davus
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The Decision of which motor to choose!
Hi Guys,
Well - its certainly not exhaustive yet, but i was hoping to get a whole bunch of information together from you - The "Brains Trust" in one thread so that I (and other members and visitors) can get a one stop snapshot of the engine choices, possible gotchyas, costs, engineering requirements etc for the MK2 escort (which may be adaptable to other escorts?)....
This thread has been inspired by my recent thoughts about which engine to put into my "toy" Rs2000....
Whilst cost is a component, im certinaly not one for having to reinvent the wheel. If one motor drops straight in compared to another, then thats a factor. But having said that if a bit of extra work yields a whole bunch more power, then thats also worth considering.
The choices so far are (in no particular order):
Mazda 13B Turbo rotary
YB Cosworth Turbo
Cosworth Non Turbo
Duratec 2.0
SR20
Heavily Worked Pinto
Pinto Turbo comversion
Im actually pretty excited at the thought of a 13B rotary (I used to have a series 3 RX7 with a 12A turbo when i was a youngster)...
Id be really interested to hear from people who have had experience in any of the above. Costs, Bang for Buck, Installation challenges, Possible guides / photos, internet resources, etc etc......
I dont want ot have to go so far that I have to have the whole car reinforced and strengthened. I do realise brakes will need to be upgraded, and potentially gearbox. But keep in mind it will be a weekend driver. I wont be taking it on the track at all (im just not into that).
Looking forward to a bunch of ideas and information if possible!.
Thanks guys.
Dave
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Paul Dunstan
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Re: The Decision of which motor to choose!
2013/06/10 11:25:08
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Zetec? Not the most powerful (165Hp easily achieved) but probably the easiest late model engine to install - mates up to the standard FORD 2.0L bellhousing. Engines are available for reasonable prices. Aftermarket parts (valves, cams, pistons, rods) readily available from the USA for respectable prices although these are for the later Blacktop engine (some parts are interchangeable). Install kits available from the UK or you can fabricate most parts yourself if you're so inclined 
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Knightime
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Re: The Decision of which motor to choose!
2013/06/10 12:48:26
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Hi Dave,
Imo keep the RS with the Pinto as there are not many around that are unmolested if you want to put a different engine in an Escort get a standard one.
An RS2000 especially with matching numbers is far more valuable than one with a different engine /gearbox.
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Matt75
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Re: The Decision of which motor to choose!
2013/06/10 16:32:08
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Cosworth engines will slot in as they use the same block but most of the above non ford engines wil cost the best part of $20k with engineers certificate before they are up and running.
As Knighttime has said keep your RS standard as you'll be glad you did if you ever go to sell it as alot of them have Jap turbo's in them nowadays (not that there's anything wrong with that) and in the future unmolested RS2000 will be quite rare.
+1 for a heavily worked Pinto.
Cheers
Matt
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Paul Dunstan
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Re: The Decision of which motor to choose!
2013/06/10 18:26:58
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Knightime
Hi Dave,
Imo keep the RS with the Pinto as there are not many around that are unmolested if you want to put a different engine in an Escort get a standard one.
An RS2000 especially with matching numbers is far more valuable than one with a different engine /gearbox.
Finding a matching number RS is pretty unlikely these days and I would have to contest that a well engineered RS with an engine transplant would be any more less desirable. Horses for courses I guess.
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OssBoss
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Re: The Decision of which motor to choose!
2013/06/10 18:35:23
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I Just picked up a matching number 2 door in Monza red for under 10K. Bonus no rust. So they are out here.
Keep it Pinto but maybe 5 speed sierra and fuel injection for performance.
Graeme
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davus
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Re: The Decision of which motor to choose!
2013/06/10 20:44:19
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Gday All,
Thanks very much for the replies!. Kepe them coming.
I probably should clarify here that I have two RS2000's. Both are 1980. One is a four door, and one is a two door.
The two door is a matching numbers "unmolested" RS2000. One owner etc etc......This is NOT the car im looking for a choice of motor for.
The car im looking to put a slick motor in is the other RS2000 (the four door). It is already unmatched, and so whilst I have the original car there as my unmolested one, im happy to move out of the box a little on the other one.
My heart goes out for the 13B turbo, but then again, the cosworth is appealing. But im a little scared of the cost of the cosworth!!!............
Anyone got any ideas what a decent turbo cosworth would go for?. I saw one on ebay the other day for about $9.5K complete.
Dave
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RS 2000
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Re: The Decision of which motor to choose!
2013/06/11 00:43:32
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Not sure why everyone is so hung up on this 'molesting' when it comes to engine conversions. engine conversion is no more molesting the car as is installing a 5 speed, stronger diff or installing rear disc/bigger front brakes etc.
Also in my opinion molested car is one where modifications have been badly done, not all modified cars are molested a lot of them are well engineered machines.
The point about resale value of original RS vs modified(engine converted) one is not really valid, if and when the resale margin is significant enough all you have to do is drop the standard driveline back into it. I agree with Paul that
I cant see why an RS with legal engine conversion and other mods would be any less desirable, in fact imo it is more desirable.
Big factor with conversions is whether you can do the conversion yourself or you are planning to pay someone to do it, this alone will make a big difference and potentialy sway your decision.
Dave, it really comes down to your budget and what YOU want to do with YOUR car.
cheers
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evobda2
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Re: The Decision of which motor to choose!
2013/06/11 09:26:09
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If weekend warrior is your thing.. a turbo engine will give you best bang for buck. Big HP NA engines cost big bucks, and can be a bit of a pig to drive on the street. Saying that a decent tuned Pinto or Zetec (nothing crazy) can give a good tractable fun car. But as your comparing it to the other turbo engines in your list to get it to the same performance etc i think a turbo engine will give much better results for less cost. All the engines in your list are well worthy, and have been done in escorts previously. SR20 probably being the most economical of the turbo engines. At the end of the day do what ever floats your boat. If rotary is your thing, go for it!! SCS motorsport up in QLD have done a few pretty serious escort conversions with rotary, sr20, yb engines etc. Worth a look to help decide. https://www.facebook.com/...rsport/173200129372017
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davus
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Re: The Decision of which motor to choose!
2013/06/11 15:42:39
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ok - so considering how much i have on my plate at the moment, and how much time / effort i want to put into the cars, I have made the initial choice to go down the path of turning the pinto in my second RS into forced induction. I have done a bit of reading, and from the looks of it, this path has the most synergies with my own abilities and current enthusiasm. I can get hold of a T28 Garrett no problems, which from what ive read seems to be fairly widely accepted as a good choice. I will attempt to set it up as blow through, using this -> http://www.ebay.com/itm/281119195799 One of the main problems i can see me facing at the moment (apart from the learning curve) is getting hold of an exhaust manifold to bolt the turbo up to. Does anyone have any idea where i might be able to get an exhaust manifold like this?.  What other ford motors have the same exhaust stud pattern as the pinto 2L motor?.......this might help me broaden my searches. Cheers all!.......... Dave
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Matt75
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Re: The Decision of which motor to choose!
2013/06/11 17:15:11
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I have a standard cast iron exhaust manifold you can have and cut up to play around with if that helps.
Cheers,
Matt
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ratta tat tat
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Re: The Decision of which motor to choose!
2013/06/11 21:03:36
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RS 2000 Not sure why everyone is so hung up on this 'molesting' when it comes to engine conversions. engine conversion is no more molesting the car as is installing a 5 speed, stronger diff or installing rear disc/bigger front brakes etc.  RS 2000
Dave, it really comes down to your budget and what YOU want to do with YOUR car.
Agreed davus
What other ford motors have the same exhaust stud pattern as the pinto 2L motor?.......this might help me broaden my searches.
Cheers all!..........
Dave
Dave, if you can afford it get custom steam pipe manifold made up. The original cast ones end up cracking.
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evobda2
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Re: The Decision of which motor to choose!
2013/06/11 21:06:09
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Davus just a question.. how much budget are we talking here? And any idea of HP your after?
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davus
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Re: The Decision of which motor to choose!
2013/06/11 21:39:55
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Hi Lads,
Thanks to all for the replies.
Budget - dont really have one in mind actually. I dont know if thats a good thing or a bad thing??. I guess id be comfortable spending at least a few grand??....if its more than that so be it. I dont want to spend $10K on a motor solution at all. Ive got two of these cars to build up.
Ratta tat tat - whats is a steam manifold?.......and where perse might one get one of these made? :)
Dave
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evobda2
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Re: The Decision of which motor to choose!
2013/06/12 08:15:57
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In that case I'm assuming you wont be rebuilding the internals of the Pinto? (forged pistons, stronger rods, turbo grind cam etc). Although i havent done a turbo pinto setup myself.. i have read a while back that setups done with carb can be pretty problematic. Its much better to go a simple efi setup (like what was used on the UK Sierras). You should be able to find one for not too many pennys..  For exhaust manifolds, most people ive known have welded their own up. A few in the UK have done just simple designs like:  So hopefully should end up looking something like: 
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