1998 Ford Escort GTi from UK and Ireland - Comments

Which is better then: the 1.6 or 1.8? Is there much difference in the two, performance wise, or would people be better off getting a 1.6 and knowing that a 1.8 isn't that much quicker?

The 1.8 is faster and has better in gear times, but it isn't a fast car. I own a 1.8 gti escort, and its definitly faster than the 1.6 but it still struggles against the slow saxo vtr, as its heavy and only produces 113bhp. I haven't got this car for speed though so it doesn't bother me.

Where can you get the turbo from I went to ford dealer and the looked at me blankly wen I asKED HAVE you got to modify anything to fit turbo, email me on DANELLIS2005@YAHOO.CO.UK.

Hi I own a escort gti and I havnt heard about thise bolt on turbo? someones like to explain please? email me on: mitch_frost@hotmail.com.

Cheers.

I have an escort gti they are not a fast car for a gti as I struggle beating a vtr yes I have heard of these turbos, but I aint gonna bother as I'm selling the worthless gti for an rs turbo!!

I own a 1997 Escort GTi with a problem that is baffling not only myself, but also my local garage. When the car is ticking over there is a very strong petrol/emission smell in the cabin. My local garage have been all over it and can find nothing wrong. Any ideas?

Kevin.

The fuel smell might be the lambda sensor, that's what it was in mine.

They can be a quick car with a bit of money, mine pumps out 186 bhp and it's quicker than a VTR/VTS.

I'm about to buy a gti, how do you get 186bhp out of it??

You probably have a worn out GTI, mine gets to 60 in abou 7-8 seconds, give or take. That's with a replacement KnN. Had 120mph and still going strong, but had to slow down as things were moving too quickly towards me...

My Escort GTi keeps over revving. I turn the key and it revs at 1500-2000, then it clicks and dies down to 850. What could this be? I have had the idle valve changed. Could it be the lamda sensor?

I'm well chuffed with my gti, I got it for £1100 and it only had 66000 on it. Its looks beautiful too. Now I've also got the same prob as the previous comment and no-one seems to know what it is. Also does anyone know of any simple upgrades that I can make that will improve performance? I don't know too much about cars though so you may have to explain it.

Email me at lordgbhullar@yahoo.co.uk.

Also the earlier comment about the gti only doing 120mph is wrong, I've done 130 in it and I know it can do more, my brass just wasnt bold enough though. The thing is that the specs for the 1.8 16v zetec engine say it can only do 122mph top speed, according to the user manual. does that mean the gti engine is better tuned or something?

Hi there, I bought my escort gti in january. I am only 18 and this is my first car so she's my pride n joy. since then have fitted an induction kit, piper cams and a cat back exhaust system. I have had her off the clock at 140mph and kno she will ake a lil more. I now intend to have a turbo fitted and a superchip or increased performance. any one kno a good quality garage which specalise in turbo fitting n tuning? please let me kno @ British_bulldog484@hotmail.com.

No way does a standard gti do 0-60 in 7 seconds!

Rs turbos are 7.9 seconds with almost 20 more bhp.

I have a gti in silver 3 door with 17s piper x induction, morreti twin head lamps and loads more. I got mine on 50,000 for £1350 bargain ah, I have had a idle speed control valve fitted, but it still revs a little bit it, is how the zetec's are. Mine is very fast for standard, but I think it may of been chipped because it kills my mates Astra bertone coupe to 120 and my mates gti.

Mine beats vts's all day as

well it does 0 to 60 in 8.5 and 135 I want a turbo conversion,who does them?

Nice cars escort GTIs, they are very rare too. Its just a shame about the performance, ford had a good oportunity for another good performance car, but stuck a 105 BHP engine in it, whats that all about? so I have to say it won't kill VTS's all day as they only weigh 995 KGs and have 120 BHP.