Long time lurker on the forum, but heres my MK2 escort ghia.
 
Purchased it for $1000 when i was 15 spent another $1000 fixing rust and mechanical issues as it had been sitting for 5 years.
 
Its been my daily driver for the past two years to and from school and ive had alot of fun with the 1600 in it, but the urge for more power and reliability has kicked in as im joining the Army early next year. Ive started stripping it down and collecting parts for my engine conversion....(Its not a pinto either although i do have two in the garage...)
So far i have 
    :Ford courier diff 4.1 LSD
    :Mazda mx5 and s5 rx7 turbo gearbox with a ford econovan FE bellhousing
    :BPT engine from a laser tx3
    FE3 engine from a ford telstar tx5

 
The day I bought her fully standard in need of a spruce up

 
Courier diff vs English escort diff, all the measurements are so close its a piece of piss to modify it
 

 
Both potential engines... Even though we are allowed turbo cars in NZ after you get your license im really not a fan of those sneezing snails bolted to the side of an engine.
 
Brakes wise im going bias pedal box, ford laser tx3 rear calipers mated to sierra cosworth disks and on the front Rx7 4pots with bmw e30 260mm rotors.
Suspension: Capri struts (Hard to find over here message me if anyone has any cheapish), Coilovers, Adjustable TCA's, 24mm swaybar, rebuild steering rack, anti tramp arms and new bushes all round.
 

 
As it sits now (After a weekend hunting i must add)
 
Anyway enough ramble, tell me what you think and im more than happy to here suggestions

Is that a deer?
 
What are the plans for the car?  Any track work or just fast road? 
 
Cheers
 
Matt

Indeed it is!
 
Planning for fast road with the odd track day
 
Cheers

Nice to see some New Zealanders on here, i'm currently putting an FE3 in my mk2 atm, looking foward to see some more on this project.

Venison, yum :)
Which year/model courier did the diff come from?
GL with the project

Diff is from a 78 model courier. Mazda b1600 is the same

RallyPack

Nice to see some New Zealanders on here, i'm currently putting an FE3 in my mk2 atm, looking foward to see some more on this project.

 
The FE3 is such a good engine, well over-engineered but not well known! But that also means less after market support :(
 
Thanks mate

Well im stuck in a rut at the moment and need some ideas.
 
Sleeper Ghia (With original interior, Chrome, and wide steels)
 
Or go RS 4door (Recaro fishnets, RS dash, Black trim, 7.5inch RS 4spokes)
 
Tell me what you guys think

Hey mate good start to the project, I love the classic look of the old escort (sleeper) I have had my escort for 3years now and its still a wreck but i have a 2lt Zetec sitting there to go in it just got to find the funds to continue.
 
I'm going for the sleeper look and just cleaning up the exterior and  upgrading engine and drive line.
 
Good luck with your project
 
Pat

So Ill drop in the pinto and roll with that and a t9, sort the suspension (new bushes, adjustable TCA's, new tie rods, rebuild steering rack), sort diff (4.1 LSD, machining), Sort brakes (RX7 4pots, e30 rotors, tx3 rear calipers, sierra cosworth rotors, Bias pedal box etc) Sort paint, Beige and new rims!
 
Ill worry about the FE3 abit later when money starts coming in from the army