Escort Mk2 advice (4 door Mk2 pics required to help inspire)

[New_Skool]

Hi all,

 

I'm new to the site and also new to the older skool Fords, although I do own an RS500 (not old enough for you lot though lol).

 

I've just acquired a yellow four door Mk2 Escort 1300 GL 76 plate and need some info please.

 

I'm still unsure whether to modify the car as its only a 2 owner genuine 62k mile car with mots from 1989 to date. I feel it would be better to keep it as it is?????

 

Now, this is very vague, but bear in mind i know sod all about these x flows and these cars. How much in general would it cost to upgrade to a 1600, looking for around 100ish bhp, what brakes (capri?) would be my best option and would like to lower the car on a set of minilites if i make my mind up to go for it.

 

Also, i'm not too far from Burtons in Ilford so parts are a stonethrow away

 

Is there anyone who does a drive in drive out conversion on these cars? Any other companies that are best on price/service would be great too.

 

Thanks again for any help, and apologies about my vague and uneducated questions on this marque, but would love the car to sit nice and have a bit more oomph

[SmokeEm]

I think you should have a chat with Colin from Ashton Mobile - you'll find his number on his banner

[New_Skool]

Thank you for moving this mods

 

Also thanks to Smokem, just spoke to Colin and he has enlightened me with what to do Think i will go for the 1600 4branch twin 40's route. First things first though, minilites, lower it and sor the brakes.

 

Any more info on who/where i can get parts/ engines etc would be appreciated.

 

I can see why oldskool is the way forward!

[In The Pit]

Personally i'd keep the car standard as you dont see that many standard ones now, however if you do mod it keep all the original bits so you can pass them on if you sell it or wish to put it back to normal.

[trakevlyn]

Keep it standard it annoys the hell out of people

[marky4]

Keep it standard it annoys the hell out of people

 

only gordy

 

you won't go far wrong with colin doing the work m8

 

and if you want spares ring escort tec (they have a banner on this site)

[petrolhead]

100bhp is easy peasy for a crossflow. You can speak to Steve at Vulcan Engineering (now based at Brands Hatch). He is also one of the few companies that has an engine calculator on his website so you get a transparent view of the costs.

 

He did a blueprinted stock 1600 crossflow (for formula Ford) recently running on a standard carb that produced 100bhp! (standard is 85bhp ish) So he knows how to put them together.

 

PS to answer you other question, modify the engine and drive train by all means but keep the exterior and interior close to stock. No carbon spoilers . They are great cars to drive with a bit of money spent in all the right places. Mines a 4 door but it will wipe the floor with most modern hot hatches and that is half the fun (esp when I'm badged up as a 1.1 Automatic but I'm producing nearly triple the horsepower of a 1.1).

 

Shock and Awe my friend, shock and awe ........

[New_Skool]

Great responses, thanks.

 

Defo going to keep the exterior looking standard, but the engine defo needs a bit more power. 1600 it is, with some nice minilites to suit!

 

Looking through this site for some inspiration.

[petrolhead]

Here are some of mine:

This is the kind of look that looks best on a 4 door, don't try to be a 2 door rally car - I embraced the Ghia-ness!

 

Under the bonnet go all out, but try and keep it Old Skool in spirit. Pinto or xflow on carbs is always a winner. A new engine on carbs (XE/duratec) or a old engine on throttle bodies is also Old Skool in spirit imo.

Then enjoy your hard work

[New_Skool]

Awesome car Petrolhead, that's exactly what i want to do mate. Thanks for posting up the pics, i love it!

 

Will get a few pics of my car tomorrow for al the standard GL lovers

[RossMK2]

funnily enough i agree with petrol head

 

before

 

after messing

 

 

if you pm antz he may send you some of his quite standard looking gear but it looks really good mate

[dawesy1700]

can i join in please?? mines running a 1660 xflow, all the goodies, on bike carbs, 120bhp @ wheels, goes like stink n looks nice n simple., its an "L" model.

since these pics its currentl in pieces, jus sprayed a gallon of wax oil on the bottom n its getting another re-spray in a week, but it'll look the same, jus a sexier engine bay,

[4DOOR-SHERWOOD]

Modify it!!

[Joe-ashtonmobile]

Here is mine

[New_Skool]

Stunning cars!!!

 

Thank you so much for posting all these pics...it's helped me decide to modify it lol!

 

Think a suspension drop and minilites first. Also on the hunt for an engine lol

 

Whats the best upgrade brakes wise. Servo route, capri???

 

Too much to think about but i think the cosworth is gonna become a hermit once this little project is done. I'm just loving the old skool...feel like a kid again.

 

I will continue to pester you all in the coming months

[4DOOR-SHERWOOD]

Stunning cars!!!

 

Thank you so much for posting all these pics...it's helped me decide to modify it lol!

 

Think a suspension drop and minilites first. Also on the hunt for an engine lol

 

Whats the best upgrade brakes wise. Servo route, capri???

 

Too much to think about but i think the cosworth is gonna become a hermit once this little project is done. I'm just loving the old skool...feel like a kid again.

 

I will continue to pester you all in the coming months

 

Your welcome mate, plenty of sound people on this site who will help with all sorts of advice even if you think its a daft question you wont be mocked here, keep the pics of your cars transformation coming!

[petrolhead]

Brakes? depends on your budget, how much have you got to spend? And do you want to stick with 13" wheels?

[H.P.E harry]

Keep it looking simple on the outside with a bit of power on the inside , as for brakes id go with princess 4 pot calipers with drilled and vented discs (they look great too) and rs2000 drums on the back and if you want a better brake then that go for burtons rear disc conversion

[bazpro]

some nice cars there. thinkin of selling my scooby and getting another mk2 now

[Mick The Cabbie]

some nice cars there. thinkin of selling my scooby and getting another mk2 now

You're the second person I've heard say that this week

 

 

New_Skool

Is the car in question a 2 or 4 door???

 

Either way, they look good if kept simple imo.

 

I have also embraced the Ghia-ness of mine. Body + interior 101% standard. All mods restricted to engine/box/running gear.

 

[RossMK2]

still love your car mick

[Mick The Cabbie]

still love your car mick

 

Thanks Ross

[petrolhead]

I am feeling a lot of 4 door love on this thread.

 

For brakes you can go the tried and tested princess 4-pots with 2.8i vented discs (247mm diameter) but there is pad overlap. You can buy bigger 257mm discs off the shelf from Rally Design. i have re-machined BMW 260mm discs on mine:

 

However, Princess calipers are harder to come by and pretty pricey even for ones that need rebuilding. Wilwood, Hi-spec and Compbrake all do alloy versions of the princess caliper and kits to fit under 13" wheels. If you decide to fit 15"+ wheels your choice of brake increases. Caprisport do a nifty brembo conversion that looks superb and is very good value for money.

 

http://www.caprisport.com/

[New_Skool]

It's a four door Mick and thanks for the pics of your motor....thats sits really well!

 

Brakes wise, i am sticking with the 13" rims so will look into the Hi Spec conversion. Going to pop into Burtons on Saturday to have a chat aswell.

 

Keep the four door pics coming please!

[dawesy1700]

i've just done this to the four door in my sig, ride height adjustable coil overs, £40 to have them welded, £45 for the kits n £30 for a pair of springs, should help you get the perfect stance,

so thats £115 plus a bit of elbow grease and hammerite and your laughing.