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2010/11/27 21:37:09
Bacca

MK 1 Escort - 4 Door (Turbo Roo)

I tried to find the original thread for my car as I haven't updated in a few years. Couldn't find it so thought I'd start again.

Anyway it started out as standard 1300XL 4-door purchased back in 1990 as a cheap daily.


The car was actually in really good condition with no rust and was completely rebuilt in 1994.










The car has been ultra reliable over the years but with the engine showing some signs of wear & tear it was time to freshen it up and give it some more poke.

Had this setup sitting around the shed for years, so decided to include it in the engine rebuild.



The end result is the car now runs a 1600 Kent 711M block with a draw-through turbo setup.


The turbo is a Garrett Air Research T03 as found on the Mitsubishi Sigma Turbo, the Weber is a 40mm DCOE on an original manifold that was available back in the 80's. I custom made the exhaust manifold in a simple log type design and also made the cross over pipe. There is an external wastegate and it runs 10lb boost at the moment. I got some custom forged pistons made also to help get the compression down to around 8:1.

Its only been back on the road for a short time so still running the engine in but the difference is unbelievable.

Gave the outside a bit of a make over and to have some fun (especially with all the V8 owners) threw some GT stripes and some custom graphics on.





Of course the interior is a bit dated now so I have a new one being trimmed up at the moment. This will hopefully be ready for SFS in Feb.

40 comments Leave a comment
joeyjonsey
nice car, and the engine bay is smick!!!
2010/11/27 21:53:14
ratta tat tat
Whoa [:u] The new engine looks so clean and very original. Has it been tuned & dynoed yet?
2010/11/27 22:00:33
Mk2_2dr_2L
Beautiful [:0]
2010/11/27 23:58:48
v4capmad
I seen this the other weekend at flower power at the sfcc day, very nice and tidy car, a credit to you. Owen
2010/11/28 00:09:49
Gdub

Never before have i seen a MK1 4 door that looks so good! I look forward to seeing it for ewal at SFS.

G
2010/11/28 06:38:57
Bacca
I haven't done many miles in it yet or have had it properly tuned and dynoed, hopefully soon. Then we'll know how much we improved over the massive 60hp @ wheels it had before.

Hmm, copyright stickers and sell on ebay, good idea I might just do that.

2010/11/29 09:10:46
mk1escort73
love it,got a four door in progress myself!!
2010/03/12 21:25:05
maxrs
Love it m8. You couldn't miss it out on the road
2010/03/12 22:19:00
celtic
this is a really nice car,ive seen it in the flesh several times and it just seems to get better each time.a lot of time and patience has obviously been applied.well done.
2010/04/12 20:44:55
Sevener dutton
Hi, very very good work. Where I can found the manifold ? I want to do the same for my kent. Thank you for your answer.
2010/12/27 11:48:06
Bacca
The manifold was custom made from steam pipe bends. I kept the design simple and made a log style manifold. I cut it to shape and a friend TIG welded it together for me.

You will have to make everything yourself to turbo a Kent engine unfortunately.

2010/12/27 19:11:06
ratta tat tat
The rims look great, are they 15's? Do you recall what size and offset they are? And if you had any troubles finding the right fit?

I'm looking at SAAB 15's at the moment but I've read that the backspacing on them is too great causing the rim to foul on the front strut. They seem like a cheap option when comparing to a new set of superlites

quote:
Originally posted by Bacca

You will have to make everything yourself to turbo a Kent engine unfortunately.


I'd like to know if you think it would still be cheaper than installing an EFI motor (eg:4AGE)
Thanks
2010/12/27 23:33:27
LINCOLN
Very nice.

Are they almost gulf colours? [%]

If so post haste on blue wheels and a central blue stripe.

Otherwise carry on with the awesomeness.
2010/12/28 18:05:08
Bacca
The wheels have been on the car for over 6 years and are 16"x 6 ROH Venturo's which are still available. Sorry don't know the offset. I run 45 series rubber but had to trim the front corner of the guards ever so slightly as they did rub when on full lock.

For me this was a much cheaper option. It would have been a lot more expensive if I did EFI the Kent and would have probably gone with a whole different engine rather than to try to inject it. I wanted to keep the setup old school as it's more of a period mod for the Escort.

2010/12/28 20:12:10
buket of water
very nice setup!

i must ask tho. does the intake come over the top of alternator or did you move that to the other side?

more photos [:x)]
2011/03/01 19:02:32
Bacca
Alternator is in it's original position, manifold sits over the top with plenty of clearance.





2011/03/01 22:03:49
550hp mk2 cortina
WOW...... that is one tidy engine bay there!

Full credit to you. The attention to detail is right up there mate.
2011/07/01 02:48:49
Sevener dutton
Hi, thank you for your answer.
Happy new year!

Where are you find the Weber is a 40mm DCOE on an original manifold?
Haven't you no problem whith your turbo, because you haven't intercooler?

Thank you.

Bye.
2011/07/01 15:20:37
ratta tat tat
Running an intercooler with a suck-through set up is extremely dangerous. The fuel & air has already been mixed..
2011/07/01 15:41:46
waznotme
Great job, looks awesome!
2011/01/08 20:47:15
Bacca
Unfortunately the gearbox broke a couple of weeks ago and we have not been able to source parts locally to get it fixed in time for this weekends Small Ford Sunday. The new interior isn't ready either so the car won't be at the show.

I'll still be there with all the others from NSW though.

2011/04/02 19:55:39
Bacca
It's been a while since the last update. New interior is about to be installed. Finished making up some side panels so that the roof lining can be installed, then the seats will go in. Decided on something completely different from your usual black or beige leather interior.
 

 
 
2011/09/11 09:59:21
ratta tat tat
Updates! Sweet, is it up & running with a new gearbox?
2011/09/11 18:44:22
sundowner
i love this car...
 
its almost more sigma turbo than escort....
 
 
2011/09/11 20:44:43
Bacca
Yes, car is up and running with a newly rebuilt gearbox. It was given a tune a couple of months ago, made just under 110 rwhp at around 10lb boost. The clutch was slipping so we didn't really push it.
 
sundowner
i love this car...
its almost more sigma turbo than escort....

Funny you should mention that, I use to own one many years ago which I was planning to restore, but the shell was too rusty. I kept all the parts for a rainy day though.   

2011/09/11 21:05:54
fahley
Thats a very smick little car. Love the new interior colous and the consol. Good job.
2011/09/11 22:16:00
Trentie
This thing gives me a happy.
It's just so clean, tidy, straight and tasteful!
That turbo setup looks wicked!
2011/09/11 23:02:53
Bacca
 
Started to put in the new interior in over the weekend

 

 
 
2011/10/03 18:34:13
ratta tat tat
Looks so clean Theo. I'm really interested in this turbo set up and would like to know where you found the plenum that goes in between the Carb and Turbo? If I was to try to google one or search for one on ebay, what would it be called?
2011/10/05 10:12:57
binalong
absotootley awsome .... and I love the colour, same as my first esky 38 years ago
 
ok ok very similar
Cheers
2011/10/05 14:33:42
Bacca
Try searching something like "weber turbo manifold" or even "sigma turbo manifold". There is also a seller on Ebay, "Gem Australia" or similar that sells a lot of weber carby parts. They pop up there from time to time.
 
Be carefull though because I have seen some that are similar but the base doesn't suit the v clamp of the turbo. Here is another photo to give you an idea of what I mean.

 
 
2011/10/05 23:05:34
Bacca
The car is just about ready for the upcoming SFCC concourse & display day. Finished modifying the original dash and fitted the factory tacho in. The new console and dash have been installed. Everything works as it should, pretty happy with the result, the trimmer has done a great job and the colours really work.
 
 
 



 
Just the drivers seat to go, a final detail and polish and we're done at last....  
....for now!, maybe? 
 
2011/10/26 20:50:12
Bacca
Thought I'd share some photos of my car at the All Ford Family Day which was on last Sunday at Eastern Creek.
 











 
 
 
2012/08/03 00:23:39
ratta tat tat
Awesome. I love that motor! The only thing I would suggest is a matte or satin finish for the speedo facia.
2012/08/03 07:58:15
max2503
Hello there,

Love your engine, it has made me think twice about changing out the crossflow. How has it been? Would you say it's worth it? As plenty over this side of the globe have said to just change it to a production turbo engine, or even just change it from a zetec unit.

What you think?

Could you get some video of it on you tube? Would love a look.

Many Thanks
2012/10/07 23:52:05
Bacca
The car has been going great and has definitely been worth it for me, however, I only went down this route because I had the correct turbo and weber manifolds to make it a suck through set up, and I wanted to keep the mods period.
 
I have been contemplating about going with an EFI setup but with the additional mods like intercoolers, injectors, ECU's, fuel regulators, etc, then yes I would not bother with the crossflow and go with something more modern like the Zetec.
 
Overall but I have been more than happy with this setup, it was pretty straight forward to achieve, the difference in the performance is incredible and there is still the potential for some more improvement. Sorry, not really up with posting on youtube.
 
 
 
2012/10/10 12:19:38
max2503
What's the spec internally of the engine? I've been told that your kind of set-up will not produce that much bhp, what do you think you are running ATM?

Why do you fancy changing to efi? If you do, can I get first refusal on your current set-up? Lol
2012/10/10 20:22:29
Bacca
The car was on the dyno recently and made 122 bhp at the wheels @ 10lb boost. The crank & rods are standard but the pistons are custom forged items, it has chambered heads and with larger valves and hardened seats to run on unleaded. The usual port and polish and matched to the manifolds to flow better. Everything was carefully machined to get the compression down to 7.8:1
 
There are limitations with this type of setup as others have obviously been pointing out to you, but what are you after? What are you trying to achieve with your car? etc,etc.
 
A standard 1600 is around 60 bhp at the wheels, doubling this makes a very noticable difference in a MK1 Escort. How much more do you want? Hope this helps.
 
2012/10/11 15:05:24
tybrown
This car is a work of art!! attention to detail is amazing (you must have a lot of patience!)
what sort of ignition are you using? standard?  did you just dial in more advance before the 10lb boost? or are you just using TDC timing marks? did you disconnect the vacuum advance? (i am stuffing around with draw though turbo) trying to get it to work with standard ignition!
2012/12/26 23:00:38
Bacca
I'm running a Bosch electronic dizzy which has a vacuum advance/retard canister specifically set up for a turbo. Gives you advance down low then retards the timing once the engine is on boost.
I got it from H & H Ignitions in  the UK, just tell them your specs and they can match the dizzy.
2012/12/27 08:54:56

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