Cheap Suspension Mods for Mk1/2 Escorts (Thread formally: Mk2 RS Struts)

[strongyjr]

Will Mk2 Rs Struts fit to a non rs mk2. Or do the top mounts need changing. I have small top mount holes. Thanks. Are any other mods needed to do this. Thanks peeps.

[alladdin]

at worst you would need to swap the top mounts over, tho if they both are from later mk2 they will fit. you will also need the rs track rod ends and if the struts are not complete you might need the bigger bearing hubs also.

[strongyjr]

ta mate. I keep posting up threads relevant to front suspension upgrades and i just dont know what to do. I want my escort to handle better but dont know the cheapest option of achieving this is. I have been told by some that if i just lower it and put stiffer springs on my damper is likely to bottom out, wondering if you have any suggestions, Thanks mate.

[alladdin]

this is my personal budget upgrade, not the cheapest but it will handle.
billstien struts,(springs depend on engine/use but 190lb for pinto is harsh but good) twincam antiroll bar, double width kit and new hd bushes throught. quick rack. grp1 billys on rear with soft springs and anti/ tramp bars. tyres make a big impact, 185/60 13 work well. and if your budget gets there, a lsd is the best of all.
ps dont forget the brakes

[strongyjr]

Thanks Very Much Mate. Much Appreciated : )

[Clint]

You know what there are things you can do at little cost to help you car handle, you dont need expensive parts to do this just some pointers, some tools and some thinking about what your trying to achieve - here are your pointers good luck:

The flowowing geometry settings you will need a flat surface a spirit level and a cheap sattlelite angle finder works well, I wont go into a how to here but if you think about it its all fairly logical.

Geometry - Castor - for a better handling car set the front castor to 3 to 5 degrees positive (wheel forward) - you can do this at no cost by unpicking and moving the front ARB mounts forward the rewelding.

Geometry - Camber - Set to 1.5 Degrees - you can set this by elongating the holes in the x-member cleaning around the outside and with 2 think washers either side set the Camber and then talk weld the washers in position.

Geometry - Toe - Set the Toe to Zero

Front Roll bar - you dont need a Twin cam one the only advantage of this is that it has a long thread making setting castor eaay - (see above) Standard one is fine Later and RS ones are a little thicker but not a absolutly must have.

Double Width / Anti Dive Kits - We affectionly call these anti handling kits - Don't use these firstly it move the ARB into a worse angle than it already if for a lowered car and secondly it stops the ARB flexing which is what gives the car the stable feel under heavy breaking.

Shock Absorbers - are they working? If not replacing them with ones that do will help a lot, gas shocks are best secondhand are ok as long as they are in good condition - look out for someone who is upgrading - look at your struts do the inserts unscrew ? if so you can put a decent insert in here - dont worry about adjustable ones and use a good make.

Front springs - for the cost of £100 (or less if you shop around and find some s/h springs use a short spring 8 inch) you can convert any strut to coilover - this will enable you to ge a strong spring up there (In would use a 200 - 250lb spring) and also set the ride height a bit better.

Front Ride Height - Dont go too low, make sure the TCA has a slight angle on it when the car is stationary

Rear Ride Height - Get this as low as you can without the tyre rubbing anywhere - you can bend the springs to give about a 2 inch drop and then also a lowering block to give a further 1.5 inch drop.

Bushes - Replace them all with Poly - there are some very cheap kits on ebay these are fiddly to fit but will be better than standard ones.

Axle location - use the standard ARB on the rear if you have one if not fit a set of Anti Tramp Bars.

Tyres - There are cheap tyres that are very sticky but little use in the wet - there are dear all round tyres and then there are cut slicks - pay your money and take your chances BUT there is no doubt a good tyre will make the most difference once the above mods are done.

Brakes - Vented Front a must bigger the better - Rears dont matter as long as they work standard drums are fine. There are some clever cheap swaps about - smaller front master cylinders that fit and granada calipers for the fron which look the same but use a bigger pistons - pads are importand use a proper race compound like say DS2500 or DS3000 NOT a branded product aimed at fast road users like purpleystuff or whatever.

[savvi]

Very good and informative answer Clint.

I have just fitted standard mk2 escort struts with slightly lowered and uprated springs and that's made a huge difference.
I just wanted to stop bouncing around but not intending to drive it hard so that has done it for me.

Clint, could you give me more details of "cheap" brake upgrades to cope with standard 1800 Zetec engine on 13" wheels for my next project car ?

[strongyjr]

That was exactly what info i've been looking for. Thanks Clint thats absolutely fab!

[Clint]

Very good and informative answer Clint.

I have just fitted standard mk2 escort struts with slightly lowered and uprated springs and that's made a huge difference.
I just wanted to stop bouncing around but not intending to drive it hard so that has done it for me.

Clint, could you give me more details of "cheap" brake upgrades to cope with standard 1800 Zetec engine on 13" wheels for my next project car ?

The Best and cheapest brakes under 13's would be a sierra caliper and a 260mm vented disk.

[alladdin]

excellent info i will tho comment on a few point

thinking about what your trying to achieve
thats a very valid consideration, my experiance is welsh lanes i suspect clints is rather smoother !


Front Roll bar - you dont need a Twin cam one the only advantage of this is that it has a long thread making setting castor eaay - (see above) Standard one is fine Later and RS ones are a little thicker but not a absolutly must have.
its different in a number of ways , increasing castor and allows a wider spacing of the mountings

Double Width / Anti Dive Kits - We affectionly call these anti handling kits - Don't use these firstly it move the ARB into a worse angle than it already if for a lowered car and secondly it stops the ARB flexing which is what gives the car the stable feel under heavy breaking.
no comment on a/dive which i think your comments refer to but from my experiance a well positioned weld on double width rubber mount kit helps a lot


Axle location - use the standard ARB on the rear if you have one if not fit a set of Anti Tramp Bars.
personally i think a/tramp are a min,( as much as gary laughs at them ) they do help the car be drivable over 70 bhp !

[boXXer]

The Best and cheapest brakes under 13's would be a sierra caliper and a 260mm vented disk.

where can you get 260mm vented discs mate? rally design dont do them as far as i can see?

[alladdin]

im thinking he means the caprisport 260 setup ? thats sierra xr4 /rs turbo bits
http://www.zyworld.com/caprisport/1_brakes.htm

[dollie007]

i've seen that 260mm kit mentionned a few times, looks really good, but doesn't fit under a standard RS 13x6 wheel, correct?

[Clint]

yes it fits under a 13.

[alladdin]

they have to be 7 x 13 i believe.

[savvi]

My idea and everyones elses of cheap seem to vary !!!!

I know Neil who has Caprisport, when i went to see him baffled me with variations and prices, like most clever people do !!!!!!!!!!

[alladdin]

My idea and everyones elses of cheap seem to vary !!!!

i have the same problem

however, ive wasted enough over the years to know that if you want it to work then spending on the right bits 1st time is cheaper in the longrun, bit like spanners

[Clint]

If there is enough interest I dont mind making a few kits up for 260mm brakes that fit under normal 13 " RS wheels.

[boXXer]

but where can i get the discs from

[mexicosworth]

I'd be interested in a kit if the parts are available/easy to source

[dollie007]

If there is enough interest I dont mind making a few kits up for 260mm brakes that fit under normal 13 " RS wheels.

i'd be very interested in that, particularly if it was kit-minus-calipers, and would the discs be available vented/grooved? if they're RS turbo discs or something then there should be loads of options??

[Jules]

Sounds interesting 260mm disks?

[dangerousdave]

Mike rallydesign must do the disks?! I have a 260mm wilwood kit from them, they are redrilled something or other but they must do them as replacements for mine?! Failing that theres a load of options for 260mm disks, rs escorts, vw have a few too, etc

[boXXer]

yeah they do mate, but dont list them for sale for some reason. i had to call up and ask them for them.

I have the same brake kit as you, and they even have the disc's spare part number listed under the brake kit section, but when you type that in, it doesnt exist

[savvi]

I bought a set of Wilwood Dyalites ? Yesterday with disc, just need to find some pads ...................... are they any good ?

[exboyracer]

The wilwood pads are shite, you can get Ferodo pads which are much better

[boXXer]

yeah, get some DS2500's for track/road use. My cossie has them in and they are mint

The calipers are really good too.

[savvi]

I only want them for road use, which ones (part number) do i need ?

He couldn't find the old pads for me to match.

[dangerousdave]

I have some form of wilwood pads in mine and they seem good for it and have got me out the shit a few times?! I didnt realise anyone else made pads that fitted them

[boXXer]

a few companys do mate. Ferodo, Mintex, EBC (shite) etc

love you

[dollie007]

any more news on this 260mm kit for standard RS alloys?? sounded very intriguing....

[largeo]

How are we everyone, just thought I'd ask as I'm building up a mk2 escort here in Australia, and the first thing I want to do is the suspension starting with a coilover conversion in the front. Im pretty new to performance mods so im doing a lot of research first! The car already has quick rack steering in it but with standard 1600 struts. I have a pair of 2l escort struts and am wondering is it actually worth getting Capri struts, or just convert the 2l struts? I plan to drive the car a fair bit on the road with the occasional hill climb and track day and it will receive a twin cam turbo conversion of some kind but still undecided. Are bilstein inserts the go? What model type and what spring rate would be a safe bet? I won't be taking it on rough roads if I can avoid it. Cheers!