i've got a large collection of escorts .. (4 and a fiesta) and i have to say my current run about the 1.4 cvh (k plated) is the worst i've ever had... first one without PAS, cvh tappets are hydraulic but can be shimmed, they are adjustable, the 1.8 cvh is so different from the 1.6/1.4 but is worse for power tuning etc than its lighter 1.6 brother

as for 1.9's ive gota mk4 3i with a n/a 1.9 on mfi... goes like stink

rather than an rst you could have a 1.8 zetec or a 2.0 for less money