Total n00b to car stuff, help me out!

[SpikeyStud88]

I just got my first car. It's a '93 Automatic Ford Escort. To be honest, the car is in excellent condition for being 12 years old. Interior, paint, engine, etc. are all in good condition. Lol, it's even got all 4 stock rims (actually, they're hubcaps )! Now, I know that's an ideal racecar/pimpmobile, etc...but, I know I can atleast improve on it, right??

Anyways, I wanna make it a little quicker you know, maybe add some hp or something. All I've thought about getting so far is a new air filter (high quality one of course). I don't know enough about cars to know what else to get that wouldn't just plain 'ol 'not work' on an Escort.

Also, I wanna make it look cool! Is there any place that possibly (still) sells body kits for older Ford Escorts? I know that sounds dumb, but body kits can work wonders!

Of course, since I don't know much about cars and I just got this car, hopefully you'll can suggest mildly cheap/easy stuff to do.

You'll want me to post any pics of the outside/interior/engine or anything? I can if you'll need me to.

Oh, also...I posted on some other forums about trying to make my car sound better...like new exhaust or something. And basically, they told me "buy a new car" lol. So are they ignorant, or can a Ford Escort only sound crappy?

Thanks so much guys! Sorry if these questions were dumb/n00bish .

Edit: One last thing...the headlights are kinda foggy (like,the actual plastic you know) so they look really crappy. Is it worth it to buy some nice new ones that are crystal clear for looks?

Again, thanks!

[TheStang00]

for the headlights... you can wetsand them with like 3000 grit sandpaper and clear them up a lil. as far as getting more power... best thing is a turbo kit lol. im not a real big fan of exhaust tips... but u can get a high performance muffler for it for like $100

[SpikeyStud88]

How much is a turbo kit?

[TheStang00]

plenty... u could probably get a used one for like 1600... im assuming u dont wanna spend that much. plus i forgot that u have the 1.9 (right?) and idk if they make any turbos for that engine...

[B REAL]

the 1.9 only comes with about 90 horse... you can throwe a full intake and a full exhuast... including a header and maybe get 105hp ... kinda shitty situation becuase the 1.8 dual overhead comes with 120 .... just bad luck u got the 1.9

[chevyn0va1]

Originally Posted by SpikeyStud88

I just got my first car. It's a '93 Automatic Ford Escort. To be honest, the car is in excellent condition for being 12 years old. Interior, paint, engine, etc. are all in good condition. Lol, it's even got all 4 stock rims (actually, they're hubcaps )! Now, I know that's an ideal racecar/pimpmobile, etc...but, I know I can atleast improve on it, right??

Anyways, I wanna make it a little quicker you know, maybe add some hp or something. All I've thought about getting so far is a new air filter (high quality one of course). I don't know enough about cars to know what else to get that wouldn't just plain 'ol 'not work' on an Escort.

Also, I wanna make it look cool! Is there any place that possibly (still) sells body kits for older Ford Escorts? I know that sounds dumb, but body kits can work wonders!

Of course, since I don't know much about cars and I just got this car, hopefully you'll can suggest mildly cheap/easy stuff to do.

You'll want me to post any pics of the outside/interior/engine or anything? I can if you'll need me to.

Oh, also...I posted on some other forums about trying to make my car sound better...like new exhaust or something. And basically, they told me "buy a new car" lol. So are they ignorant, or can a Ford Escort only sound crappy?

Thanks so much guys! Sorry if these questions were dumb/n00bish .

Edit: One last thing...the headlights are kinda foggy (like,the actual plastic you know) so they look really crappy. Is it worth it to buy some nice new ones that are crystal clear for looks?

Again, thanks!

lots of things start with taking out the resonator see my site for tips yours will be little differnt.

[UnexplodedCow]

What kind of price range are you looking for? I just had my engine completely overhauled for around 650 bucks...got a lot of new parts, too. Silvo-Lite pistons (not sure about those), iron oil pump, PBM lifters, bored 1mm over, Hastings rings, Clevite bearings. The crank was polished, the block was align-bored, and the deck was flattened. Not bad for the price, actually. Oh, and the rods/pistons were all balanced. That, along with a shaved head will make a HUGE difference. And see if you can find a pipe exhaust header for you car. It'll make a difference, too. If you take the A/C off the car, that'll lighten the car's weight, as well as save on power if you don't use it. Go manual steering if you can, too, and that'll save a few horses. There are lots of things to do to gain power, you just have to think like a car.

[sdsiedentop]

About the headlights - Brasso works wonders as well. You should be able to get it at any department store - most likely in the cleaning products section.

[Escort_Service]

Hey dont every let anybody tell you to get a better car. I kick the crap out of my Escort daily and I love them. I have a 93 Lx and a 94 gt with the Ford SVT engine in it. (Its a group b rally car not street legal) And I have a new baby on her way from the U.K. in the form of an Escot Cossie. (Look out lancer and Sti)
These cars sound great with a little tlc.

As for up grades
http://www.andysautosport.com/models...&id=Fo91Escort got a great body kit.

Nopi.com has a set of great pipes from Pacesetter on sale for $185.

Accel makes an awsome coil pack for the DIS system

And if you can find one a MAF from a 91 is bigger then the 93 and will allow more air flow for a great price. You may have to modify the clip on the MAF but its not hard.

And as for a turbo the sohc is a perfect engine for a turbo. Good luck finding one! If you want power for less http://www.importperformanceparts.ne.../pek-ford.html has some compression kits for the scort.
These are a little pricy but i'm sure someone else has them for less.

If price is your problem then taking of the resonator and a 91 MAF is a good step in the right direction

Good luck