JOHNDQ

Hi everyone thought i post one of my projects.... it started over a year ago with a idea to buy a cheap Escort just as a bit of trackday fun while i did some bits and bobs do my Evo VII RS Sprint which i use for the same task

It started like this being towed home by the Evo one late wet night on 20/06/2011...



So first job was to get her stripped out, set of MK5 RS2000 wheels can get the Koni's off and set to stiff and of course full service/checkover




Now i was really for my first tracktrack (well almost as some crashed into the front of it in the car park and didnt leave a note) so off to ebay to find a new front bumper....





I was really happy with my day @ Bedford autodrome but a few things needed some work...

1. The gearshift throw was like a type 9 so a qickshift unit was fitted
2. Brakes were uprated to 300mm ST220/ST170 set-up with 17" OZ wheels



So a few more trackdays on i still wasnt happy with the body roll entering the tight bends so a set of Avo coilovers went on...


Then back onto the brakes again another few outings later, as i got used to the FWD and a Escort again on track i found i was cooking the brakes early on in the day even with track pads/discs so i fitted the FRS set-up first with Brembo pads then EBC Orange stuff, with this the braking was unreal but the nose dive was a problem and as i dont use ABS sometimes would lock-up the fronts with isnt good


Note the FRS Disc size to the RS2000 standard disc


The other problem i found is that this set-up is just so heavy and the car just didnt feel the same... the change from left to right now seemed like a real effort, the steering was heavy and the car alway felt front heavy.

So anyway i did one more trackday before i put it away over this xmas for a bit more work and to get the bodywork sorted




But as with all good plans i found a problem... after stripping down she was as rotten as f**k



Of course i knew there was bodywork etc that needed doing when i brought it but it was a bit more than i wanted so i thought about my next step and as i really loved tracking the Escort and not much done to the Evo i thought a reshell was the only thing to do... let the strip down start




For a change luck was with me i found a just about rust free 1.3 Base MK5a rolling shell on ebay for £200 (no one else even bid) with coilovers etc and sold all bits from it for more than i paid




Now its just a case of swapping everthing over and starting again

Will give the thread updated thanks for taking the time to look hope you didnt fall asleep in the middle

Many thanks John

The Underdog

great project.dont see many of these now. look forward to updates.

The Underdog

is it ok to say i chuckled when i saw the cardboard on the axle stand to protect the bodywork lol

the_frozen_one

iTrader: (1)

Always loved the rs2000. Will be watching. Best of luck

Madgit

Good news John, last I saw was when you'd found the rot on 2k.com.

JOHNDQ

LOL i done that before i had looked under, i jacked it up on the rear beam and let it down on the stands then jacked the front up and done the same lucky i didnt put the axle stand 6 inches back

JOHNDQ

Yeah as said i knew 2 odd years back when i brought it it would need some work but only paid £400 so didnt look to hard to be honest as i wasnt really planning to hold onto it but i really enjoyed it so i planned to get the front and the n/s/r wings replaced plus a repaint in orange or green but its just not worth it and a lot of the panels i would need for the floors etc you cant get now

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Cool project.Shame its rotton.Does it feel quick enough for trackdays then.

JOHNDQ

It's quick enough to deal with other hot hatches mate as i removed everything I didn't need even looms ect! My brother has a ST170 and it will edge past that or a ST Fiesta but it only has a super chip so it gets annoying when all the BMW's etc all come past on the straights, to be fair that's really the only thing that I miss about not using the Evo

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Track days are all about having fun.Ive done a few now.I used my saff at ford fair 2 years ago.Im thinking about getting a cheap track toy myself.

JOHNDQ

Yeah defo mate that was the idea behind getting the Escort in first place

JOHNDQ

RS shell stripped and ready for its last trip

The Underdog

a few £s of scrap metal there. shame its so rotten though. keep the updates coming

JOHNDQ

Good and bad today lot of bits came, National sport 283mm discs from a 2wd cosworth, DS3000 pads and the clutch kit but the RS shell took its last trip.....

JOHNDQ

Not to much done lately been to cold but got a set of Compomotive CXR's in 15x7 as will now be using a HiSpec race 300x28mm two piece set-up with there R126-6 6pot caliper


Also engine etc all back in the new shell and she is up and running at long last

Twisted Crankshaft

looking good mate!! i reckon the graphite grey colour of the rims will work nicly against the red!

JOHNDQ

Thanks mate will get it out tomoz and find out

Minirotty

Great looking project John!

JOHNDQ

Thanks mate got it out for first time in months today and im really happy with how its going even if i do say so im self

Minirotty

Real nice, lose the 5b bonnet asap though bud.

JOHNDQ

Yeah i kept the bonnet and grill off the RS2K but i thought il wait to get the whole car painted over next winter plus people might think some twat has brought a Escort GTI to a trackday when they see it in the car park

The Underdog

looks nice on them wheels. good work

JOHNDQ

Brakes here at last been messed about a bit and theres no hoses but at least i can get moving now.... 300x28mm disc's and 6pot calipers under 15's job done

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Good update matey.Glad its all coming together ok.

JOHNDQ

Cheers mate been a long time and nothing but problems such is normal with old Fords

JOHNDQ

Sailed though mot this morning and trackday book @ Bedford next Sat

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Cool and cool.What problems have you had.

JOHNDQ

No thing to major really mate, few problems with wiring as using the fuse box/front end wiring from the early MK5 but the rear loom from the face lift, the muti-plug fits into the fuse box but a lot of wires are in different places so had to move pins around in plug. Thermostat housing got a hair-line crack even tho its quite new then just parts not fitting and the waiting from Hispec then to find was a few missing bits in there kit but they sorted that right away to be fair

JOHNDQ

Almost there now got some polish on it today and before trackday and fitted new bonnet and front bumper

Churtz

Looks wicked!! I've always had a soft spot for these. Can you answer a question for me?.... Is the drivers side driveshaft an equal length setup on these....or is it one long straight shaft?

Thanks
Matt

JOHNDQ

No mate the drivers side is longer than the passengers side

adam151082

Id love to have a toy like that for track days

JOHNDQ

Get one while there still cheap mate prices starting to go up

JOHNDQ

Few pics from last trackday, defo need some stronger springs for the Avo's

Maxwell

looking good mate!!

My sister recently broke a mk5 rs2000 and it had a set of morettes in it. They are gloss black, but would look mighty in your car, and of course functional for you, having a track car and all that!!

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Looks really well in the pics..Hope you had a good track day.

james kiely

iTrader: (5)

that looks a sweet little track toy john

JOHNDQ

thanks for good comments

BobbyTaylor93

love a 90's escort, first car i ever drive was a J plated bright red Escort Ghia Zetec, loved it! Never really see a Mk5 around anymore so is a shame the silver one is gone least its all up and running again in the best colour shell haha

JOHNDQ

Hi guys hope all is well, unfortunately we are planning on moving to a house where we wont have as much driveway space and due to the fact the Escort hasnt been on road road since June 2013 im thinking of letting it go. Im so gutted as ive put a lot of work into the car I known its not a proper "RS" as the re-shell was based on a 1300 but everything from the early RS went into it. I really dont think you will find a shell in this condition, its never been welded and floor pans, rails, battery tray were all spot on as in the pics. The only bad thing was at some point some crown cut the floor pan under rear seat to remove the fuel pump and i have a panel from the "RS" shell to weld in. Its still got the AVO's on that a brought new from demon tweeks and they have only done 4 dry trackdays so there still like new. If anyone is interested gimme a buzz and will run though everything and get any pics etc you want. As was a track car its stripped out bear with a manual rack all tho i still have the RS power rack and any spares etc will go with it as will the new ST170 disc's so would just need calipers and tyre's then she would be ready for track again. Engine and drivetrain are solid to its never used and oil or water and defo doesnt smoke. Wheels are Compomotive competition 15" CXR's and has the -50% quickshift kit and a spare MTX75 gearbox