Stokie Dave

Allo all, I'm new here and got a few questions for y'all :P

I'm getting a very clean 1.3 Escort (MK4) next month for a grand total of 100 squid with a full MOT and some tax... and of course I dont really want to leave it bog standard so am gonna make it a bit of a mini project car...

So, some questions

1) What can I do to the paltry 63BHP 1.3 engine?
2) Is it easy to swap to a 1.6 carb, maybe chuck twin 40's on?
3) How cheap are lowering kits like Gmax and are they much cop?

At work, it used to be an old car shop and a back room still has shedloads of alloys and exhausts so I'm kinda sorted there I hope... but wouldn't mind getting it lowered and maybe do SOMETHING to get a bit more power lol... 60 odd BHP wont really keep me smiling for long :P

Cheers all!

Chipperx2

How old are you? Is that the only car u can buy, if it is I wouldn't do anything to it save up and buy a better one once u've built up your no claims get a new motor and don't waste cash on a ford escort 1.3 HCS. because thats the car that I have and I realised theres no point in doin nething to it cos in the end its still crap lol . If you do nething to it strip out the un-used interior eg seats cvarpet and sound proofing

Stokie Dave

I'm 23 but no point looking a gifthorse in the mouth Even if I don't do anything to the engine I'd have to lower it and get some alloys purely so it drives a bit better.

I *WAS* gonna get a decent motor, but the missus now wants to buy a house and I'm having a hard time seeing how I can financially allow myself to get a nice car whilst managing to save for the desposit on a house.

I mean, if a 1.6 engine is only gonna cost 50 quid or less and I can get someone to help me chuck it in, thats hardly expensive is it? The alloys and exhaust from work = FREE So thats not a big issue. I could get some 2nd hand suspension so what we talking, Ł200 quid for a runabout which almost handles?

Thanks for the reply but not quite what I was looking for

Chipperx2

aye well fair enuff, what kind of exaust are u lookin at Big bore or some other noisy thing, tell u wat I've don eand still to do, well i took the cat off and bashed out the insides which is a cheap way of De-cat lol as u prob know! as I'm only 17 I dnt have a decent job so i have to save to buy some new wheels and suspension lol . If u can get a 1.6 thats good try gettin a cossy lol or an xr3i engine. didn't mean to piss u off mate was jst sugestin stuff keep us updated on what u do as this is good info for me

Ryan

i got a complete xr3i engine with box for sale

and exhaust

and injection system

everything apart from the loom basically

Stokie Dave

Well theres some universal back boxes at work, the dude used to rally Escorts and Fiestas so theres a bit of everything. Theres some brand new Peco stuff (I know, I know!!) there so, even though its not ideal, if it's free.... hehe

No need to de-cat this as it wont have one being a G reg. The wheels here are XR3i wheels and some nice looking 5 spokes but they're only 14" I'll try get some snaps in a bit. Just want something a bit wider than standard to help grip. Some 7 spoke RS wheels in 15" would be ideal

I am pretty sure a carb'd 1.6 outta an XR2 or 1.6 MK3/4 Escort would be next to dirt cheap so if it's an easy swap (i.e. uses standard mounts etc etc) then I would consider that... if not keep the 1.3 and just chuck an exhaust on if nowt else is worth doing. If I put an XR3i engine in, would I need to uprate the fuel lines, get the XR3i tank etc?

Dont worry you didn't piss me off I'd love an RS Turbo... so dependant on just how good the body work is on this thing I might consider a full conversion or just keep it a bit and swap it for an RST @ a later date.

Dont worry mate, you didn't do owt to piss me off Any feedback is welcome

Ryan

got suspension as well standard 3i stuff if your intersted its all coming off my car in the next couple of days

let me know

Zetec Andy

just buy my car and cossie rep it

Ryan

let me know if your interested dave, the engines currently on Ebay

Chipperx2

how much you sellin ure engine for ryan I'd love one but I can't get insurance but i know someone who mite!

Ryan

engine would like just a little something for basically its useless to me, but i dont want to give it away.

the whole lots up for Ł75 buy it now on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MESE%3AIT&rd=1

CozzyBrom

scrap it

CabrioTurbo

It will probably weigh in for Ł30 id just drive it till it dies then weigh it it.. you will of only lost Ł70 and had a good few months motoring out of it..

BlueSmoke

See, that's what people complain about on here. If it's not an RS nobody seems to want to help! Some people cannot afford to buy and/or insure an RS and just want to get more out of what they've got. Simply saying "Get this, get that" doesn't really help those people does it?

Those who can, offer the lad some decent help! Even if he only gets 80-90bhp out of it in the end, it's still close to an xr2 and is infinitely better than the 63 it starts with, so long as getting those figures won't cost the earth then why not help him do that?

Oranoco

First off chap I'd ensure the thing is secure as you don't want the rat boys swiping it from you. Once you've done that lob your wheels and zorst on. First job I would de badge the boot. Dependent on the condition of your shocks you may get away with just a spring kit for a while (best off with a 35mm drop). Source some 3i bumpers and have them painted to match your car and fit a 3i spoiler (only real money here will be the painting. Clear indicators and repeaters and maybe some tinted lights.

Not OTT and shouldn't cost the earth

De-badgeing FREE
Springs Ł70 (new)
3i bumpers Ł100 pair (second hand)
3i spoiler Ł20 (second hand)
Clear indicators Ł30 (new)
Repeaters Ł10 (new)
Tinted lights Ł50 (new)

Just my thinking though mate

Stokie Dave

Cheers BlueSmoke and Oranoco

I aint gonna scrap the thing if it's clean, solid and has a years MOT. It's almost like saying go scrap an RS Turbo just because all it really is, is a G reg Escort

I think styling wise I might do as above... RS Looker would be alright and maybe think about an engine swap at a later date to RS Turbo powah

Simply if a 1.6 carb goes in on standard mounts, standard driveshafts etc etc and next to no work is required bar literally swapping the engine, thats gonna be the cheapest mod I can do to get 30BHP more. But until I know a bit more about the motor/whats required then thats just a bit of a wish lol.

I dont suppose anyone has accurate performance figures for the nasty 1.3?

Maybe a 2nd hand suspension kit would do the job? I'll have a look on the FS forums in a sec to see what kinda things go for how much (you'll have to excuse my newbieness lol).

XR3i engine etc... nice but if it means new fuel lines etc then I'll have to pass I dont think I wanna spend lotsa time on the thing till I know it's worthwhile and it's "in my hands" so to speak so silly commiting me cash to anything just yet. It's driven by some mid 40's woman and she looks after it so I'm hoping it'll be more solid than I think as I aint PROPERLY looked at it yet, just been promised it for 100 with a full MOT. I could sell it for more if I didn't want it, but it'll be a good way to get to grips with basic mechanics

Anyway cheers for everyones replies :P

turbo stealth

do what i done with my bonus chuck a few grand at it ,spend countless nights in the garage building it and 7 months later 220 plus bhp

Stokie Dave

Sounds fun mate! You got any pics of it? Sounds interesting indeed

turbo stealth

theres a couple of old pics in the picture gallery it might be a few pages back tho as i posted them a while ago, since then ive had the grs fitted

Stokie Dave

Aye just found pics, nice and stealthy, the way it should be Bet thats a flyer!

turbo stealth

yes mate you could say that,its a bit laggy but once its on boost it just pulls like a train all the way round the clock

kevsrs

What about the RS turbo bodykit??? Plenty of them on fleebay

matts1

What colour is it mate?

If the body is clean then lower it, stick some clear front and side indicators, smoked rear lenses, spray the rims black if they are only small, loove the bonnet. Fill and Smooth the insert lines in the bumpers and colour code them (poss us an XR3i front bumper and chop the centre out and mesh it), stick on the sport exhaust. rip out the back seats and board it out and stick a set of recaros in the front. Sports steering wheel, gear knob etc

Let us know how you get on and get some step by step pics up

Stokie Dave

Cheers for the replies It's dark blue so bit non-standard colour for XR3i bits I spose without spraying... unless i get some black stuff and just leave em black lol... bit different at least Specially if I get the RST arches and side skirts too.

Just been noseying around at work and theres a few bits I have a particular interest in:




Quite nice alloys... especially for nowt lol, think they're 14" tho


universal back box which is sposed to be a bit loud, used for rallying the full system is buried in the back room too lol....


more full systems

Also been told theres a shed full of weber carbs in the back yard all locked up!!