I Need ADVISE!!!

My names Dan and this is my first post. Got a few Questions... Excuse my ignorance to new cars, too, because this will be my first attempt at building up anything newer than 74...

i just bought my first escort the other day, its a 96 LX 1.9 5Spd i got i for 400$ it was a steal! the frame still has factory paint on it! its super clean, only 2 peices of rust on the entire thing, both easy fixes above the rear wheels.I know not to be to proud though, seeing is its only an LX :banghead: .

It has a few problems which ill get to in a second but first off i want to know... PERFORMANCE! My goal i think is fairly reasonable; 14.50 1/4mile.

I would like to turbocharge it and i know its an expensive way to go, but i think its my best option. Is there a 'bolt on' kit available from anywere? ive seacrhed for hours and can not find anything!

I know the GT models were twincams, but how much faster than the LX's were they? can a GT head bolt up to a LX Block without major mods? (i know i'd probobly need the GT Intake assembly too) if so, what other mods would be neccessary? Diff. fuel pump? anything with ecu?

Basicly, My question is, Is making the 1.9 Fast a reality? or would i be better off looking for somthing to swap in there? if so, what bolts up to the tranny? im not scared to swap out an engine, even CPU's or harnesses, but when tranny's and axels get involved, count me out! If im swapping anything in there i want it to have HUGE aftermarket availability and must push 200hp stock.

I also have a few Q's with the problem the car has already.

first off, i need to replace my front passenger wheelbearing, is it pressed in or does it pop out? ive never done one before but i think i can do it. i have access to a hyd. press if i need it through my job...

Also, i have absolutly no lights in the back. Parking lights, or brake lights! I started by checking the fuse's, all were good, BUT for some reason i didnt read ANY power on the brakelight fuse :screwy: . Is there a relay for it? Any answers to this post would be appreciated before i go rewire the thing!

Well first off the wheelbearing is pressed in.

Second, I don't know if the swap is really worth it because your not going to get all that much gain in the long run. As far as swaping out the heads the 1.8 was a Mazda built engine and the 1.9 was built by Ford. As far as I know of they aren't interchangable.

The driveline of the LX or any Escort for that matter will start failing over 200hp Mainly trans. Upgrade the diff. The main gears should withstand. The halfshafts will give you problems above about 220. As far as turbocharging there is no kits I know of.

Good luck,

-Mark

Ok, cool. What about the ford Probe 4cyl. Turbo? They came turbo from factory right? I want to make this car the car im known for (along with my Triumph, but thats on a whole 'nother level than this... its a 74 Triumph Spitfire w/ a 79 Mustang Cobra 2.3 Turbo in it, its on the hurt yourself scary fast level, lol)

But by the way everyones talking i am kinda getting discouraged about building up the 'squirt...

What about body kit availability?

PS: i figured out my rear lighting problems.

Don't know 'bout that one. The Probe was a little bigger. Obdviouly it wouldn't bolt up but you should know about making your own motor mounts, Before '74. Then wiring and all the good stuff. I would be more worried about where to put the plumbing but at that point that would be the least of your worries. Might as well take the hood off and drop in a crate motor. That may even be easier.

-Mark

Don't know 'bout that one. The Probe was a little bigger. Obdviouly it wouldn't bolt up but you should know about making your own motor mounts, Before '74. Then wiring and all the good stuff. I would be more worried about where to put the plumbing but at that point that would be the least of your worries. Might as well take the hood off and drop in a crate motor. That may even be easier.

-Mark


I dont know why you are being such a hater. Why dont you just say what you gatta say?

Bye the way, i made my own motor mounts for my other car. :sunglasse

I dont know why you are being such a hater. Why dont you just say what you gatta say?


What?! All I did was tell you that the square peg won't fit into the round hole. No disrespect.

on the base of turbo or superchargers.. i suggest the vortec turbo system its a commen almost universal fit.. its going to take some fabrication..but with fabrication anything is possible.. the 1.8l DOHC will fit your transmission. you wil need everything from the MAS to manifold including the PCM . the 1.8 head will NOT fit to your block given that the block for a OHV/SOHC engine is built for that application only. only a OHV and SOHC is possible but not werth it.
i tell you what if you keep with the 1.9 take the head off .have it milled down 0.005(0.003 if you decied turbo is the way to go) and have it ported with 1mm bigger valves put in. have ur combustion chambers polished . find a cam that fit the RPM range you want(suggest crowler custem cams). then stick a nice set of new pistons in it. also gasket match your intake with your head and exhaust with your head...also if you decied to go with a turbo a set of aftermarket rods and pistons are very imporant . 8.5:1-9:1 MAX comp... i have built meny 1.9's for people and every one is FAST.(for a older escort that is).

IF you decied that the 1.8 is where u want which given the fact if you mill the head change valves gasket match everything with the pistons and all that. it will out perform any natually asperated 1.9.

If your really good with a welder take the motor from a zx2 which is the Zetec 2.0..youll need motor and tranny but it will deffenetly say...im one of a kind to your friends

good luck and go balls to the walls becuase its only an escort and thats what makes them so fun to tweak.

thanks for the advise. But see heres the latest update. I have a dodge truck with a 318 and a 4spd. I also have a 10Bolt posi w/ 4:10 gears. Between the 2, aside from needing a diff. distributor, some sort of MSD box, about 15ft of 4x2 box tubing and other goodies (thinking 4link rear susp.) i think i have a combonation that will make one of my cars, either the escort or my dynasty, haul A$$! heres a new question. anyone ever do it?

on the base of turbo or superchargers.. i suggest the vortec turbo system its a commen almost universal fit.. its going to take some fabrication..but with fabrication anything is possible.. the 1.8l DOHC will fit your transmission. you wil need everything from the MAS to manifold including the PCM . the 1.8 head will NOT fit to your block given that the block for a OHV/SOHC engine is built for that application only. only a OHV and SOHC is possible but not werth it.
i tell you what if you keep with the 1.9 take the head off .have it milled down 0.005(0.003 if you decied turbo is the way to go) and have it ported with 1mm bigger valves put in. have ur combustion chambers polished . find a cam that fit the RPM range you want(suggest crowler custem cams). then stick a nice set of new pistons in it. also gasket match your intake with your head and exhaust with your head...also if you decied to go with a turbo a set of aftermarket rods and pistons are very imporant . 8.5:1-9:1 MAX comp... i have built meny 1.9's for people and every one is FAST.(for a older escort that is).

IF you decied that the 1.8 is where u want which given the fact if you mill the head change valves gasket match everything with the pistons and all that. it will out perform any natually asperated 1.9.

If your really good with a welder take the motor from a zx2 which is the Zetec 2.0..youll need motor and tranny but it will deffenetly say...im one of a kind to your friends

good luck and go balls to the walls becuase its only an escort and thats what makes them so fun to tweak.

Holy sh!t just about every thing you said is 100% wrong!!
Vortech is known for superchargers, not turbo's.
The 1.8 motor will NOT fit the lx 1.9 tranny.
If you do go turbo, the last thing you want to do it mill the head and get a higher compression ratio.
All this porting, polishing, cams, pistons and rod's you speak of is a complete waste of time and money. A 100% stock 1.9 motor turbo charged can make way more power then a LX diff can handle anyways. After market rod's and pistons are NOT improtant.
What really is important is tuning, you did'nt say one thing about tuning! No wonder you need to use aftermarket pistons and rods to keep a motor together. The only thing I would suggest changing would be the valve seats, thats the only weak link in the CVH motors. The stock clutch in the 1.9 start to slip around 150-180ft lbs.
Why would you need a welder to install a Zx2 Zetec motor? It's a damn bolt in!

Holy sh!t just about every thing you said is 100% wrong!!
Vortech is known for superchargers, not turbo's.
The 1.8 motor will NOT fit the lx 1.9 tranny.
If you do go turbo, the last thing you want to do it mill the head and get a higher compression ratio.
All this porting, polishing, cams, pistons and rod's you speak of is a complete waste of time and money. A 100% stock 1.9 motor turbo charged can make way more power then a LX diff can handle anyways. After market rod's and pistons are NOT improtant.
What really is important is tuning, you did'nt say one thing about tuning! No wonder you need to use aftermarket pistons and rods to keep a motor together. The only thing I would suggest changing would be the valve seats, thats the only weak link in the CVH motors. The stock clutch in the 1.9 start to slip around 150-180ft lbs.
Why would you need a welder to install a Zx2 Zetec motor? It's a damn bolt in!


OMG ROFLMAO!!!!!!!
You are so right. I was thinking that the whole time I read that post. Guess there's a reason it says AF Newbie under his name, lol. I know you are probably way beyond working on this thing but I must say these are fun little cars to play with.

This thread is 17 months old. Please do not resurrect a thread if it is older than 3 months. It is unlikely you will get a response. Thanks.