Mk2 4 door

So.... firsty. So happy to have another escort been 4 years since i sold my last and happy to be back on the forum...

Now to get done to it. I have got my self a granny spec 4 door and going for restore. Its got a 1.6 auto. But not for long. Want to put a pinto and 5 speed in its place. Suspension,brakes and diff unsure of what i should do? Its not gunna be a race car...possibly a daily.

my first suggestion would be bushes and a quick rack.  
 
suspension wise GAZ is good for street. they are user friendly with the external adjusters. i run bilsteins in my 2 door and have found them to be excellent though a bit more pricey and a bit more involved to set them up.
you can get rear leafs made up with anti rebound leaf that will help stop tramp. they are a direct replacement too.
you can get tube kits to make your own front coilovers which are pretty good. otherwise a decent set of springs will do. 
 
front brakes can get a M16 caliper spacer kit to run vented discs. pretty simple instillation.
LSD is always nice or you can lay some rods into the diff. axles will be the weak point though. 
best option though is a decent set of rubber.  
 
of course its all down to budget but there are some pretty cost effective mods you can do to that will help alot 

If you want to keep for regular/daily use then the 2lt pinto and type 9 box with a 3:... something ratio diff will move nicely. Standard spec engine - rebuilt with new seals and gaskets, rings and bearings for reliability and 32/36 weber, good extractors and free flowing exhaust for decent economy and reasonable poke for normal driving. Basic suspension mods can be done according to  depths of pockets and mechanical skills as per post from krt 10 but could include upgrade to RS bigger  rear drum setup.  Lots of other project builds on this site for inspiration from mild to wild.... Cheers,Len
 

KTR and NQRS- thanks for the reply. bushes 100% a must. quick rack? what ratio would you recommend? suspension was thinking of replacing the front with lowered springs and new shocks. and rear replace with mk2 van springs?. front brakes im keen for that spacer kit! rear brakes, just new shoes and pistons? how hard is the rs conversion? or disc rear kit? what diff would be a good choice to go with? dont have a set budget as of yet, wont things done right not cheap. thanks for both the replys!!

I took the vented discs off of my street car - they just add weight and often foul the tie rod ends boots.  I recommend saving yourself the expense and hassle.

Has anyone else had this issue?

Camo,
The RS rear drums are a straight swap, same as standard ones for fitting just larger drums. If you're thinking discs then there are a number of common swaps you can read up in threads on this forum - there are some members who supply kits , I believe. Lowered springs are readily available in different heights. I have a set of RS drums and 30mm lowered springs if you should go that way. My quick ratio rack is a 2.4 turns item, have seen advertised 2.1 and 2.7, have a look to see what Steve at Smcka has got, he will point you in the right direction( Pardon the pun! ) Len

Flighter I agree with your comment. On my escort (capri struts) I went with solid discs, NOS P16 calipers (thanks Phil) and Bendix General CT pads. No dramas whatsoever and believe me my MK1 gets good workouts.
 
Another downside to the spacer kits is the need to remove the disc backing plate which then becomes a defect.

With a semi worked 2l, will standard pull up well? So does the rack effect how hard its to turn or make it easier?