Dracoro Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 ?? 2.0 pinto engine,stage three head and cam,weber carbs,5-speed box Good power? Can they be tuned much? How does it compare to a VX or Zetec 2.0L? (apart from the exhaust coming out the 'wrong' side ) Quote
Blatman Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 "Stage 3" really doesn't mean very much, I'm afraid. Different companies have different views on what "Stage 3" specs would ideally be. It would be more useful to know if the valves are standard, or bigger, if there has been any porting work, and what lift/duration the cam is. 150-160bhp wpuld be about as high as you can go on carbs and still have a well behaved car. More is possible, but not especially nice to drive, with narrow(er) power bands, and generally more tempramental. They compare poorly with 16valve engines, 'cos they just can't shift as much air/fuel as an 8 valver. IMO, *always* go for a 16 valver..... Quote
Dracoro Posted February 11, 2004 Author Posted February 11, 2004 Cheers. Just wanted to be 'sure' before I wrote off the idea of getting a pinto powered motor. One of my requirements is for the engine to be tunable in the future if need be. Seems that the VX or Zetec 2.0's are the way to go. Quote
Blatman Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 Stay calm Blatters...... Breathe.......... In....... out......... Phew, that was close....... Quote
Matt Seabrook Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 Yep Zetec first choice Vx good 2nd best Quote
oioi Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 i disagree with blatters there. A mate has a very nice and drivable pinto which is chucking out nigh on 170bhp with carbs. still not 200pus of a Vx tho Quote
Blatman Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 Whats a 7% difference between friends? And don't discount the Duratec, unless you are on a tight-ish budget......... Quote
darthurs Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 Just bought myself a Pinto that was built for a Stock Car. That produced 157bhp with a standard carb on it. Pinto's are cost efficient and powerful enough until the Duratec's become more affordable. Dan Quote
conibear Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 The Pinto is a good lump, if installed correctly bullet proof trouble free and easy to maintain. They can be tuned to about 210bhp normally aspirated for less money than, a VX, Zetec and especially a Duratec. They also have extremely good torque which if mostly fast road use, is ideal. Stage three is general term that describes it having a fast road cam FR33, largest valves skimmed ported/polished head, light flywheel, strengthened con rods and bolts. I had about 165 bhp on 45's it drove very nicely in traffic, unlike the Zetec. But of course the main reason why you install them is, when you see the light and win the lottery you can install the Duratec and you don't need to cut another exhaust exit hole in your body tub Quote
darthurs Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 Couldn't have said it better myself. Dan Quote
scruffythefirst Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 Doesn't that car on your drive have a pinto mr B? Scruffy Quote
Blatman Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 It does. 210bhp's worth, on home made throbble botties with an Emerald ECU. Driving it round the paddock was hard work. It'd be worse in a traffic jam/urban cycle, hence my assertion above. It was also a b******* to start on occasion...... Quote
Westfieldman Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 Driving it round the paddock was hard work. It'd be worse in a traffic jam/urban cycle, Thats cos its soooo heavy Quote
stu999 Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 The Pinto is a good lump, if installed correctly bullet proof trouble free and easy to maintain. They can be tuned to about 210bhp normally aspirated for less money than, a VX, Zetec and especially a Duratec. The boat anchor-er sorry-Pinto is a fine motor, but 170bhp+ costs money. OK, so does fitting a 16v, but you end end with the same BHP from a standard engine. I had about 165 bhp on 45's it drove very nicely in traffic, unlike the Zetec. If 'the Zetec' (which would be pretty much be a totally standard engine with 165bhp) doesnt drive very nicely in traffic, it wasnt set up correctly. It had NOTHING to do with the engine. I'm not knocking the Pinto. In fact, they are a fabulous engine, with loads of spares and tuning goodies everywhere, new and S/H. But they need tuning to produce the power of a more modern standard 16v, and the more you tune, the less reliable they become. Quote
Bob Green Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 I have a 172 bhp Pinto on 45's which is easy to drive but I would suspect more power than this will give me a car that could be a pig to drive other than on the track (which mine has never). I had the engine done because it was cheaper for me to have a fast Westfield rather than a super fast Westfield (ie buying another car). If you are looking to have a very drivable road car at 180+ bhp, go for a modern 16v car. Quote
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