Hello all,
 
wanted to get your opinion on which engine to use.
my escort came with a Pinto, not engineered. Engine came seperate to car.
 
I was keen on a Duratec but i have a Pinto in the garage already.
 
is it worth spending money on the Pinto or should i invest on Duratec converstion?
 
thx

Hey Bruster and welcome to the forum, I suppose it depends on what you want from the car and how much you want to spend.

Pintos can be a great little motor that can make around 150bhp pretty easily, usually through some head work, a cam, dual carbs or EFI and after that unless you go forced induction you're up for big money to get more power. 

A standard Duratec makes like 160ish, the conversion is well supported and can make big power pretty easily. More work to go down this route with engineers certs etc required. 

thank you.
 
im kind of committed now, im leaning towards Duratec...just need to price most of the parts required.
might need to sell the Pinto to cover some of the cost

Hi Buster,
 
Just curious, what model escort do you have and what state?
 
Have you been told this or just assuming?
 
A Pinto doesn't shouldn't need to be engineered as it was a factory option...  (Fine print...  some states may vary)
 
Shaun.
 
 

Pretty much the same as the answers you got over on AFF

escortinadriver
Hi Buster,
 
Just curious, what model escort do you have and what state?
 
Have you been told this or just assuming?
 
A Pinto doesn't shouldn't need to be engineered as it was a factory option...  (Fine print...  some states may vary)
 
Shaun.
 
 

Hi Shaun
 
i was told by someone when i was selling some parts, the engine topic came in conversation and he said it may need to be engineered with the Pinto.
 
if not required then it may change my mind
 
im in Sydney by the way

A mk1 Escort will need a check over but mk2 won't need anything as it was standard option, even if the car is pre 77.
A zetec is a relatively quick conversion as it just needs sump and water rail, depending on induction it'll start at 155bhp .
Duratec, starts at around 190bhp and needs the same conversion as zetec done plus a adaptor plate for gearbox option.
Pinto can get a healthy 160,bhp but won't be as reliable as the modern motors or as efficient if that matters, and the cost will be comparable to the later engines Inc engineer, your choice..

martymexico
A mk1 Escort will need a check over but mk2 won't need anything as it was standard option, even if the car is pre 77.
A zetec is a relatively quick conversion as it just needs sump and water rail, depending on induction it'll start at 155bhp .
Duratec, starts at around 190bhp and needs the same conversion as zetec done plus a adaptor plate for gearbox option.
Pinto can get a healthy 160,bhp but won't be as reliable as the modern motors or as efficient if that matters, and the cost will be comparable to the later engines Inc engineer, your choice..

thanks great info, i plan to use MX5 5 speed gearbox M526.. are adatptor plates available for this gearbox to duratec?
 

MX5 runs a duratec so the gearbox is a direct bolt up job.

But if you want to use a foreign gearbox there are adapter plates available for any combination in UK and USA, not sure who does them in Aus tho . Or you could attempt to make your own, plenty of vids on this ... Spoiler alert, I'll most likely be doing one for my mk1 Escort

awesome, this gearbox i believe is from mk1 Mx5 i think not sure if they use duratec engines then.
might need to pick your brain along the way then haha.
this is my first Escort..so it will be a learning curve