Escort Drag Car ...what engine ?

Im currently considering re-building my MK1 escort for drag racing...
just want opinion's on what motor / gearbox (manual not auto) I should concider. I want to keep it ford but might concider something else.

Was thinking 351windsor (not sure but heard they rev harder than 351 clev when worked). Seen a couple of good worked clev's going cheap in SA,
but not sure there going to fit. And cant find any windsors local at all worth looking at.
Any other motors/gearbox I should be looking at?
Budget is going to be 10-12grand over the next4 years.
gotta admit I know bugger all about V8's ( :jab: as my worked 2ltr use to kill most of the road going V8's : (I'm in for here)).
Im going to avoid buy interstate stuff if possible.

D'oh! should have paid more attention someone already posted a similar question.

[eb six on boost]

turbod sr20 would be my pick

yeah sr20 turbo would fit nicely too. but if Im going to do that I might as well stick with the pinto and run boost. still wont hurt to price them both up, also a modern V8 with EFI could do nicely as well.

[XRQTOR]

PD blown Boss 29o with about 9lb's of boost running through a 6spd manual would be my pick.

[Perana]

Originally Posted by XRQTOR

PD blown Boss 29o with about 9lb's of boost running through a 6spd manual would be my pick.

Have fun fitting it in there!

Id go a 302w which requires panel work to fit... Or a Cosworth Turbo

[XRQTOR]

Originally Posted by Perana XR8

Have fun fitting it in there!

Id go a 302w which requires panel work to fit... Or a Cosworth Turbo

Anything is possible mate.

[ALS008]

If u can find one still - FJ20 Turbo. Bulletproof Motor and can be made to produce in excess if 400rwkw if setup right. Heaps better motor than the SR20.

[nugget378]

mate forget the jap stuff, clevo or windsor, chi heads,roller cam,13;1comp,methanol and just hang on,how cool would that be

[Perana]

Originally Posted by XRQTOR

Anything is possible mate.

5.4 DOHC Mod is about 800mm wide + Distance between Escort strut tops = 830mm = Not going to happen unless there is MAJOR work to suspension... even then it'll be way too front heavy to get anything resembling decent handling

[ebxr8240]

Ah mid mount it...

[Perana]

Given enough money you could... but i doubt 10-12k is enough... which is what the poster wants to spend.

[darnoldrs]

or you could look over seas, Maybe the US. :
factory 3.8L V6, EFI, supercharged ford motor. :
230hp and 450 fLb torque from facotory. Im in the middle of fitting one to a MK2 RS2000. Im running a W57 supra 5 speed and a 28spline falcon diff fotted with a 4 link rear, coilovers and whats link. Lots of work but im aiming for it to be on the road also. I have Done some head work and making up some big headers with free flowing exaust and upping the boost to around 16psi and should be pushing around 210rwKw adn over 600Nm torque.

[darnoldrs]

I will spend around 20-25k on this build then i could spend another 5-10k on the motor. this is whit me doing everything from making up the rear suspention, pannel work to making the headers. everything adds up very quickly.

[XRQTOR]

Originally Posted by Perana XR8

5.4 DOHC Mod is about 800mm wide + Distance between Escort strut tops = 830mm = Not going to happen unless there is MAJOR work to suspension... even then it'll be way too front heavy to get anything resembling decent handling

Ok then how about a o3 cobra engine, PD blown 4.6L

Besides who care's how well a drag car handles.

[ALS008]

I would still stick to the 2.0 turbo if its an all out drag car as your saying - better power to weight than a v8. If you can find an FJ20 you should easily make over 350rwkw. SR20 blocks dont really like going past 260rwkw cause of block twist. To fix - needs a better sleeve kit and strenghtened internals.

FJ20 Build roughly
*Forged Pistons - $750
*Crank and Rods will be fine but get polished/shotpeened & Balanced. Include block prep budget around $2000
*GT30 Turbo and 45mm Wastegate $3000 roughly
*Intercooler (big one) $750
*min 600cc injectors
*Programable management budget $2000
*fuel system upgrade (pump - surge tank - rising rate reg) $1000

Few other bits and pieces, but thats most of it for around $9000

[ALS008]

I have just thought of an alternative - if you want to go V8. Try the Lexus 4.5 ltr quad cam V8. With a pair on GT28's or GT30's and all the right ancillaries you should be making easy 400rwkw again. One of the best v8's around i would say - untill the BOSS came out!!!
Should fine a motor from a jap wrecker with gearbox and loom for about $2000

[darnoldrs]

The lexus V8's are very wide, They will fit but lots of mods are required.
A cosworth 3L quad cam v6 would be a better option, They have a very narrow V and fit in easy. Twin turbo or super charge that but every thing wold have to come from over sea's.
A pinto is good for up to around 300 Hp before they become unreliable or very expensive to build to go beyond that.
Corect me if im wrong but doesnt Torque come into drag racing. Making it quick off the line(60 foot times)???? Hp give you a better MPH at the top end????? so a compramise between the 2 is best????

[ratter]

Build a mild 302 windsor for a few grand stick it in, and run 11's all day if set up correctly

[Chris]

Originally Posted by ratter

Build a mild 302 windsor for a few grand stick it in, and run 11's all day if set up correctly

Correct, i would be confident of at least 11's, some cheap ally heads, small hydro roller (reliability) small carb, pump fuel = fun.

More fun? add a couple of grand for a stroker kit and its 10 second city. You will still be doing laps at heathcote whils't the turbo/rotor boys are still on the startline spooling up or walking around the startline looking for debris out of the engine :evil_laug

[Sporty Corty]

At the drags the other week there was an esky he pulled a 9.037 with a turbo rotary, and that was after the front wheels come back down this thing was amazing, you would think that the conversion to a rotary would be less work than a 351 windsor and the power to weight? plus if you put a big engine in your gunna have to reinforce the chassis and there goes your weight advantage especially taking into consideration your chute. sometimes size doesnt always win the race.

[ratter]

Do you want a motor that needs lots of maintenance or low maintenance?

A turbo 4 will require a lot more than a mild 8 will. what times are you after?

guys ... I am still reading this thread.
and got a couple of questions like how wide is the 302win? how wide is the 351win and how wide is the 351clev.
If I can keep it ford and fit a V8, I will.
351 clev's are dirt cheap, 351 windsor are real hard to find.
Ratter and Chris are thinking along the same lines as me.

low 10's would make me think it was worth my time and 12grand might not do it.

and the other thing to remember is its 12grand over 3-4years not 12grand in my hands right now.

The lexus quadd V8 was looked at...almost bought one till I seen how wide it was.
A rotary was looked at too, very easy to fit very good weight to power but reliability scares me off a bit.
and the pinto I got in it might be an option too, but the dizzy's are a major problem area, and Im sick and tired of being let down by it.

So I guess Im thinking V8 ford something?...

[Sporty Corty]

Can't you put electronic ignition? that would solve the dizzy problem and with a turbo and a hint of NOZ you will have an all ford drag car that should do 10s and without blowing ya whole budget....

Oh and an intercooler on the front is also suppose to help keep the front tyres on the ground on the take off.

DarnOldRS that some sweet mods you got hapening with the rear suspension.
just wondering where you hid the springs in that shot (coil overs from a motorbike maybe 8) ).
and would that suit a tubbed rear end.

[eb six on boost]

there are 2 sr20 powered corolla and datto getting about at the drags, both running 100% stock internals making about 240rwkws not sure on boost and running 11.1s

cant beat power to weight.

imo dont go the v8 route, its been done that many times.
do something completely different.

[darnoldrs]

It would suit being tubed but i wanted to keep my back seat so i have mini tubed it. I have left the inside of the wheel well and modded the out side so the tyre can run up right inside the guard. I have bought some proper coil overs form the US (cheap) and made up some turrets in the boot to fit them. the rear end works very well and but it was all a compromise because of the fact that i waned to retain my rear seat but you could make it more adjustable than i have quite easly.
If you are interested here is my build so far
http://classicford.mine.nu/forum/top...?TOPIC_ID=2090
Here is another one that is a bit more purpose built and has had a lot more money go into it also.
http://classicford.mine.nu/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=111

[banarcus]

Love those 18s on your RS too mate!! Geez sometimes I wish I never sold mine.

[darnoldrs]

They are after market coppies in EL offset but are only 17x8s. couldnt find tyres small enough to fit with 18s

[banarcus]

Oh, where did you get those from?