Hi all, 
redoing the suspension on the escort atm. 
The car's main use is going to be an all rounder. Road registered, but will spend alot of time at tracks and on the dirt.
 
Thoughts are single leafs on the rear with bilstein shockers on the rear.
Front inserts from bilstein again 260/60 longs. Haven't decided on springs at the front
Going to use an anti tramp bar aswell.
Does this seem a reasonable setup for a 2 door '76 escort with a 2l pinto?
Also do most people buy from UK? seems heaps cheaper. 

Hi Mate,
 
You say track days and dirt?  Do you mean Rallying?  As you'll want it nice and low for track days and quite stiff and then for rallying you'll want more clearance and an increase in ride height and softer suspension.
 
You may find there will be a compromise for both and as such you may not get the best handling car possible.
 
You should look at coilovers on the front then as this will allow you to increase / decrease the ride height and they are quite easy to change springs in too.
 
You can't go wrong with Billy's but as to the effectiveness of the tramp bars I am not opening that can of worms! There are those who like them and those who hate them.
 
Is there a local suspension joint that specializes in escorts as it would be worth it to drop in and get their opinion of what would suit your needs?   Some other local forum members could point you in the right direction
 
Cheers,
 
Matt

Hey Matt, thanks for the response.
I would love to go with coilovers but it seems a very expensive way to go. I will be used more for an everyday car but I want it to be capable to do rally. I'm not that fussed about on the road as I won't be taking it out there that often. I was looking for a compromise between the three. I figured that if I set it up for rally it would be softer and have more clearance which would be better for every day driving and it would be a little worse on the track.
The only thing is are bilstein inserts able to be fitted into the 1.6 litre struts? Fronts seem to be confusing and nobody really can help. I've rung a local store but they are three times the price and I can't afford that!
Cheers 

Hi Mate,
 
I am not sure if you can get the Billy for the 1600 struts.  You should change to 2ltr ones anyway (especially is racing/rallying) as they are thicker and stronger.
 
You could look at a package from the UK like this one  - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Escort-Mk1-Mk2-Rs2000-Mexico-capri-New-Coilover-Struts-New-Concentric-Alloy-Tops-/140860467097?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20cbf02799  Which is a good budget approach but you still need the hubs, bearings & steering arms so will still be exy.
 
No matter which way you go it will be pretty expensive to do it properly unfortunately.
 
Cheers
 
Matt
 

I would be very interested in going with the coilovers however because this is going to be road registered I can't have obvious stuff on the car. If it ends up a regency I'm stuffed due to being on my P's you are allowed zero mods to the car (there are a looooot of mods to it). Thinking of just going 2l struts and putting inserts in as it's the 'sneakiest' and most effective way. Hopefully someone is selling!