Escort MK2 2300T

[Works]

Yep, one more Escort project thread...


Quiet at work today so lets write this up.
Ive owned (or dragged it with me) for quite a long time, since 2005 and it basically is my first car. Drove it for few months after i bought it and started restoring/building it and its been a project from that day.
I had never even welded or worked on cars before i started this project, so it is what it is and never ment to be a show car. There would probably be nothing i would save from it, if i'd start building it from a scratch now, but im determined to finish it anyway some day as it is.


From 2005:





2006-2007:







~2008 paint on:





Basically it was "finished" and driveable in 2008-2009?, but i had learned a lot since i started the project and desired more of a challenge and unique than the usual and common bolt-on 2.0 pinto in it, so i took my trusted angle grinder back into hands and start to cut pieces off it again.



Had thought a lot of options back then of which would be the new power plant for the car, i made my decision and acquired an used cheap engine.
Plan was to drop it in as it is and drive it like that at first and upgrade it later... but then i ordered some parts:










So its an 1998 B230FK (2.3L low boost turbo) AKA Redblock or inclined machine (as we use to call them)
- Block inspected in machine shop, drilled & honed, late model, so oil squirters for pistons as standard in it
- Ported "531" head, 46/38 valves, bronze guides, 38mm saab hard followers, custom made cam
- SPM forged pistons + H-beam rods
- Holset HX40Super & self made exhaust
- DIY intake kit, 75mm Throttlebody
- Custom made IC
- M90 gearbox, SRE clutch
- Volvo1030/Dana30 Rear axle w/detroit truetrac locker
Etc.




From this point forward is where it is now, i haven't worked on the car for several years now, or if i have its just something minor stuff, because i lost my interest in it for a while and done other projects like the zetec transit etc.
Got my lift working now as well, so its more pleasant to work under the car. Maybe i'm starting to get old as im not as interested going under them as i used to.


As i got active again on the project i bought a new fuel cell, aluminium fuel hard lines, an fittings, oil filter relocation kit, hoses etc.






Trunk needs whole new floor to fit the tank and to get it look cleaner. Old tank tray is cut already, just need to cut the rest out.






Things that still (at least) needs sorting out:

- Engine management (decided already which, but haven't ordered yet)
- Fuel lines (have the parts) (new boot floor & fit tank)
- Finish up the glass fibre doors, which are about 80% done already
- Windscreen defogging system (heater) (Required at mot)
- battery & tray for it (location undecided yet)
- Seats (or steal them back from the coupe granada i put them)
- new front grill

Plan or rather challenge for myself is to get the engine fired up next summer.

[katana]

Looks like a pretty strong engine so fit for more boost. I wonder if the gearbox is as tough? If it is I wonder why they aren't used more compared to the use of Poxall's, Zetec's and Mazda's?

[Works]

Looks like a pretty strong engine so fit for more boost. I wonder if the gearbox is as tough? If it is I wonder why they aren't used more compared to the use of Poxall's, Zetec's and Mazda's?

It is the strongest rwd manual gearbox fitted in volvo production cars, they werent very common (atleast in export cars) as most were automatic.
Though it has its weaknesses like 3rd gear syncros wearing out when misshifting.
i have welded/strengthened already this box, so most likely it will serve my needs as the car is so light, but if it breaks im going to cut the bellhousing off it and weld it into a bmw zf 6 spd. gearbox, which is alot easier to find, stronger and cheaper.

[Works]

Finally got the exhaust, fuel hardlines, new boot floor & tank fitted, also painted the floor as it was only painted with primer:
Sorry about the picture potato quality.






Breather & rollover valve not installed yet:



Trial fitted granada 2.8/diesel calipers which were bolt on, exept for the disc width 22mm/24mm.

[Frenchenstein]

Do love a Volvo power unit, virtually unburstable, especially the five cylinder ones. The five cylinders can be made to push 900bhp - mental!

Keep doing what you are doing.

Would like to see dyno figures on this four pot; torque as well as power.

[Works]

Do love a Volvo power unit, virtually unburstable, especially the five cylinder ones. The five cylinders can be made to push 900bhp - mental!

Keep doing what you are doing.

Would like to see dyno figures on this four pot; torque as well as power.

Thanks, yep theyre good engines aswell. I had a perverted vision of T5 consul/granada already, but time/budget wont let that happen atm.

Fits without modifications to shell:



Sure will post some figures, if/when i manage to get that far.

[Frenchenstein]

[beeRS]

Nice project car! Great to see something different. I’m also using the Volvo 1030 rear with TruTrack locker. Surprised this axle is not used more here.

[Frenchenstein]

Pictures please, if poss.

[Works]

Finally pulled the trigger and ordered some last missing parts for this project, maybe that get the motivation to continue, its been sitting long enough. (probably notice from amount of dust)

New front grill, maxxecu race, cam position sensor adapter, and work mate drawed in cad and made a coil bracket test piece out of plastic, which sits on valve cover, an aluminium one is on the making atm.
Maybe ill get the smoke out of this thing this year

[Works]

Fresh new look