Escorts arent capable of over 160hp with their cast iron crossflow head.
However to beat it all you need is 80rwkws
and locked diff or al cheapo phamtom grip copy like 1200rc.
My ex a15 with quad carbs (mikuni bike carbs), gx head (untouched) but performance cam (came alive at 3500 to 7000), cheapo extractors, re-curved dizzy did 74rwkws and beat many 5 litre commonwhores and other more exotic machinery. My carbs were 36mm 600cc suzuki ones too which were small compared to fj1200 ones like dodgeys apprentice or workshop friend. A good way to lighten a 1200 is rip out what you dont need and leave the vitals. Ive come to learn that datsun 1000 coupes can lose about 15kg with the dash and gauges alone!!! As for my 1000 2 door sedan came standard with 625kgs from factory. Ive heard of some 1200s weigh in at 660kgs which is better than a ute.