[eric_coon93lx]

Hey everyone I have a 1993 ford escort lx, right now I have done very few mods, but in the next week or so I am going to be doing more. I have already changed to 9mm spark plug racing wires, and I have changed to split fire spark plugs. I did a basic tune up other than that. The next mods I am going for is to change my TB to a 2.0 SPI TB, and to change my head to a 88 GT head. I was wondering if this was the right way to pick up the extra ponys I am looking for? Thanks for your imput.

- eric

 

[Jeffescortlx]

I have a 1993 ford escort lx, ...and to change my head to a 88 GT head.

Wont work.

 

[1Sleepy93]

Split Fire plugs won't help you out. They'll actually hurt you. Just a gimmick. 88 GT head is a no go because 91+ had a cam position sensor in the head and with out it you'll throw a CEL. TB swap might work. If you haven't done a header and or exhaust, do that. You'll free up a bunch of power with a nice flowing exhaust. Also if you don't have a CAI and haven't modded the air box you might want to think about doing that.

 

[eric_coon93lx]

ok cool thanks for the info everyone if anyone else has any other suggestions please post them. What GT heads would work btw?

- eric

 

[Jeffescortlx]

Just swap the entire motor with a 2.0 SPI intead of trying to swap just the head.

 

[eric_coon93lx]

I was thinking about doing the entire swap but I was looking at other options too. I would like to see what the 1.9 can do performance wise. Anyone have any suggesytions?


p.s.
Pics to come soon!

- eric

 

[Jarleif]

I would do the air intake (take a look at mine at www.cardomain.com/id/jarleifv, it's in a 98 wagon, but shouldn't look to different on the 1.9 in your car.
Then i would replace the header, and the exhaust system all the way through with something larger diameter. I don't think replacing the TB with one off a 2.0 SPI is going to make a load of difference...aren't they basically functionally identical? (correct me if i'm wrong guys!) With some modification you can make a TB off a taurus or a thunderbird 3.8 work on the 1.9 and the 2.0...don't know how much good it would do, that one would have a larger diameter...

 

[1Sleepy93]

You could always turbo the 1.9 or do a 1.9-SPI hybrid and then turbo. The hybrid would be more turbo friendly since it will supposedly lower the compression.

 

[eric_coon93lx]

will the heads and intake manifold bolt onto the 1.9 engine? just wondering, and if not what all do I have to do the hybrid? And I read on this forum about the 2.0 intake that is would make some diffrence, but I am not sure I was just going to try it.


- eric

 

[1Sleepy93]

To do the hybrid you will need the head and intake from the SPI, well basically anything bolted to the head and intake on the SPI. TB, 97 fuel rail (or modded rail to fit the new injectors), injectors, and Injector/TPS/IAC wire harness connectors (you'll need to cut and splice them on the old engine harness from the 1.9). I think that's everything. It's a fair amount of work but probably worth it if you 1.9 doesn't have a ton of miles on the 1.9 bottom end.

 

[eric_coon93lx]

Ok cool and another question I had about the hybrid was do I have to do the SPI switch like you do with the total swap? Just wondering. I will have pics and a website posted soon.


- eric

 

[1Sleepy93]

Yes, you'll still need the SPI switch. Basically it's a SPI swap without the SPI bottom end.

 

[PonyExpress]

if you want to make power in the 1.9, i have to ask how much money you want to spend on it?

for max power, swap to a 2.0 SPI and then proceed with my suggestions. I kept the 1.9 for my 91 Pony.

just the SPI intake manny wont work with your engine, the throttle body off of one is a nice upgrade and is 4mm larger.

go find an old 1.9 HO and get the 4-2-1 header from it. fit it to your car. it'll hang a little low, but its generally ok.

then go get a new exhaust pipe ran, 2" is good, 2 1/4" if youre going to have head work done.

buy the 25% underdrive pulley for the SPI from www.blackdiamondracing.com. by the calculations it is supposed to add 7.8hp to the crank.

if you have about $700 burning a hole in your pocket, have your head (or a spare) pocket ported, smooth out the valve throats, unshroud the valves, minimum 3 angle valve grind, port the intake and exhaust side.

if you have another couple hundred laying around and feel like adding another 10-15hp on top of the 20-30 the ehad work just got you, you can toss in a new camshaft, id suggest Crane. they have 3 upgrades for our engine.

with the cam use some double valve springs for the 2.3 turbo ford.. they work great as i have them in my 91 1.9 pony. new lifters are a MUST here.

i'll assume you already put on some sort of intake or whatnot..its kinda a basic thing to do, and if you havent done it at this point, its the restriction in the entire engine system.. so get rid of the stocker and get something better.

to go with that new cam, you may want to buy the adjustable cam gear from blackdiamond as well.. its 125 well spent.

and that my friends, is how you make power in the 1.9. (well, its how you start anyways.)