Mode of Transportation: '98 FORD ESCORT ZX2
In my opinion the Ford Escort ZX2 is a great car for the price you pay. To put it simply,
it's "the best bang for the buck." Now, people may think it's an Escort, that's what
granny drives ... it's a slow econo-box! Well I would agree that the Escort is an econo-box,
but this is a ZX2 ... this is different. Personally, I think
Ford should have just called the car a ZX2 and not have it affiliated with the Escort line,
but this is a coupe version based off that line of cars ... actually, it's not too bad
to keep the Escort name alive in the ZX2 ... atleast when the competitors get whipped on the
street they'll know from the back bumper that they got whipped by an Escort ... ZX2 that is.
Below are some pics of my car. It's a black satin "cool" coupe, with 5 speed manual. It's
a "cool" coupe as Ford puts it since it's only got features installed like an A/C, no
power windows, door locks, cruise, sunroof, fog lights, 15" rims, or spoiler for that matter - some
of these standard features can be found on the "hot" version of the ZX2.
The car is pretty zippy. With a 2.0L ZETEC DOHC engine that puts out 130HP@5750rpm and torque
of 127lb.-ft.@4250rpm, and a curb weight of just under 2500lbs. this car is quick off the line.
Some magazines have this car doing the 0-60mph run in 7.8 seconds, this is comparable to some
cars which cost almost double, and comparable to some cars running V-6's.
Stuff that has been added since I got the car back in April of '98:
PIAA 1000 Driving lights
Eurolites for the HID look (too bad I can't get a real HID system - or afford it either)
RAZO Shift Knob
RAZO Sports Pedals
K&N FilterCharger - used as an open concept (sometimes)
Magnaflow Performance muffler 2.25" - I finally decided to spend a few hundred bucks and get the
job done right instead of u-bolting my exhaust to death and using cheap quality exhaust tubing which
keeps on rusting out and falling apart!!! No thanks to CANADIAN TIRE!
Interior Black lights.
Cheap amp and sub in the trunk (actually ... the sub ain't as cheap now - it's an AURA 10,000 RPM)
Intake resonator mods and intake temp. sensor mods a~là Keman
AND ... custom reflective vinyl graphics. This is almost a "rice boy" car
except I don't have a Type-R sticker stuck on the car ... ... well some time has passed since
the pictures below were taken, and a lot of the vinyl has disappeared since then. AND, the
stares from the cops have kinda disappeared too - which is a good thing of course :)
Other mods:
TSW Quads w/ Toyo Proxes FZ-4 (205/50/15)... unfortunately, one of the Quads needs to
be replaced, since I had two MAJOR encounters with potholes, and one other encounter that is
a mystery to me - this brings the total damage count to 3!. Well these rims have since been changed to some kinda 5 spoked ENKEI imitation/rip-off,
and the TSW's are sitting at home as decorative pieces and big door-jams.
Eibach Pro-Kit sport springs (F: 1.2" drop / B: 1.0" drop)
R-Active front strut tower bar.
Superchip (now I can finally go over the once electronically speed governed 170km/h max.)
ECU with new program (FP8F 12A650 BYA)
Future mods (maybe):
Short shifter (B&M? Gotta get one though!)
Headers
Bolt-on cat-back exhaust system
Better car audio system with a good amp, sub and speaker setup
Increased diameter rear sway bar
Underdrive pulleys (Esslinger? or maybe AEM ... hmmm ... money will be the deciding factor)
Adjustable cam gears (Esslinger?)
Engine mounts to eliminate the infamous front-wheel drive wheel hop
Turbo!!!! Highly unlikely :P
First set of pictures
