idea?

Plugs and wire's wont give you any hp increase, unless the one's your using now are very high in miles. If it's running ruff, new one's might help smooth things out.
I dont buy any thing too exspensive or name brand when it comes to ignition, the stock system has no problems with firing double the stock hp.

Okay. what should I do first? anything under 100 bucks?

Header, UDP, Intake.

What's a udp? How much would that cost?

UDP= underdrive pully. They remove moving weight from the crank and slow the accecery pullys allowing more power to the wheels. You can get them at BDR (black dimond racing) there for the SPI SOHC Focus, but is compatible with the 1.9 and 2.0 SOHC escorts. $99

Header= You can get one from a junk yard off a a first gen Escort GT 86-89 1.9 HO, need a bit of work to make it fit, but there usally only $30.

Intake=ebay cheap.

But I have the 1.9 SEFI

But I have the 1.9 SEFI
I know.

I have seen a throttle body swap from a 3.8l v6. I think the throttle body is about 20% bigger but you have to bolt it on upside-down(it fits) and widen the opening on the intake to match. also you will need to make your own linkages but it is a lot easier than it sounds. Couple that with a breather tube setup and it will help a little.
Alos there is an adjustment on the kickdown linkage that holds you in lower gear longer for passing(escorts shift into hi gear too quickly...saves gas sucks to pass)
Maybe jeffescortlx has some input on this..he knows his stuff pretty well.
check this page out too.http://www.escortracing.com/2ndgenparts.html

You have to use the 3.8 TPS too, because the TB cam turns the oppisite direction.
But yes, the cable has to be rigged up on the other side. I tried this on my old 1.9, It's nothing to get too exsited about.

I have a freind that's gonna get me a chip for 30 bucks so I'm gonna start there and see what else happens. it depends on how much money I make. I appreciate all the helpful tips. I hope yall can keep them coming.

I have a freind that's gonna get me a chip for 30 bucks so I'm gonna start there and see what else happens. it depends on how much money I make. I appreciate all the helpful tips. I hope yall can keep them coming.
A chip for $30 sounds fishy. What are the chances of your freineds chip having the same PCM code as yours? A real chip plug's into the slot on the PCM and usally runs about $200, is your freind getting you one of those resisters that you wire to a sensor? if so, it does'nt work worth a damn, that and a resister only cost $.02

I have a 95LX and I had the cam set up 2 degrees and a racing clutch installed and the linkage set up as far as it would go without buying new linkage(to give it faster shift points) and had a flowmaster exuast system put on with no resanator and a gutted cat. and got an edlebrock intake with venom fule rail and injectors. and I now can out run crx and civics(none turbo or nitros) and I've out ran one 305 camaro but I think that was because that dude just couldn't drive(just some suggestions)


I am oooooooooo so interested in hearing more....I have a 95LX also and would like to make it faster. Do you have pic's? If you do not mind, please tell me what all of the above items that you have added to your vehicle actually do for the vehicle. Many thanks.

Here's some info about my Escorts, maybe this will help
http://www.cardomain.com/id/jeffescortlx

I have another problem. My rear defroster won't stay on. I have to hold the button down. Is that normal? If not how can I fix it?

New switch.

Yes you need a new one. I just changed mine last weekend.

Is there anything I can do until then? When I go to change the switch how do I do it? Does it just pop out?

Its screwed in from the back, you need to take the panel off.

Oh okay. I'll try that when I get home

I HAVE A PROBLEM!!! I was going to put intake on my car but when I looked under the hood I realized that the battery is in the way for the intake I was gonna get. Can someone help?

www.Escortracing.com
Go to message board.

I can't. I have to go when I get home because it's blocked on the school computers.

Can anybody help me put intake on my car? My battery is in the way.

Get the right intake.

That's what I thought I would have to do but I wanted to make sure that there was no cheaper way. The intake that I need to get is gonna cost me around $160. A raced a neon last night. He had a chip and a k&n. He didn't beat me too bad. My car is all stock. I took him off the line but around 3rd gear I heard kind of a sharp whistle. Not turbo or anything but a whistling sound. And then I see him pass my up. not fly past but steadily pass me

But I'm getting a chip friday and a k&n i 2 weeks. I'll keep posting to let yall know how it's coming. hopefully You will have more tips along the way. Oh yeah and I've started saving up for my intake. I'm getting AEM. Thanks for the help

? Try loosing weight. :)

That will help your car go faster.

Can anyone tell me what site I can go to get an afordable intake? Cold air or anything. it doesn't matter

You are trying to make a racehorse out of a dog. My humble advise is to just drive and enjoy your Escort as is and find a more suitable car to soup up.
That way you will have transportation to get to work to earn the funds needed and you will have a worthwhile car project you can take your time creating.
Your project will become a money magnet so plan carefully and search for the best advise on what can be done and the best deals on parts prices.

i have a 1990 ford escort with a 1.9L motor and im trying to turbo charge it. I found out that my pistons will take up to 300 horse power.If there's anything anyone can tell me about this please do so.

Yes you need a new one. I just changed mine last weekend.
I have the same problem with my rear defroster in my 1995 Escort LX, how much did it cost? I assume only Ford carries it, right? can you give more detail on how to remove the panel. Thanks in advance.

Here's some totally dull stuff to get the most out of your car without spending too much....

first, the 1.9L engine is a dog....made to get good gas mileage and have enough performance to keep it from being road kill....

If you can't remember the last time you did a good old fashioned tune up...now's the time. Plugs and wires are all you need; CarQuest sells OEM wires for 28 bucks....the plugs can be had for about $3.50 each for platinums....total about 50 bucks for this. Do you need "high-zoot" wires? Only if your ego needs stroking and your wallet needs lightening. While you're at it, replace the PCV and all the filters to include the fuel filter (Ford claims no regular service is required but that's BS) A restricted fuel filter can reduce fuel pressure to the injector manifold which will effect injector performance....speaking of injectors, get a bottle of Chevron's Techron (the 20 gal size; $9) and run a tankfull through (or better, only fill the tank half-way). Don't waste time buying the cheaper stuff; I've tried 'em all and they don't work....the Techron does the trick. You might have to run two treatments but you will notice a difference.....probably run another $50-60 for all this.

Okay...free time....the stock intake track on the 1.9L is too restrictive and the fix is easy and free. Find the airbox in the left front fender and remove it. You'll have to disconnect the two electrical connectors (temp probe and MAF sensor) and also the rubber ducting (very easy to do). Once you pull the airbox out, you'll find a plastic, molded duct that looks like it came from under the kitchen sink. It's purpose is to minimize intake roar while drawing cooler outside air. In my car ('95 LX wagon) the actual opening in this device, the hole through which the engine has to "breathe", is about 1 to 1 1/2" in diameter!! Remove the intake muffler (it's held in place with a bolt) and then replace the airbox, ducting and electrical connections. How much HP increase? I don't know but there's gotta be some and whatever increase it is came free.

Replace the O2 sensor.....it lives on the exhaust manifold....look down between the radiator and the engine and you'll see it; its got a wire attatched to it. Will it increase performance?....it's a crap shoot....but this is one of the main inputs to the computer to determine fuel mixture and adjustments to the injector "squirt". They run about $40.

Replace the EGR valve.....it lives right behind the throttle body...just follow the steel tube that comes off the exhaust manifold and goes back behind the engine. Over time, the pintle and seat in an EGR valve can errode and become fouled with carbon. This can cause a situation where more exhaust gas is being recirculted than actually needed.....which will also decrease performance.....also another crap shoot and also runs about $40.


While you've got the intake ducting off (to get that free HP), look inside the throttle body (the thing with the butterfly valve)....bet that looks pretty nasty inside, eh? Get some "Intake" cleaner, *not* carb cleaner; CRC makes the stuff. Intake cleaner is safe to use because it will not harm any protective coatings that may be present inside the throttle body and intake castings. You might do well to remove the throttle body (again very easy; 4 bolts hold it in place and you'll need to disconnect the throttle cable and the kickdown cable if you have an auto trans) to really get it all clean in that area. Use a tooth brush and go lightly with the cleaner spray; it's very effective. Wipe the interior dry with paper towels. Put it all back together and use a new gasket for the throttle body (NAPA has them).

Barring the fact you've got an engine in dire need of a rebuild, doing all these things will restore the engine to its best stock performance (maybe just a hair more with intake mod). Pacesetter makes a cat back exhuast system (about 230 clams) and a header (another 300 or so clams) but you'll have to relocate the cat with the header (which means you have to buy a new cat). There are some aftermarket intakes around but they run about 150 smackers.

Sorry to be so long-winded but "performance" doesn't necessarily mean spending gobs of money on neon colored parts and farty-loud mufflers. Besides, any after-market mods thrown on a car in poor stock condition is a waste of money......

good luck!

mike

i have a 1990 ford escort with a 1.9L motor and im trying to turbo charge it. I found out that my pistons will take up to 300 horse power.If there's anything anyone can tell me about this please do so.
Where did you hear that?
It depends on if you have the CFI or HO motor.
It is possible, but only when done right.
It has been done, this is how:
HO head on a CFI bottom, lowers the C/R.
2.3 Turbo "computer, VAM and Injectors".
US spec 1.6 IHI turbo and manifold with a IHI 2.3 Turbo cold side hybrid and Down pipe. set to about 20psi
(UK spec manifold with T3 is better)
FMIC
Than just oil/coolent lines, oil cooler is a good idea to.

Proper Tuning makes the different of a 300hp motor or a pile of parts sitting in the bottom of the oil pan.


www.escortracing.com