Ecoscort - 98 Ford Escort ZX2 ecomodding thread

[BabyDiesel]

I have been spark knocking for quite some time. I have the knock sensor disconnected and 2 5.6K resistors on the IAT. While the knock sensor disconnect is Ford recommended, I feel the 2 resistors are tricking the PCM too much and causing part throttle knock.

The spark knock is not bad until my coolant temps cross 200* F. Above this, and I am spark knocking from 58%-75% load. It is a strange irony that above 200 degrees is where the ZX2 is its most efficient.

I don't remember the spark knock happening until I started ecomodding really hard. Advancing the timing, hot air, and a hot engine seem to be more than 93 octane can handle. FWIW, the car was nearly undrivable this summer on 87.

[pgfpro]

Originally Posted by BabyDiesel

I have been spark knocking for quite some time. I have the knock sensor disconnected and 2 5.6K resistors on the IAT. While the knock sensor disconnect is Ford recommended, I feel the 2 resistors are tricking the PCM too much and causing part throttle knock.

The spark knock is not bad until my coolant temps cross 200* F. Above this, and I am spark knocking from 58%-75% load. It is a strange irony that above 200 degrees is where the ZX2 is its most efficient.

I don't remember the spark knock happening until I started ecomodding really hard. Advancing the timing, hot air, and a hot engine seem to be more than 93 octane can handle. FWIW, the car was nearly undrivable this summer on 87.

58% to 75% is a high enough load I would be very concern? Be careful.

[BabyDiesel]

I am being careful buddy, no worries. There is less knock when I am in lean burn BTW. I can't explain why though.

Ty did tell me that his ZX2 spark knocked pretty bad, but it never caused issues. He said the cause was that the motor was worn out with close to 300,000 miles, and I agree that this is definitely one of my reasons.

[BabyDiesel]

I have added a few mods since the last time I posted. I will add pics later, as I am typing this from my smartphone ATM.

I installed Innovited 35W 8000K HIDs last week! The lighting is much better than the Eco halogens I had. They do need adjusting so I can better see the deer that are out at night though. I did manage to break a pin in the main connector so I had to get advice and soldered up a working mess

I took a piece of grill block out to help with cooling. It wasn't much, but now the engine never reaches 200F. Before it would bounce off of 220-225F after 10-15 miles of driving.

I took both the resistors out of the IAT sensor. The results were that the timing is unaffected at light loads, while mid to high loads have less timing? Idk why that is... so now 80% load in OD shows 10-12* of timing. The real benefit is that I can now see the true temps of my intake! And the WAI is working beautifully! IATs are 125-170 after a few minutes of driving the temps depend upon acceleration and load. Usual temps are ~140. This is the reason to my spark knock though... so I'm debating on putting my knock sensor back in. I really don't want to as it is too sensitive. Ford even recommends disconnecting it! They probably never thought their car would be put through what I am putting it through either lol.

This tank's mpg stands at 55 mpg @ 170 miles in I'm hoping I can keep it this high even with a cold front coming through yesterday and bring cooler temps. Can I break 120% EPA on a fill?!! Find out next time in another exciting installment of this thread!

[pgfpro]

Any ETA on the wide band????

[BabyDiesel]

Originally Posted by pgfpro

Any ETA on the wide band????

It's gonna be a while till I get it installed. I lost my job 2 weeks ago, so saving money till I get another one is the game plan for my life at the moment. When the steady funds become available, it will be on ASAP!

I had forgot to post some of the things I got from the junkyard recently. Some were impulses, but I still got off cheap enough that I did not feel guilty

Prius badges!


Engine oil dipstick (that was too short?!)


Headlight bulb covers... that I can't use because I installed HIDs


Front driver side inner fender plastic cover! I have been needing this for a while, as the tire would sling dirt and water into my engine bay constantly. This also appears to have given me better aerodynamics, as my coasting was improved (slightly) after I installed it in the parking lot. Didn't have enough bolts, so zip ties were used.



In addition to duct tape and WD-40, this should be in every country boy's and redneck's arsenal of quick fixes

Here is the HIDs that I got. They are Innovited AC 35W 8000k's. Much better lighting at night with less current draw.


I also had a nerdy reaction to an only-an-ecomodder-will-understand find of a 70hp D15B1 in a wrecked Honda CRX. I wanted to buy it and swap it into the ZX2... but that would be foolish!



And here is an image of the IAT wires after I finished taking the resistors out:


I filled up last night and got a disappointing 48.32 mpg... I was really hoping for a 54+. I had to bump the SG up to a 75.5% fuel offset Anybody have any idea why getting into the mid 50's is proving to be such a challenge even with lean burn? And why am I complaining about only 48 mpg?!

[BabyDiesel]

I broke down and bought pizza pans to make some new wheel covers. I'm going to go ahead and get the wideband installed asap, as I have no excuse for waiting now lol. I plan on getting them color matched to my car so they will be on point when complete!

I was sitting in McDonald's after this, eating a small lunch after going around and talking to different companies about jobs. I hear an employee say something about a "weird car" in the parking lot and start smiling. Next thing I know, he is leaving work in his car. Before he leaves, he stops, gets his phone out and takes pictures of the Ensightscort I start laughing out loud in MD's, and people start staring at me. Good times living the Eco life!

[BabyDiesel]

I just saw my intake air temperature @ 191F

[kafer65]

is right. That is hot! I worry about premature fatigue of my plastic intake , but I've not seen above 170F IAT. I've never tried anything above 87 octane, but I can definitely feel the distinct lack of power if I have to highway merge when I'm in the 210 coolant and 150 intake zone.

[BabyDiesel]

I forgot to mention that temps were going down when I caught them. They could have been over 200! I readjusted my HAI and now they don't get above 130 F.

I've ran the HAI and hot engine so long that I don't remember how the power used to be add in lean burn during acceleration and I feel like I have a Geo Metro engine!