Potential for Late Model Fords in IT?

Printable View

09-18-2005, 11:27 PM
MarkL

I was wondering what the portential for either the Focus or the ZX2 would be in IT (or even Production)? Theses are relatively new cars and there are a lot of rust free examples around (but not where I am currently living :angry: ) I was thinking that when I am able to try racing again, I would be happier with one of these more than with an "import". If they don't have any potential (bottom of the grid dweller) I would forget it, and move on to something else. A Mustang won't do since there are not too many of them with the four cyl around (here) any more.
09-19-2005, 08:45 AM
joeg

ITA cars--maybe--for ZETEC cars.

I think the ZX2 is a better racer than the Focus and Ford actually had a coil-over "trunk kit" for it for Showroom stock.

There are probably more tuner parts for a Focus, but not up to your Honda level.

Regards.
09-19-2005, 11:40 AM
Prophet

Quote:

Originally posted by joeg@Sep 19 2005, 12:45 PM
ITA cars--maybe--for ZETEC cars.

I think the ZX2 is a better racer than the Focus and Ford actually had a coil-over "trunk kit" for it for Showroom stock.

There are probably more tuner parts for a Focus, but not up to your Honda level.

Regards.

[snapback]60533[/snapback]

Well there are a few of us who run Escort GT's in ITA. I don't know of anyone winning a race but I do hear the EGT's can be quite competitive (mid-pack). Of course it always comes down to how much money you got and how much you wanna cheat! :happy204: :blink: :P

Anyhow, realize that all the 2nd Gen and 3rd gens are based on the Mazda BP platform. Meaning Protege (90-94), Mazda MX-3, Escorts and Escort Zx2's all share a lot of parts. IE, some suspension, some interior and some engine. The 2nd Gen GT uses the BP 1.8L. Which means there is quite a bit of performance parts that can be used from the 1.8 Mazda Protege and the Miata 1.8L.

Also, the suspension from the Zx2 is also able to be bolted directly to the EGT. I'm running the Ford Racing Strust from the Zx2 S/R. These are Tokico struts "tuned" for the Escort platform. There are other shops around specialize in Escort GT's and Zx2's. You may have to look harder than those running Hondas, but the stuff is definately out there.

Oh and that coil over trunk kit, good luck finding it. Let alone the part number. I heard that Ford produced all of 250 coilover kits for the Zx2. I know of a person who has a set, but sadly he wont' part with it. Yer better off going with Ground Control. I know of a few people (I'll be ordering mine shortly) who run there kit in ITA.

The focus parts do not transfer to the Escorts like the EGT > Zx2.

One last note, with 170K on the clock, I can outrun a SS Zx2 in the straights and hold him off the corners till my abilities come up short...... in my '91 EGT

-JD-
09-20-2005, 05:27 PM
Dick Elliott

MARK! Do I get an at-a-boy for sending the brothers your way? DICK.
09-21-2005, 05:19 PM
MarkL

Quote:

Originally posted by Dick Elliott@Sep 20 2005, 09:27 PM
MARK! Do I get an at-a-boy for sending the brothers your way? DICK.

[snapback]60738[/snapback]

Ask them what I spent the money on, after they get done laughing about the "deal" they got. :angry:
10-10-2005, 08:57 AM
garyk

Quote:

Originally posted by MarkL@Sep 21 2005, 04:19 PM
Ask them what I spent the money on, after they get done laughing about the "deal" they got. :angry:

[snapback]60851[/snapback]

for what its worth..i have been running emra enduros for 2 years in a focus...svt which is classes as its equivelant...not very competitive
10-10-2005, 10:23 PM
lateapex911

Quote:

Originally posted by Prophet@Sep 19 2005, 11:40 AM
...... but I do hear the EGT's can be quite competitive (mid-pack). Of course it always comes down to how much money you got and how much you wanna cheat! :happy204: :blink: :P

-JD-

[snapback]60554[/snapback]

You ARE kidding, right???

I think they were submitted recently for classing, might see them classed next year in A. Check fastrack.
10-11-2005, 09:52 AM
garyk

Quote:

Originally posted by lateapex911@Oct 10 2005, 09:23 PM
You ARE kidding, right???

I think they were submitted recently for classing, might see them classed next year in A. Check fastrack.

[snapback]62255[/snapback]

nasa is already in the testing phase of setting up a spec focus class...they have run test days at grattan and buttonwillow...ford is partly behind it.....
10-11-2005, 10:03 AM
tderonne

'91 Escort GT's have been classded in ITA for a long time. FasTrack ads the '92 to '96 model years as well as the Escort LX-E 4 door version.

As for ZX2 trunk kits. 50 were produced. Most ended up on street cars. If they ended up on cars anywhere near salt, they are probably junk by now, they were never intended to be used in such an environment.
10-11-2005, 11:53 AM
Prophet

Quote:

Originally posted by lateapex911+Oct 11 2005, 02:23 AM-->

Quote:

You ARE kidding, right???

I think they were submitted recently for classing, might see them classed next year in A. Check fastrack.

[snapback]62255[/snapback]
[/b]

No, I'm not kidding. I ran my EGT last year.... albeit no where near mid-pack. Rookie driver and a car with 175K will get you that. And yes, the '91's have been classified for 3 or more years. This year my friend who runs mid-pack in the NE was the person responsible for classifying the rest of the EGT's and the LX-E's.

<!--QuoteBegin-tderonne@Oct 11 2005, 02:03 PM
'91 Escort GT's have been classded in ITA for a long time. FasTrack ads the '92 to '96 model years as well as the Escort LX-E 4 door version.

As for ZX2 trunk kits. 50 were produced. Most ended up on street cars. If they ended up on cars anywhere near salt, they are probably junk by now, they were never intended to be used in such an environment.

[snapback]62276[/snapback]

If you are referring to the truck kit that included coilovers, I heard there were 250 coil over kits made. I know where 6 are. 4 or 5 on race cars, 1 on a street Turbo Wagon.

-JD-
10-13-2005, 07:11 PM
MarkL

Quote:

Originally posted by Prophet@Oct 11 2005, 03:53 PM
If you are referring to the trunk kit that included coilovers, I heard there were 250 coil over kits made. I know where 6 are. 4 or 5 on race cars, 1 on a street Turbo Wagon.

-JD-

[snapback]62291[/snapback]

I would tend to believe Tim's number, since he used to be involved in Ford's racing program. I even saw him on the Discovery Channel program about the "Boy Racer." If he says 50, it was more than likely only 50. I would also bet that I could come up with a better set of aftermarket parts than were included in the "Trunk Kit."
10-16-2005, 10:07 PM
FrankMcG

I am crew and part-time driver of an ITA 91 Escort GT. My friend Dave owns the car and we just completed our first enduro at Watkins Glenn (3 hours). The car has 101K and the engine is original. The exhaust has been done to ITA specs and it has an open element air filter all the rest of the mods are suspension work, coil overs, sway bars, camber plates, tires rims.
Right now we are mid pack runners... with a proper ITA engine rebuild, more time spent testing and tuning the suspension, alignment and driver experience I think we could run closer to the top of the ITA pack. For some reason that defies me we can outrun Miatas in a straight line, most will eventually get us on the corners.
Having said that I think the acuras and hondas in ITa will be difficult to beat, I don't know if the drivers are that much better or they just cheat but those car are fast.
If I had my choice of a Ford car to built to ITA specs I would do an Escort ZX2 S/R model (rear disc brakes). Same suspension as our car but better aero, slightly larger engine and still a cheap car to work on. Problem is a nice version still demands more money then I am willing to spend on a car I'm going to strip down.

Frank McGovern
41 ITA Escort GT (co-driver)
10-16-2005, 11:26 PM
Andy Bettencourt

Quote:

Originally posted by FrankMcG@Oct 16 2005, 10:07 PM
I am crew and part-time driver of an ITA 91 Escort GT. My friend Dave owns the car and we just completed our first enduro at Watkins Glenn (3 hours). The car has 101K and the engine is original. The exhaust has been done to ITA specs and it has an open element air filter all the rest of the mods are suspension work, coil overs, sway bars, camber plates, tires rims.
Right now we are mid pack runners... with a proper ITA engine rebuild, more time spent testing and tuning the suspension, alignment and driver experience I think we could run closer to the top of the ITA pack. For some reason that defies me we can outrun Miatas in a straight line, most will eventually get us on the corners.
Having said that I think the acuras and hondas in ITa will be difficult to beat, I don't know if the drivers are that much better or they just cheat but those car are fast.
If I had my choice of a Ford car to built to ITA specs I would do an Escort ZX2 S/R model (rear disc brakes). Same suspension as our car but better aero, slightly larger engine and still a cheap car to work on. Problem is a nice version still demands more money then I am willing to spend on a car I'm going to strip down.

Frank McGovern
41 ITA Escort GT (co-driver)

[snapback]62783[/snapback]

Frank,

I think you are right. Who really has done a 10/10th motor on one of these things? I'd be surprised if you couldn't make some NICE power...like 140 at the wheels (dynojet)...

The reason you can outrun the Miata's is because they are bricks. They handle great but in a straight line...A real 10/10th effort has to be made (see Bret DePedro's car that is FS) and then it has to be well driven (see Bret DePedro...) for a Miata to run with the HondAcura's. I think it can be done but it ain't gonna be cheap.

AB
10-18-2005, 11:30 AM
Prophet

Quote:

Originally posted by FrankMcG@Oct 17 2005, 02:07 AM
I am crew and part-time driver of an ITA 91 Escort GT. My friend Dave owns the car and we just completed our first enduro at Watkins Glenn (3 hours). The car has 101K and the engine is original. The exhaust has been done to ITA specs and it has an open element air filter all the rest of the mods are suspension work, coil overs, sway bars, camber plates, tires rims.
Right now we are mid pack runners... with a proper ITA engine rebuild, blah blah blah.... edited edited.... edited...

Frank McGovern
41 ITA Escort GT (co-driver)

[snapback]62783[/snapback]

Hey Frank! I know Dave! Dave and I have exchanged Emails and what not. He also knows Buddy in Mass. Any chance you guys are going to make it to Mid-Ohio next year for the Cincy Region race? Buddy is trying to get a big Escort turn out for that race.

Oh and Tim, I know Mark in Jackson, Mi. He's talked about you before. I didn't realize you are the same Tim until just now. A few weeks back when I picked up a set of rims from Mark we were talking about those coilovers.

Btw, I said I had heard there were 250 made. Its all hearsay.

-JD-
10-19-2005, 12:17 PM
Ron

I thought I read that someone has sent in the spec sheet for the Focus to the SCCA office for classing. Is that true?

Ron
10-26-2005, 02:28 PM
garyk

Quote:

Originally posted by Ron@Oct 19 2005, 11:17 AM
I thought I read that someone has sent in the spec sheet for the Focus to the SCCA office for classing. Is that true?

Ron

[snapback]63001[/snapback]

dont know....know that 2 ran in ss in southeast region last year, and nasa has put together a spec race package for them on the left coast.....we run ours in enduros with emra...
10-26-2005, 04:29 PM
joeg

91 on up Escorts (SOHC) should be a good fit for ITB or even ITC at the proper weight
10-26-2005, 07:59 PM
mowog

The ZX2 motor (2L Zetec VCT) will make about 140 horsepower +/- about 5hp in stock trim with racing headers. It's a nice motor, quite reliable stock, easy to find. BUT I would opt for a ZX3 motor as more aftermarket parts are available for this newer Focus motor, and finding some of the VCT parts can be a PITA.

(I run a 98/99 Contour VCT, very similar to the ZX2 - head/cams are the same, bottom end similar but not quite interchangable, fuel rail and ECU quite different.)