escort GT ?

[manny]

just purchaced a 1988 escort GT to be built for FP class.need help in getting info for some cage builders and maybe a website like IT for the F-PRODUCTION class. while the build is going on i will be racing in my ITB mustang in the nc region.

thanks in advance

[joeg]

Cool Manny--I have a GP Escort.

Would not know any "cage builders" in your area, but I am certain there are quite a few.
(I build my own).

Structurally, even though I'm sure it is a southern car, remove all the undercoating and insulation in the rear wheel areas (inside and out--lot's of work and messy) and make certain that there is no corrosion near the strut towers.

I actually snagged a dual Weber sidedraft manifold on eBay for the GP's motor, but I suspect you maybe keeping the stock EFI?

Cheers.

[racer14itc]

Originally posted by manny:
just purchaced a 1988 escort GT to be built for FP class.need help in getting info for some cage builders and maybe a website like IT for the F-PRODUCTION class. while the build is going on i will be racing in my ITB mustang in the nc region.

thanks in advance

Manny,

Try http://www.coloradoscca.org/prodcar

That's where we prod racers like to hang out!

MC



------------------
Mark Coffin
#14 GP BSI Racing/Airborn Coatings/Krispy Kreme/Tristram's Garage VW Scirocco
http://pages.prodigy.net/Scirocco14gp

[manny]

thanks for the info guys

[manny]

is there any place to get some fiberglass components for this car? like doors,fenders,hatch and hood?

[joeg]

No fiberglass off the shelf.

There was a company selling some EXP stuff years ago (from Canada), but not Escort.

If there was, I would probably know about it.

You can get some fiberglass bonnets and the like in the UK for Escort Mk3 and Mk4 versions, but not only are they not the correct pieces, the shipping would be astronomical.

[manny]

how about spec cams that your aloud to run in FP ?

[joeg]

Spec Cam?

My GP Escort can run as a full prod car. Of course, the 1.6 cams do not interchange with those for the 1.9 because of a difference in cam journal diameter.

On the 1.9(S), some had a neat roller lifter cam set-up.

You can always get cams made fairly inexpensively, as well as reground.

Check to see if you can run that "roller".

Cheers,

[manny]

yes joeg, in the gcr book it say's that the cam can't have a higher lift cam than a .450". the escort GT that i have can only be run in the FP class.it also states that there are two different size valves for that motor and the larger ones come with the GT motor.and that i must also retain the factory EFI system.

[joeg]

Manny-You may want to compare the valves allowed with those from the 1.6 CVH motors in 1981 and 1982.

While I am not sure about the diameters, the 1.6 "early year" valve heads were "solid" as opposed to the "hollowed" ones in some of the 1.9(s).

The "holloweds" slightly reduce static compression of the motor.

You will also eventually want to put a Quaife in your gearbox and Lee kauffman is the guy to talk to (he is in York, PA).

Lee and Jon Ricker each run them in their 5-speed Escorts (Lee is in ITC; Jon IT.

Jon hangs around this forum from time to time.

Cheers.

[MSPERBER]

Hi, two terrific cage builders in this area, Sam Neave, and Chris Schimmel. Sam has worked on my ITB car many times and is always at the track, he also has taken a few very fast drivers to the next level with his prep of vehicles. Chris is a racer and a terrific cage builder. He also is at the track in this area. I would recommend both . If you need any help with the escort I am in the Ford business and live just south of greensboro. Michael

[manny]

how about engine rebuild kits for the 1988 escort gt model? any one of a good priced place to get the kit from?started stripping the car and she's not as bad as we thought.

[manny]

just one other thing, can any one post some pics of there cages? thanks again.

[manny]

also how do you guys get the camber that we need in the front tires? caster camber plates?

[joeg]

Engine kits--eBay (I assume you are referring to gasket/ring sets, Manny).

Caster--I do not mess with it much, but the TCA(s) can be shimmed a bit (or deshimmed) to play with caster where they attach to the stabilizer bar.

I use an older style Ground Control camber plate kit for camber, but in Production, you can check out adjustable TCA(s) that are available in the UK (Demon Tweeks) for the "foreign" Escorts. The new style GC plates have an adjustment for caster as well ans camber.

A trip to the frame shop and some "strategic tugging" on the strut towers (inward) can also get you some more camber.

I source my struts in the UK. You can go with either a LEDA or an AVO in a real coil-over, but you may need to shim the receiver in the knuckle to accept the struts. BAT used to sell such adaptor pieces, but I had a buddy machine a pair for me--real simple--for my GP car which uses the same knuckles as are on your GT.

My ITC car is an early model(1981), which has knuckles identical to what was sold on these cars in Europe. You have Tempo-derived knuckles and hubs. Yours are beefier and use a press-in cartridge bearing. The old style use regreasable tappered bearings which can be disassembled in the field.

If you can snag a Ford special tool kit for the suspension, do it. The Hub remover/installer is a good tool and the proper way to disassemble the hubs.

Cheers.

[manny]

thank you very much joeg!

[jericker]

Hey Manny, I thought I better chime in here since my good friend Joe has been getting all the fun. I do indeed have a fully built up EGT
(for sale I might add). I have alot of stuff on it and most of it is custom. I am presently looking for an AS Mustang so am interested in getting rid of the EGT or at least alot of the parts. I was in the process of going to FP also until I got the Mustang bug so I have alot of parts for the Prod conversion including 7" rims and 5 9.5" slicks mounted so I could do some custom body work fab with the tires mounted. If you would like to email off line, I can give you more of a list...I think it is more than the forum needs from me. My email is [email protected]. Just let me know if you'd like some more info. Talk to you later. Jon----Hey Joe, thanks for the X-mas card as usual. How the hell are ya'?

[joeg]

Jon--Into the bodywork (paint, welding, Bondo)...afterall it's Winter.

Manny-Do give Jon a call. He has many trick pieces in that car of his.

Cheers.

[manny]

FYI advanced auto parts sell a caster camber kit for the escort. it is made by northstar and the p/n is 414601.

[joeg]

Manny--Those look like kits for alignment repairs for regular street vehicles.

I actually had a bunch for early model Escorts that I used on my ice racers made by Standard. They tended to bend struts.

You want something made for tarmac racing, with a heim bearing in the top, but if the price is right...experiment.

Cheers.