Escort GT or Protege?

[TominMO]

Which car is better to buy as a parts donor for a Festiva--the 91-96 Escort GT or the 90-94 Protege LX? Both cars have the BP motor and the G hydro tranny. I'm thinking of other parts that could swap over, like front knuckles and brakes. Any other stuff swap into Festys? I know we can use the front seats and center consoles, but what else? Can rear spindles bolt onto the Festy's rear beam?

[Grey Vw]

I saw that ninja edit! I would just go for what is easier to find and cheaper.

[TominMO]

I saw that ninja edit! I would just go for what is easier to find and cheaper.

Dang! Busted!

Yeah, I often edit after the first writeup, to make it read better and add more info I didn't think of the first time.

[graywolf_14]

I say protege just because they are ugly...

[blkfordsedan]

EGT.

The BP in an EGT has a better short block end than the ones in the Protege. Don't remember exactly what the differences were, but I remember the EGT motor was slightly better.

As far as other stuff to swap goes, I think the EGT has better parts.
Around here, EGT's are cheaper & easier to find than a Protege with a BP.

[skeeters_keeper]

Pros and cons to both, but I would go with the Protege... two main reasons: the protege should have the MBSP (main bearing support plate) creating a slightly stronger bottom end; second, the valve cover will say MAZDA not FORD

either way you will need to source XR2 axles (or find some other work-around, such as custom axles or extended LCAs) and either install the hydro clutch crap or use a hydro to cable adapter like Chris did (IMHO: go for the cable adapter)

really, though, you should probably base your decision on the condition of the engine... mileage, maintenance, etc. unless you are planing on doing a full re-build.

[blkfordsedan]

I thought I read somewhere the Protege version didn't have oil squirters or a forged crank and had different cams. Like a low-performance version of the BP. Maybe it was only a specific model or year of the Protege, or I may be confusing it with something else.

I agree, the condition of the motor and trans is more important. You can always throw the "MAZDA" valvecover in the trash and buy a "FORD" one!

[big_ty2003]

I thought I read somewhere the Protege version didn't have oil squirters or a forged crank and had different cams. Like a low-performance version of the BP. Maybe it was only a specific model or year of the Protege, or I may be confusing it with something else.

Protege BP is better. It is higher performance than the EGT if you are calling one high and one low.