Hi there, not really ever posted in this forum but i think it's a good place to ask. I'm looking to do an RS turbo conversion on my car, the one in my signature, a 1994 Mk5b escort.

The engine in question is a rebuilt escort RS turbo, been standing for 9 months in a shed, well covered. It has Burton power Accralight Pistons with have been bored to +55 all done by burton power, with reciepts to prove. It has had a complete new bottom end, new big end bearings caps, bolts etc. and finally a reconditioned turbo technics t3 turbo.

I think this would be quite a good setup, only wanting about 150bhp from it as i'm only 19. Anyway, i've been playing with several ideas and it's come to a choice between this and a Blacktop 2.0 Zetec engine, which would be newer obviously, and a similar power to what i want, but i feel the RS turbo would just be generally more fun.

People i've been speaking to have generally said that the Zetec would be better for reliablility reasons, and that they've heard many horror stories about the RST engines blowing up etc. etc. and generally being unreliable. One has also said that it's old technology and would be less of an upgrade than the zetec.

What i'm wondering is how much of this is true? Are they notoriously unreliable? what can go wrong? I'm also thinking of using it to drive between essex and coventry a couple of times, and possibly a trip to the 'ring in september.

What are people's off boost fuel economy like as well, obviously i can't really moan with the extra power but it would be nice to know to see just how much money i might be spending weekly on fuel.

anyway, hope you can help, sorry for the long post and if i go through with it, hope i can stick around and be accepted!