Hey all,

I bought a Mazda 3 MPS for a daily a few weeks ago and have fallen in love with the 2.3L Duratec/MZR and I MUST have one in my next Escort project

Just wondering if there are any Aussie based engine builders people would recommend for a 2.3L Duratec. I'm not after a "Steve my local mechanic" sort of thing, I'm chasing high quality and somewhere around the 400hp mark.

This won't be happening for a year at the very least, I'm just trying to put the feelers out. I'm prepared to spend the money for quality. I would love a JEMS motor, but surely there's got to be somebody in Australia who can look after me?

Thanks guys,
Josh.

Great motor, though to fit in Escort you end up chucking all the manifolds away as turbo is at the back, inlet is wrong, tubes and sensors cause headaches and a MPS/MZR engine costs $5-7000 unless your lucky. My friend attempted this swap and deciced its best to buy a low km 2.3n/a Ranger motor and strip it, replace with fat rods, forge pistons(kit from USA $1000) new brgs and bolts replaced with studs. The turbo head is a loner(bin it), use the n/a head as turbo manifolds are cheap and plentiful(USA). belhousings are avail (again from USA) to suit Tremec or TKO boxes....forget the Mazda box or type9 they will fail. The flywheel is a duel mass gunker...bin it in favor of a Alloy solid flywheel(Fidanza,Clutch Masters, Spec, USA for around $320/$380 posted). The turbo is not very big either so a new one will be needed.
my friend did a lot of research and most of the parts are best bought from USA, with some bits from UK and here.
Some company in Holland or Sweden has created a 2.7 duratec using longer sleeves and spacer plate to compensate the longer crank throw and 4mm oversize pistons....Expensive !!
People like Roger Carrol and Geoff at Eurospeed can supply the conversion bits for Escort.

Rolly Waters. Racetune. Bayswater, Perth WA

Wow thanks for the info! When I have the time I'll sit down and have a proper read. Definitely won't be using a type9 haha. That would be disastrous!

I have decided on a GTX3076R turbo too. It's big for a 4 banger I know, but the gtx series get killer results at half the price of a hks unit. Even cheaper still are bullseye Borg Warner turbos...they're also quite good, but I love the gtx's.

I've ordered some fitting kits for the Duratec from RetroFord in the UK. Before you laugh and criticise at least they fit and the full kit will be in the region of $3,000 x Sydney. Do the sums and call me

I have also sourced a type 9 5 speed kit which will take your big power. I will check with the manufacturer if it will take your desired 400 HP but it will certainly take the 8,000 rpm range.
These gearboxes are not available from 'Steve the engine builder' and are a specialist bit of gear. The biggest bonus is they are helical cut so no noise.
These gears have been developed with the Duratec user in mind. The gear tooth profiles are much larger than Ford original spec and are similar to a typical S/cut gear.The amount of engine torque this gear kit can be used with is about the same as a typical s/cut gearset. The gears are cut to an angle of 25 degree's this means there is more than one tooth driving at any one time which is stronger than one at a time as in a straight cut gearboxes,and also 95% quieter. They are also gear shaved after gear cutting to perfect the gear form. First and second gear are bored out larger than standard which saves weight and are fitted with caged needle roller bearings to reduce friction.
They also feature a lightened gear train, the benefit of this is enhanced syncro life and a potential faster gear change.
The gear ratios are as follows 1st 2.482 2nd 1.61 3rd 1.225 4th 1.1 5th .87 or .82 The .82 5th gear pair have an increased helix angle and finer pitch teeth for quieter cruising.

Trust me, with a straight cut box on the street you get very bored with it very quickly.
They also utilise a bigger bearing on the layshaft. No needle rollers here folks, and that's why your Quaife won't do 7,500rpm+.

Expected price? Around $3,000 without bellhousing or shifter. We can supply both.

Stocks are expected here August and orders are being taken now.

It may not be a Tremec or TKO but will fit into your car easy and parts to convert/rebuild are plentiful.

I forgot to mention Smcka for Duratec conversion parts, sorry mate, always top service. The T9 box sounds great with the cogs machined that way.

Guys I run a Duratec engine in my MK1, Full race engine, direct to head TBs, Race Cams, Dry Sumped, Fully Ported Head, W58 Gearbox. Motec Computer, around 300 BHP.. My mate also runs one on 48s with a T9 straight cut box. We have a huge amount of experience with these engines and can assist you with a full professional build if you need it. If you dont build these engines right, especially keywaying the crank and timing the camshafts you will have a lot of trouble. I have been through all this. Feel free to contact me. Rob 0450922011.

T9 's have to much trouble... just ask DannyM...
My other mate is running a GRP A Getrag box, easy 550hp cosworth...

Im pretty sure a turbo 2.3l wont be legal in qld josh unless u get it plated wen its n/a and then turbo it haha

The gtx turbos r pretty good man 3076 isnt to big for a 4cyl ud hav full 20psi by 3500rpm on a 2.3l at the latest...