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Ford Escort ZX2

1555 messages,  Last post on Dec 19, 2012 at 2:18 PM

You are in the Ford Escort ZX2 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Escort, Coupe

Messages Page 54 of 157

#524 of 1555 Escort tire size question by ddogg

Oct 30, 2000 (7:01 am)

I was browsing an OEM rim site, looking specifically forr Ford issued rims for my 1998 Zx2. (http://www.aaarims.com)
I came across the standard fare, but discovered that there was a 16"x6.5" rim available for this car (100mm lug pattern). Has anyone ever heard of this, and if so, which model/year was it available? I thought escorts only had 14" or 15" rims. The picture for the 16" rim shows the same wheel for the 14"x5.5" rim that was available in 1998 (and is on my car presently).


Thoughts?

#525 of 1555 Not an Escort wheel by ralex2

Oct 30, 2000 (3:44 pm)

I went to the link you posted and searched for rims for a '98 Escort and sure enough it showed me a 16 inch rim. But, if you take a close look at the image you will notice the wheel has a Mercury logo on it. Either it was offered on a Tracer, or it has slipped into the Tracer category becuase of its 4 bolt 100 mm pattern. It could be an error. Either way, it doesn't look all that good, the price isn't that great, and it is definitely not a ZX2 wheel.

#526 of 1555 Has anyone installed a "E-Charger" on thier ZX2 ?? by floridian

Oct 30, 2000 (9:25 pm)

Saw a ad for a "electrically driven supercharger" for the ZX2. It's a "low pressure" unit giving about 3# of boost. Basically it seems to be a high rpm electric compressor that gives a boost enough to increase HP from 5 to 15. It was priced at $300 and from the pix looked like a high quality item. The unit only kicks in at full throttle according to the ad. Sounds like a logical item or is it just too good to be true for 300bux. That combined with a free flow exhaust would seem to me to be a lot of HP increase for low cost.


Let's hear your opinions on this.


Floridian

#527 of 1555 E-Charger by ralex2

Oct 30, 2000 (11:49 pm)

Still researching it, but my initial vote would have to be.....SCAM ! ! !


If that were valid technology, manufacturers would have taken advantage of it a long time ago. It's a heck of a lot cheaper than hanging Air Research turbochargers on cars. Three "real" pounds of boost is more than it sounds like. I'm pretty sure a lot of early Detroit turbcharged cars had the waste gate set at about three and a half pounds. Then again, my memory isn't what it used to be. Get the Superchip - it makes sense.

#528 of 1555 Suoer chip & mass air sensor modification------- by floridian

Oct 31, 2000 (1:08 am)

ralex2: along these same lines my son recently modified the air mass sensor on his '99 a/t z. i made up the "harness" for him per his specs from off the shelf stuff from "Radidio Shack". it consisted of just a resistor hooked up inline with the one wire going to the mass air sensor that plugs into the air plenum. The theory according to him is that this tricks the sensor into thinking the incoming air temp is really different than ambient, the computer adjusts accordingly and results in more power. He also has a "K&N" type intake/filteras well. Personally, I drove the car after the modification and it does seem to run better (all in the mind?)but who knows. have you heard of this modification. Cost about two bucks !!


Floridian

#529 of 1555 but wait there's more---------- by floridian

Oct 31, 2000 (1:20 am)

ralex2: if you want to look into this e-charger thing they have a web site www.electricsupercharger.com After looking at their claims let us know what you think.


Floridian

#530 of 1555 by ralex2

Oct 31, 2000 (4:14 am)

I have a friend who is an automotive electronics geek. He has the most sophisticated shop in out little town. His contention is that that fooling the computer about air temp (density) changes the fuel/air ratio and may or may not increase power depending on the accuracy of the factory setup. I know the Zs are a little rich at wide open throttle, but other than that I'm not sure. Everyone who has done that mod seems to have faith in it, but then the "cow magnet" folks were belevers too. Who knows?


As far as I know, and Mr Shiftright would corroborate it, there is no independent dyno evidence to support the notion that K&N or similar air filters result in even the slightest power increase. Any evidence that supports the power increase claims are paid for by the manufacturers of the products - certainly not unbiased. K&N has a good product and it saves you money on paper filters, but don't expect anything else. Years ago I became a K&N fan while racing motocross. Cheap & easy way to have clean filter for each moto. More power? Nope.


Thanks for the link - will take a look. Would love for them to prove me wrong.

#531 of 1555 Wow by ralex2

Oct 31, 2000 (5:07 am)

When those Echarger folks put up a web page, they don't mess around. Thats a lot of data and it's well polished. Didn't see any glaring errors. I thought 700 watts was a lot of power to just generate 3lb of thrust. There are 12VDC motors out there that produce 3 lb of thrust while only drawing under 300 watts, but they are pricey.


I'm still skeptical. Sent the link to a couple of people to see what they think. Only 300 bucks - buy it, try it - if you like it keep it, if not, sell it. Interesting project. I wouldn't pay that much for something that only worked at wot. My foot isn't on the floor that much. I'd rather put money in the suspension.

#532 of 1555 speed mod thought by freddy_k

Oct 31, 2000 (4:34 pm)

They are expensive and really increase the speed that people think they're going. In reality though, you can replace the air filter, chip, and exhaust, and get maybe .1 or .2 sec on the 0-60. I guess it's fine if you have cash burning a hole in your pocket, but if you really wanted the horsepower a Civic SI (SI R) or Z24 probably would have been more suitable.

#533 of 1555 by boltmom4

Nov 03, 2000 (1:26 am)

Hi Everyone. Wonder if this still works I was somewhere else yesterday now it is closed down already.

Messages Page 54 of 157

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