RicanmiataRacer

I was going to look into buying a ford escort gt motor, years-91-96 as a back-up...or I was just going to build the motor, install the turbo, throw in some pistons and forged rods and upgrade the valve springs and such...hmm Im pretty sure it woul'nt be hard to find that engine, now I here that the escort motor is the same as the miata 1.8 motor ....Would there be anything else I need besides the motor itself...again This is an idea im considering.

RicanmiataRacer

The reason im looking into this motor is due to the outrageous prices for a 1.8
everywhere I go 1400 to 1600 for a 1.8 motor...it's crazy

RicanmiataRacer

Or what about a 1.6 motor, those go for less, Now A build on that motor would be nice, using A mitsu style flanged manifold,mitsu eclipse t25 turbo,1.8 injecters,performance camshafts and cam gears,magnacore wires,...lol I have a plan for A pretty nice built 1.6

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

you're in FL you should be able to source cheap imported engines. That's where I got mine for $400. A lot of the ebay guys that sell miata engines tend to be from FL....then call them for better pricing.

Dhaark

iTrader: (3)

I'm doing the same thing! Manley rods, Wiseco 9:1 pistons, OEM Mazda crank - new, 1mm oversize exhaust and intake valves, springs, retainers, HUGE turbo, 3" exhaust that goes into 2x2.5" with 3" tips ( 3 mufflers(? idk about this, maybe just 2), no cat), megasquirt. idk what injectors. ss exhaust manifold, tII tranny and diff.

suspension? stance coilovers
brakes? fd brakes probably

-Derek

p.s.:I want to have al least the engine in the car before the FM open house!!

RicanmiataRacer

I have man, they want anywhere from 900-1600 for an imported dressd engine and its pissing me off, I've tried like 5 places

Dhaark

iTrader: (3)

The engine I'm looking at is a ford escort gt engine with 65k miles on it and it's 180 picked up. It's a 3.5 hour drive wach way but it's worth it. shipping on it would be around 180 and gas is worth like 50 at most.

RicanmiataRacer

good luck on the build my friend,

Dhaark

iTrader: (3)

thanks and good luck to you too!

Arkmage

iTrader: (3)

I've got an escort engine in mine... some things to be aware of.

1) The head will have to be swapped over from the miata. Since the escort didn't have coil packs there is no-place to mount them. You can avoid swapping the heads if you relocate the coils to the firewall.

2) Escort engines have the same architecture as the 94-95 miata engines. This means that the water pump will have to be ordered either for the escort engine, or for a 94-95 miata. In the early 1.8s the timing belt idler screws into a hole in the water pump. On the later years there is an additional boss on the block and the bolt passes through the water pump and threads into the block. I had to temporarily add a bushing and nut to the pass through hole (used my '97 water pump) to bypass this problem.

3) You will need a miata oil pan and windage tray.

4) The dipstick tube will not press out of the escort oil pump regardless of how much time you spend trying. Either cut it off and cap it or replace the pump with a miata one (any 1.8L pump should work, mine is off the '97).

5) As with any used motor, ALWAYS check the torque on EVERY bolt. Someone may have pulled a rod cap to check bearing wear and not put it back in all the way. You want to know about this sooner than later.

Noah.

EDIT* You will also want a set of metric taps handy. Since the escort didn't use a lot of the bolt holes you will need the threads are going to be filthy and corroded. Clean them up before installing a bolt or your torque spec will be meaningless.

Dhaark

iTrader: (3)

So the 94-97 engine bolts right up to a stock 99 5spd tranny? I won't be doing that but just want to know. I want to bolt it up to a rx-7 t2 tranny when it's out of the car so i won't have to do it twice.

Jefe

iTrader: (7)

The 94-97 does bolt up to the 99 5 speed, and the 87 B2000 5 spd .

But I thought the t2 tranny required an adaptor plate?

steelrat

For info on the T-II swap... and info on the BP motors (yes all of them).... I would say go to http://www.solomiata.com

Also.... my buddy did the swap with an escort BP.... to replace his motor. However, there are a few things to consider with this project:

1) as Arkimage pointed out.... about the oil pumps...
2) Head -- the escort head is perfect if you want to run with the coolant re-route -- which is what he did, since the outlet port is already on "the back" of the head (by number 4).
3) sensors -- you need to swap everything..... I tried to run the car with my buddy's original '97 head. However, the temp gauge was nuts.... why.... the escort sensor was in the back. Looks the same, but the output voltages are the completely different.
4) When I did my motor, since it was out, I put new seals, etc.... so you might want to consider as part of this, to replace all that stuff....

Dave,

Dhaark

iTrader: (3)

The TII tranny requires an adapter to mount it to a miata engine.
I just got a 1.8l Escort gt engine for $109 (beat that ) it has 65k miles on it and came out of a 91 car. I will be using the block and maybe the head, crank - but will probably buy a new crank.
I will be getting forged manley h-beam rods, wiseco 1mm over pistons (9:1 compression). I will also be making an intake, exhaust manifold, fuel rail
I want at least the built motor, with intake manifold in before july I will throw in the turbo later.

-Derek