FORD ESCORT MkI

Whether you’re looking to make a pocket rocket or a serious rally machine out of your MkI, all Escorts can benefit from either modern tech or borrowing other Ford parts. We show you how

Ford never stood still with the Escort MkI; it continually improved it and created new and more exciting variants. So while most Escorts sold were 1100s and 1300s, the Twin Cams, Mexicos and RSs showed how they could be improved. In terms of suspension and brakes, that path remains largely the same today – ‘cooking’ models can be upgraded to RS spec, while RSs can be uprated to competition spec. The only difficulty here is how expensive these parts have become; fitting remanufactured third-party parts is often the only genuinely costeffective solution.

This isn’t possible in the engine bay, of course, so those looking to swap in a more powerful unit are increasingly turning to Ford Zetec and Duratec engines. Brand new motors are available from £800, while the associated ignition parts and so on will set you back by another £1000-1500.

Kevin Vaites, co-owner of Escort specialist, Montescort, says: ‘ You’ll get just under 200bhp from these engines without any tuning – you’d need to spend at least £10,000 to get that from a Cosworth BD – and they’ll fit with only minor modifications to the transmission tunnel.’

Of course, this sort of thing isn’t generally done on the likes of the RS and Mexico, but it’s a much more economic route to higher power for standard Escorts.

That’s not to say that the original engines are without merit, though; a traditionally tuned 1300 crossflow can be plenty of fun and the Lotus Twin Cam, Cosworth BD and Pinto units all respond well to tuning, too.

Most do agree, however, that the Escort’s standard suspension is too soft. Polybushes, firmer dampers and shorter springs help to get rid of the ‘safe’ understeer, while a faster steering rack, gives a more sporting feel.

’You’ll get just under 200bhp from a Zetec or Duratec engine without any tuning’