Hi Everyone, MK1 Escort Project Owner from Surrey

[jarobi]

Hi All,

I've just learnt I actually signed up to this forum 8 years ago and I'm finally getting round to introducing myself. I'm Jamie and I've got a 2 door Mk1 Escort project. The car has been stripped to a bare shell and has been media blasted. I'll add some photos once I work out how but summary of the build as follows:

2 door Mk1 Escort
Completely stripped and media blasted
6 link rear Atlas (full width)
Steel rear bubble arches
15" rear tubs
Mock up engine is ST170 Zetec
6 spd RX8 gearbox
Sierra 2WD front crossmember
Sierra 2WD steering rack, steering column, front suspension and ARB

At this stage, I'm interested to run though all the technical support pages but have a fair few questions on other peoples experiences of Zetec turbo builds and or use of Sierra front end in a Mk1 Escort? Heard lots about black top head on ST170 bottom end but also interested to know if anyone has gone down the route of 2.3 Ecoboost from the Focus RS yet?

Also interested if anyone knows of a Focus Mk1 RS engine for sale?

Many thanks
Jamie

[Paul Finn]

Sounds an interesting project I am doing mk2 YB cosworth one good luck

[alladdin]

site a bit dodgey as late so dont worry if replys are a bit slow

[Graham]

welcome to TS.

personally i dont understand the whole black top head on st170 bottom end thing, the head is the thing that lets the engine breath and actually make the power and the st head is better than the black top

[katana]

welcome to TS.

personally i dont understand the whole black top head on st170 bottom end thing, the head is the thing that lets the engine breath and actually make the power and the st head is better than the black top

From what I understand, the ST head / engine makes the power and is 'drivable' if the VVT is retained and operated correctly, otherwise you seem to either get a slug with mediocre top end or peaky top and no bottom end pull? The ST cam drive and cover aren't the best looking either LOL! Yes, aftermarket ECU's can drive the VVT but if you want to use DCOE's on a bullet proof bottom end the Blacktop makes a nice compromise,especially with a BDA stylee cam cover ! Not sure how well the VVT delete cam kit works but your still stuck with an ugly looking sucker!

[jarobi]

[jarobi]

[jarobi]

Having a play with picture resizing and uploaded a few examples above. There she is in her current form.

Regarding the blacktop head, I think people are put off by the complicated VVT and expense to delete it (cams). I have the ST170 head at the moment and it will be used for all the clearances and mock up in the bay but I'm still undecided on exactly what spec I am building.

I have a couple of RX8 gearboxes (with adaptor plate), a couple of T9's and a freshly rebuilt T5 Borg Warner so have some flexibility on what engine / gearbox configuration I go for. The engine is back far enough to allow for a front mount intercooler and I have 20mm clearance from the Sierra crossmember and steering rack to sump. Inlet plenum is off a Nissan Pulsar GTiR and mocked into position with the standard ST170 plastic lower section for the moment.

[jimmy2006]

Hi Mate Welcome aboard

[modifyitmike]

Having a play with picture resizing and uploaded a few examples above. There she is in her current form.

Regarding the blacktop head, I think people are put off by the complicated VVT and expense to delete it (cams). I have the ST170 head at the moment and it will be used for all the clearances and mock up in the bay but I'm still undecided on exactly what spec I am building.

I have a couple of RX8 gearboxes (with adaptor plate), a couple of T9's and a freshly rebuilt T5 Borg Warner so have some flexibility on what engine / gearbox configuration I go for. The engine is back far enough to allow for a front mount intercooler and I have 20mm clearance from the Sierra crossmember and steering rack to sump. Inlet plenum is off a Nissan Pulsar GTiR and mocked into position with the standard ST170 plastic lower section for the moment.

Hi Jarobi. nice setup. can i ask why u using sierra crossmember, as the strut top position looks way to far apart to find a top mount to suit. or are u making your own up. as for the rx8 box. hows it fit in tunnel. ( plenty of room or tight ). only asking as im putting st170 into mk6 fiesta with rx8 as well, cheers

[jarobi]

Hi Mike,
I’m using a full width Atlas axle on the rear with track width 1430mm. The standard Escort front track is 1314mm but the Sierra is 1450 so I had a go at fitting it to see if it would work. I’m really happy with how it has worked and have built it to to bolt in without any mods to the Escort chassis. As you mention, the top mounts are further out than Escort and my plan is to mount it all under the wing below the strut top hole. Holes at the moment are just for the mock up. The benefits in Sierra front end in my opinion are:

Matched track width to rear axle.
Hubs can be separated from the strut.
Cheaper than a decent Escort front setup.
Bigger brakes as standard (Cosworth).
ARB runs backwards rather than forwards (might not be an advantage when i try to package exhaust. Maybe go compression instead).
Steering rack is more compactly packaged for sump clearance vs Escort.
Steering rack is wider so intermediate shaft moves outboard towards chassis (more clearance to engine and mounts).

RX8 box fits really well. I’ve got an auto tunnel car so little more clearance to play with but had no issues. The only mod I made was shaving the tail housing where it mounts to the tunnel. What tunnel are you using to modify the mk6 fiesta?
Cheers

[notenoughtime]

Different approach I look forward to seeing more progress

[EarlDM]

That's one interesting project! Way to go

[modifyitmike]

Hi Mike,
I’m using a full width Atlas axle on the rear with track width 1430mm. The standard Escort front track is 1314mm but the Sierra is 1450 so I had a go at fitting it to see if it would work. I’m really happy with how it has worked and have built it to to bolt in without any mods to the Escort chassis. As you mention, the top mounts are further out than Escort and my plan is to mount it all under the wing below the strut top hole. Holes at the moment are just for the mock up. The benefits in Sierra front end in my opinion are:

Matched track width to rear axle.
Hubs can be separated from the strut.
Cheaper than a decent Escort front setup.
Bigger brakes as standard (Cosworth).
ARB runs backwards rather than forwards (might not be an advantage when i try to package exhaust. Maybe go compression instead).
Steering rack is more compactly packaged for sump clearance vs Escort.
Steering rack is wider so intermediate shaft moves outboard towards chassis (more clearance to engine and mounts).

RX8 box fits really well. I’ve got an auto tunnel car so little more clearance to play with but had no issues. The only mod I made was shaving the tail housing where it mounts to the tunnel. What tunnel are you using to modify the mk6 fiesta?
Cheers

hi jarobi. im making all the tunnel myself to fit the rx8 into my fiesta, you can check out my build at ,, Rwd fiesta post on here, cheers mike