I am building a locost and was wondering which would be the most effective way to "tune" a 2ltr pinto I already have plans to blue print and lighten the engine and fit 45's and a high lift cam and do some head work but what would be the next stage would a cosworth head N/A be worth while looking at or is supercharging more efficient or possibley NOZ??

Have a look at http://www.pumaracing.co.uk/pinto.htm

IMO for the sorta money your gonna spend to do the above i would look to fit a lighter more powerfull lump to start with, be it bike or car.... Rover "K" series pheraps... ?

I ran a 200+bhp N/A cosworth but to be honest a good vauxhaul 16v was a match for it....

Jon, are you looking bck with rose tinted specs?

i started off with a pinto
but a vaux 2l 16v turned up for eighty quid and for the price of a crank regrind for the pinto i have an engine that is smaller lighter and will get about 170bhp with carbs standard

dont no bout england but alomost all mk2 escys over here on the rally scene are gettin 1 engine

2l vaux 16v

remember 1 rally after 2 loops through a forrest drive (slippy tarmac) 2 mk2's with vx16v were 30secs up on.......

escort cossie grpa
metro 6r4
sierra cossies
grp n mitsi + subs

all with some very quick drivers

so i think i no which id go for

(except my 2.1 pinto is being given 2 me so i have no choice)

seems some one else is peeking thru my rosey specs.......

150 bhp standerd, 170+ on 48's, not to hard and a lot cheaper than ford tuning to get 200+, the vx16v is no slouch.

here 1 i got told

"due to vauxhalls cost cutting the wanted 1 exhaust manifold to go into all their models i.e. astra cav omega etc etc quick cheap way to increase bhp. change the mnifold top a decent 4 branch"