Thinking of another engine

[escamino]

Thinking of getting another engine for my Escort. Want to stay with a 4 pot and money is a factor, but what engines, with regards to performance/reliability/modding, do people recon on being the best?

[macrs2k]

What you running this now mate ?

[escamino]

Got a 2ltr Pinto at the moment.

[Mr2Caps]

In my opinion its a bit 'how long is a piece of string' sort of question.

There are a lot of factors involved. Use of the car, money available, skills available etc

Pinto - classic engine, in a classic car. There are obviously a few options available in the usual routes, possibly look into turbo or supercharging? or both! But the further you go from a fairly standard spec the more compromises you make.

Zetec/Duratec - Drop a standard one in and you have a modern engine running under little duress, unless you mod it of course. But 'dropping' it in probably over simplifies the situation.

Crossflow - Well it is an option, but seems like a retrograde step to me. Although I am sure some will disagree.

A few slightly left field ideas:

Jap four pot with or without turbo - there are few to choose from and can make good power.

Mazda Rotary - Its a bit mental but I have seen a couple of MK2 Escort rally cars running them.

Subaru boxer - I have no idea if this would fit, but on the basis you can make anything fit anything given the time and money......

Modern Diesel - Well its an option! They race them now so there must be some validity to their use. Can be made to go quite well too! Although quite what you would have to do to the suspension to make it handle any sense is anyones guess.

Running a pinto on LPG might also be an option, but this would need some research, I believe there are some performance advantages with LPG, not just as a money saving exercise, but I have not seen anything on LPG tuning as such.

I am sure there are people on here who are more qualified than me to suggest options but there are few thoughts!

[Mad Mex]

Got an XE in mine now chris, cant fault it at all, though it isnt the cheapest option, but its very similar cost to putting a Zetec in and IMO is a much better engine to begin with.... But some people cant get over the griffin badge . They also have better scope for tuning, again IMO.

 

could convert your pinto to N/A cossie... though that aint cheap either. End of the day its all down to budget and what you want from the finished car. i know your handy with a spanner etc so maybe a complete left field option out there to consider like some of the options Mr2Caps has listed, Good Luck Chris

[banarama]

i say long live the crossflow. and pinto

[Skimmer]

Theres always the Cossie YB & T5 turbo'd off course ,though i am slightly biased

[Kieran]

Vauxhall XE

[cdeane74]

ST170, get them cheap on ebay

[deltamal]

NASP Cossie + T5 box, not cheap but lot's of fun! and 260 bhp!

[damian1969josh]

The ST170 engine is ok as long as you do up the hose clips just ask chris..

[oliwally]

Rebuild the pinto. Cheapest option. Had a zetec in my mk2. Sounded ok. Reved well but shit torque and felt flat/slow unroll around 5000 when the cams really made noticeable power.

A good pinto head with hotrod cam and some 45's will be cheaper and make it feel lively. Balanced bottom end. Decent rods and lightened pitons. Job done