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Thread: Ford Escort performance help?

  1. #1
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    Ford Escort performance help?

    Hey guys, my dad just got a 1994 Ford Escort 1.9L for cheap from work. Since I'm not all that interested in slower cars, I was wondering if there are any performance parts available? This might be a stretch, but are any Cosworth upgradeble parts for it? I'm really open to any suggestions, as long as they're pretty plausible. Mustang 5.0 swaps? Swapping the smaller 1.8L heads for higher compression ration?...dude, I mean anything!
    Thanks for the help!

  2. #2
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    "We went to Wnedy's. I had chicken nuggest." ~ Quiggs

  3. #3
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    Nice, now you're dad can say he's got a Hemi...not kidding. Those peppy little Ford four-bangers are known for reliability, although they really don't like irregular service intervals.

    I'm afraid there won't be a huge market for performance parts specific to these Escorts since the car is intended to be a grocery-getter in the first place. Although you can do your part to restore it back to as much power as it had when it rolled off the assembly line by replacing the air/fuel filer, spark plugs, wires/distributor, engine oil, etc. etc.

    Major upgrades will prolly need to be done by people who really know what they're doing.

    For example... installing a 5.0 (designed to crank a rwd drive-shaft) into the compartment of a tiny-ass I4 engine bay? Hmmm, that might take some bending and stretching and modifying of the chasis, transaxle, gearbox, ecu, and just about every other component under the hood.

  4. #4
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    thats true about the 5.0...i was just trying to be funny and get some poeple to respond...but how about the stuff from the 2.0L cosworth?...true, it would probably be pricey, but theres gotta be knockoffs that i could get..i've already got some experience under my belt with engine swaps and all, so that could always be a possibility. 1.8L head swap?..plausible?...if so, productive?....turbo charging can be done on alomst any car with the right amount of experience and determination, but lets just say for a NA car....i know that there are not that many aftermarket parts out there, but custom made deals?...

    p.s....here's the engine swap that i was talking about... http://photobucket.com/albums/y43/PRocker05/
    its the navy blue yugo....swapped a 1.5L fiat engine...email me for more details!...it is for sale you know...

  5. #5
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    The US block is commonly used as an "upgrade" for the European CVH Escorts/Fiestas ( and kit cars )

    Fitting the European top end to the US block adn porting it leads to a failry potent 4-potter which can give good performance and still turn in 40mpg !

    Ferriday are the most respected modifiers over here who do the job the other way round - the US block and the rest 'standard'. http://www.ferriday.co.uk/

    I don't know of any Cosworth parts compatible with the taller US block.
    So if you want to modify go with Ferriday parts, if you want to replace then a full on Cosworth woudl scare more Be careful, though, remember the US Escort is a long way away from the European specced product in handling. Uprate the suspension before doign the engine if you're wanting a safe car. If you just want fast straightline then maybe not
    "A woman without curves is like a road without bends, you might get to your destination quicker but the ride is boring as hell'

  6. #6
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    you can't polish a turd
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  7. #7
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    I have no idea if it's even possible, but a rather nifty swap would be to put the 2.3 DOHC out of the ranger pick-ups in an escort. My ranger had that same motor and it took a heck of a beating, and preformed rather well. They make about 140hp and 150 ft lb of torque. Mine took about 2 years of non-stop abuse until I rolled it(more like cartwheeled actually), and it's still going strong in a friend's truck.
    -1974 AMC Matador wagon
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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by nist7
    Nice, now you're dad can say he's got a Hemi...not kidding. Those peppy little Ford four-bangers are known for reliability, although they really don't like irregular service intervals.
    amen. they are known to run past 200,000 miles with little or no trouble at all. I know for expirance.
    I have found a new love in the form of a tristar.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by procker
    Hey guys, my dad just got a 1994 Ford Escort 1.9L for cheap from work. Since I'm not all that interested in slower cars, I was wondering if there are any performance parts available? This might be a stretch, but are any Cosworth upgradeble parts for it? I'm really open to any suggestions, as long as they're pretty plausible. Mustang 5.0 swaps? Swapping the smaller 1.8L heads for higher compression ration?...dude, I mean anything!
    Thanks for the help!
    YOU CAN SWAP IN A MOTOR FROM A PROTEGE OR ESCORT GT WICH IS A 1.8 DOHC BUT YOU NEED A MOTOR HARNESS OR GET ONE FROM JAPAN THATS TURBOCHARGED FOR ABOUT 1500 GO TO CORKSPORT.COM

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    you can use some mazda engines they usually are quote to quote the same fitting

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