If it's a 2dr hatch with no power steering then you've got yourself a Pony.
The mazda chassis these things sit on makes them handle extremely well once you tighten some things up. Keep in mind that other than the engine, the car is a Mazda Protege.. there are several Mazda and Ford engine swaps. The 2.0L SPI motor from the 3rd gen escorts is a drop in and will bring you from 88hp to 110hp... these can be found for very cheap too. Mazda BP (escort GT, mazda protege, MX3, 323 & miata) & K (v6s in MX3, MX6 and Probe) engines will fit, as well as ford Zetecs.
Check out 91SleeperScort's Pony for some good how-to's and ideas.
If rally is your thing, keeping the stock springs and installing some KYB GR-2 shocks may be your best bet. The rear springs on the 2nd gen escorts are very bad to break.. check them out.. I've had 3 break on me in 180,000mi before installing lowering springs. If you have the $$ (hell you've only spent $100 on the car so far :wink: ) go for some ground control coil-overs and keep the ride height up.
Also, be sure to check out the Car Showcase for some ideas.. several members have gone with the rally-car theme.
The mazda chassis these things sit on makes them handle extremely well once you tighten some things up. Keep in mind that other than the engine, the car is a Mazda Protege.. there are several Mazda and Ford engine swaps. The 2.0L SPI motor from the 3rd gen escorts is a drop in and will bring you from 88hp to 110hp... these can be found for very cheap too. Mazda BP (escort GT, mazda protege, MX3, 323 & miata) & K (v6s in MX3, MX6 and Probe) engines will fit, as well as ford Zetecs.
Check out 91SleeperScort's Pony for some good how-to's and ideas.
If rally is your thing, keeping the stock springs and installing some KYB GR-2 shocks may be your best bet. The rear springs on the 2nd gen escorts are very bad to break.. check them out.. I've had 3 break on me in 180,000mi before installing lowering springs. If you have the $$ (hell you've only spent $100 on the car so far :wink: ) go for some ground control coil-overs and keep the ride height up.
Also, be sure to check out the Car Showcase for some ideas.. several members have gone with the rally-car theme.
