no offence lads..........but i be you'll find,especially tim,that you are probably not far off,if not,paid more on your 1600 than some of these 350-400bhp zetec turbos out there.
ANYWAY,BIG POWER DOESNT MAKE A FAST CAR!!!!!!!!!!!
its all about correct tyre pressures,WEIGHT,powercurve,camber settings and about a million and one other things

 

oh and the top two zetec turbos (sunnys and paul j's ) ARE FIESTAS NOT ESCORTS. These weigh over 100kgs less than tehe escorts so cant really be included in the FASTEST QTR Escorts arguement.
Dont get me wrong,im all for zetec turbo's due to them being MORE POWER FOR THE DOLLAR,BUT i one went out in my mates frst which was still 1600,running low comp pistons,FULLY BALLANCED BOTTOM END,ARP bolts throughout,with a load of secrets i still havent found out.it had a Custom spec 4x4 turbo(which i now own )
EVERYONE who went out in it SHIT themselves.HE done a 5.0 sec 0-60
and a qtr mile in 13.1.
It used to pull from his dads 350 bhp rwd saff cossie
AND it used to spin the wheels in 5th....at 100mph
He NEVER LOST A RACE either.he beat lotus exige's,a NEW m3 lightweight jobbie,p1's,pulsars etc etc. He once raced a mate of ours who had a dyno proved 480bhp supra,and was on its arse at 120mph flashing the supra to move out the way.This car was unreal and was only running 15psi of boost.everyone knew there must of been something in it making it tick....but he never let on. even to this day
He even had a tearup with a well known 290bhp 1900 fezzie which had steel internals,bajoo mapped running 25psi.........AND MUNCHED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be honest,if i go zetec turbo....i would pray its as fast as his fezzie,but ive yet to see anything go like it....apart from tims 1600 at the pod.
ive just found a pic of it..........before he decided to break it

 

in my book a 300bhp rs turbo weather its a escort or fiesta is a fooking weapon, i did'nt think there as much as 100kg Difference between them..
but the Original question was what engine to go for to Achieve 300-350bhp and the easiest route to take would be a zetec turbo.

 

agreed,Zetec WOULD BE cheaper,and alot more reliable.due to better oilflow,less boost,stronger ENGINE,smoother power curve so doesnt put as much INSTANT stress on other gearbox components etc etc.
THIS STILL doesnt mean it is faster though
Zetec is a better engine obviously.......................ITS the next generation.
but everyone is after different things. Best thing to do is go out in a zetec turbo and see if you like it mate.from what i hear....not everyone does.....but im still gonna give it a try.
A 320bhp 16v turbo is always gonna fly in a mk1 fez

 

well as i started this wee thread ive made my mind up i think i"ll go for the 16v zetec turbo firstly becouse of the reliabillity & secondly becouse of the cheapness & thirdly becouse if i want more its there if i nead it so chears folks & no more arguing

 

m8 no arguing on my part just plain facts , the zetec suits my driving style, i'm not one for reving cars but i love loads of low down lazy torque, no one is slating the 1600cvh and for power levels up to 300bhp the engine is more then capable , but for for what you are looking for a 16v zetec turbo is your best option

 

AGREED