[novanutcase]

Looking to swap out the 2.0 SPI on my '98 Escort Wagon with a higher HP/TQ motor. I'd like to make around 200hp at the flywheel. From what I've read it would seem the easiest swap would be motor out of a Familia GT-R or I could go with a little less HP and go with a 323 GT-X motor. Where can I find just the motor? I see some for sale but they include the 5 speed AWD tranny. I don't need the tranny. I wanted to bolt it to the existing trans.

Or would it be easier, cheaper, better to rebuild the OG 2.0, maybe add an turbo?

Any advice?

 

[novanutcase]

The gtx/gtr are odb1.. 3gen is odb2 lots of wiring to be done. For the transmission u can use a 1.8l trans it bolts to gtr/gtx.
Zetec swap with turbo is your best bet. Will need the zetec trans too.

You can use the 3rd gen trans with the zetec, a bolt or 2 just don't line up.

Thanks Fellas! Sounds like Zetec would be the easiset swap to make and also gain hp. Would the turbo paired with the stock zetec motor get me close to 200hp? What sort of tq numbers am I looking at with this type of setup? Which year Zetec do you think would most easily swap over? In '98 the Zetec-R came out. From what I could find they used them in Focus RS's. Would this be an easy plug and play swap or would there need to be some modifications done to make it work? The Zetec-R is rated at 212 bhp which would get me to the HP number I'm looking for. Any idea on the TQ numbers for this motor? Will it swap over to my stock Trans?

John

 

[novanutcase]

The Focus RS was only sold in Europe so the engine would have to be imported. Not to mention nobody has ever used that motor in a swap, lots of unknowns. Why would you want it anyway? You could easily make that kind of power by adding a turbo to a standard, US spec, Zetec. You could also get 200hp from the stock SOHC motor with a turbo setup. You will need a tune no matter what route you go.

Thanks Matt! That's the info I needed. What year Zetec would fit my tranny and can it be out of a probe or does the probe engine have different bolt in points? Would a newer duratec fit it?

John

 

[novanutcase]

The Probe never had a Zetec in it. The one you want is in the 98+ Escort ZX2, preferably from a car equipped with the same style trans (auto/manual). Don't even mess with the Duratec/MZR. I have one in my Mazda 3 and it is quite a bit different than the Zetec.

You mentioned a 98+ Escort Zetec engine as the engine I'm looking for but I being told that the 00/01/02 aren't compatible. Is this true?

John

 

[novanutcase]

Never heard of such a thing. Where does it say they are incompatible?

On one of the ebay auctions. Also, is there a vin number that I should look out for to verify that it is in fact a ZX2 engine and not a plain jane SPI 2.0? Would it being a DOHC be a dead giveaway to it's coming out of a ZX2? I keep seeing VIN 3. 8th digit, DOHC in the ads. I interpret this as the the number 3 in the VIN being the 8th digit signifies that it came out of a ZX2?

Since the ZX2 engines only put out 130 hp stock how can I boost the HP performance, aside from a blower, without breaking the bank? Will the engine internals stand up to the higher boost pressures of a blower?

John

 

[novanutcase]

DOHC = ZX2 engine. Auction listers don't know what they are talking about. All that should be different is the valve cover and timing belt setup.

You also mentioned that the motor should come from the same type of transmission I have(ATX). How will I know what sort of transmission the motor came from? I'm sure I can ask the seller but I don't trust anyone with stuff like that. I like independent, verifiable data.

John

 

[novanutcase]

Personally, I would not boost an Escort with an ATX. They burn up quite often at stock power levels so you are just asking for trouble.
I would NOT buy a motor like this on eBay if that is what you are thinking of doing. Go to a local junkyard instead, you can usually pick out the car the engine is coming from and if not they would know what it came out of. Not to mention you are probably going to end up needing a bunch of other small stuff which is easier to find at a junkyard.

If you are going to ask all the these questions then you might as well make your own thread instead of cluttering up this one.

I would think that this would be beneficial for those that want to do something similar but I'll start my own thread.

Thanks for the info!

John

 

[novanutcase]

I have a few questions about putting a 3rd Gen Escort ZX2 2.0 Zetec engine into a 1999 Mercury Tracer Wagon. I haven't found any info, but my Tracer Wagon has the same engine as a 1998-2002? Ford Escort 2.0 SPI which I think can have a Zetec swapped in.

My valve seat in the 4th cylinder dropped and messed up my engine. This car has sentimental value to me and I want to keep it for a long time and i wouldn't mind the extra power of a Zetec. If the engine would break down again, I would rather put another Zetec engine in it in the future, instead of the SPI's and having to buy a $300 fixed head each time.

Would the Escort zx2 Zetec engine bolt right into my car?

Can i use my current automatic transmission, or do i have to use the zx2's transmission?

If I get the Zetec engine only, does it also have to be from an automatic transmission car, or can it come from a manual transmission car?

Would this be a lot more extra work for my mechanic to swap this instead of putting in another SPI engine?

Would I need to buy lots of extra parts like new water pump, intake manifold, and all that stuff?

Would this be a huge pain in the ass without a donor car?

What kind of problems might my mechanic run into?

Since their aren't any guides, can anyone tell me exactly what modifications need to be made? I keep reading different things.

Any help would be appreciated. Ask me any questions... Thanks.

I haven't done it but plan too so I've done a little research on this.

That being said here is what I've come up with so far:

Would the Escort zx2 Zetec engine bolt right into my car?

Yes but "bolt right into my car" is a bit murky. It would be best to have a donor car for all the little brackets and such that you'll need that your car may not have. Not imperative but definitely helpful. Maybe find a salvage 3rd gen ZX2 that got rear ended and use it as a donor car?

Can i use my current automatic transmission, or do i have to use the zx2's transmission?

Your tranny will work. I've read that there may be a bolt or two that doesn't match up but no big deal.

If I get the Zetec engine only, does it also have to be from an automatic transmission car, or can it come from a manual transmission car?

Manual or Automatic bolt up the same.

Would this be a lot more extra work for my mechanic to swap this instead of putting in another SPI engine?

There will be a few things that might be different or needed but not a whole lot. Again, donor car would be the way to go. Then your mechanic can pull whatever he needs. The rest you sell to a scrap yard to get back the money you invested in the parts car.

Would I need to buy lots of extra parts like new water pump, intake manifold, and all that stuff?

If yours are bad.....yes. My suggestion would be for you to take your mechanic to a junkyard and have him check the engine to make sure it's good. This way he can pull the ENTIRE engine accessories and all but again.....donor car.

Would this be a huge pain in the ass without a donor car?

Not a huge PITA but a donor car is certainly helpful.

What kind of problems might my mechanic run into?

Shouldn't be that big of a deal. Nothing really out of the ordinary for him.

Since their aren't any guides, can anyone tell me exactly what modifications need to be made?

There aren't really any "modifications" that need to be done.

Someone may chime in but from what I know it's not all that much work as long as the Zetec comes out of an Escort ZX2 and not a Focus Zetec.

John

 

[novanutcase]

Your SPI is rated at 110 hp. The Escort Zetec is rated at 130. Should be a nice little bump in performance.

John

 

[novanutcase]

I think they're referring to the Focus Zetec. Pretty sure the ZX2 has the same fuel system as the Escort/Tracer along with the VCT thing being Focus only also. I'm not 100% on this so, hopefully, someone that has done it can either correct or confirm what I'm saying.

John

 

[novanutcase]

VCT is ZX2 only.

In order to do the swap on a 98+ sedan/wagon you basically use the ZX2 engine and ECU harness as well as the ECU which is all plug and play aside from part of the A/C wiring.

Hey Matt! What is it specifically about the A/C wiring that needs to be addressed?

If VCT is ZX2 only and the swap is done with a ZX2 motor does that mean that he needs to address the VCT issue?

John

 

[novanutcase]

I think where you are getting confused is that the Escort Zetec and the Focus Zetec are different. If you read the first post in this thread it states as such:

"THE ZETEC FROM THE FOCUS IS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT BLOCK AND WILL NOT BOLT INTO AN ESCORT!!!!!!"

I plan on doing a zetec swap into my 3rd gen but it will be from a ZX2. If you're looking for more power then you may want to look at a GTR swap. ndlm6666 just did a KLZE swap into his coupe but it requires MX3 GS Motor mounts and a modified MX3 GS engine wire loom along with a few other bits like control arms and axles if I remember correctly.

If you want more power from your car I suggest you look at turboing the car. Other than that I haven't found any other way of getting decent power out of the normally aspirated 2.0 SPI or 1.9/1.8

John

 

[novanutcase]

Can someone just explain to me how its not possible, people said they have used the escort motor mounts with the zetec from the focus. Like I stated before, I have a whole scrap car so axel shafts and control arms are no big deal.

Please show me who has done this because if they have then I have a new project on my hands.

John

 

[novanutcase]

I appreciate it but I just wanted to know why >_< Thank you guys again. Ill stick to the simple stuff!

Just to add, you can pretty much swap whatever engine into whatever car you want as long as you have the time and money. Doing the swap you want to do is certainly doable but it comes down to how much work and money it's going to cost to make it happen.

I was in the same boat as you in that I had engines that were swappable into the wagon but the work and money involved was just not worth it. Good example was ndlm6666's KLZE swap. He found someone that had a modified MX3-GS engine bay loom along with the motor mounts and all the other assorted bits and it still wasn't just plug and play. As far as I know he actually got everything in the car and hooked up about a month ago and he's still trying to get it tuned to run the way he wants it to run. Had I run into those parts I probably would have done the same as him but I haven't been that lucky.

I finally realized that if I was going to get the power I wanted I would have to either turbo the car(not possible because of smog in my state) or swap in a later engine with more HP that was offered for the model. In my state they won't let me use anything else otherwise it won't pass smog so the logical choice is the ZX2 DOHC Zetec engine. The tranny also has a little bit shorter gears so that should help in the torque department along with the added HP of the Zetec engine. The only mod I can probably do without too much hassle is to run a set of headers since changing the exhaust back to stock is minimal work when I need to smog the car.

I could suggest a GTR swap but those engines are fairly rare JDM stuff so their costly and the swap, while not difficult, is not plug and play.

John

 

[novanutcase]

I read on here that a Zetec out of a Focus SVT can be swapped into a third gen with not to much trouble. Can anyone confirm that?

I'm not so worried about the engine part of it as it seems it will bolt to the SPI trans. What I would really like to know is how difficult the electronics would be. Will the Focus engine bay loom work with the Escort one? In other words, do I just plug the Focus loom into the Escort plug?

John

 

[novanutcase]

No, nothing is plug and play. If it was then the swap would be far more common. I think I've only seen it done once, maybe twice but I've seen the KL-DE/ZE V6 swaps done multiple times and that isn't an easy swap. On top of that from a numbers standpoint it isn't that good of an engine. The SVT Focus gets horrible the gas mileage and its actually slower than my 2.3L Mazda 3 despite having more power and less weight.

If you have an SPI then you would be far better off with a Zetec swap. Its plug and play and has a lot of aftermarket support. A turboed Zetec is going to be better that an SVT Focus swap any day.

Thank you for that. That's exactly what I wanted to find out. So then my previous plan to swap out a ZX2 Zetec is probably the best way to go if an increase in power without too much trouble is what I'm looking for? I can't turbo the motor due to my states smog regulations.

John

 

[novanutcase]

Yeah, if you have tight emissions testing then the Zetec is the best option, its technically a legal swap according to federal emissions laws. Though if this place is CA then you might as well move if you want to mod a car that isn't considered mainstream given the lack of CARB approved parts available for the Escorts.

Actually I spoke to the BAR and they told me that a referee would not be needed to approve the engine changeover if the engine was offered within the model. Since it is an ESCORT ZX2 then there is no need for referee approval.

What sucks is I can't replace the cams/heads/stroke of the motor for more power or it will not pass Cali smog. I can run an aftermarket exhaust to get a little bump in power but I would have to pull it off and replace it with the stock exhaust for Smog. Not a deal breaker but also not fun to have to do every 2 years. If I find a shop that can get it to pass then I can hot rod the motor all I want and run it without a Cat but most of the shops around here don't want to mess with it and lose their license.

This was the thread that got me thinking that it might be possible to swap it out......

http://www.feoa.net/threads/2-0l-zetec-focus-svt-170hp.52794/

John

 

[novanutcase]

So- it has to be completely stock appearing? Why can't it be modded- so long as it passes the sniffer? You and Mark need to get the 3rd gen MS thing sorted out so I can reap the benefits! I am So Glad IA isn't one of those crazy smog states!
I wanted to SVT swap our ZX2 back in the day, but I wanted to use the 6 speed too... Too many nuances (and my schedule/budget) kept that project on the bench.

Yeah. Unfortunately Cali is super strict about smog checks so they make their techs do visual inspections. I was willing to run a set of HO headers and relocate the cat under the car but the moment they do the visual the car will fail regardless of how clean it blows.

I'm gonna pick up a 2nd gen MTX wagon and do the same build that Mark did. He just called me and told me that he got the roller head set up and just had to do some finishing touches so I'm going to use that head with a 2.0 PCVed bottom. Should be a lot of fun but I need to figure out if I can get it past smog. If not I'll have to hold onto the stock engine and R & R it every couple years for smog.

John

 

[novanutcase]

You do know that they literately have no way to check if you have done any of that, especially cams and bore/stroke. Heck I remember reading about one guy in CA with a KL-ZE (JDM motor) swapped MX3 that passed smog just because just it looks so similar to the stock K8 v6 and could use the factory intake and exhaust.

I do but swapping cams/heads/stroke is going to change the pollution output that will show up on the test and it will fail. There is an MX3 GS (6 banger) that is in good condition that someone has for sale for $800. I'd love to swap the motor into my car but it won't pass smog and Cali won't allow the engine swap as it wasn't offered for our model.

I already spoke to BAR about it and they confirmed that the since the ZX2 can be considered within the models offered the engine swap is legal and no referee is required. I just wish I could bump up the power without failing smog. I'd love to go through the Zetec and fill it up with aftermarket speed parts. Cams/Ported heads/Headers/Stroke the engine/lighten the flywheel/etc. but that will make the car fail smog.

John

 

[novanutcase]

I don't see how some minor upgrades will make you automatically fail smog. At low load, the car should burn clean if it's running well. With VCT, I feel like it should be able to be tuned to run clean during the standard E-checks, even if it has a pretty hot tune. I mean, while cruising, the safest AFR's are clean ones, it's not like they make you go WOT during their test cycle.

Actually they do. They run an idle, low idle and high idle test. Changing out cams/heads/header is going to trigger a fail. I'm not sure how minor the upgrades you think I'm going to do but my philosophy has always been if the the case is apart build it as big as you can within reason. If you have any cam/head suggestions that will bump up the power without triggering a fail I'm all ears.

John