1UZ-FE into 1975 MK2 Escort

The 1UZFE EGR Delete Kit is available for sale here.

@ndy

New Member
Messages
18
Location
Potchefstroom South Africa
Hi All

So i thought id start with a thread here, i am busy building a 1UZ into my Little MK2 Escort, Pulled the old 1600cc Kent engine, and the 1UZ is in the engine bay and chassis mounted, i will Upload pics, the Firewall was moved about 5 cm and i had to cut the Gearbox Tunnel out to fit the A341LE gearbox i will build a new tunnel.

Here are some pics

Let me know what you all think so far

O yes I will be running a Spitronics Venus SPLC v2.4 ECU

http://www.spitronics.co.za/cms/enginemanagement.php
 

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Yes there is room, i am using a 3 Core radiator from a 260E Merc. Its going to sit below the slam tray, i will take some updated Photos this afternoon, i go allot of work done this weekend, there was no time for Pics but i will take some today.
 
Thanks All

As promised here are some progress updated pics.

The old crossmember had the posts where the kent engine mounts to, that was removed and then boxed up to give a bit of exstra strength,

The new engine mounting are chassis mounted and they are cross drilled from the front and side to mount onto the chassis,

the space for the raditor can be seen in the pics as well.

I still need to fabricate a trans crossmember, i am truing to find some examples of what other members did here.

Now i need to build a new gearbox tunnel and then its fitting it all back, cleaning and resealing and re painting everything.
 

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I don't think that you'll like the way it will handle with the engine as far forward as you have it. Back in the day most V8 "Prostitutes" in Kiwiland were Rover V8 powered and you ended up making a new firewall to get the COG correct. A friend of mine (panel beater) built one and it looked factory, so well done that nobody could tell what the hell was in it until the bonnet was opened
 
Hi Samsdad

Why would you say that? the lexus motor (352 pounds) is not much heavier than the 1600 kent (320 pounds) with twin sideraughts? My buddy has a Mk2 with a 302ci ford motor (500 pounds) in it and it sits where myne sits and it handels fine. Another Popular conversion here in SA is to use a Toyota 4AGE motor(340 pounds) I have driven one myself and it handels great.

My Cars track is 100mm Wider than std Front and back and i am running 16 inch BBS splits front and back, the car is Lowered Front and back as well. I also have custom Coil springs in front and Staightend leafs with Slapper bars in the back.

If i move the motor further back the tailshaft of my gearbox will sit behind my handbrake.

I already moved my Steering rack to get the motor as low as possible, as it sits now the front sump sits 70mm from the road.
 
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Hi Samsdad

Why would you say that? the lexus motor (352 pounds) is not much heavier than the 1600 kent (320 pounds) with twin sideraughts? My buddy has a Mk2 with a 302ci ford motor (500 pounds) in it and it sits where myne sits and it handels fine. Another Popular conversion here in SA is to use a Toyota 4AGE motor(340 pounds) I have driven one myself and it handels great.

My Cars track is 100mm Wider than std Front and back and i am running 16 inch BBS splits front and back, the car is Lowered Front and back as well. I also have custom Coil springs in front and Staightend leafs with Slapper bars in the back.

If i move the motor further back the tailshaft of my gearbox will sit behind my handbrake.

I already moved my Steering rack to get the motor as low as possible, as it sits now the front sump sits 70mm from the road.

Where did you get that weight number? I weighed my 1UZ when I pulled it from the donor car and it weighed 420 pounds. That was with the torque converter and all accessories still on. Don't get me wrong, I picked the UZ because it is a relatively light motor, it's just that 352 lbs seems a little too light.

Of course, from what you are saying, the weight of the motor is pretty much irrelevant and the car will handle great no matter how heavy the motor is. When I talk to people who have done 1UZ conversions into smaller cars (mostly Corollas), I always hear the same thing: that it handles great. Maybe it's because I went to all the trouble of moving the motor way back, but I have a hard time believing them. Adding any significant amount of weight to the front of the car HAS to hurt handling. Maybe suspension mods can be done to compensate, but then sacrifices must be made elsewhere. All I know is road race cars ALWAYS want 50/50 front to rear weight distribution.


I would love to see something like a 4AG Corolla against a 1UZ swapped Corolla against mine on a slalom to really see how each compares.

Mark
 
Hi Mark

The motors have been on a scale, on my 1uz i am only running the alternator nothing else and the motors was weighed without the torque convertor, this is not a race car this is an every day car, i am not planing on going down the drag strip anytime soon the 302ci weight i got from the web.

Well just have to wait and see how it handles
 
Just a little Update.

The radiator is in place and the transmition is in and mounted with the crossmember i made.
Now i have to fabricate a new tunnel.
 

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im loving this build! keep going! The stock torque converter is HEAVY! since youre only running an alt id say your weight #'s are right on track.
 
Just a couple of updates,

the new Tunnel is in the radiator is mounted and i am busy with the wiring.

I have chosen the Spitronics Venus SPLC ecu and it comes with a premade harnass but there is still lot of other wiring like the Fuel pump, relays, power for Injectors and Coils etc to be done.

A pic or two
 

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Great idea, but what clearance have you got for the rack?, when its lowered you will have dangourous bump steer,and what about your manifolds are they on yet?
More pics please and keep up the good work..
 
Have you offset the rack ?? Or used uni joint to clear ??
Offset rack will give bad bump steer..

Used a Uni Joint to clear and the rack is not offset there is no bump steer,

The Lexus auto gearbox really sucks in my opinion, i am swapping to a Mazda R series 5 speed manual gearbox that comes from a Twin Turbo RX7.
 


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