Mk2 2 door escort project. SA

[Tickford.]

Eskysteele, unless you have a large(ish) bank balance, the CA18DET or the SR20DET is the way to go. The CA being the easier option. If you must stick with a "Ford" branded motor, then there are conversion options such as the Zetec and Duratec kits available from the UK. Costs a bit but will be cheaper and better than the Pinto option in the end.

Cheapest bang for buck will be the CA18DET, and then the SR20DET. Been there done that. The Pinto has had it's day as a cheap HP option. Jap is the way to go for cheap HP these days. Heck even later model (1990's) Mazda's and Toyota's are doing SR conversions!

[Engine Guy]

Originally Posted by xxxg

If you must stick with a "Ford" branded motor, then there are conversion options such as the Zetec and Duratec kits available from the UK. Costs a bit but will be cheaper and better than the Pinto option in the end.

Agree with this part.

But, as always you can have cheap OR good... Pick ONE

[Rallye Sport]

+1 for the zetec/duratec. The initial cost of the conversion kit is offset by the cost of the engine itself. They're a dime a dozen nowadays and once you've got the conversion parts if you nuke the engine you can buy a whole focus/ mondeo wreck for 500 bucks and just keep going.
Plenty of aftermarket go fast bits too, you can even get BDA style rocker covers if you want the retro look.
Not saying don't turbo the pinto, I love them, but bang for your buck I'd go modern...

[roddy1960]

G'day , welcome to the AFF , great bunch of enthusiasts and if you can't get info here it isn't possible to get much better anywhere else. Sounds like a cool project.. Big fan of the Mk2 Escort , had three of them , also a 1.3 Mk 1 ex bakery van . I had a 79 two door , an 80 four door both with the 1600 and 4 speed manual . A few years later I bought a beaut 2 litre Ghia auto that was a really great little daily driver. If you get yours turbo'd ..little rocketship.
Looking forward to seeing progress ..Best wishes Cheers Rod.