1600 Engine Mods

[UKI-2NV]

Hey guys
Ive got a Cortina 1600 GT motor and am thinking about doing it up to try and make as much power as possible. Just after any advice on what people have done and what works well with what.
Should i : stroke it ?? bore it out ?? different pistons, rods, crank, cams ?? electronic ingnition ?? twin carbs ??
any help would be appreciated
Thanks

[XRtowcar]

Not wanting to burst your bubble, but.
Two litre would be a better choice or a Mazda mx5 1.6 or 1.8 conversion.
Spoke to a guy who had done a lot of work on a 1.6 and it cost the same money as hotting up a 2 litre with not much more power than a slightly warm 2 litre.
Said if he was going to do it again he would start with a 2 litre conversion.
have seen Mx5 engines in escorts and they go really well.
Couple of Ford four car club members have them.
Perhaps speak to some specialist engine builders and get they're opinion.

[cosworthfreak]

If I was just starting out my 1600 Capri rebuild, rather than finishing it, I would probably go down the later model twin cam engine road. Something like a Zetec engine from a Focus, or the Mazda engine (which may be the same engine?). Another conversion people are doing is the engine and gearbox from a Honda S2000, as they are rear wheel drive and I think they have a 'North-South' engine orientation like cars of old.

My 1600 rebuild has cost around $3500, and that is for a conservative power figure of around 120HP. Most of the money went on balancing everything properly and reliability mods like electronic ignition. It will be running a 32/36 downdraft carb on a GT manifold.

You can spent many many thousands of dollars on a 1600 kent engine, only to reach the same power and reliability that a slightly modded Focus engine would provide.