At 48 I finally get to pursue a life long dream of racing, (after my wife walked out of our 28 year relationship) not to mention I now own the Harley of my dreams.
After reading many of the posts here, and no telling how many other forums, I felt the members here had the knowledge I was looking for to advise me in my engine build.
It's a 91 For Escort GT, 1.8 liter N/A Mazda engine. I will be racing on a 3/8 mile asphalt oval as well as figure 8.
Rules state the engine should be "stock". After spending several weekends in the pits at the end of last season, it's easy to tell (and hear) 98% are not close to stock.
I do, however want to stay "mostly" within the rules. It is my understanding that using several stock engine components from the Miata and Protege, I can put together a nice little runner. I know adjustable cam gears are one part the will be aftermarket but, I can live with that.
It's not a class where the "tech garage" gets involved.
Any help/advise will be greatly appreciated!!
Will you be stripping the extra weight off and adding a roll cage?
Often when you remove any muffling devices and really lighten a car up, they sound far from stock, but aren't. This may our may not be the case, but I'm not seeing/hearing these things, so how can I really know.
Wolfspiritky wrote:
At 48 I finally get to pursue a life long dream of racing, (after my wife walked out of our 28 year relationship) not to mention I now own the Harley of my dreams.
After reading many of the posts here, and no telling how many other forums, I felt the members here had the knowledge I was looking for to advise me in my engine build.
It's a 91 For Escort GT, 1.8 liter N/A Mazda engine. I will be racing on a 3/8 mile asphalt oval as well as figure 8.
Rules state the engine should be "stock". After spending several weekends in the pits at the end of last season, it's easy to tell (and hear) 98% are not close to stock.
I do, however want to stay "mostly" within the rules. It is my understanding that using several stock engine components from the Miata and Protege, I can put together a nice little runner. I know adjustable cam gears are one part the will be aftermarket but, I can live with that.
It's not a class where the "tech garage" gets involved.
Any help/advise will be greatly appreciated!!
You're in luck... BPs are good for "stretching" the rules. 
You want Miata 10:1 pistons, cut the intake manifold (ask on ClubProtege about this), a later Kia tubular exhaust manifold, the "exhintake mod" (run two exhaust cams. I can set one up for you, actually.), and an RX7 "B" Code VAF.
Should give you a GOOD jump over what you've got going on now, especially if your current motor is worn out. Wouldn't hurt to send the head off to get it freshened as well. I've found lots of power on Mazda motors in particular by simply making sure the old heads simply have properly sealing valves again.
What are the rules re suspension, LSD's, tires etc?
P.S. Pics or BAN
Adrian_Thompson wrote:
What are the rules re suspension, LSD's, tires etc?
P.S. Pics or BAN
Stock suspension and DOT tires
You're in luck... BPs are good for "stretching" the rules.
You want Miata 10:1 pistons, cut the intake manifold (ask on ClubProtege about this), a later Kia tubular exhaust manifold, the "exhintake mod" (run two exhaust cams. I can set one up for you, actually.), and an RX7 "B" Code VAF.
Should give you a GOOD jump over what you've got going on now, especially if your current motor is worn out. Wouldn't hurt to send the head off to get it freshened as well. I've found lots of power on Mazda motors in particular by simply making sure the old heads simply have properly sealing valves again.
I am aware of the piston and intake swaps BUT, what model years do I get the parts from?
Wolfspiritky wrote:
You're in luck... BPs are good for "stretching" the rules.
You want Miata 10:1 pistons, cut the intake manifold (ask on ClubProtege about this), a later Kia tubular exhaust manifold, the "exhintake mod" (run two exhaust cams. I can set one up for you, actually.), and an RX7 "B" Code VAF.
Should give you a GOOD jump over what you've got going on now, especially if your current motor is worn out. Wouldn't hurt to send the head off to get it freshened as well. I've found lots of power on Mazda motors in particular by simply making sure the old heads simply have properly sealing valves again.
I am aware of the piston and intake swaps BUT, what model years do I get the parts from?
The pistons will come out of a 99+ Miata.
The VAF will come from an 88-89 non turbo RX7 i think. (Double check clubprotege)
The cam just has to come out of another BP05.
I think the exhaust manifold would come off a 1st gen Kia Sephia. Don't remember the exact years, but it's around 97.
... And a turbocharged off a Datsun. 
Although that may be pushing it.
There are 4 Protege's in my local JY...
91-94-95-2000
Are the cams and intake comparable from any of these model years?
LMAO.....would LOVE to run turbo!
Had a Volvo 850R I wold kill to have back
Wolfspiritky wrote:
There are 4 Protege's in my local JY...
91-94-95-2000
Are the cams and intake comparable from any of these model years?
91 and 94 if they're LX models, yes. Same motor, BP05. 
Wolfspiritky wrote:
Wolfspiritky wrote:
"The cam just has to come out of another BP05."
Is that what is in my 91??
I actually have another complete 1.8 from a 92 or 93 GT already
Oh then you don't have to do any junkyard hopping for the cam. You've got another one sitting there.
The intake manifold will make a good donor for some experimentation, too.
Wolfspiritky wrote:
Adrian_Thompson wrote:
What are the rules re suspension, LSD's, tires etc?
P.S. Pics or BAN
Stock suspension and DOT tires
Head skim?
Port match?
'Stock' GT springs, or 'Stock' ZX2 springs?
'Stock' ZX2 or Koni's painted stock color and dirtied up?
Define DOT tires
Black delrin or poly bushings dirtied up?
'massaged' mounts for -ve camber?
'Poly' sway bar end link bushings?
'Crash repair' that just happens to look like seam welding?
Light weight battery?
Loose the sound deadening?
Adrian_Thompson wrote:
Wolfspiritky wrote:
Adrian_Thompson wrote:
What are the rules re suspension, LSD's, tires etc?
P.S. Pics or BAN
Stock suspension and DOT tires
Head skim?
Port match?
'Stock' GT springs, or 'Stock' ZX2 springs?
'Stock' ZX2 or Koni's painted stock color and dirtied up?
Define DOT tires
Black delrin or poly bushings dirtied up?
'massaged' mounts for -ve camber?
'Poly' sway bar end link bushings?
'Crash repair' that just happens to look like seam welding?
Light weight battery?
Loose the sound deadening?
I'm thinking some "stock" ZX2 S/R stuff would be just the ticket. "Stock" 97+ 1" solid front sway bar for sure.
Performance bushings on those sway bars.
Use 3rd gen struts and convert to strut-attached endlinks for a big increase in bar motion ratio.
This is the 17th post in this thread and there's not a single picture of the victim, err patient. I vote you have 12 hours to remedy that or out with the ban hammer
On a more seriouse note, can you post links to the rules and what your budget / time line considerations are?
Port match is a definite. As far as a full blown "Port and Polish" and shaving the head, I figured I'd discuss that with the machinist (friend of a friend owns shop) and get his experienced opinion.
Cams......are exhaust cams the same on ALL 1.8's??
I know piston compression ratios have changed
Wolfspiritky wrote:
Port match is a definite. As far as a full blown "Port and Polish" and shaving the head, I figured I'd discuss that with the machinist (friend of a friend owns shop) and get his experienced opinion.
Cams......are exhaust cams the same on ALL 1.8's??
I know piston compression ratios have changed
No, not the same on all 1.8s, but the ones that are easy to find are all the same.
91-96 Escort GT/LX-E
91-96 Tracer LT-S
91-94 Protege LX
All those will have the cam you need.
Well that didn't work....lol. Trying to post it from my iphone
Most of the time tech for the fwd classes isn't very strict. The only way you'll run into issues are if you're way faster and/or have a claimer rule.
OK, FINALLY had time to sit down at my desk........her is the VICTIM/PATIENT....deemed, my "DEMON CHILD"
Your wheels are on backwards.
