Atlas12v Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Seems that use of Pinto engines is one of the less common engine options. Is there a reason for this? I have heard they're quite a heavy engine, is this true and why they're less common? Opinions welcome. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man On The Clapham Omnibus Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 It's probably because the Pinto is now quite an old engine and hard to come by compared with more modern power units. I have a Pinto but my car was built in 1992. These days the pole position option is a Duratec, with others such as Zetec and Vauxhall 2.0l engines being cheaper options. The Pinto is a weighty engine - about the same as a Rover V8 but it's very tough and can be tuned to >150bhp fairly easily. Other opinions are available... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leighc Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 They're not the lightest engine in the world, but can certainly be tuned to give good performance in a westfield. The reason you won't see lots about is simply age tbh, most people building new cars go for more modern engines and a few fair older cars have been upgraded to Duratecs etc (the exhaust is on the same side). Same for the old crossflow, good engine, just getting on a bit. Leigh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leighc Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 what he said (slow keyboard hands) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Pinto and Ford X flows were the most common engines in Westfields in the 80's & 90's, Things have moved on now, kit Car engines have to be tuneable and plentiful hence Zetecs, XE's, Mazda MX5 and Duratecs are the norm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7sRWild Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Unless you are a crazy old fart like me and put a 1.9 cvh in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveRST Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 They were very common, and still plently about. I had a 2.1 pinto Westy about 8 yrs ago and it was fine - I wouldn't buy one now though. Why would anyone build a pinto engined car now? Newer engines can be had for less money, which are more reliable, more powerful, smoother and weigh less. Quite a few people that have transplanted a VX/Zetec/Duratech into an old Xflow/Pinto/CVH car. In fact my CVH will be coming out this winter to be replaced with a Zetec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 One advantage of a Pinto engine is if the cambelt breaks, no damage to the valve gear or pistons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User0083 Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 i had a pinto in my previous car and it had a T3 turbo on it, 167BHP. was one hell of a monster... then it popped, i was doing a decent speed in the fast lane of the A38 down in devon and next thing i couldn't see the steering wheel let alone windscreen or road! but whole time i had the car i was wanting to get a 2.0 red top or 1800 zetec. i now have a 1800 zetec in another car and i can assure you that it's far better. 155 bhp and seems a lot faster and revs much quicker and whole car feels lighter and more nimble. pinto's are getting a bit old the newer engines are been much better than the a-series' and pinto's i've had in the past. oh, also did a westfield day and one was 2.0 duratec, other 1800 zetec. i was only westie owner and everyone preferred the 1800 zetec, i did as well. but mine's a 1800 zetec. only on out of the 9 people wanted to use the 2.0 duratec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User0083 Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Unless you are a crazy old fart like me and put a 1.9 cvh in there. Why not 1800 zetec or 2.0 redtop? well many other engines out there! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markcoopers Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 However........pintos are derigger for the stock car crowd and tuned to the nuts. As they upgrade to duratecs, then their well tuned, reliable race engines come up for sale.....quite cheap. Tis the upgrading season, so worth hunting around on the various forum boards and asking if you are so interested. Liam did this, got an 800 mile engine making over 160 bhp and pulled like a train, for cheaps.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
langy Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 I really liked the torque, rattles, pops and bangs from my old Pinto. Great, basic, agricultural engineering (says he who now has a supercharged Jap motor ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7sRWild Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Why not 1800 zetec or 2.0 redtop? well many other engines out there! lol Not a easy to get hold of here in cowboy country..got the 1.9 from the states and reworked a1.6 hemi head to accept a 1.9 high lift cam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Everall Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Did I hear someone suggest a blade engine? Around 190bhp ( 165bhp at wheels) in standard form and it comes with 8 injectors, and gearbox etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User0083 Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Did I hear someone suggest a blade engine? Around 190bhp ( 165bhp at wheels) in standard form and it comes with 8 injectors, and gearbox etc But clutch and no reverse limits the use... I considered a mega busa, but after driving one I could see myself bouncing off sommin in a carpark or traffic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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