Improved Touring - No VIN Rule and Updating/Backdating rule question(s)

The car: 2002 Ford Escort Sedan, 2.0l SOHC "Split Port" engine. I have no doubt that the chassis can be made as fast in cornering and braking as any other IT car. My concern is whether or not the SOHC engine can actually achieve the SCCA power gain assumption of a 25% power increase with a 100% rules limit build and max effort ECM dyno tune, while utilizing the OEM spec camshaft. Under the current ITB power-to-weight estimation formula (SCCA class goal is 17lb/horsepower), and an assumed minimum race weight of 2400lbs, give or take, and a rulebook assumed 25% power increase, I will need to make 140 crank hp to be competetive acceleration-wise with most ITB spec cars. Again, I'm not entirely confident this can be achieved with the stock cam.

So, after reading up on the official interpretation by the SCCA ITCR, and based on their view of BMW chassis (among others) regarding engine swaps, I believe I can legally swap in the complete Zetec drivetrain from the ZX2 and run very competetively, powerwise, in ITA. Without having to also change body/trim parts. Here is why:

The ITCR considers BMW chassis, and therefore engine options, to be the same for a given chassis type, i.e. an E30 is an E30, an E36 is an E36, etc. Therefore, you can use any engine that was factory available for that chassis type; you just have to decide which engine and therefore sub-class you want to run in as long as the major body panels a swapped to match if they differed among model years (1.8l runs in ITB at 2325 lbs, 2.7l is ITB at 2700 lbs, 2.5l is ITA at 2650 lbs).

Now, a little known fact about 3rd gen Escort production is that from the 1998 model year to the end of production, the sedan (and wagon) could be ordered with the 130 hp Zetec drivetrain in place of the 110 hp SOHC Split Port engine (reality was only about 105 hp in the Escort, 110 in the Focus due to a bigger throttle body and better intake manifold); all you had to do was have a Ford dealership tick the right boxes and place the order for you. I distinctly remember hearing, some years back, from at least three people around the country who did this (two sedans and one wagon). PLUS, when I was a tech at Bob Hurley Ford in Tulsa, I personally saw with my own eyes a 2001 Escort sedan that had a factory installed Zetec, which I verified by checking the VIN code.

The Zetec was a legitimate powertrain option, that was available in the sedan/wagon to be ordered on request. Am I correct in thinking that I could, within the IT rules, legally swap in a ZX2 Zetec drivetrain, and run in ITA?

The only time I think that can be an issue is if there is something different about the body. The specific example I have is, you can't turn a Civic VX body into an Si. The hatch and sunroof are standard with the Si, and add weight in the wrong place- the VX had a trunk and no sunroof. Your Escort should be fine.

I think I am correct here, anyway.

In reply to Streetwiseguy:

So, as long as it was available from the factory, even if only a dozen buyers asked for it in the entire 5 year production run, it counts. Good to know!

I'm still going to try it with the SOHC engine first, because WAY less work and hassle if it works. The upper end is already done. If I can blueprint and balance the bottom end to perfection and do the .020 overbore, plus get the PCM dyno tuned to the ragged edge, and put down a true 120 whp Ima stick with ITB. If it falls short, the Zetec swap will have no problem making enough power to be competetive in ITA.

Any other opinions out there on the rules legality of a Zetec swap?

Is your proposed specific car/engine combo listed in the ITCS?

In reply to WildScotsRacing:

I'd really like to know who/how many Zetec wagons were ordered - and where I can find one!

David S. Wallens wrote: Is your proposed specific car/engine combo listed in the ITCS?

Not yet, no one has ever asked for the 3rd gen sedan to be classed with either engine. The funny thing is, virtually evey other generation/trim level of Escort has been classed, ZX2 (at 2425 lbs) included of course. When the time comes, mine will be the first ever 3rd gen Escort 4-door to be classed and listed. The 4-doors are, in fact, slightly stiffer than the ZX2 due to the placement of the B pillar. They can definately be made to handle!

(I think) The responsibility lies with you, the car owner, to prove it was a factory option. I don't know how one accomplishes that, but be prepared to provide evidence.

I like this. My 95 sedan was a good handling little car and imagine a Zetec in one would be a ball.

The fine folks at Rock Auto do list a SOHC and DOHC option for the 2001 'Scort. If that helps.

93gsxturbo wrote: The fine folks at Rock Auto do list a SOHC and DOHC option for the 2001 'Scort. If that helps.

The ZX2 and sedan are mechanical twins in every sense, except for the door count. I can't imagine anyone objecting to the 3rd gen sedan with a Zetec swap being classed in ITA to run alongside the ZX2 at the same 2425lb weight. There is not a good "spirit of the class rules" reason NOT to allow it.

You will have to ask SCCA Tech to classify the chassis and probably provide proof to them that your proposed combination exists. ITR rules dont make an ITA car eligible. It must be listed on the ITA line and with the approved changes or options.

whenry wrote: You will have to ask SCCA Tech to classify the chassis and probably provide proof to them that your proposed combination exists. ITR rules dont make an ITA car eligible. It must be listed on the ITA line and with the approved changes or options.

The "official Ford evidence" is going to be the challenge. ALL standard litterature only discusses the "standard" drivetrains for the ZX2 and Sedan. The Zetec was not an advertised option for the Sedan, but I know for fact that Ford did allow the Sedan/Wagon to be special ordered with it. Hellz, all the repair manuals, both Ford and Chilton/Haynes/etc., discuss the two engines themselves but without making discrete note of which body style they were installed in. Incidentally, the ITCR makes no mention of door count for the listings for 2nd gen Escorts; and the 2nd gens are the very same Mazda BG chassis as the 3rd gens. I just don't know where to begin my research for "official Ford" evidence that the Zetec was an allowed, if un-advertised and rarely utilized, customer option.

There's going to be a specific VIN combination for a sedan with that engine, just figure out what it is and google like mad until you can find one that actually exists.

steronz wrote: There's going to be a specific VIN combination for a sedan with that engine, just figure out what it is and google like mad until you can find one that actually exists.

Yup, the 8th VIN character will be a "3" for Zetec, "P" for SPI. I wonder if there is a way to burn down the haystack, rather than dig through it for this needle...?

Hey, at least Carid agrees with me!

"1997 saw the arrival of the third generation of the Ford Escort. The hatchback body-style was replaced by a coupe, which was dubbed the ZX2 (which took over for the popular GT). Standard was a 2.0L inline four-cylinder engine while the coupe showed off a 2.0L Zetec DOHC four-cylinder (optional for the sedan and wagon). Transmissions ranged between a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic, as with the previous two series. more details on - http://www.carid.com/ford-escort-accessories/"