89 escort...what type of engine can I swap?

[animatorPHIL]

I wanna upgrade my escort. Everything is stock, I wanna know what kinda motor would be good(if I can swap motors with another make). Other performance parts I know I can get out of magazines and what not. I seen people swap j-specs and other mazda motors, but I was never sure if I could do it with an 89 escort. Thanks for any replies.

[jeffescortlx]

First gen Escorts have a "ford" engine bay, where the second and third gens use a "Mazda" engine bay. That is why you can use a J-spec (mazda) motor.
Best motor swap for you is a first gen 1.9 HO, it a bit of work swaping the harness, but it's worth it.
You can also just swap the HO head on your lx block, still need the harness and computer.
The HO head on the lx block lower compresstion, good for boost.
Or you could just turbo the lx motor you have now.