i currently have a 1990 escort rs turbo. im taking it off the road within the next couple of weeks to have all the bodywork put back to new condition. im going to remove the engine and box before the car goes away for its work. ive decided that i may as well give the old girl a new lease of life to go with its new improved looks. what i really want to know is how? im looking for between 200-250bhp. the box is knackered and is being replaced anyway. what i want to know is hows the best way of obtaining these types of power figure. can i get this out of the engine with the standard block or would it need to be replaced by a zetec and go the ZVH route. if so, which block do i need? if anybody could give me as much info as possible on what block and all the associated parts such as turbo, intercooler, pistons, rods, any work required on the crank, which cam and management system etc. to use it would be much appreciated.

thanx all

DaveRS

 

Hi mate, the thread below is a good indication of what a 230 ish BHP 1600 CVH consists of. 250bhp will be on the limit of the standard rods.

https://passionford.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=99889

My own 1600CVH has been built to produce in excess of 300 bhp

 

Hi, I have a thread going (see link in my sig), which will show a 300+bhp 1600CVH being put together. Its in the early stages, but there should be some developments in the coming weeks and I am hoping that it will be done for the Summer Events.

Once you have reached the limit of the Standard Bottom End (230bhp ish), then Steel Rods etc are a good idea.

 

i know this is a dumbo question ? but if steel rods are required...

then what are standard rods made out of ?

cos a completely steel bottom end is best right, so what is the standard bottom end made from ? cast iron ?

 

The Standard Components are Cast, the Machined Steel Rods are far stronger and are H-Section, which makes them ALOT less likely to bend.

IMO, Steel Rods are as far as you would need to go. Mine still has a Standard Crank.

If you intend to use Standard Rods, thats fine, but anyone that puts a CVH engine together for more than 200bhp and doesn't use ARP Conrod Bolts is silly!! Mine still had Standard Rods at 250bhp (not that I would encourage it!!)

 

is there much different between standard CVH bottom end items...

and the zetec stuff used in ZVH engines ?

 

Not really, other than the fact that they are completely different engines. Generally the factory parts are mass-produced and not of as high quality as their aftermarket counterparts (providing the correct choice was made!!)