congorobot Posted October 2, 2005 Posted October 2, 2005 Having become completely fed up with the constant problems and inefficiency of my X-flow engine, I have decided that I would like to fit something a little more modern! I am under the impression that all ford engines have the same bolt pattern for attaching the gearbox?!? If so then I can keep my type 9 gearbox. Is there any particular type of Zetec engine that I should go for? If anyone has done this conversion can they let me know of any possible problems? Quote
adhawkins Posted October 2, 2005 Posted October 2, 2005 Does this thread have anything useful? Always worth doing a search first Andy Quote
zoso Posted October 2, 2005 Posted October 2, 2005 Ford call alot of there engines zetecs... The one you probably one is the Zetec-E. It's the one fitted to escorts mondeos and foci. Comes in 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 with the 1.8 being the most common in westy's (I have no Idea why, mabey the 2.0 is harder to find). There is also the Zetec-S AKA the sigma. This is completely different from the zetec-E and is all alloy. 1.6 16v found in fiesta zetec s's. Not seen one in a westy, but they pop up in old fords from time to time. Probably not what your after as it'd be harder to fit I fink. As far as I know you can bolt the type 9 to a zetec, but I have the MT75 so I don't know first hand. HTH Quote
adhawkins Posted October 2, 2005 Posted October 2, 2005 As far as I know you can bolt the type 9 to a zetec, but I have the MT75 so I don't know first hand. Yes, you can. Rob Marshall did this last year (and I'm sure others have too). Andy Quote
Blatman Posted October 2, 2005 Posted October 2, 2005 There is also the Zetec-S AKA the sigma. This is completely different from the zetec-E and is all alloy. 1.6 16v found in fiesta zetec s's. Not seen one in a westy, If this is the Puma engine, the exhaust is on the "wrong" side, and I know of two in Westfields. John Loudon has one, as soes John Palmer. Fast when they work, but not cheap to tune as they are rare. I also am at a loss as to why the 1.8 was/is favoured over the 2.0l by Westfield Sports Cars Ltd. If it was my money, it'd be a 2.0l every time. And of course, it would be remiss of me not to start another 15 page punch up by suggesting that a VX Red Top fits just as nicely and is more powerful, pound for pound than a Zetec, and there are loads on Ebay right now. You will need more parts from the parts bin to fit a Vx in place of the crossflow (well, a bellhousing is basically the only difference), but it's something else to consider. Right, lets see who bites Quote
zoso Posted October 2, 2005 Posted October 2, 2005 There is also the Zetec-S AKA the sigma. This is completely different from the zetec-E and is all alloy. 1.6 16v found in fiesta zetec s's. Not seen one in a westy, If this is the Puma engine, the exhaust is on the "wrong" side, and I know of two in Westfields. John Loudon has one, as soes John Palmer. Fast when they work, but not cheap to tune as they are rare. Yeah it's that one. I think.... There was a1700 puma one too which I hear was tuned by yamaha... althought i'm not sure about this. Did my final year project on desiging throttle bodies for the sigma, nice little engine really, shame there a bit rare. Quote
Chasmon Posted October 2, 2005 Posted October 2, 2005 The 1800s are used in formula fords so maybe theres more engines produced for the bespoke market... hence cheaper...? You can still buy new mark 1 zetecs (1800) pre Aug 95 with paper work that have been kept by ford to supply to the motor industry... £765 I've been quoted (I assumed with no ancillaries). Mybe that would float you boat...? I was told 1800 would be cheaper to tune by Mark at WF but from what I have read it isn't... Quote
zoso Posted October 2, 2005 Posted October 2, 2005 The 1800s are used in formula fords so maybe theres more engines produced for the bespoke market... hence cheaper...? I was told 1800 would be cheaper to tune by Mark at WF but from what I have read it isn't... The formula ford theory is sound, but FF zetec never realy took off as well as it was meant to ASAIK. I recon if your wanting to tune an engine go for the VX, there just better for it. If you want a newer, more reliable (becuase your getting lower milage donors) go for the zetec. thats why I've got one, if I ever get serious upgradeitus i'll get another toy and keep the westy as is... Just my 2p Quote
Blatman Posted October 2, 2005 Posted October 2, 2005 Looks like I'm gonna bite myself... The 1800s are used in formula fords so maybe theres more engines produced for the bespoke market... hence cheaper...? Nope. Ford don't produce different castings or different engines for different applications. The bespoke parts to make Zetec fit FF/Westfields/boats/tractors/whatever are all produced by aftermarket companies. If you want a newer, more reliable (becuase your getting lower milage donors) go for the zetec. Rubbish. A pre 1995 Zetec is just as old as a pre 1995 Vx, and is just as likely to have the same problems when bought second hand. Yes, Zetecs were made well after the red top ceased production, but even a low mileage Zetec (say 30,000 miles) bought second hand should be stripped, inspected and at least have a set of big ends thrown in for good measure, just for peace of mind. You could add a hone and a set of tings to either as well. 30,000 miles is plenty for the average rep to run out of oil... Sames jobs go for a Vx, so there really isn't anything between them... Quote
Gromit Posted October 2, 2005 Posted October 2, 2005 Prepares to be shot down in flames, but. I always thought that the Zetecs had a special honing process (designed by Yamaha) that is very difficult to replicate and was always told (by people more learned than me), if the bores show no sign of damage, to leave them well alone. Braces for impact. Quote
Blatman Posted October 2, 2005 Posted October 2, 2005 Maybe, no idea. You can get any bores plateau honed though, which I believe is the current "best practice" option. You could always Nikasil coat the bores too... Quote
jak Posted October 2, 2005 Posted October 2, 2005 And of course, it would be remiss of me not to start another 15 page punch up by suggesting that a VX Red Top fits just as nicely and is more powerful, pound for pound than a Zetec, and there are loads on Ebay right now. Right, lets see who bites Pulls up a chair, pours a glass of wine and waits for the debate to begin all over again. John Quote
zoso Posted October 2, 2005 Posted October 2, 2005 Rubbish. A pre 1995 Zetec is just as old as a pre 1995 Vx, and is just as likely to have the same problems when bought second hand. Yes, Zetecs were made well after the red top ceased production, but even a low mileage Zetec (say 30,000 miles) bought second hand should be stripped, inspected and at least have a set of big ends thrown in for good measure, just for peace of mind. You could add a hone and a set of tings to either as well. 30,000 miles is plenty for the average rep to run out of oil...Sames jobs go for a Vx, so there really isn't anything between them... Of course a pre 95 zetec is as old as a pre 95 vx... But you have the choice of not buying a pre 95 zetec!!! Which is what I meant. Granted if you strip and inspect it doesn't matter, but if you can find a good donor is there any real need?... Quote
Steve20 Posted October 2, 2005 Posted October 2, 2005 2.0 litre Zetecs are just as cheap as the 1.8, in my mind there is no substitute for cubes especialy as the 1.8 and 2.0 are the same size. Also the benefit of the 2.0 litre is that it takes away any concerns over which 1.8 you are offered as there are at least 3 different power outputs Quote
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