Hello from South Jersey.
 

Hello, I'm Ty from South Jersey. Got a 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 and became interested in moddifying for economy while participating on another ZX2 forum. I've been able to raise my average mpg on my commute from 27-28 mpg to almost 35 by moddifications and driving better.
I've had a lot of fun making the changes and seeing the benefit so I wanted to get involved with a forum about moddifying for economy :)

So far, I've replaced the intake resonators with pvc pipe, unplugged a terrible knock sensor that pulls timing all the time, put on a 40% underdrive crankshaft pulley, altered the IAT sensor to help give a little more timing, put on a SVT Focus header and a 2.25" cat back mandrel bent exhaust system with strait thru muffler.
The car is now way more fun to drive, runs faster and gets way better mileage.

:D

Tygen1 -

Welcome to EM! I like ZX2's, my Dad's got one. Good little MPG machines. When you got your underdrive crankshaft pulley, did you need to buy a different length belt? Also, my Dad's muffler is starting to get rusty. What do you think would be a good replacement? He's a bit stubborn, but I am hoping to see if I can make him get a nice non-OEM replacement.

CarloSW2

Welcome to EcoModder! I'm from Mt Holly, what about you?

Yes I had to get a shorter belt. I got a pulley from a member of TeamZX2.com. He makes the smallest possible pulley, your alt. won't charge at idle :) It's a 40% reduction in pulley speed. BTW Team ZX2 is a great resource for ZX2 specific issues.
Muffler wise, a strait thru muffler is a good choice. I have a Borla XS Pro. It's a mellow tone and not too loud.

I'm from Illinois originally, went to college in Texas...but live not far from Mr. Holly right now.
You might have an idea of my commute :) 42, 95 and 76. 80 miles round trip in some always entertaining traffic. 400 miles a week :)
This Forum has really sparked some fire to get some more mods going. I'm really excited to try the grill block and "Home Depot" lip.
I didn't mention before, but the ZX2 has 237,000 miles on it, my wife bought it new and it holds the current 1/4 mile record on TeamZX2 for a Naturally Aspirated Automatic ZX2. Turned a 15.711 @ 87mph in November at ATCO. I think I can coax another half second out of it yet :D
I really like this ZX2, very durable, runs pretty strong and get's real good mpg.

Yeah, those 80 mile commute days drove me to look at fuel savings too. I'm down to 40 these days but Jersey traffic is something to reckon with :)

My Focus ZTS was a blast to drive, but was a mechanical FAIL. All the Escorts I've seen are hard to beat for reliability.

237,000 miles excites me.

If I could get 117k out of my car (got it at 106 now at 120) that would be pretty great considering the car only cost $1590.

ZX2's can be quite durable :) No reason you shouldn't get more than 200K out of the motor and trans. Besides fixing what is broke, the only real flaw with the Zetec is that there is only one thrust bearing on the crank and it will wear. My crank end play was over 0.075 so I changed the motor out at 212K before any trouble started. The trans finally let go at 216K. I knew it was on it's way out long before it let go, so I was prepared. Most folks I talk to are amazed that an Escort has more than double the miles that their import has and gets better mileage and is quicker :D I never used synthetic motor oil, just 10w30 Castrol, you should always use the Ford oil filter though, it has the proper anti drain back valve in the filter to keep oil up in the VCT to protect it on cold starts. I think using non Ford filters on mine caused my first VCT to wear earlier than it sould have. Another thing I do is change the trans fluid every 20-25K. Why not? It's cheap and easy.
BTW, 1590 for a ZX2 is a great deal :)

I've had the car 15k miles and have yet to change trans fluid? Maybe I should do that.