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Thread: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

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    MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Hi All

    So, I've been using Kermit at a few track days this year and to say I'm now re-hooked would be an understatement!

    But, the thing is, I don't want to ruin Kermit too much as I'd still like to have it as a road car that I can take to shows and the like so I need to do something different.

    Those that know me will know I have a few cars on the go that are projects that I've never completed. However, I now have a really nice big shop/garage and the want to build a track car that can take on the exotic sport cars I'm on track with.

    With this in mind I'm thinking my best bet would be to build my MK2 Escort to do the job. If I'm going to do it, I'd like to do it as close to right the first time so I'm looking for advise from any of you guys who race/track your MK2's.

    I'm thinking I'm going to want to put the widest rubber under the arches so might as well put the widest arches on it? Which ones though?
    Also, If I'm going to spend money on good suspension, what should I fit? Is it worth looking at the WRC front end set up?

    I'm interested in any advise that will help, even things I've probably not thought about yet
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Don't over tyre the car, match the rubber to the power, so many folk ruin handling by going too wide. AP's, decent billies up front, roller top mounts, adjustable tca's etc is all you need

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Erikmex View Post
    Don't over tyre the car, match the rubber to the power, so many folk ruin handling by going too wide. AP's, decent billies up front, roller top mounts, adjustable tca's etc is all you need
    Thanks Eric, appreciate your advice.
    I read in another thread that you went back to 13" wheels after trying 15's because they just didn't work?
    Are you standard arches or have you gone for wide arches?
    My car had one of the rear arches replaced and I'm not totally happy with the result so I think it makes sense to arch it
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Yeah im on Forest alloy arches, they give you far more wheel / tyre options, i didnt like the handling on 15's at all, i lost alot of the steering sharpness despite trying several geometry changes, it just felt dull compared to 13's.

    What engine / power are you running?

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Erikmex View Post
    Yeah im on Forest alloy arches, they give you far more wheel / tyre options, i didnt like the handling on 15's at all, i lost alot of the steering sharpness despite trying several geometry changes, it just felt dull compared to 13's.

    What engine / power are you running?
    It will be running a Sierra Cosworth engine, hopefully around a solid reliable 350HP
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Oh well in that case go as wide as you can, Tarmac or Monte arches, I ran an Rs2000 years ago with a 380hp yb and struggled for grip with 9x13's and slicks.

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Erikmex View Post
    Oh well in that case go as wide as you can, Tarmac or Monte arches, I ran an Rs2000 years ago with a 380hp yb and struggled for grip with 9x13's and slicks.
    Fair enough
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    What axle are you running? Atlas I hope lol

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Erikmex View Post
    What axle are you running? Atlas I hope lol
    Yep, an Atlas from a 2.8 Capri that Fostek rebuilt for me. Has been sat gathering dust for a long time though!
    Take a look at this HERE
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Looking good, fair amount of fab work there, i take it the axle is a baby atlas? 48.5'' wide?

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Quote Originally Posted by dazzle View Post

    Take a look at this HERE
    wondered what had happened with this going to read it all again

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Erikmex View Post
    Looking good, fair amount of fab work there, i take it the axle is a baby atlas? 48.5'' wide?
    Yes, I believe it was 48.5"
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Quote Originally Posted by wildo105e View Post
    wondered what had happened with this going to read it all again
    Well, it's now at home in Canada and looks like it will start to see some progress hopefully soon
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    So, what size arches do I fit?
    I think I'd like to stay with 13" rims so I'm only left with 235/45/13 tyres as an option unless someone tells me different?
    If that's the case, 9"rims and tarmac arches?
    Thoughts please guys
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    I run 9" with 235/45 khumo inters road legal.Theres not much more scope on any larger sizes in 13" these days as most of the cars run 15" and up. The other alternative is slicks but obviously only for track. Wheels I run are et-12 for any more minus in et think you would have to go on to split rims which are very costly.

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    I'll be running 15x10's on the rear (15x9 front) of my Grp 2 Zakspeed replica




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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Hi car is unarched, not a chance of fitting 235's on std arches. There are loads of 13'' sizes available if you go to motorsport sized tyres, its only road sizes that there isnt much available.

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Matt75 View Post
    I'll be running 15x10's on the rear (15x9 front) of my Grp 2 Zakspeed replica



    I'd forgotten about Zakspeed arches
    I actually really like the look of them.
    What tyres do you intend to run Matt?
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Erikmex View Post
    Hi car is unarched, not a chance of fitting 235's on std arches. There are loads of 13'' sizes available if you go to motorsport sized tyres, its only road sizes that there isnt much available.

    That's a good point Erik. I think I was getting too hung up on road tyres but in fact, I don't need to worry about that as I don't think this will ever be going on the road
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Hey mate, R888r's. I can get 225's for front and 235's for rear. Avon also do a 245 in their ZZR too

    Cheers

    Matt

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    I didnt think you got R888's in 225 13''??

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Plenty of road legal motorsport sized rally tyres, 180/530/13 etc

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Erikmex View Post
    I didnt think you got R888's in 225 13''??
    I was talking about 15". Cheers

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    I'm trying to weigh up between 13" and 15" wheels
    In reality, the 15's will fill the arches better and will allow the fitment of bigger brakes!
    Probably a lot better choice of tyres as well
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    But heavier, difficult to clear the front inner arches, not as good turn in, plus they look odd in a wheel arch with a radius for 13'' wheels, in my opinion you need to fit 15'' inner and outer arches.

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    this comment may not prove popular, BUT in circuit racing escorts seem to work just as well on 15's as 13's, theres even a few quick ones on 16's + 17's,
    Last edited by Graham; 09-07-2017 at 16:08.

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    For sure, they do work, its been proven many times, however, its a fair bit of work, body and suspension wise to get the handling right, ive done a direct comparison between the two and it was like night and day. Its not as simple as just swapping 13's for 15's.

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    not saying it is a simple as just swapping wheels, but particulary when you chuck masses of torque like a turbo gives at a chassis, rear end grip is at such a premium ultimate handling finesse is less important than outright grip, its no good having great handling if you cant get any power down

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Why would 15's give more grip?

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Erikmex View Post
    Why would 15's give more grip?
    im not saying 15's will give more grip however tyre choice in 15 might afford you more grip

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Erikmex View Post
    But heavier, difficult to clear the front inner arches, not as good turn in, plus they look odd in a wheel arch with a radius for 13'' wheels, in my opinion you need to fit 15'' inner and outer arches.
    Erik, are you saying if I do go with 15's, you think I should fit inner and outer arches?
    By that I'm guessing you mean on the rear?
    With 15's, does the front come close to the footwell/inner arch?
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    The front is the main issue, with 205 50 15's the tyre rubbed the footwell / arch on mine, without alloy arches you'll be restricted to tyre choice just as much with 15's. I also had a few issues with ride height on 15's too, to get it low enough gave me lots of bump steer.

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    I think I might just bite the bullet and go for some Gartrac Monte Carlo arches!
    I'm still at the stage where I can make adjustments to the chassis/bulkheads if that's what's needed?
    I just think 15's will give me better tyre options over here!

    Plus it just looks so good

    Click image for larger version Name:	?id=http%u00253A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr279%2Fhak074%2Fmk2_escort_tarmac_1.jpg Views:	106 Size:	50.3 KB ID:	81235
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    You're all going to probably get annoyed with me here and tell me to get lost what with all my witterings

    BUT, I did have a flash of inspiration (or was that perspiration? ) and remembered that my Atlas axle had been shortened so I could fit 7" rear Alloys and as it sits at the moment, they are fitted with 215/50/13's!
    So, maybe I don't need to go stupidly wide and would actually make sense to stay with 13's and maybe think about going split rims to make sure I make use of all the available width?

    Thoughts?
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    That white car doesn't have Monte Carlo arches as they are too big for the class he runs in

    It does run a turbo'd Duratec with 450hp though!

    Matt

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    Re: MK2 Escort track car build - Questions?

    Quote Originally Posted by dazzle View Post
    You're all going to probably get annoyed with me here and tell me to get lost what with all my witterings

    BUT, I did have a flash of inspiration (or was that perspiration? ) and remembered that my Atlas axle had been shortened so I could fit 7" rear Alloys and as it sits at the moment, they are fitted with 215/50/13's!
    So, maybe I don't need to go stupidly wide and would actually make sense to stay with 13's and maybe think about going split rims to make sure I make use of all the available width?

    Thoughts?
    I used to be indecisive but now I'm not too sure?


    I've been reading through some other threads and I think I will stick with 13's and deal with the problem of lack of tyre choices when it comes to it!

    I started to clean out the car last night so look out for updates soon

    I would still like to hear peoples opinions on suspension set up though?
    Compression or tension strut?
    Modular front end?

    Any thoughts?
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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