Advice on all things PINTO!

Me again... Now the SR20 is gone Im in need of an engine and box for my project.

Conditions: Must be a n/a pinto. box must be 5speed.
What Ive got: $4200 flexible. No experience. Registered car/shell lol. Some extractors 4-2-1 unknown brand. 2.5" press bent exhaust system. A cracked 2L head.
What I want: 130rwph though i would rather a really torquey engine than one thats made for high reving power.

Is it possible to do in my budged? And what parts would you recommend? Do you have any of these parts I could purchase from you guys? or where i will be able to get the parts you suggest? Reasonable cost for machining to be done? (so i know if a place is ripping me off)


I do apologize for making so many topic about different things and changing my mind. Thanks for all the help. I really just want it done right the 1st time.

Cheers, Jordan.

This would get you pretty close with a set of 45s
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Ford-Escort-Cortina-2litre-pinto-engine-Fully-Worked_W0QQitemZ250614555585QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Car_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3a59caa3c1

I can go through reciepts if you like as I own one similar thats yet to be properly tuned. There is a thread on here by rs027 with almost the same spec it made 126rwhp on sierra injection and wolf ecu. With better induction is should make more. I must add though I am always wary of secondhand performance motors.

Heres the dyno of rs027 power is maxed by 6000rpm

I dont know the limits of standard internals but I have shot peened sierra injection rods and hypatec Pistons. Thats about all the help I think I can give apart from find a trusted and respected engine builder and listen to them

Have a good read through David Vizards performance tuning guide. Its the holy bible of getting the most out of your pinto performance wise. Just be prepare to spend bigger bucks than you intended, 5K is not much if your looking at 130rwHp (approx 170BHP) your starting to hit the limits where every $1000 might get you 10Hp more

my 2ltr had a standard block,

power wise it had twin 40's, cam, porting work, and exhaust

it loved the thrashing i used to give it, if u look at my engine post, the oil pump flange bolts came loose, dropping oil pressure, if that had stayed on i wouldn't be suprised if it continued strong for many years to come.

it had good, fun power, and the engine was mostly stock!

Thanks for the specs martymexico. From those im assuming that the bottom end will handle power std. But if i wanted peace of mind i would beef it up with arp bolts shot peen the rods or replace with stronger ectect.

Whateva gets done to my car between now and when its on the road is how its staying for a min of 3years. Unless something breaks in which case i fix it back to the way it was. So I want it right the first time. I have download vizards book, its a good read.

Once im out of uni and have a good paying full time job i will start the upgrades again. Which will either be cosie'n it or supercharged pinto. But as i say that a min of 3years away.

Thanks again for the spec Marty

I would be inclined to accept Martin's specs rather than yours Joey. The standard Pinto compression ration is 9:1, so it is hardly likely that you are going to get 10.5:1 with just a 60thou overbore. Are you sure there wasn't a bit of block and head skimming in the mix.

Getting back to the original question on this thread, ask yourself what you want to use the car for. There is no good in building a high hp engine if it is going to be your daily driver. I can tell you from experience that you'll find it cheaper to have a Falcon ute as your daily driver.