pres589 wrote:
I was actually looking at this era of Escort wagon last night; very clean ones can be had for under $2k with no effort. Which combination of anti-rollbars, struts, and springs are a bolt-in that would yield a decent ride on the street and still handle decently? Would a ZX2 donate it's brakes all the way around, or something else that would give good braking?
Ha, can the shifter be rebuilt to offer better than stock shifts? I've driven one of these cars and it felt like a stick working through a box of notches with rubber bands to connect the whole thing together. If that makes any sense, you know what I mean.
A light-pressure turbo with stock compression and an MS setup sounds great but does that work with the factory 1.9?
Swaybars: Go with EGT bars. Aftermarket bars are available from Suspension Techniques for reasonable prices if you want to go bigger. These cars do benefit from a larger rear bar.
Struts/springs: ZX2 S/Rs are like $200 shipped from Jeg's and they fit. I have Tokico HPs on my car, simply because that's what i happened upon for cheap. A lot of people go with the Dropzone springs, i like my Megan Racings. The ride is still pretty good, and they're plenty firm. I don't know how much further i'd go on a street car, these things are pretty light. MX3 rear tie bar is a nice junkyard score. Strut tower bars are cheap as well. Keep an eye on ebay or any of the forums. I got mine front and rear for $40. Replace the upper strut mounts while you're at it all, they're cheap.
Bushings: ZXTuner sells the complete set for like $90 in polyurethane. Whatever car you buy will need them, i guarantee it.
Brakes: Earlier examples had small weaksauce brakes in the front, and drums in the rear. Upgrade to EGT brakes front and rear. You'll gain larger discs up front, and discs in back. Easy.
Shifter: The stock shifter bushings are cheap, but wear out in a matter of weeks. (Seriously.) Corksport makes Bronzoil bushings for $40 for the set. HUGE improvement. While you're at it, get their stainless braided clutch line. It's like $20. Alternatively, get ahold of the Kartboy or Pacesetter adjustable short shifter. I have the Pacesetter unit. It's hard to find, but it's a nice little piece.
Light pressure turbo: What you say will work just fine, but you can likely do it for even cheaper than you laid out.
EVERYTHING, i repeat EVERYTHING is dirt cheap for these cars. New or used, it doesn't even matter. Tie rods are like $7. Complete control arms with bushings attached and assembled are like $60 a corner. Pony manual steering rack for $120, etc etc etc...
