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Improving Handling
Want to make your baby handle better? Here is a quick article that should help you out.Chances are, your car’s suspension is getting pretty worn. Most cars are over 100K miles now, and the struts, springs and bushings are showing their age. Just replacing them with new OEM parts will make a big improvement.
If you want to go beyond that, BAT (www.batinc.net) used to be the place to go. The folks there have pulled out of the Escort business but they may still be able to help you out. At one time they offered several choices of struts and springs, as well as bushings, sway bars, and camber adjustment kits.
Some of these things are still available from sources in England, due to the common bloodlines with the British XR3i and RS Turbo. What works best depends on what you want out of your car.
Of note though: any upgrade struts you find are direct fit into the earliest (through ’83) cars, but require a shimming for cars ’84 and up, which used a larger spindle (from the Tempo). Also, later cars require the use of BAT’s custom front springs to use the struts early style struts.
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Improving PerformanceThis goes back to the old saying “going fast costs money, how fast do you want to spend?” Keep in mind though, if you are starting out with a CFI engine and an automatic tranny you’ll never get the same level of performance as an EFI HO with a manual will. Turbo Charging Your EXPAdding a turbo to a normally naturally aspirated car should never be approached lightly. It is a much more involved undertaking then people realize.
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