Advice for a complete novice

[johnmc]

Hi everyone

new member so thought id say hi and thanks in advance for all help i will likely receive. Own an escort but thats about it when it comes to my knowledge.

 

hoping to to car back to steel and arch the car. My goal-road car, reasonably quick and on coilover suspension.

Can anyone tell me what needs done apart from arches-is it just turrets or is there other work involved for suspension

was thinking 2.0 redtop engine but maybe that involves more work yet again?? 2.0 pinto at the moment

thanks in advance

 

 

 

[eeb43]

• forget the vauxhall turd!

[Vista]

Welcome to OSF 👍

Politically charged question to ask about fitting a Vaughan XE to a Ford on here. Can't argue that they produce the numbers and have their fans though. 

Oh an no you don't need to turret the car to fit arches. 

[Ray]

for me, the words RED TOP, just conjure up the picture of a glass bottled pint of milk, with a red foil top, from when I was a kid, the type that used to be delivered by milkmen, don't seem to have any of those round here anymore either

[johnmc]

Sorry, truth is im open to keeping the pinto, very much so - ive just been led to believe (perhaps without any true justifiable weight or evidence) that the redtop can make more gains more readily.

my main goal is the styling and handling. Just a little lost as to what work needs done to shell for suspension and perhaps what axel? Is it the baby atlas i would require to adequately fill arches?

[colr6]

The red top WILL produce better figures for pound spent than a pinto, but seeing you already running a pinto and stated for road use there would be more involved fitting the red top for no real gain for your application. Baby atlas measures the same as an English axle. So will not fill the arches anymore. 2.8 Capri atlas measures 52” so there’s your extra width but be carful on wheel offsets and widths you use as you may come outside the arches. This also depends the the arches you use. Probably the best way to go is fit the arches you want and then sort axle and wheels to suit. What you have to consider with putting coil overs on, I take it you mean front and rear? You will lose ride quality the more mods you make. To go coil over on the rear properly means 5 linking the rear end. Which is a reasonably big job. For road use, good springs/ shockers and decent tyres will give more than adequate road holding. Updated springs on the front with adjustable inserts, polybushed and poss double width kit on the anti roll bar will take care of the front along with a quick rack away you go.

by the way, welcome to OSF.

[Vista]

You can get a lot of the good old Pinto.

2.1 or 2.2 conversion with throttle bodies will get you good power and a nice drive. Just get your engine built by a reputable builder. 

For road use, stick with the leaf springs and add a panhard rod and a set of decent shocks. If you're going to the extent of arches, turrets, coilovers and 6 linking, you are talking pretty serious money that isn't really worth spending for road use. 

[Vista]

By the way, the car looks pretty sweet as it is, arches aren't going to conclusively improve that in terms of looks. Some will like it, others won't. 

[Rally Pack 2000]

52 minutes ago, Vista said:

By the way, the car looks pretty sweet as it is, arches aren't going to conclusively improve that in terms of looks. Some will like it, others won't. 

I have to agree, that car looks pretty spot on end even the Pinto and bay looks so tidy that it doesn't seem that long since it was last refurbished and installed. Its already got good headers, if you need some more power I would just be making some minor head modifications.

The trouble with arches is rarely does anyone fill them properly with the wheel and tyre width that they really need to look right. Your car looks pretty awesome as is. It doesn't need much tinkering in the looks department at all. I love the RS1800 look.

[johnmc]

Thanks everyone for the replies and loads of screenshotted info

much appreciated especially the feedback on looks.

back axel seems to be english from what im trying to determine from internet.

i believe it has 1 inch lowering blocks. The wheels are sticking out too much and will try to resolve soon. The only current issue with car at moment is the back axel seems to shift from side to side laterally between the arches. Im thinking on reading up and what use already suggested a panhard rod may help with that?

love the car as is just always regretted not fitting arches when i had the chance last. Perhaps the youngster in me still looking out 😂. Reading alot about reversed eye springs, panhard rod and anti tramp. Car wont be thrashed just keen for a well finished solid going road car. 

[Xp197777]

Hi john if it helps my mk2 road car has forest arches ,English axle ,lsd, and that’s allowed for some decent wide rims ,also 2 inch lowering blocks pan hard kit and single leaf springs and bilsteins and the ride is nice 👍 james

[Mexican Gerbil]

Welcome to the group. 

I like the look as is but I do like a forest arched Mk2 or an Xpack arch. 

When you say road use... is that hard road use or just driving to shops use 😁 

my Mk1 mex has been lowered 2 inches all round and has tramp bars and pan road kit. Handles well but only running a crossflow. 

[notenoughtime]

Hi and welcome 

nice looking escort you have there 

maybe get it driving how you want it and fit panhard rod then maybe get the arches done later but as most have said you need to fill the arches properly 

Stick with the pinto 

[Monza]

Mk2 looks great as is imo m8.but remember it's your car....and every one will have an opinion!!
My mk1's been lowered 1.5in front and back. Bilsteins on front with single leafs and adj gaz shocks on rear. Polybushed throughout.
Fast road use....drives/handles really well.
Welcome to OSF!!!


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[Mk2Jo]

Nice Escort - looks in pretty good condition    Fit whatever engine you like - it's your car - ignore the doubters … you will always get people who are dead against non Ford conversions