[pstrbrc]

A couple of things. First, budget, budget, budget! A different rear gear will only come from the junkyard. So far, 3.08's are the smallest rear gears I can find around here, but I'm still looking. It's good to know there are 2.73's available.
Same thing with "lightweight wheels". If it isn't cheap, I can't afford it. The aluminum wheels I have won't take to clip-on wheel discs, but they cost money anyway. When I pop off that center hub, however, there's nothing in the way of a pizza pan! Do those come in 15.75" diameters? The local Wally World doesn't stock anything in that size.

The engine is a cfi, which was Ford's version of throttle body injection. However, I have an '87 intake system (everything- upper, lower, injectors, fuel rail) and have an extra MegaSquirt controller (since the Escort is DOA) so I can do that for not much more than time invested. I'm kinda fanatical about my cars, even the ones I don't like, so it's in good mechanical condition. New plugs/wires/dist cap about 5-10k ago. Did a brake job and repacked the bearings at the same time. Probably about due for a transmission flush, but nothing critical. It is the AOD transmission, which was about the most efficient overdrive auto Ford ever made. Mine doesn't slip, it has never been abused, (come on! It's in a Grand Marquis!) so I'm not losing any more than I have to though the trans.

The suggestion about the headlight covers is interesting. I'll have to grab some plexiglass and see what it does.

Weight. Gawd, the thing's a pig! You don't know how tempting it is to throw out the upholstered couches inside and scrounge myself up 4 Civic bucket seats! But, no, I will NOT go without a full size spare. Where I live, that's just plain foolish. I'd save much more weight with Civic seats, and they'd be much more comfortable, as well.
Oh, and Frank! Thanks, but I already have to clean the pigeon guano off regularly. Don' need no goose and rabbit poop! Oh, PLASTIC GOOSES! So, why not flamingos??????