--- title: "Ford Escort ZX2 S/R specs vs. the standard ZX2" description: "Every change the S/R package made, side by side with a standard 1999–2000 Ford Escort ZX2, with sourcing for each claim." url: https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/specs reviewed: 2026-10-30 --- # Base ZX2 vs. S/R > Every change the package made, side by side with a standard 1999–2000 ZX2. Confidence tags: [Confirmed] means two or more sources agree, [Reported] means one source or owner report, [Disputed] means sources conflict. Ford's own literature is treated as a primary source. ## Standard ZX2 vs. S/R | Item | Standard ZX2 | ZX2 S/R | Confidence | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Engine** | | | | | Engine | 2.0L Zetec DOHC I4 | Same block and head | Confirmed | | Output | 130 hp, 127 lb-ft | 143 hp, a 10% gain. Ford's 1999 spec sheet lists torque as "TBD"; Road & Track quotes 150 lb-ft | 143 hp confirmed | | Engine computer | Stock PCM | Ford Racing calibration for premium fuel, which Ford calls "recommended but not mandatory". Three calibrations exist; see below | Ford release | | Intake | Stock airbox | Roush tuned intake with a larger air induction tube (1999); Iceman intake on 2000 cars | 1999 per Ford; 2000 reported | | Exhaust | Stock muffler | Borla muffler and pipe | Confirmed | | Speed limiter | 104 mph, because the stock tires aren't speed-rated | Magazines say removed; owners report 155–160 mph limiters in the S/R calibrations | Sources differ | | **Drivetrain** | | | | | Transmission | 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto | 5-speed manual only | Confirmed | | Shifter | Stock | B&M Pro-Edge short throw, counterbalanced, carbon fiber and leather knob, full-length leather boot | Ford release | | Clutch | Stock | Centerforce dual friction with HP pressure plate; Ford claims over 90% more clamping force | Ford and R&T say yes; some owners doubt it | | Limited-slip diff | None | Not in the package. Ford Racing sold a viscous LSD, M-4204-Z2 | Ford Racing catalog | | **Chassis** | | | | | Springs | Stock | Eibach progressive-rate | Confirmed | | Struts | Stock | Tokico | Confirmed | | Bushings | Rubber | Energy Suspension urethane sway bar mount and end link bushings, engine roll restrictor inserts | Ford press kit | | Rear brakes | Drums | Discs, sourced from the Mexican-market Escort | Confirmed | | Tires | P185/65R14, or P185/60R15 on Hot trim | Goodyear Eagle F1, 205/55ZR15 | Confirmed | | Wheels | — | Seven-spoke aluminum, 15×5.5 (Ford spec sheet, 1999); 2000 design differs, reportedly 15×6, 4×100, +45 mm | Maker unknown | | **Interior and options** | | | | | Gauges | Standard cluster | Visteon cluster with 150-mph speedometer and silver surround | Ford press kit | | Wheel and knob | Standard; leather wheel with option groups | Leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather shift knob | Ford release | | Emissions | — | Still meets California and federal standards | Ford release | | Fog lamps | Optional (Sport Group, 1999) | Included in the 2000 performance group | French brochure | | Floor mats | Optional | Specific mats in the 2000 performance group | French brochure | | Seats | Standard | S/R seats on 2000 cars; may be standard seats with S/R embroidery | Reported | | Dealer option | — | Ford Racing Dynamic Suspension kit (M-3000-Z2): 300/500 lb coilovers, adjustable struts and rear bar; camber kit M-18183-Z2 | Ford Racing parts; sales unknown | | **Car** | | | | | Curb weight | About 2,478 lb | 2,478 lb on Ford's 1999 spec sheet, the same as the base car | Ford spec sheet | | 0–60 mph | 7.8 s (Motor Trend, Aug 1997) | 7.6 s, 15.8 s quarter mile, 0.86 g (Motor Trend, Sept 1999); 7.7 s, 16.0 s, 0.87 g (Road & Track) | 0–60 confirmed | ## Photos - 2000 S/R engine bay: blue valve cover and intake tube (https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/sr-engine-bay.jpg) - Borla muffler from below (photo wanted) - Rear disc brake and wheel (photo wanted) Ford's tune, intake and muffler raised the Zetec from 130 to 143 hp. Motor Trend timed an S/R at 7.6 seconds to 60 mph and 0.86 g on the skidpad, against 7.8 seconds and 0.78 g for the standard car. See [Road tests](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/road-tests). The speedometer reads to 150 mph, which is one of the easiest tells on the [Identify](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/identify) page. ## In Ford's own words Ford's English brochures never mention the S/R, but the French-Canadian [2000 ZX2 brochure](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/brochures/2000-ford-zx2-french.pdf) lists a *Groupe hautes performances* (high-performance group) whose contents match it: specific wheels with 205/55ZR15 tires, performance suspension, rear disc brakes, a performance exhaust and clutch, a sport shifter with boot and knob, fog lamps, improved seats and specific floor mats. Zinc Yellow paint was offered only with this group, marked "limited/delayed availability". [Our reading] The brochure doesn't use the name S/R. ## The 1999 spec sheet From the [1999 S/R press kit](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/press/1999-zx2-sr-press-kit). Ford printed it before EPA ratings and a torque figure were ready. [Ford press kit] | Item | 1999 Escort ZX2 S/R | | --- | --- | | Engine | Aluminum head, cast iron block, DOHC 16-valve I4, 2.0 L (121 cu in) | | Bore × stroke | 3.34 × 3.46 in | | Compression | 9.6:1 | | Horsepower | "+10%" | | Torque | TBD | | Fuel injection | Sequential multiple-port electronic | | Transmission | 5-speed manual | | Gear ratios | 3.308 / 1.833 / 1.233 / 0.914 / 0.717, reverse 3.167 | | Final drive | 4.105 | | Brakes | Power disc front and rear, 265.0 sq in total swept area | | Wheels and tires | Aluminum, 15.0 × 5.5; P205/55ZR15 | | Steering | Power rack and pinion, 17.0:1, 31.5 ft turning circle | | Front suspension | MacPherson struts, progressive-rate coil springs, 1.0 in stabilizer bar with urethane bushings | | Rear suspension | Quadralink, progressive-rate coil springs, gas struts, 0.51 in stabilizer bar with urethane bushings | | Curb weight | 2,478 lb | | Wheelbase, length, width, height | 98.4, 175.2, 67.4, 52.3 in | | Track, front/rear | 56.5 / 56.5 in | | Cruise range | 422.4 mi (estimated) | The gear ratios and final drive are the same as the standard 1998–99 manual ZX2's. See [Engine and drivetrain](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/engine#transmissions). ## Engine calibrations Owners have identified three S/R-era PCM calibrations by the code on the module's label. [Owner reports] | Code | Used on | What owners report | | --- | --- | --- | | NGP0 | 1999 S/R; also the Ford Racing PCM | Added timing and refined fueling for the rated 10% gain. 155 mph limiter. California emissions legal. | | XHG3 | 2000 S/R, California and Northeast cars | Like NGP0 with slightly less timing. 143 hp and about 140 lb-ft. | | CWQ3 | 2000 S/R, 45-state cars | Small fuel and timing changes, more aggressive cam timing in the midrange. Rated 146 hp and 140 lb-ft, 160 mph limiter. Not California legal. | One owner who swapped from XHG3 to CWQ3 reported noticeably more torque between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, worth about 0.4 seconds in the quarter mile. The Ford Racing PCM works with the ZX2's variable cam timing and instrument cluster, so it won't drop into a later Focus-engined car easily. ## Ford Racing part numbers Ford Racing sold the S/R parts over the counter for any ZX2. The list below comes from an owner's notes, checked against Ford Racing's ZX2 catalog page where it overlaps. [Owner list] | Part | Number | On the S/R | | --- | --- | --- | | Centerforce clutch | M-7560-Z2 | Standard | | Ford Racing PCM | M-12650-Z2 | Standard | | Eibach spring kit | M-5560-Z2 | Standard | | Tokico strut kit | M-18000-Z2 | Standard | | Energy Suspension sway bar bushing kit | M-5627-Z2 | — | | Energy Suspension complete bushing kit | M-3070-Z2 | Standard | | Race suspension (Dynamic Suspension) kit | M-3000-Z2 | — | | Race camber bolt kit | M-18183-Z2 | — | | Rear disc brake kit | M-2300-Z2 | Standard | | B&M Pro-Edge shifter | M-7210-Z2 | Standard | | Shift knob | M-7213-Z2 | Standard | | Shift boot | M-7277-Z2 | Standard | | Borla high-flow muffler | M-5230-Z2 | Standard | | Air induction tube | M-9659-Z2 | 1999 only (2000 used an Iceman intake) | | Air cleaner inlet housing | M-9600-Z2 | 1999 only | | Gauge face kit | M-10849-Z2 | Standard | | Engine mount adapters | M-6038-Z2 | Standard | | Limited-slip differential | M-4204-Z2 | — | | S/R badge, silver | XS4Z5442528-AAC | Red cars | Ford Racing's catalog sold the muffler, induction tube and inlet housing together as the "ZX2 Tuned Intake and Exhaust Package". It describes the muffler as having a 3-inch chrome tip and passing federal drive-by noise limits, the engine mount adapters as race-use only, and the differential as a viscous unit for autocross, road racing and drag racing. [Ford Racing catalog] ## The 1999 air inlet housing The 1999 S/R's Ford Racing air cleaner inlet housing (M-9600-Z2) replaces the lower half of the stock airbox, the part that draws air from inside the fender. Ford's catalog says it has "a larger intake opening" and drops the large resonator under the stock air cleaner. [Ford Racing catalog] An owner photographed one next to a stock housing. The Ford Racing piece has a straight, wide inlet where the stock one narrows to a small bellmouth. By our reading of the ruler shots, the opening is roughly 3 inches across against about 2 inches for the stock part. [Owner photos] ![Two lower airbox housings standing side by side: the Ford Racing housing with a straight wide inlet, and the stock housing with a narrow bottle-shaped neck](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/airbox/side-by-side-800.jpg) *Ford Racing housing (left) and stock housing (right)* ![Inlet ends of the two housings from above: the Ford Racing inlet is much wider than the stock one](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/airbox/top-comparison-800.jpg) *Inlets from above* ![Inside of the two housings from the filter side: an open ring on the Ford Racing piece, a resonator neck on the stock piece](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/airbox/inside-comparison-800.jpg) *From the filter side* ![Steel ruler across the Ford Racing housing's inlet, about 3 inches wide](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/airbox/inlet-diameter-800.jpg) *Ford Racing inlet with a ruler* ![Steel ruler across the stock housing's bellmouth inlet, about 2 inches wide](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/airbox/stock-inlet-diameter-800.jpg) *Stock inlet with a ruler* ![Ruler along the Ford Racing housing's inlet tube](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/airbox/inlet-length-800.jpg) *Ford Racing inlet length* ![Close-up inside the Ford Racing housing, showing the open inlet ring](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/airbox/inside-800.jpg) *Inside the Ford Racing housing* ![The two housings side by side from another angle](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/airbox/side-by-side-2-800.jpg) *Another angle* ![The inlet housing installed, seen from below the airbox inside the fender area](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/airbox/in-fender-800.jpg) *Installed, inside the fender* ![Assembled airbox on a green ZX2 with a blue silicone coupler on the outlet](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/airbox/on-car-800.jpg) *Assembled airbox on the car* ![Silver intake tube with blue silicone couplers running from the airbox to the throttle body](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/airbox/intake-pipe-800.jpg) *Intake tube and couplers* ![Engine bay of a green ZX2 with the Roush intake tube fitted](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/airbox/roush-intake.jpg) *Roush intake on the car* Photos: ZX2 Motorsports collection. ## Dynamic Suspension kit Ford's press kit offered a further step "for all-out racing": 300 lb front and 500 lb rear coilover springs with adjustable race struts and spring-seat ride height adjustment, an adjustable rear sway bar, a camber bolt kit for up to 2 degrees of negative camber at either end, and urethane bushings with steel inserts for the front lower control arms and rear trailing links. [Ford press kit] We don't know how many were sold. ## Motor Trend's full numbers Motor Trend, September 1999. [Reported] | Test | ZX2 S/R | | --- | --- | | 0–30 mph | 2.6 s | | 0–40 mph | 4.0 s | | 0–50 mph | 5.5 s | | 0–60 mph | 7.6 s | | 0–70 mph | 9.8 s | | 0–80 mph | 12.9 s | | Quarter mile | 15.8 s at 87.3 mph | | 60–0 mph | 144 ft | | Lateral acceleration | 0.86 g | | 600-ft slalom | 66.5 mph | --- Source: https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/specs (ZX2 Motorsports wiki). Questions or corrections: admin@zx2ms.com.