Hi guys,

Just bought my first Escort RST, and I have a few questions if thats ok


Firstly i'll tell you a bit about the car. Its a 1990 H so one of the last i think? In mercury grey.

Its completely factory standard, absolutely zero mods. Ive bought it off a mid 40's lady who's had it for 10 years (FULL history with all MOT's and every receipt for any work carried out EVER) and is only selling it as she's been offered a job abroad. Its near mint, the worst of the bodywork is just scratches!

I paid 1200 quid for it, i thought that was quite fair?


But im in a bit of a pickle whether to now modify it cause i know ive bought a good one that should be good to me, or to keep it completely standard and mint it up and maybe make a few bob on it.



Anyway, I do have a few questions about it.

I am comletely new to the CVH engine, i've had a few charade gtti's before so am experienced with turbocharged engines.

Im looking at just very mildly modifying the engine, just exhaust and a few more lbs of boost, about 12psi ish. What i need to know is how you raise the boost on these? I presume i'll need to buy a chipped ecu to get rid of the boost cut, and then how do i raise the boost, via a bleed valve, adjust the actuator or fit one of these -31 actuators?

And are there anymore mild mods i can do to the cvh? Not necessarily for more power, but any well known mods that improve general running etc? Do they benifit from example.... a low temp thermostat? etc?

Also, what is the best clutch i am looking at for the slightly upped power that im going to run, or will the standard ford clutch cope with 12psi?



Thanks guys, look forward to settling in.

 

You've got yourself an absolute bargin mate if it's as clean as you say it is. Nice one.

 

firstly you seem to have got a real bargain there, well done

on the engine side i would get the ecu chipped, -31 actuator, and get the amal valve jetted to get the boost up

make sure the engine is in good health before doing anything though.

 

yeah it is that clean, no rust, never been painted, its one of the better ones definatly.

the engine oil isnt even black, its a nice golden brown colour, and its last oil service was 6 months ago
so goes to show the internals are in top nick.

 

is a -31 actuator essential if im only winding the boost up by a few lbs?

and get the amal valve jetted? what does this do?

 

Welcome to the BB

 

Hello mate

Firstly....BARGAIN

If its a minter leave it be and make it a show car, u know it makes sense Get out and buy yourself a WAXOYL kit as they dont last forever best thing you'll ever buy!!

Mods wise uprated actuators are all good, we all know that a nice scorpion/mongoose system sounds the bollucks, you could uprate the intercooler, the standard ones are shite, and you can only run 10 psi before needing a chip (although rumour has it the 90 specs have the later ECU's which allegedly will run up to 12psi). Air filters are a grey area on these, some people swear by them, others say keep the standard box and open the inlet up.

Clutches are pretty good, if your not going too mental then it should cope, although u say lady owner, chances are its still got the original clutch so might give up soon.

The amal valve controls the boost, its an electronic switch that controls the boost curve, look under the bonnet you'll see it bolted on the gearbox with 3 small vacuum pipes. Again some believe re-jetting them is the way, others say to remove it and use a bleed valve.

The other thing which im amazed no one has yet asked for, so i will, WE WANTS PICCIES

Hope this helps

 

cheers safechav, some great info.


I will be waxoyling her up garunteed

Ok so im guessing that i just need a chipped ecu, and then a bleed valve to replace the amal valve and set that to 12psi and then viola?


I'm guessing that 12psi on the stock intercooler is ok, but probably at the top of its ability?


And yep the clutch is probably at the end of its tether, its the original one so I was either going to buy an uprated item, or if a stock ford item can cope with 12psi, use one of them?


Cant get any pics yet as my old dear's got my cam, but will do asap Its a nice sight to see hehe im chuffed with it.

 

Get a chipped ECU and yeah the boost is at your limit so to speak (steady mind)

Hmmmm ive seen people run a LOT more than 12psi through a standard one lol, yeah should be ok, obviously longterm you want to really uprate it.

Well clutch wise get whatever you think you will need, uprated clutches handle more power but like everything the downside being they wear a bit quicker, and if your going for a mad paddle clutch they are a bit less forgiving. 12psi aint a lot a standard clutch should cope but you could always go for a high grip one.

If your doing the clutch you could get your flywheel lightened and balanced or even better get an EFI flywheel and have that modded, then should you ever decide to go down the EFI route you've already got that in there!

Yeah so u should be a Genuine RS with a full history should see a bit more wedge than that!

 

nice rst u got

i think you shud put a stainlesw pipe on tho cos its a easy thing to put back to std

i happen to have 1 for sale if you are interested

 

just put an exhaust on it and keep the rest as ford intended. once you go on a search for more power it will end in tears at some point!!!

 

Hes got a point

 

not after loads more power, already decided at exhaust, chip and 12psi.... just want a bit more boost cause the stock 7 psi on the T3 feels a bit lame

im thinking about just keeping it standard, doing a clutch, a new cambelt, get it running absolutely tip top, get it minted right up, and then sell it.


how much do you think i'd be looking at if i sold it?

 

first thing you should do is get it set up properly,you will notice a huge difference if it has'nt been done for a while!!

 

Welcome aboard

Thats sounds like a superbbbbb buy at £1200! lol

I've got a full system magnex exhaust on mine, and other than that its all completely standard. The exhaust is enough if you still want to keep it standard like me.... gives a nice roar over 3k revs also, so sounds good as well

 

if the car is how you say it is and the mods are tasteful and well installed then i think if you found the right buyer you could get 3-3.5k all day long...

i'll probably be corrected but just my opinion

 

seek out a proffesional protection coating specialist,for 180quid you will get all the underside cleaned and clear coated in a garanteed product that lasts for years. and dries!

waxoyl is a fit and forget cheap effective way right enough,but can be messy if your working underneath,which you will ,eventually.

check my underside of mine!(last pages of s2 wont run with pics thread!)

 

when you say 'setup' at a rolling road, what do they do exactly? just fiddle with mixtures, check ign timing etc????


yeah, sealing of the underside is definatly something i am going to be doing.

thanks guys.

 

set up, get it running right,live mapping is the ultimate tho!

set up,to adjust the fueling mixtures to give optimum performance,giving good mpg,the correct mixture,and smooth running,also safer engine performance,

live mapping,connecting a laptop to your ignition,to adjust the above while driving your car on the road in real world conditions,obtaining the ultimate running for your fueling,giving the best real world results.

 

if your planing on turning the boost up then you have GOT!! to get it set up by someone who know's what they are doing it's not just a case of puting a chipped ecu in and then turning the boost up the fuel need's to be set right as well or you will kill the engine

 

get some pics up mate yes the 1990 ones are the latest ones but their are a few 1991 h plates and a few ultra rare J plates i would suggest you go to a good tuner and discuss your requirements, i suggest 10psi leave the standard cooler, mongoose and a kandn the standard cooler is at its limit at around 14-15psi

 

None of that helps him because that can't be done on his ECU

 

As above

Live mapping is for EFI is it not?

 

so this live mapping is useless to me..?


so im basically looking at getting the chip, bleed valve and exhaust, and then taking it to a good tuner???




im considering a rebuild on the engine, before i start winding the boost up. she's on 115k but been well looked after, no tapping, or smoke and the oil is a lovely golden brown colour.

looking at new big ends, new main ends, rings

then for top end new cam, re lap the valves, then new gaskets etc.


Ive got just enough mechanical knowledge to do the rebuild, and would be a great way for me to learn about this engine.


Need to do a compression test first, then gonna consider a rebuild, i spose if it aint broke, dont fix it!

 

A quality exhaust is a must and a panel filter fitted in the original airbox (drilled on the cold side). A chip and a -31 actuator and that should keep you grinning. At this level I would stick with the standard cam as it's actually pretty good

Where's the pics?

Welcome to the BB

 

Are you wrc on the Daihard forums?

I'm keeping my GTti but saving for an ERST and then getting rid of my 106 S1 Rallye to fund for modding it.

:P

It's only the insurance thats a stinger for me being 20. (Hence stopping me owning a decent ford! I love classic fords/cosworths!)

Nice buy and GL.

 

got any pics of her?

 

A right bargin at that price ,sounds like one to keep standard ,not many left out there now

 

yeah im wrc off the daihard boards mate, who are you?


its still standard at the moment hehe im just gonna get the mechanical bits done first and get her in tip top condition. Needs a few bits like rocker cover gasket, and i'll probably do a cambelt and other bits. And then decide whether to mod it or not.


Pics coming in a week, sorry for the delay, they'll be up soon though!


P.S im 21, 3 yrs ncb, no points - just insured mine for 749 tpft.



Thanks for all the comments

 

welcome

1st off, your car sound good, and a bargain? how many miles?

pics or STFU!

its a MUST, unless you wanna fook her up, that you get the fuelling/timing etc set up by a GOOD, REPUTABLE tuner, after fitting the chipped ecu. its a bit of a drive, but Jamsport in northampton are the daddies with MFi. a chip (14psi?), filter, exhaust should see 170-185 bhp, then its best to get a good intercooler, GRS front mounted seem to be good, but dont get one of the small pace interwarmers, waste of money.

then you get the problems of clutch (for mild power try a ap organic, with a mk5 escort clutch peddle conversion), gearboxes (see bernie@CTS) etc.

If your upping the power, or even if not, better brakes are a must. 4wd cossie calipers + i think 2wd discs are a start. they you get onto rear disc conversions, bigger front aftermarket brakes etc (remember, the standard wheels will not allow room for big brakes, just dont put venoms on!)

oh, and like i said, pics or STFU!!!

 

hey hey the pics are coming soon give me a week cause i STILL gotta get me camera back from me ma


im looking into getting it into tip top condition and then selling her on and getting another cheaper already modified RST. I kinda dont wanna spoil this one in a way, not sure if i can bring myself to start putting bits on it.


we'll see though