tjef2808 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Ok chaps, someone has probably asked this before but after an absense of nearly 10 years I am looking for my next Westfield. My last was a 1800 Zetec (166 BHP) and I am having difficulty locating the right car in the right location at the right price which led me towards Pinto engined models. The general question is for road use, do the 2.0L Pinto or 2.0L Zetec perform very differently by way of power delivery or precieved power? Your opinions are valued! Cheers. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Pretender Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Hi Jeff, I don't know the answer to your question but please allow me to shamelessly pimp my new add - you can see it by clicking the link below edited to add: I'm sure someone will be along shortly to give advice on the most suitable engine for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Quite a difference in price too, about £4000 more for a Zetec and more choice than a Pinto. Finding the right car? You'll have to travel a fair bit although Kent is just over the QE2 bridge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjef2808 Posted July 24, 2013 Author Share Posted July 24, 2013 Hi, I understand the travel bit and will not get one around the corner as my last one came from the Isle of Man. I am just after some opinions about real world differences between Zetec & Pinto engined cars. Cheers. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User0083 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I had a 2.0 pinto in previous kit car, 1800 zetec in this one. Straight away reliability is far better on the zetec, was new engine when car built, pinto was from doner car and had 60k to it's name. I find the zetec far smoother and a much nicer engine. Both cars had RR map done. I had 2.0 pinto/type 9, now have 1800 zetec/MT75. Gear box feels much tighter and nicer to shift gears. Lots more points, but in my experience there wasn't much going for pinto over zetec, other than cost of parts and upgrades. I will add though that there are many fans of pinto/type 9 that could challenge everything I've said... There's also a chance I had a bad one. Most the loom was choc block connectors and random colours of wires making it look a bit cowboy. Took a six days of 8 hours to sort the loom! So not confident the rest of the car was any good. Compared to my westfield that I can't fault and never had an issue (except throttle cable snapped once and a rad hose split). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Verona Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 First things first chaps, welcome to the madhouse Jeff (Or have we done that). I think you won't go far wrong buying a members Zetec engined car. We may appear a bit odd but we do tend to look after our cars. So see if you can get one built by the owner so you get passed the full spec. It'll be worth paying a bit more as this may turn out to be invaluable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Everall Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 I had Pinto in my first westfield. It was ok but lacked power and on track liked to breathe engine oil from every oriffice but it was reliable. Zetec is more modern and delivers power well so I would go for that. Type 9 boxes are better than MT75 due to ratios Sierra type B ( lobro joints) with LSD id desirable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsechris Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Presumably the Pinto is a bit heavier than the Zetec so that would affect the dynamics a bit. Don't know by how much though. ISTR that the Pinto is a tall engine too. As already noted, the spec will make a huge difference to the way either delivers power and how much of it you get, but having gone from a fairly fruity 1690 Xflow to a stock 2l Zetec, both using the same TBs & ECU by the way, I got more power (+30bhp) and more torque (+30lbft) from the Zetec and a much wider power band. Other benefits are the Zetec is almost mechanically silent, it doesn't leak oil and it doesn't blow fumes either. Definite Zetec fan here.......the Pinto could be good in it's day, but I reckon that day has passed. Anything I used to work on as a lad has to be past it's best by now!! Even the Silvertop Zetec is arguably past it now when you consider the new variants. But, of course, a well built Pinto engined car will be preferable to a badly built Zetec engined one. YMMV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Verona Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Chris if the engines I worked on as a lad were 30 years old then, now approaching a century, does that make me past my best (I am, well past my best) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickmaster Andy Lowe Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Xflows are cheaper than pinto engined cars Then do the swap to zetec yourself over the winter Old xflow engines have a better resale value than pintos to recoup some money Just an idea Or just hang on for a zetec 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Advantage of a Pinto 2.0. Cambelt breaks, no problem, no other damage. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearly done Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Big Pinto fan here (probably to do with it powering mk2 escorts though). Rebuilt mine bare block rebuild honed bores new bearings etc etc. Bearing in mind I had never done this before I was amazed how easy and straight forward it was. Good quality parts easily available and a fountain of knowledge. They respond well to "old fashioned" tuning and best of all they dont need plugging in to a lap top to mend them (yes I will admit to being a Ludite). Mine is a 205 engine and head, FR32 cam kit, bike carbs and electronic ignition makes aprox 150-160 bhp. As with everything you pays your money and takes your choice. Cheers,Sean 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welly Jen Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 Hello Jeff and welcome, I have a Pinto engine in my 99% road car. Sorry, I can't give a comparison with a Zetec as I've not had one, or driven a car with one. All I can say is that you need to look at the complete package. Over the years changes to my car have transformed the way it drives, though on paper and in an advert it still looks the same. I could have saved a lot of money buying a better sorted car, rather than upgrading, but it has been interesting and I've learnt a great deal. The experts on the forum have taught me a lot. It started off with a Pinto engine, on carbs with distributor ignition and mated to a standard type 9 gearbox. First gear was useless, just got you moving, then straight in to second. There were flat spots and misfires around 3000rpm, the revs you were typically at when cruising. The engine only felt right with your foot flat to the floor. The same, unchanged engine now has Megasquirt fuel injection and is connected to a type 9 gearbox with close ratios and a tall first gear. The maximum engine power is probably similar, but it behaves in a completely different way. No flat spots, just a consistent wide band of power from low revs and any throttle opening. I would suggest that a well sorted Pinto is going to be more fun out on the roads than a mediocre Zetec and visa versa. Pinto's are old, but tough. I've had mine boil up from a coolant leak with no problems. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rab (bombero) Reid Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 .. Even the Silvertop Zetec is arguably past it now ... Silvertop Zetec is the new Pinto! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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