id be steering well clear of anything with 6 or more cylinders, way to much weight past the front shock towers is bad news, will ruin the handling of a fun little car,
as for power outputs a std sr20 with drop in cams, injectors and decent size t2 frame turbo will push out 230-250 rwkw which is way way more then enough in an escort.
you can also get good power out of, 4age, 4agze, 3sgte, ca18, bp, bpt, duratec, 
 
my 4door escort is fitted with a Ford/Mazda BPT engine and puts out 150rwkw at 8psi and will easily overpower the rear tyres.
 
if out and out horsepower is what i want put a rotary in it with a turbo the size of a small house, that'll be good for upwards of 450rwkw, just wont be drivable.

If you really want a sleeper, put a Chev 350 in an old Volvo wagon. Fit it with roof racks, venetian blinds, blanket on the rear seat and wear a cardigan and silly hat while driving.
 
Or you could mid mount a 460 in a Bedford. Paint it like a flower delivery van. Vrooom vroom.
 
Or even better still, buy about a 10 year old Fairlane or Statesman for the same money you'd waste on building a 6 cylinder Escort that would never be even close to roadworthy and drive around in a very comfortable car without forever being worried about having the bonnet raised at a random breatho.
 
 

fordsy i know what you mean but i want the escort to have power when i need it, Mish i thinkn i will go with a sr20 no turbo 

I have done it!!
 
 
See picture. 
  
  
 
2 Jay-Z in a Escort

Stick a BDG in it.

79FordEsky

in nsw where i am it is that but  its a 3.0 litre and my ghia is 1003 kg stock times by 3 is  3009 and forced induction (turbo/supercharged) is 2507.5 so the engine is naturallya spirated  non turbo so it can be done right

 
Are you going by the weight figure from the RTA? You need to use their figures, not manufacturers specs.
I'm also led to believe that firewall mods are no longer 'legit' here in qld
 

esc-078
2 Jay-Z in a Escort

Brilliant!

The Sr20 NA would be a much nicer option. And way less work and expense.

You do know you can get off the shelf kits to fit 2.3ltr Duratecs though don't you? (any mazda6 or SP23, or focus 2.0ltr engine).
A internally standard 2.3 litre (mazda) Duratec with ITB's, exhaust, ecu your looking at around 230hp. Thats easily pushing the boundaries for the escort chassis strength. And quiet fast for such a light road registered car. Most top gun escort race cars you see are usually around 250-300hp max. 
Remember the way escorts go fast is weight. They handle, accelerate and are such fun cars because they're light and nimble. Add a nice modern efficient 4cyl like a SR20 or Duratec and you have a great car that does everything well and a hoot to drive. 
You don't need 350hp+ like all these other cars out there for them to go fast.

 


 

Ratta Tat tat I went off the weight figures on the uniquecarsandparts site my car is a 79, evobda2 No i didn't know you can buy a Duratecs kit, I might go with a sr20, Also i am going to mod the car cosmetically panel wise. 

Go ahead and do the 2JZ Stewart. I don't know of any 17yo's mad enough to undertake such an outlandish project. It would be great to see you have a crack mate

Ratta Tat Tat I am 16 mate, not 17 but i really want to do the 2JZ but want to know if it is legal and also what equipment to use, I was thinking hilux diff celica 5 speed manual, willwood custom brakes and whole nine yards.