I am doin a restoration of an escort and am wanting to push a motor to at least 700 - 800hp. I am after info on which motor is best for strength, tune-ability and reliabilty. Am sorta after the best gear for bolt-ons as well but need a starting point... thanx

 

If you are in Oz then put a twin turbo V8 in it. Windsor with a couple of turbos will make you 800bhp a LOT cheaper than trying to get a YB there.

 

That requires moving firewall and i would like to keep as authentic as possible. plus i love the look of motors like cosi YB 2.0 16v Turbo

 

What sort of Escort is it?

Well I think a 700-800bhp YB is about 25,000GBP(although I suppose it could be done cheaper if you feel you are able to build and engine yourself) so if you budget on about $50,000AUD then you will be about right. Will probably want to get at least the head done in UK, unless you have a tuner in Aus that knows what he is doing with YB's.

After that you will need to try and find out what the big tuners run inside their bottom ends. Then it's turbo/inlet/exhaust/intercooler/radiator/management and then you can work out a transmission and diff that will take it.

Good luck.