Ok, so I pulled the trigger. I have officially gone to the dark side. If the car didn't confuse, upset or amuse people it certainly will now.....

Bought a GM NOS 2.0 long motor and a NOS 2.2 short motor.

The 2.0 has 9.6 comp ratio, so should go alright on E85 and a small(ish) low boost turbo, while I build the 2.2 into a 2.3 NA with the redblock C20XE head.....

Should be interesting.🤣🤞

Cant be many C20XE escorts roaming aus!

As long as the Holden logo is not there and Vauxhall is there it won't annoy to many people lol, I'm all for it👍

Realised I forgot to add pics,
 
and everyone loves pics....
 
2.0 Long motor - 
2.2 short motor
With C20XE redtop on 2.2 to confirm fitment.
With rodeo gearbox bolted up.
 

Nice work but I can't see a transfer case for the 4x4 conversion your planning later haha, just joking there 👍.
Frankenstein builds are always interesting.

Progress is slow, however still happening.

The Frankenstein build continues...

A bit more research has found the longer rods for the 2.2/2.3 are few on the ground and would blow out the budget. I know race cars always get out of hand, however this started as a paddock basher, and I'm still doing my best to make things work that are the most cost effective. That said, it makes more sense to turn the 2.0 into a na motor and turbo the 2.2.

So the head from the long motor will go onto the 2.2 bottom end, and the calibra XE head will find its way onto the 2.0 (was the long motor)

I have managed to find some factory xe na 2.0 rods, pistons and cams. (My current XE heads has turbo cams) Both factory rods and (Mahle) pisons are forged. Compression is 10.5:1.

I am building an NA exhaust and dcoe inlet as purchase and freight from UK is not cost effective. Hopefully this should land me somewhere around the 170hp range with a reliable forged bottom end.

The 2.2 will stay standard (ish) with a mild port job, inlectors and a steam pipe manifold. It will be a long term project for another MK2 I have.

Good progress there..

Can't you look for something close in the twin Weber intake and chop the mount and fit a made up xe one, or adapter plate it for options.
I'm making a steam pipe turbo manifold for a Duratec, and my 2.6 Courier, just want better than what's available. Cheapest place for steam pipe I've found is Blackwoods , $4 a piece !

I looked at chopping up an old looking pinto one I had. The only problem is, I can't yet TIG! It's on my list of to-do's! My uni-mig even has tig capability. So for now,
, whilst not ideal, the inlet manifold will be made from steel.

Yep, steam pipe is cheap, and easy to work with.

Shaun

Progress is still being made.

Some new parts have arrived. Some more are on the way. I've now officially blown the budget, and the scope of the project.

Yes, it would have all worked with standard parts however I've decided to get greedy.

Rods, pistons, cams, springs and retainers.

Will post some pics up later

Shaun

I think the same mate, I've bought 2x duratec motors, 1 is 2.3 the other 2.5, both are good but need a freshen up but I'm going to get new pistons for the 2.5 of higher compression from a late 2017+ cx7 etc skyactive thing. The 2.5 crank gets binned and also the rods. I've bought new 2.3 Eagle rods and will use the 2.3 crank in the 2.5... Confused? Good ! , What this creates is a 2.4 duratec with 2.5 torque and 2.3 revs.. Added to this the average 2.5 head is better than the best 2.0/2.3 heads in std form. I will add a real turbo from something similar, not a cheap eBay thing.. might look at the Focus st turbo. There's more behind the scenes of this but ain't going into detail here..
Will you be mixing engine components to make a hybrid monster too?