I am an ametuer mechanic i really want an escort to modify both engine and body and then later on drop a different engine in and i was told the 1.6 si was probably be my best bet but not sure so any input would be good. The trouble is because of my age my insurance is sky high so i am really stuck. So basicly i want an escort with great potential which will be cheap and easy to tinker with. so any ideas jus let me no. thanks Edna

 

if your talking about the mk6 escorts with the zetec engines then personally i would get a 1.8 as the 1.6 has shite small valvues and you cant get naff all out of them.

however if you want something that will be cheap for a year or so till insurance comes down i'd recomend the 1.6 as then you can fit a 2l out of an early mondeo and just use a few bits from the 1.6 and you'll have 136bhp 8)

 

try to get hold of an old Mk3 1.3 for insurance, or the later 1.4 cvh, you can always stick a decent set of carbs on it.. shouldn't be too slow then either, insurance is gonna be a problem whatever ya get at your age, or just pay that bit extra an have a 1.6, but i would prefer a early mk3 1.6 cvh, a ghia or somat (xr2 engine), there is shit loads of engine mods you could to that, an later go for a turbo conversion or something, if ya wanna get real into it change it for a zetec an turbo it..

 

sorry to seem thick what years where the mk 6? what should i look for when buying? what bits off the 1.6 would i need? what year of mondeo engine would i need? thanks edna

 

if you can find one then this is the route i would take you can not beat the shape of these

 

ive a 1.6 si escort sat on the drive it has been on the farm and the drive for ages and dont use it but i dont wonna sell sorry lol

 

i think the mk6 came out in 96. certainly my old p reg was 96. the escort zetec engines are the older type labelled as silver top due to the ally cam cover so you'll need an early mondeo 2l silver top for the conversion.

you certainly need the flywheel and water pump off the 1600 unit but i think you might also need the sump and oil pickup pipe too.

 

thanks mate real help

 

not a prob mate.

have a look on http://www.feoc-uk.com/

peeps on there will give you more accurate info.

if you wanna go 2l zetec route then start with a 1.6 or 1.8 zetec as its an easier swap.

if wanna go rs turbo route start with a 1.6 cvh i think is the best route. could be wrong though.