For some reason , we never got the 2.3 Pinto in the UK , or anywhere else in Europe as far as Im aware . If you wanted a 2.3 , you had to make one from a 2 litre . Another of my friends had a Mk3 Escort rally car , which was converted to rear wheel drive & fitted with a dry0-sumped , all steel 2.3 built by local power guru Dave Brooks . It was 2mm overbored & fitted with a long-stroke steel crank to give a capacity of 2327cc . When Dave had finished working his magic , it revved to 8500 , gave something like 240bhp & it was so tractable you could drive it in traffic like a normal road car . Here it is in action :
If you look in the upper right-hand corner , Im the one in the red jacket with blue sleeves , carrying the flashlight . Incidentally , the car is actually turning right its just exiting an uphill hairpin bend .
Heres the same engine in another Escort , this one belonging to Kev the Builder , owner of the Capri . This time , Im in the navigators seat .
On the subject of the Capri , it didnt handle that well on its wheels , so it had no chance on the roof !!!!
Cheers
John
