I'm thinking about picking up a 1995 Escor GT and drop the drivetrain into my Europa. My plan is to redo the rear frame and suspension on the Europa so the transverse drivetrain will work. My question is does anyone have any experience with this engine and transaxle. I understand that it's the 1.8l Mazda from the Miata and that the transaxle is the same one found in the 323. Is there anything I should know? Will the go faster bits from the Miata swap over?
Thanks Andy
Check out Ford Escort Owners Association for a source on 1.8 BP performance.
I had a 92egt...that was a great drivetrain. I believe they were basically left alone for the duration... My understanding is that the 1.8 "ford" engine just has the ford logo on the valve cover. For example, mine had a camshaft and head from a early 90's 323 that bolted up as if it were a new one. I was poor and in college-dark days for this car guy! But that was a fun car...
I will say this a performance clutch is worth a little extra with the stock 5 speed, and mount the shifter as solid as you can...dont know exactly what you are going to do in the europa but in my case i used a huge self drilling screw on the shifter plate, dramatically improved my shifts!
as for the engine, mine was good stock, we did open up the head a little, homemade intake and turbo muffler, killed lots of 5.0's!
I had 91 Protege lx with this power plant. 3k and up was the sweet spot and would take off like a rocket. I had it up in the 6.5k range and it still had room to go. Supposedly they have a 7.5k redline..!
^ I will vouch for the 7500rpm redline. My 93 EGT sees it at least a couple times a week. The car is so much fun it should be illegal.
Me too - raced mine for 11 years without a single engine problem.
Same engine/transaxle as the 323/Protege.
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