Pinto or Vauxhall XE Redtop

[Mickey Stewart]

Hi Guys

 

 

I am currently restoring my mk1 Escort, its now got to the stage where im thinking of what engine to put in it, I have two options, what do you think is best:

 

My mk1 is not a mexico or rs2000 but will be a replica look of a mexico.

 

 

Option 1

 

I have 2.1 pinto which is currently at a Engine builders place where they have said that they will re-build the engine, paint it and replace virtually every bolt on part so when it goes back in the car it will be as good as shown room condition, they will also put it on a test and tune the engine so its running sweet as... cost being £2k

 

Option 2

 

Do I buy a Vauxhall XE redtop with carbs producing just under 300bhp fully tuned and fitted with all new components etc as new for similar price but more messing around to make it fit, wiring, gearbox housing etc...

 

 

Confused...., think I should maybe stay old skool with pinto??

 

 

HELP

[stevepeanut]

theses questions come up a lot

 

either engine has the potential to be very fast with money and knowledge

 

try getting a run out in a cars with either of these engines in, I was super impressed the first time I went out in a car with a really quick pinto

 

but at the end of the day its your car and only you can make the decision, good luck

[Tom]

Where the hell can you get a near 300 horse XE for for 2k?!

 

put me down for 2

[stevepeanut]

Where the hell can you get a near 300 horse XE for for 2k?!

 

put me down for 2

 

agree, I thought a XE on carbs was good for 170-180?

[livewire7116]

the magic 200 from a pinto is more expensive to achieve than from an Xe, mate had a 235bhp Xe on 48s for £3100

 

£10k will get you 280bhp 2.0ltr

£14k will get you 318bhp 2.4ltr

£16k will get you 335bhp 2.5ltr

 

compare these to Millington prices and be very surprised

[rallyesport04]

pinto

[w p e]

Where the hell can you get a near 300 horse XE for for 2k?!

 

put me down for 2

 

well said that man. ill have 3

[Mickey Stewart]

i will take 4 then, its all about who you know.......

[Mad Mex]

Where the hell can you get a near 300 horse XE for for 2k?!

 

put me down for 2

 

well said that man. ill have 3

 

just put me down for 1 wayne

[Pipster007]

just put me down

That's a bit extreme, don't you think????

[sambo]

300 BHP for 2K .........

 

 

From an XE?......

 

 

Hmmm..............

 

yup, put me down for one aswll mate.

[Mickey Stewart]

All I can say is clueless.......... do your homework guys, around 300bhp is most def possible

[deltamal]

My 2.4 cossie on TB's, 265 brake, £6,500......

[Mad Mex]

All I can say is clueless.......... do your homework guys, around 300bhp is most def possible

 

not for 2k it aint. Im having a XE built for me at the moment and 300bhp is deffo not possible for 2k

[Kieran]

Go for the XE

 

but 300hp for 2k doesn't sound right

[sambo]

All I can say is clueless.......... do your homework guys, around 300bhp is most def possible

 

Its possible but you'll need a stroker crank at around £1200 for starters.

 

Figures like that are just bullshite to impress people.

 

top spec 2.0ltr XE on t/b's no cash restrictions, the max output you'll get is around 240bhp.

 

to get more, you'll need bigger cc's.

 

Do your homework.

[SmokeEm]

Maybe its Turbo'd?

[livewire7116]

top spec 2.0ltr XE on t/b's no cash restrictions, the max output you'll get is around 240bhp.

 

John Read "JRE Racing Engines is getting 280 from 2ltrs, his top spec 1.6ltrs are touching 240 and his top spec 1.4ltrs are breaking into the 200bhp

[Vista]

To be fair, the 2k budget the OP quoted in his original post was for the Pinto install not the XE.

 

In answer to Sambo, as livewire says, John does get over 300bhp from a N/A XE............but not in 2 litre format, 2.4. He does get a lot more than the 240bhp you state though

 

 

 

http://www.jreracingengines.com/engines.html

[Fiesta Steve]

Option 2

 

Do I buy a Vauxhall XE redtop with carbs producing just under 300bhp fully tuned and fitted with all new components etc as new for similar price but more messing around to make it fit, wiring, gearbox housing etc...

 

It says similar price. The carbs, inlet manifold, throttle linkage and cables etc.. will come in at close to a grand itself.

 

"All new components", well just the rods and pistons would be over a £1000 I'd expect.

 

Thats two grand and all we have bought is the induction and some rods and pistons.

[Vista]

It says similar price.

 

I didn't spot that and yes it's possible to get an XE for that money and bhp...........the bloke in the pub has 5 of them, all lightly used and built by genuine race engine builders, honest guv!

[stevepeanut]

if 300bhp XEs were £2000 I think everyone on this site would be running one in their osf

[4DOOR-SHERWOOD]

I would go for the XE engine but thats my personal opinion! The XE in My dads starlet is just over 260BHP but to get that power reliable was over 5k

[PIG]

£16k will get you 335bhp 2.5ltr

 

 

dont fuking see that either tbh

[livewire7116]

£16k will get you 335bhp 2.5ltr

 

 

dont fuking see that either tbh

 

I know of 2 mk1 escorts local to me both running 2.5ltr xes with 335bhp why dont you give john a ring on 01752 849000 im sure he will gladly sell you one