General Question - Big Turbo vs Small Turbo

[Smithy]

Hi,

Sorry if this sounds like a dum question.

BUT. what's better in your opinion and why? Big or Small Turbo.

I ask as im hoping to purchase a small Turbo escort soon, and already someone has mentioned, its slow, not a good engine to upgrade etc.

So I thought I'd ask on here, where people have / owned them, and could help me understand if the Small Turbo engine is easily uprated like the big Turbo (or similar options).

Is there much difference between the 2? Or is it only a few parts?

Grateful for for advice or opinions.

Thanks.

[Dan Le Moignan]

For me personally I prefer the big turbo for cost and ease of tuning, with the 4x4 system 300hp does not really feel that fast and I think on the standard small turbo that is the limit.
BT car will do approx 380hp on the standard turbo and this feels a lot stronger and lag is not that bad either.

[Smithy]

Thanks Dan

is there much difference between the 2, to make a small Turbo into a big Turbo???

is it just engine, or is it gear box. Transfer box. Diffs ??

[Dan Le Moignan]

I think as a starting point the small turbo is a better base as has a few newer parts on but depends if you want to be swapping turbos etc.
gearbox and diffs are the same etc maybe a myth but the later cars can suffer more rot but guess that could be due to other veriables.

[markie t]

BT IS THE REAL DEAL, THE ORIGINAL ESCORT COSWORTH.

[Dan Le Moignan]

Small turbo replicas

[jsa]

ST is the final evolution, so an improvemnt on BT which stands for Beta Test.

[timotei1980]

Surely the small turbo has the better engine itself as it has under piston oil jets, and I believe the head has better cooling water ways. It also has a better inlet plenum, however it does have things that limit the power such as the T25 turbo / exh manifold and the ECU is not as well supported. If you were looking to change turbos and management anyway I would be looking for the small turbo engine.

[spiritof'76]

ECU is the main limiting factor on the small turbo car......if you want to tune an ST to the level of it being competitive with modern hatches then you're going to have to ditch the ECU for a big turbo or aftermarket one.......once you've done this the sky is the limit ......gonna cost you some though

[twin turbo]

Bottom of engine is better on st, head is better on bt.

But as Said base tune is cheaper and easier on bt. But after that, both will basicly need same upgrade.

[Mark-C]

If you want a standard car then the ST is by far the better driver, if you want modified then go BT

[Smithy]

ECU is the main limiting factor on the small turbo car......if you want to tune an ST to the level of it being competitive with modern hatches then you're going to have to ditch the ECU for a big turbo or aftermarket one.......once you've done this the sky is the limit ......gonna cost you some though

This is very helpful - thanks guys.

If the deal comes together it will be a ST, so it is what it is, but happy to invest in new management & turbo etc.

Can any of you recommend who is best to speak to about what parts need to change to increase power to 400 ish BHP. Do you guys think 400bhp is good usable road power or more ? I've done big power, and it lost the fun factor & wasn't usable on the road in my opinion - but it was big big power like 1600bhp+.

I hope you dont mind me asking for your opinions, but there must be so much experience and knowledge on this site which will certainly help me not to waste money etc ..

Again thanks for you help

[spiritof'76]

400's good for the road I would say......though you'll be on the margins of what the gearbox can handle ! Maybe ok if you're not too aggressive with it

[The Radman]

have you still got that drag monster of yours?

[Smithy]

have you still got that drag monster of yours?

Just sold it mate - my journey with it is over :-(

We achieved a lot with the car, managed an 8.1 quarter mile and won a few rounds. Then we were faced with either the next step, ultimately that meant to build a complete new full tube chassis and extend the length which i didn't want to do to that car or build a totally new car - (which we did a full drag GTR R35)

So its gone to someone who wants to use it, enjoy it, and probably do there own things to it, so wish them good luck!!

But now I miss having one as a fun toy to cruise about in (with a little power) so my new journey starts again , so now find myself wanted something I had right back at beginning when I started the restoration :-(