User Tag List

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 40 of 74

Thread: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

  1. #1
    Racer Decade Plus User dazzle's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Now over the pond North side
    Age
    51
    Posts
    3,540
    Thanks
    13
    Thanked 85 Times in 78 Posts

    Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Suspension set up for a MK1 running a Pinto engine, 5 speed box and english axle.
    Used for road and track days. Going to shows and generally a toy.
    Not an every day car.
    Running 7" rims with 185/60/13 888's.

    What are your thoughts guys????
    Cheers

    Dazzle


  2. #2
    World Champion Decade Plus User alladdin's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    s.wales
    Age
    60
    Posts
    9,200
    Thanks
    167
    Thanked 446 Times in 432 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    "best" is a big ask but 300/70 billys with 190 lb springs work well. dont go too stiff on rear.

  3. #3
    Racer Decade Plus User dazzle's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Now over the pond North side
    Age
    51
    Posts
    3,540
    Thanks
    13
    Thanked 85 Times in 78 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by alladdin View Post
    "best" is a big ask but 300/70 billys with 190 lb springs work well. dont go too stiff on rear.

    That's a good start as I have 300/70,s for the front
    As you're a very intelligent guy, what does the '300/70' stand for/mean??
    Cheers

    Dazzle


  4. #4
    World Champion Decade Plus User alladdin's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    s.wales
    Age
    60
    Posts
    9,200
    Thanks
    167
    Thanked 446 Times in 432 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by dazzle View Post

    As you're a very intelligent guy


    its the bump / rebound rates tho that may be rebound / bump rates

    and where the numbers are derived from

    thats blown my cover then

    300/70 tarmac settings 260/60 forest. the "gp1" rears work well to , 220/110 seems to be the setting in all (or most) sizes and lenghths.

    i should add that my experience is 20 years behind the times still my choice tho, others come and go.
    Last edited by alladdin; 22-02-2012 at 17:52.

  5. #5
    Racer Decade Plus User sambo's Avatar

    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Bexhill on sea
    Age
    44
    Posts
    1,934
    Thanks
    107
    Thanked 38 Times in 34 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Agreed. Bilstein tarmac (300/70) are nice.

  6. #6

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    If you are going do a lot of track days a spring rate in the region of 350lb is what you need to use, it does sound high but with the grip r888 can give you will have a lot of body roll, the last I was out at Lydden using 300/70 inserts and 275lb springs the body roll was excessive.

  7. #7
    Part of the furniture Decade Plus User trig's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    bristol
    Age
    44
    Posts
    10,882
    Thanks
    892
    Thanked 209 Times in 200 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    yeah go hard for track use but 300 at least I would say

    think boxxers on 400 or 450 something like that...

  8. #8
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Sponsor evodave's Avatar

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland
    Age
    46
    Posts
    1,589
    Thanks
    49
    Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by dazzle View Post

    That's a good start as I have 300/70,s for the front
    As you're a very intelligent guy, what does the '300/70' stand for/mean??
    Are you running an anti-roll bar or compression or tension struts ?

    Are you on 2-1/4" coilovers or RS diameter springs ?

    Cheers,
    David

  9. #9
    Spanner Monkey

    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    essex
    Age
    49
    Posts
    227
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Don't go to low or you will screw up the roll centres.

  10. #10
    Racer Decade Plus User dazzle's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Now over the pond North side
    Age
    51
    Posts
    3,540
    Thanks
    13
    Thanked 85 Times in 78 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by evodave View Post
    Are you running an anti-roll bar or compression or tension struts ?

    Are you on 2-1/4" coilovers or RS diameter springs ?

    Cheers,
    David
    Anti roll bar
    2 1/4" coilovers
    2.9 quick rack
    adjustable tca's
    roller bearing top mounts

    Think that's it??
    Cheers

    Dazzle


  11. #11
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Sponsor evodave's Avatar

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland
    Age
    46
    Posts
    1,589
    Thanks
    49
    Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by dazzle View Post
    Anti roll bar
    2 1/4" coilovers
    2.9 quick rack
    adjustable tca's
    roller bearing top mounts

    Think that's it??
    Is it standard width arb mounts or are you using double width or anti-dive kit ?

    What about bushes ? Standard rubber or poly bushes ?

    Cheers,
    David

  12. #12
    Racer Decade Plus User dazzle's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Now over the pond North side
    Age
    51
    Posts
    3,540
    Thanks
    13
    Thanked 85 Times in 78 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by evodave View Post
    Is it standard width arb mounts or are you using double width or anti-dive kit ?

    What about bushes ? Standard rubber or poly bushes ?

    Cheers,
    David

    Hmmm Not too sure??
    Need to have a look
    Cheers

    Dazzle


  13. #13
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Sponsor evodave's Avatar

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland
    Age
    46
    Posts
    1,589
    Thanks
    49
    Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by dazzle View Post

    Hmmm Not too sure??
    Need to have a look
    Tightening up of the suspension by using poly bushes is a relatively inexpensive & worthwhile upgrade before anything else.

    Cheers,
    David

  14. #14
    Racer Decade Plus User dazzle's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Now over the pond North side
    Age
    51
    Posts
    3,540
    Thanks
    13
    Thanked 85 Times in 78 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by evodave View Post
    Tightening up of the suspension by using poly bushes is a relatively inexpensive & worthwhile upgrade before anything else.

    Cheers,
    David
    It was all rebuilt, I just don't know to what extent!!
    Cheers

    Dazzle


  15. #15
    Racer Decade Plus User dazzle's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Now over the pond North side
    Age
    51
    Posts
    3,540
    Thanks
    13
    Thanked 85 Times in 78 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by evodave View Post
    Is it standard width arb mounts or are you using double width or anti-dive kit ?

    What about bushes ? Standard rubber or poly bushes ?

    Cheers,
    David
    Right, just found out from previous owner:-

    The TCA's were all new inc poly bushes
    The ARB were NOS, but standard RS2
    The rear is all standard and original with the exception of the anti tramp bars which are poly!

    Is it worth going twink roll bar?
    Cheers

    Dazzle


  16. #16
    Racer Decade Plus User dazzle's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Now over the pond North side
    Age
    51
    Posts
    3,540
    Thanks
    13
    Thanked 85 Times in 78 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by eric View Post
    If you are going do a lot of track days a spring rate in the region of 350lb is what you need to use, it does sound high but with the grip r888 can give you will have a lot of body roll, the last I was out at Lydden using 300/70 inserts and 275lb springs the body roll was excessive.

    But how did it ride on the road?
    Do you use yours much on the road??
    What roll bar set up have you got?
    Cheers

    Dazzle


  17. #17
    Way too much free time Decade Plus User PIG's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    get me on my beeper,beeper
    Age
    55
    Posts
    11,882
    Thanks
    38
    Thanked 139 Times in 129 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Call powerstationand ask about 3-way ast's mate there not far from you and are very gdbut aye abit much for your requirements mate

  18. #18
    Mechanic terry's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    east mids
    Posts
    933
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 25 Times in 24 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    i have used leda on a few cars more expensive but worth the money definatly do what they say

  19. #19
    Racer Decade Plus User dazzle's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Now over the pond North side
    Age
    51
    Posts
    3,540
    Thanks
    13
    Thanked 85 Times in 78 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by PIG View Post
    Call powerstationand ask about 3-way ast's mate there not far from you and are very gdbut aye abit much for your requirements mate
    Thanks Pig bud but as you say, way too much for me thanks
    Cheers

    Dazzle


  20. #20
    Racer Decade Plus User dazzle's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Now over the pond North side
    Age
    51
    Posts
    3,540
    Thanks
    13
    Thanked 85 Times in 78 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by terry View Post
    i have used leda on a few cars more expensive but worth the money definatly do what they say
    I thought Leda folded
    Cheers

    Dazzle


  21. #21
    Racer Decade Plus User jimmy2006's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    essex
    Posts
    1,986
    Thanks
    51
    Thanked 90 Times in 89 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by dazzle View Post
    I thought Leda folded
    dave from leda now works for gaz shocks
    sideways is the best way to turn a corner

  22. #22
    Racer Decade Plus User dazzle's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Now over the pond North side
    Age
    51
    Posts
    3,540
    Thanks
    13
    Thanked 85 Times in 78 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Was just looking on E-bay and came across THESE Anyone seen/had any dealings with these??
    Cheers

    Dazzle


  23. #23
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Sponsor evodave's Avatar

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland
    Age
    46
    Posts
    1,589
    Thanks
    49
    Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by jimmy2006 View Post
    dave from leda now works for gaz shocks
    GAZ are good, we've sold loads of their Escort shocks &inserts.....they even have 300/70 & 260/60 inserts to suit competition Bilsteins but without the Bilstein price tag !!

    Cheers,
    David

  24. #24
    World Champion Decade Plus User alladdin's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    s.wales
    Age
    60
    Posts
    9,200
    Thanks
    167
    Thanked 446 Times in 432 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by evodave View Post
    GAZ are good, they even have 300/70 & 260/60 inserts to suit competition Bilsteins but without the Bilstein price tag !!

    Cheers,
    David
    thats a new one on me, what is the price tag ?

  25. #25
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Sponsor evodave's Avatar

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland
    Age
    46
    Posts
    1,589
    Thanks
    49
    Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by alladdin View Post
    thats a new one on me, what is the price tag ?
    Around £105-£110 per insert & available in a range of ratings & lengths (some to order & takes 2/3 weeks) but a good alternative to a Bilstein.

    Please ask if you have any more questions.

    We should have a delivery of these soon !!

    Cheers,
    David
    www.classicandrally.com

  26. #26
    World Champion Decade Plus User alladdin's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    s.wales
    Age
    60
    Posts
    9,200
    Thanks
    167
    Thanked 446 Times in 432 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    same price as bilstein from gartrac tho
    Bilstein Short Insert 300/70

    £90.90 tax excl.
    Bilstein

    Reference : GAR2160

  27. #27
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Sponsor evodave's Avatar

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland
    Age
    46
    Posts
    1,589
    Thanks
    49
    Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts
    10% off that price for GAZ inserts to all Turbosport users. (would do them for £100each).

    It may be worth checking that price with Gartrac as I believe Bilstein had a price increase for 2012.

    Cheers,
    David

  28. #28
    Tyre Kicker

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    coventry
    Age
    44
    Posts
    43
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    whats the best setup to have on the rear of the car?

  29. #29
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Sponsor evodave's Avatar

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland
    Age
    46
    Posts
    1,589
    Thanks
    49
    Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by 1sttimezetec View Post
    whats the best setup to have on the rear of the car?
    It really depends on what you are using the car for & your budget....there are many different combinations.

    Cheers,
    David
    www.classicandrally.com

  30. #30
    Tyre Kicker

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    coventry
    Age
    44
    Posts
    43
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    for instance what would be a decent setup on the rear for a part time daily/weekend warrior, the car would still have all the daily driver comforts but an engine that is really too much for the stock escort setup

    somthing that stand up to the rigors of daily abuse that modern cars go through & a setup that will improve handling, bring it up to a more up to date whilst keeping the live axle


    excuse the thread hi jack-just thought it was appropriate D

  31. #31
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Sponsor evodave's Avatar

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland
    Age
    46
    Posts
    1,589
    Thanks
    49
    Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by 1sttimezetec View Post
    for instance what would be a decent setup on the rear for a part time daily/weekend warrior, the car would still have all the daily driver comforts but an engine that is really too much for the stock escort setup

    somthing that stand up to the rigors of daily abuse that modern cars go through & a setup that will improve handling, bring it up to a more up to date whilst keeping the live axle


    excuse the thread hi jack-just thought it was appropriate D
    I'd begin with poly bushing everything & then as a minimum, for a road car, a set of anti-tramp bars & possibly a Panhard rod.

    Run it on some single leaf springs & set of decent shocks (GAZ adjustables is what I'd use for a road car) & that should be pretty good for most cars.

    Going further than this would involve turreting & possibly 5 or 6 linking but then yiur getting into a lot of fabrication work & you'd more than lilely lose the use of your rear seat too. A 5 or 6 linked car might be a bit extreme for every day though !!

    Cheers,
    David

  32. #32
    Tyre Kicker

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    coventry
    Age
    44
    Posts
    43
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    ye i forgot to add that point in my previous post about what route to go with the rear axle without getting into four linking/loosing the rear seat if somone is running a more-door for instance

  33. #33
    World Champion Decade Plus User exboyracer's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Wirral UK
    Age
    50
    Posts
    6,740
    Thanks
    257
    Thanked 523 Times in 511 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    For road / occasional trackday use IMO you don't need to go further than decent shocks, poly bushes, anti-tramp bars and a panhard rod, and even then the panhard is probably optional.
    http://escort.accelerator.org
    1968 MK1 Escort 1300GT
    1969 'Big Wing' MK1 Escort
    1972 MK3 Cortina 1600XL
    1984 Sierra XR4i
    And other junk I don't like to talk about!

  34. #34
    Tyre Kicker

    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    north east
    Age
    31
    Posts
    17
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    I'm currently restoring my mk1 escort at the moment i'm now at the stage where i need to decide what route to go with the rear suspension i'm going to be running a 2.0 pinto but in a few years i would like to drop a nissan CA18DET motor in would this require 4 links coilovers etc or could you get away with leaf springs? also would like to get the car quite low with 15" alloys, the car is bubble arched and i'm looking for a atlas axle to go in will only be getting used on the road.

    Thanks

  35. #35
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Subscriber
    Turbosport Moderator
    Turbosport Administrator
    Graham's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Ely, Cambs
    Age
    56
    Posts
    25,110
    Thanks
    310
    Thanked 2,476 Times in 2,250 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    you can have 4 links and leaf springs, but you need to convert the front spring mount to a roller setup or the rear suspension will bind rather than move up and down as it should

  36. #36
    Tyre Kicker

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    coventry
    Age
    44
    Posts
    43
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    bit of a long shot but any chance people could pop up some pics of there various suspension setups? me personally i'd find it super helpful

  37. #37
    Mechanic

    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Mold
    Posts
    625
    Thanks
    28
    Thanked 39 Times in 38 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Tension struts with arb
    350lbs springs
    300/70 short billys
    rose jointed tca's
    sperical top mounts
    single leaf rears 140lb
    poly bushes
    panhard rod
    front lowered 5" rear 3"

    and the best of all is NON BUDGET TYRES and GOOD BRAKES
    mines on EVO xxxv1 and this is the best set up so far lol
    http://www.turbosport.co.uk/signaturepics/sigpic12022_2.gif

  38. #38
    World Champion Decade Plus User alladdin's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    s.wales
    Age
    60
    Posts
    9,200
    Thanks
    167
    Thanked 446 Times in 432 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by BIG-G View Post
    and the best of all is NON BUDGET TYRES and GOOD BRAKES
    mines on EVO xxxv1 and this is the best set up so far lol

  39. #39
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Sponsor evodave's Avatar

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland
    Age
    46
    Posts
    1,589
    Thanks
    49
    Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by BIG-G View Post
    Tension struts with arb
    350lbs springs
    300/70 short billys
    rose jointed tca's
    sperical top mounts
    single leaf rears 140lb
    poly bushes
    panhard rod
    front lowered 5" rear 3"

    and the best of all is NON BUDGET TYRES and GOOD BRAKES
    mines on EVO xxxv1 and this is the best set up so far lol
    Any pics of your car please ?

    Cheers,
    David

  40. #40
    Bodger

    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    york
    Age
    47
    Posts
    170
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts

    Re: Best MK1 Escort suspension set up??

    Quote Originally Posted by BIG-G View Post
    Tension struts with arb
    350lbs springs
    300/70 short billys
    rose jointed tca's
    sperical top mounts
    single leaf rears 140lb
    poly bushes
    panhard rod
    front lowered 5" rear 3"
    same set up here but not quite as low, i use it for rallying and handles real well, still on 6x13 4 spokes straightens up nicely from the oversteer

+ Reply to Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts