tranny on 98 ford escort zx2, 4 cyl

[baxtej44]

friend of mine needs a new transmission, says its gonna be around 1600 bucks, and thats after looking around for the best price


any transmissions that are compatible to this engine/car that he could look for? he says the shops tell him that the tranny used in that year is just expensive, no other way around it. but is there any other trannies that are compatible that would bolt in?

 

[gribly]

Yeah, those cars are like legos. I used to have a '93. You can swap heads around even on different year, different displacement engines, ect. I'd kick the mechanic in the nuts just for quoting $1600!

In short, that mechanic is trying to rape your friend really, really bad.

I'd go to car-part.com, it's a database of what is in some of the larger salvage yards and places like that.

I'm pretty sure from '91 to '02 you can use any tranny except for the Escort GT 1..8, which uses a Mazda motor.

 

[adsm08]

Is it a manual or an auto.

 

[kunar]

Yeah, those cars are like legos. I used to have a '93. You can swap heads around even on different year, different displacement engines, ect. I'd kick the mechanic in the nuts just for quoting $1600!

In short, that mechanic is trying to rape your friend really, really bad.

I'd go to car-part.com, it's a database of what is in some of the larger salvage yards and places like that.

I'm pretty sure from '91 to '02 you can use any tranny except for the Escort GT 1..8, which uses a Mazda motor.

this info is wrong... the zx2 uses a different trans than the normal escorts. they are kinda failure prone and hence hard to find.

 

[baxtej44]

its an automatic

 

[kunar]

was that price for a trans installed?? if you wanna do it yourself, check out car-part.com, put in your info and find yourself a deal.

 

[adsm08]

its an automatic

Meh, find a stick.

 

[disciplerocks]

You can use the tranny out of a regular Zetec (Non-VCT). Came in Contours, regular Escorts, and Mystiques. Just do some research on any sensors especially if swapping to a manual. I know on the newer Zetecs there is a sensor inside the bellhousing on the auto, but on the manual, its outside.

 

[disciplerocks]

this info is wrong... the zx2 uses a different trans than the normal escorts.

They do use different ones, but the others will fit.

 

[adsm08]

They do use different ones, but the others will fit.

But the computer won't like it.

 

[kunar]

transmissions from the contour/mystique and the cougar 2.0 zetec *may* fit but from what im reading theres a difference in the oil pan... probably a couple bolt hols dont line up on the bell housing but im not sure on this one, do you research before you buy. as for the standard escort (sedans or wagons) it will not fit. the sedan and wagon only came with the 2.0 spi engine, 100% entirely different engine than the 2.0 zetec. bell housings are different, trans will not swap.

 

[disciplerocks]

I was pretty sure about this. But now you are making me second guess myself. I know 100% that you can swap the SVT tranny to a regular Focus Zetec. Not that that helps you any. Please do your research. I don't want to be giving you the wrong info.

 

[disciplerocks]

Although, I forgot that the Cougar had the option for the VCT engine. Check into that tranny.

 

[gribly]

I was pretty sure about this. But now you are making me second guess myself. I know 100% that you can swap the SVT tranny to a regular Focus Zetec. Not that that helps you any. Please do your research. I don't want to be giving you the wrong info.

That's a focus. While they have the same basic engine and tranny, the mounts are different.

The rear mount is slightly different from a 2nd to a 3rd gen though, so try to find a '97 or newer tranny, even though it can be made to work. The newer ones last a little longer anyways.

Hell, I know for a fact you can put the head from a 3rd gen 2.0 on a 2nd gen 1.9 short block and use the turbo manifold from a 1st gen... ...and all the bolts, ports and passages line up.

I think the only major difference in the zx2 is gear ratios. It's still just an F4EAT though. That same basic transmission is used in most every FWD Mazda from the late '80's to the early '00's and is found in many Fords and their rebadged counterparts... Careful on the junkyard trannies though, it really is the weakest link on these cars.

Here, go to www.feoa.net and ask there. There's even an s/r for sale on there for about what the shop quoted you for a tranny!

EDIT - The zetec flywheel doesn't fit right in a 96 or older tranny. It bolts, but you have to swap flywheels and jimmy in the crank trigger. My bad, I forgot the zx2 has a dohc motor.

 

[disciplerocks]

I know someone that would know for sure. He's been building Zetecs for over 15 years and is the guy that tuned my car. I'll try to get with him today.