Most reliable hp from stock bottom end
 

I drive a BP powered escort and have had it boosted for over 2 years as a daily driver. Dynoed at 270whp last summer but generally run around 250whp daily.

How much hp have you guys been able to reliably squeeze out of the BP and B6?

Anyone have anything to say on this topic?

Not sure what you consider "reliable" so...

There is no data to firmly back this up, but I think that the generally accepted notion is that around 250hp (and probably a bit lower) is "reliable." Granted there are people who have made more than that and are okay, but you asked for reliable, not who has made the most hp on the stock bottom end. Just for reference, a long time miata vendor sells their basic kits set at around 220hp or so and they tend to error on the side of safety as they don't want customers blowing their engines.

Remember, there are other parts of the car that may need upgrading around that level as well such as the diff on 1.6L cars, tranny, brakes, cooling system. Also the 99-00 were rumored to have weaker rods, but never substantiated, could be b/c they are slightly higher in compression?

The rings start to lose life expectancy above 250rwhp, and at 300hp your tranny is on borrowed time. There are guys who hit 300rwhp on stock blocks, but they don't do it for very long. I would say that 250rwhp is probably the upper limit of stock block longevity.

I'm surprised you mention the rings because I've seen most failures being broken rods.

I've witness a handful of rings/ringlands blown, no rods...

Was this due to detonation? Any info on the fuel management used and power levels? AFAIK the BPs weakest link are the rods.