Swap Begins: Escort GT -> Escort GTX

[Lex]

Alright guys, here is another update on the swap (I promise I will upload some pics this weekend).

Today and yesterday I couldn't devote as much time as I wanted to the swap, but some things still got done. On the engine side of things, I prepped the GTX motor. Changed the water pump (learned a good lesson about following torque specs as I broke one of the timing belt cover bolts). I am now considering painting the cam gears in red to match the painted valve cover. Changed cap and rotor. Changed thermostat.

I also got some liquid urethane (60A grade) and made solid front and rear motor mounts. The ones of my car were worn and these worked out great! - can't wait to deliver all that power to the ground. Here is a link to how to get solid mounts for $30 (http://www.mr2sc.com/websites/tech/SolidMounts1.htm)

On the interior side of things, I installed my boost and A/F (thank you it came in!) gauges in the centre vents, pointed towards me. IMHO they look pretty good - I will take pics once the dash comes all back together.

My walbro pump and intercooler pipes come in today. My starion with modified 2.5 inch inlet/outlet should be out of the machine shop by monday and I will start fabbing up the piping then.

For tomorrow, the tranny will be swapped (I am keeping the GTX clutch and flywheel and walbro pump installed. By the end of sunday I hope to have all the wiring in place - so that leaves next week for IC piping and exhaust.

This is by far the most exciting project I have done - it's so much fun Thank you all for the encouragements and info and redfox if I need an extra hand, I will be sure to let you know

[ne3ek]

i said wd40 meaning some sort of lubricant, but we really use liquid wrench at my buddy's garage.

[ne3ek]

Alright guys, here is another update on the swap (I promise I will upload some pics this weekend).

Today and yesterday I couldn't devote as much time as I wanted to the swap, but some things still got done. On the engine side of things, I prepped the GTX motor. Changed the water pump (learned a good lesson about following torque specs as I broke one of the timing belt cover bolts). I am now considering painting the cam gears in red to match the painted valve cover. Changed cap and rotor. Changed thermostat.

I also got some liquid urethane (60A grade) and made solid front and rear motor mounts. The ones of my car were worn and these worked out great! - can't wait to deliver all that power to the ground. Here is a link to how to get solid mounts for $30 (http://www.mr2sc.com/websites/tech/SolidMounts1.htm)

On the interior side of things, I installed my boost and A/F (thank you it came in!) gauges in the centre vents, pointed towards me. IMHO they look pretty good - I will take pics once the dash comes all back together.

My walbro pump and intercooler pipes come in today. My starion with modified 2.5 inch inlet/outlet should be out of the machine shop by monday and I will start fabbing up the piping then.

For tomorrow, the tranny will be swapped (I am keeping the GTX clutch and flywheel and walbro pump installed. By the end of sunday I hope to have all the wiring in place - so that leaves next week for IC piping and exhaust.

This is by far the most exciting project I have done - it's so much fun Thank you all for the encouragements and info and redfox if I need an extra hand, I will be sure to let you know

please dont paint the cam gears.

that mr2 write is the same exact one i used to fill my mounts.. it worked great.

pipes/exh are the most tedious part, good luck

[Lex]

Don't worry Pat, I did not paint the cam gears I cleaned and swapped the tranny over and inspected the GTX clutch - allignining the tranny was a bitch. Then I dropped the GTX motor in and even more of a bitch was realligning everything to fit the mounts on.

I also ran into an interesting problem - the intake manifold support bracket (behind the intake manifod) did not fit with my original starter on the motor - they got into each other's way. So I had to use an angle grinder and modify the brace to accomodate the starter.

I also noticed that the GTX motor has a check valve going into the solenoid valve - but the NA motor does not have this check valve - is it required?

Tomorrow - going to hook the harness up to the motor, install the walbro pump, install the BTM .... I am hoping for another productive day. Can't wait to get all the IC piping and exhaust worked out as well

[redfox]

I also noticed that the GTX motor has a check valve going into the solenoid valve - but the NA motor does not have this check valve - is it required?

yes you need it...the BA motor is at atmospheric pressure inside the intake but the gtx is under boost so it has more pressure....as "The MAN" told me befor "unless you want to boost your gas tank then you need that check valve" lol

[Lex]

Any idea where I can get the check valve from?

[itzkcatz]

Good writeup pat, We cann all tell you have removed to many motors. I wouldnt take the IM off thats just a bitch. The starter is twice as hard on the 4wd model

[Lex]

Here is another small update for today. My hands are so beat up they are killing me so I took it easy. I bought a check valve and got all the vacuum hoses figured out. I also got most of the wiring back together. All the seems to need splicing is the famous 6-8 connector but nothing too complicated - I am goingto use the GTX connector and colour match the wires. I am also working on removing the injector resistor box. There are only two wires that run to it, so I think the injectors are grounded through it (otherwise there would be at least 3 wires). In other words, to remove it all I should have to do is cut the two wires off and connect them together. I will take the box itself apart tomorrow.

I also installed the walbro pump - a very straightforward exercise since I bought the exact match kit for my car. Tomorrow IC piping work begins.

How do you guys prevent the IC pipes from rubbing against the body of the car and thus breaking through?

[GTScort]

I also installed the walbro pump - a very straightforward exercise since I bought the exact match kit for my car. Tomorrow IC piping work begins.

what model pump fits the EGT exactly? where did you get it?

thanks

[elscotto80]

What do you mean rubbing on the body and breaking? I might be able to get some pictures of my setup today and show you. From the front you cannot tell they are there, as in they dont sag at all.

[Lex]

GTScort, I got my pump from here (http://APEusa.com/) , and the kit includes everything you need - get the one for the escort 90-97 I think. I am very happy with their service and product so far.

Elscotto, I have 2.5 inch mandrel bent tubes ... and I want them tucked in as much as possible. If the tubes rub on the frame of the car or hit it in any way, they will quickly get eaten through. Pics would be awesome thanks

[elscotto80]

I'll try to get them today. I do not really see your rubbing premice. Mine are all up against the fram and stuff, I have no problems.

[D323]

I can understand the rubbing concern, but the pipes shouldn't be moving enough to wear them through that quickly.... Unless your using silicone pipes, then you've got bigger problems.

if its really a problem buy a can of the sound dadening rubber stuff they spray on the bottom of our cars and spray it on the pipe and on the frame where they will touch. That stuff will take quite a bit of wear.

[Lex]

great advice about the deadening stuff - I will get some of that. The pipes wont move that much but they will move a bit ... and they arent that thick

[Lex]

Well, aside from intercooler piping and some finishing touches she is ready to be turned on. Here are some pics as promised ... the newest ones (with the GTX in there) are 2 days old so everything is not hooked up - I will take updated pictures tomorrow.

Enjoy!

http://www.sfu.ca/~agutica/GTX%20swap/