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Thread: if i were to use a cosworth....

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    if i were to use a cosworth....

    hello all
    I've recently brought a mk2 escort 4dr that i am planning of restoring/modifying however before i start there are a few things I'm unsure about.

    I'm aiming for it to be a very quick street car (400hp) that handles well whilst still being about to drive to a resturant with 3 ppl in the back

    i considered a cosworth engine as that seemed to be the engine most people on here like however they seem pretty pricy

    so i started looking at other engines suchas:

    sr20 det
    ls1
    2jz
    maybe pinto

    without crazy fabrications is there a clear engine or not

    im also not looking to spend over £7-8k on it if that were possible?

    i know theres been tons of threads similar to this before but if anyone could give me a slightly clear answer it would be greatly appreciated

    thanks

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    For years the Cossie engine was the 'go to' engine for the hp that your looking for. A secondhand engine & box given to a good reputable engine builder to take apart & give a freshen up to check all is well would last you for years at the power level your looking for, but engines & boxes now seem to be going for around £4k - £5k......if you can even find one. Not sure about the other engines as have no experience with them. Personally, if I was going to start again I'd look at an Alu' blocked yank turn key V8, but would still need a lot of fab work to get in the engine bay properly......and by that I mean positioned so the weights not all in front of the wheels, which means a lot of bulkhead fabbing work....I imagine. But spares are plentiful & relatively cheap with the help of the www from our friends across the pond. And more importantly than that, they sound the absolute bollocks

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Quote Originally Posted by 4parajon View Post
    For years the Cossie engine was the 'go to' engine for the hp that your looking for. A secondhand engine & box given to a good reputable engine builder to take apart & give a freshen up to check all is well would last you for years at the power level your looking for, but engines & boxes now seem to be going for around £4k - £5k......if you can even find one. Not sure about the other engines as have no experience with them. Personally, if I was going to start again I'd look at an Alu' blocked yank turn key V8, but would still need a lot of fab work to get in the engine bay properly......and by that I mean positioned so the weights not all in front of the wheels, which means a lot of bulkhead fabbing work....I imagine. But spares are plentiful & relatively cheap with the help of the www from our friends across the pond. And more importantly than that, they sound the absolute bollocks


    So are there a selection of alloy v8 to be searching for or is the ls1 the only one to be looking for.

    Also are there websites to look at for engines or is it just Ebay gumtree etc

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Whilst your plan sounds good, I would think 400bhp and carry 3 people to the pub for you budget I think will be hard work. Cosworth engines now are getting expensive as said and harder to locate. But you need to look at the rest of the running gear for 400bhp regardless of engine choice.

    Not very positive i know but trust me whatever your budget it will not stay at that long once you delve into the project ask any cosworth escort builder. I stopped going down the cossy route and collecting parts as it would never have got finished.

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Quote Originally Posted by chris77mk2 View Post
    Also are there websites to look at for engines or is it just Ebay gumtree etc
    I think you can buy them new as crate engines. They always seem to manage that on the American car resto tv shows.

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    So if the cossie engines out the picture what would you recommend?

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Dont want to cast a negative shadow on your plans but have you even considered how much suspension and brakes wheels tyres etc would cost to handle 400bhp imo that alone would blow your budget.I would estimate even doing all the work yourself a project like this would well exceed 12k at best.Also have you ever been in an escort with 400bhp i have been in escorts with 300ish and in real world conditions they were not that fun to drive.I could recommend a saab turbo engine mated to a type9 via a redtop bellhousing with a bit of tweeking you could have a reliable 250-270 and still be tame enough to potter about.

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    I know of an E46 M3 for £6k, not quite 400hp but 300+ 4 seats and aircon, would save a heap of work ;-)

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Vauxhall red top is always a good start You can get some good BHP out them and then aint that dear.

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Nissan SR20DET, bit pricy. Or the true 2.0 turbo bargain engine is the Saab B204, which has a vauxhall bell house pattern (XE *i think...) so loads of gearbox options.

    http://www.speedhunters.com/2015/06/...an-escort-mk1/

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    No one mentioning axles, you’ll defo need a good Atlas for that power

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    ok so it seems i was being a little too ambitious thinking i could get 400hp from that sort of budget so would 300 be more realistic?
    if so what engine would you recommend.

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Quote Originally Posted by wildo105e View Post
    Whilst your plan sounds good, I would think 400bhp and carry 3 people to the pub for you budget I think will be hard work. Cosworth engines now are getting expensive as said and harder to locate. But you need to look at the rest of the running gear for 400bhp regardless of engine choice.

    Not very positive i know but trust me whatever your budget it will not stay at that long once you delve into the project ask any cosworth escort builder. I stopped going down the cossy route and collecting parts as it would never have got finished.
    what would you recommend for 300hp?

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SR20DET-E...oAAOSw8D1arszg

    Cant go wrong here in my experience.

    JP

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    yh I've noticed more people are starting to go for these. what are they like regarding install?

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Unless you get the parts cheap and can fab yourself....you'd struggle with an LS conversion for that money although it is doable. Perhaps more work to squeeze in a V8 with a suitable reliable gearbox, than a smaller turbo 4.

    SR20 complete with gearbox.

    Honda S2000 engine and box ( and maybe add boost later )

    Or a modified old Volvo rwd engine and box.

    Getting a complete engine/box will make life much easier than having to adapt different setups together.

    The 1UZ V8 is an option...cheap engine, but again added cost to get a manual trans to bolt to it. And the multivave heads are quite wide which would make it a tight squeeze, same as any such V8 really.

    Not sure if there are any V6 options that might be easier or better suited
    Last edited by stevieturbo; 24-05-2018 at 02:37.
    9.85 @ 145mph 202mph standing mile

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_c7fML3rw

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Quote Originally Posted by stevieturbo View Post

    Not sure if there are any V6 options that might be easier or better suited
    Nissan 370z engine maybe ??

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    There are probably a few V6 options...but as with modern V8's, ( ie multivalve ) the heads can tend to be quite wide which might make fitment a little trickier

    But Nissan do make good engines....I guess maybe even an old Ford/Mazda unit ? Audi ?

    But Nissan being rwd, you also get a gearbox attached. Most are 6 speed though, so box might be a little bigger than say an SR20 gearbox. Just depends what tunnel work he wants to do.
    9.85 @ 145mph 202mph standing mile

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_c7fML3rw

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    There are a lot of good suggestions for you to take on board but i would strongly suggest get a spin in a well tuned xflow or pinto engined escort and make your own opinion from there i personally have a redtop engined mk1 with full interor etc its putting out around 220bhp and its a total blast to drive .the illusion of 300bhp this and 400bhp that leads to unfinished projects or seriously over budget projects.Hope this helps cheers mick

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Amish engines will fit, it will come down to how good you are at fabricating and problem solving.

    If I was wanting a turbo lump, for the money and parts available it would be an sr20, if your want to stay with a ford engine then a charged zetec,

    My mk2 runs a pinto at about 145bhp and can break loose very easily in s straight line in the ran running 205 rear tyres, 400bhp will b a handful wet or dry

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Quote Originally Posted by mick32 View Post
    There are a lot of good suggestions for you to take on board but i would strongly suggest get a spin in a well tuned xflow or pinto engined escort and make your own opinion from there i personally have a redtop engined mk1 with full interor etc its putting out around 220bhp and its a total blast to drive .the illusion of 300bhp this and 400bhp that leads to unfinished projects or seriously over budget projects.Hope this helps cheers mick
    400hp from a modern turbo engine is a doddle to achieve though so no reason for it to push budgets up any huge amount. And he could certainly start with a standardish 200-250 or so, and over time improve things once the build is largely finished.

    But do keep it simple...as much from one platform as you can, it just makes sourcing any parts so much easier.
    9.85 @ 145mph 202mph standing mile

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_c7fML3rw

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Easy decision,

    sr20det.

    They will bolt in with very little mods. Make good power and are well supported.

    There is a reason they have been swapped into just about everything here in Australia.

    Plenty of info over here on the conversions and starting to see more your way now that your supply of cossies is drying up in the UK,

    Shaun.

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Regarding the s2000 engine. Am I right in thinking that they spin the opposite way?
    If so then you'll have to source an axle to suit or just go very fast backwards!

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Quote Originally Posted by davemk1 View Post
    Regarding the s2000 engine. Am I right in thinking that they spin the opposite way?
    If so then you'll have to source an axle to suit or just go very fast backwards!
    No, some Hondas do reverse rotation, but S2000 is regular clockwise.
    9.85 @ 145mph 202mph standing mile

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_c7fML3rw

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    I have a freshly built FORGED SR20DET for sale if you are interested? Have most parts . nice reliable engine. Message me if interested. Ready to go

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Quote Originally Posted by stevieturbo View Post
    No, some Hondas do reverse rotation, but S2000 is regular clockwise.
    thanks for that, might have to look out for one myself now.
    Are inlet and exhaust the same as a zetec?

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    9.85 @ 145mph 202mph standing mile

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_c7fML3rw

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Youll spend £4000 alone on the axle to suit that power.

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    SR20DET for the win 220bhp or 250bhp as standard. Up the boost a little and it's all good fun.
    Drive as a daily, or take it to the track

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    Last edited by M11rf; 27-05-2018 at 15:34.

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    Quote Originally Posted by mick32 View Post
    There are a lot of good suggestions for you to take on board but i would strongly suggest get a spin in a well tuned xflow or pinto engined escort and make your own opinion from there i personally have a redtop engined mk1 with full interor etc its putting out around 220bhp and its a total blast to drive .the illusion of 300bhp this and 400bhp that leads to unfinished projects or seriously over budget projects.Hope this helps cheers mick
    Remember an old saying LESS IS MORE.
    As said in this thread 300 or 400 sounds great but is it driveable and enjoyable to drive.
    Not trying to p--s on your fire.
    200 bhp to 250 would be a blast in an escort..

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    Re: if i were to use a cosworth....

    only problem with not going cosworth is you wont have this view when you open the bonnet!
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