[FastFocusZX3]

Hello everyone! I'm new to the Escort scene and need a little help... I myself own a focus zx3, but my girlfriend was just handed down a '95 excort GT, The car has only 66,000 miles and is an automatic, the trans shifts well and engine seems in great condition, however the suspension feels more or less destroyed... I haven't gotten a chance to go underneath and look, but from the feel from driving it, it needs new bushings everywhere in front and the left control arm seems like the ball joint may have bent... Where should I look to find these parts? the springs and dampers feel great, and I must say I was quite impressed with their firmness... Also what information might you gurus be able to give me about the motor in this car? I popped the hood and it's a DOHC in an automatic '95 escort GT... what's the displacement? known problems etc?

 

[pballer98c]

i have a pretty limited escort knowledge but.... parts can be found at www.nopi.com. the displacement is 1.8L. i cant think of any known problems off the top of my head (i own a 1st gen) but it sounds like ya'll have a great car after u get everything fixed.

 

[James92Scort]

1.8L DOHC 16 valve Mazda engine. same engine used in 90-94 Proteges, Tracer LTS, and Escort LX-Es. (not to mention some Miatas too)
This engine redlines at 7k rpm max power output of 127 hp @ 6500 rpm and 114 lb ft torque @ 4500 rpm.
It uses a VAF on the 91-95 and a MAF on the 96 GTs. It uses VICS which is vacuum operated at 5500 rpm to open four butterfly valves at the top of the intake to allow more air to flow allowing for the 7k rpm redline.

The engine is supposed to be a non interference engine but I've heard either way. I would say change the timing belt as soon as possible to keep from hurting your girlfriends wallet.
One very common problem that I've heard about:
A small rip or tear in the plastic intake tube between throttle body and VAF. symptoms: the engine jerks and stumbles because too much (dirty) air is getting into it. Also check for the downpipe below the manifold if/when this occurs.

 

[95EsortSittinLo]

there was a previous post about james IQ being 1 million /\ /\ /\ i rest my case :lol:

 

[FastFocusZX3]

still some more info on where to find suspension parts would be nice, also is there a place to find a rear muffler for a good price?

 

[birddog]

It depends on what you are looking for. I put the KYB struts on my 94 GT and I swear by em. Energy suspension bushing all the way around are another good investment. Give Hotchkis a look too, I don’t know what they offer for our cars but they make some real quality stuff. The whole rear setup on my 72 chevelle is Hotchkis and I love it.

 

[PonyExpress]

ball joints are easily had at autozone for 32bux a piece. the control arm bushings might be available there as well.

 

[thezfunk]

For bushings you might try www.ctamotorsports.com or www.zxtuner.com at zxtuner you can find stuff for yourself as well. The cubic inches by the way are 110 on that motor. I love my eibach tokico setup that I purchased from southwestern ford cheaper than anywhere else I could find. I know Energy Suspension makes bushings so pretty much anywhere that can get them should be able to get escort ones. Anything else just ask....

 

[thezfunk]

hey check this out too...

http://www.eshocks.com/pro_veh.asp?Model=Escort&Make=Ford&Group1=Cars

 

[James92Scort]

Thanks thezfunk. I just bought the bushings and end links for both front and rear. Those will help as I am planning on replacing my own suspension...why? hires wanted a total of 900 for basically labor, including 200 for the tie rods though. rediculous.

 

[thezfunk]

thats about what I ended up paying in total to redo my suspension....

Eibach springs...Tokico struts....ford dust boots and bound stoppers....rear sway endlinks and labor all came out to almost a grand. I still have front sway bar links to replace and control arm bushings to replace....*sigh*...right now however I have to pay for new brakes...rebuild my tranny...and get the car repainted....*sigh*....hopefully things kick ass by mid to late summer though....

 

[James92Scort]

if i can get all the parts i would need, then I could almost cut that price in half. I can do a lot of it myself but the inner workings of the suspension I don't want to mess with. Parts is what was killing me, the labor wasn't that bad.