K-series Engine

[codo]

Hi guys,

Looking into building a Zero and have been thinking about the engine. I would like to have a newer engine, but think I may struggle to fund a Zetec, so was looking at alternatives.

 

Does anyone on here have any experience/opinions on the K-Series engines, inparticular the 1.4? I notice that they use them in the Caterham Seven Classic, so assume they must be fairly good.

 

From a quick search on the Interweb it looks as if you can use most of the original items (ecu, etc) from the engine. Main cost with this, however, the bellhousing to mate with a Type 9. How true is this?

 

Would be looking at using a Type 9 or MT75 with a Sierra diff.

 

Any advice will be much appreciated.

 

Cheers,

 

Dan

[Dave R]

if you go the route of a k, then you need everything from the donor, including the keyfob if you want to use the ecu

bell housings are availlable, keep an eye on ebay?

the 1.4's appear to be the strongesy of all the k's, but they still only overheat the once, before the headgasket needs doing (last bit from personal experience

 

where in beds are you ?

[TonySuperSpec]

if you go the route of a k, then you need everything from the donor, including the keyfob if you want to use the ecu

bell housings are availlable, keep an eye on ebay?

the 1.4's appear to be the strongesy of all the k's, but they still only overheat the once, before the headgasket needs doing (last bit from personal experience

 

where in beds are you ?

Avon will map you an immobiliser fiddle to avoid key fob problem..

[Al Milton]

if you go the route of a k, then you need everything from the donor, including the keyfob if you want to use the ecu

bell housings are availlable, keep an eye on ebay?

the 1.4's appear to be the strongesy of all the k's, but they still only overheat the once, before the headgasket needs doing (last bit from personal experience

 

where in beds are you ?

 

Can vouch for the head gasket. Apparently they have a history of going around 60k miles, the one on the other halfs Rover 414 went at just over 59k!

 

Al

[Dave R]

mine went at under 40k

[Al Milton]

Blimey, either you were unlucky Dave or we were lucky.

 

Al

[agent_zed]

i had an l-reg 214 16v job. really nice engine. Did 130k without a problem with the engine. cheaper tax than my 1.6 pinto and 103 bhp from a 1.4 is pretty useful too. Mind you i did just replace the head gasket on my sisters newer 200 although that had 118k. They have the longest head bolts ive ever seen about 12+inches long as they must go right through to the bottom of the engine and clamp it all together.

 

what bell housing would be used? a ford one with an adapter plate or something?

Edited October 6, 2008 by agent_zed

[Bob Tucker]

Wouldnt be my choice.

My daughters 1.6 MGF had just 12k from new when the head gasket went.

 

Her partners 416 did much better.....52k.

 

I hired a Caterham for a days tryout when I started looking at a kit car. It had a 1.6K series & I was pretty disappointed.

But my mates "IT Consultant money no object" son has a 1.6 Caterham with all the racing bells & whistles, & that really did impress me....

 

So hardly a clearcut choice...

 

I reckon youd spend as much on a Kseries as a Zetec or Redtop & end up with far less power.

They all need a specialist clutch & bellhousing anyway.

 

Ask yourself why very few 7s (apart from Caterham) use the K?

Take a look at the Toyota 4age engine for something new & pretty much bomb proof.

 

Bob

[Peter Bell]

Hi Dan, I have a low mileage K series with a duff head gasket sitting on my garage floor they are small and quite light. As Dave said where abouts are you in Beds? there are a couple of us about, (not with a zero though) including a crazy plumber!

[Swan Jnr]

i dont know how much bits to upgrade the k series cost, but i bloke i chatted to at a track day told me he's spent 2 grand on his and had got to about 160bhp. it seemed like a lot of money when a v8 out of a scrap will do nearly as much.

 

he may have just bought bits from the wrong places though

 

paul

[harvs]

I had a 1.8 in an MGF. Head gasket went twice before it got to 80k miles. Really liked the engine though - just should have fixed it myself instead of going to a main dealer!! If you keep an eye on it - checking coolant levels and for any milky stuff in the oil, then I don't think it should be too much of an issue to put you off going this route. If it's in a seven type car then access would be really good, so replacing the head gasket shouldn't be too much of a problem and not too expensive if the worst happens...

 

Good luck with it...

[codo]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the info. Certainly gives me somthing to think about. So the question is, how much would I be looking at for a Zetec. Had a look on ebay and seem to be look at about £200+ for the engine. What else am I going to need? Am I correct in thinking that a Type 9 or MT75 will mate with the Zetec ok?

 

I used to have a 2lt Mondeo Zetec, which was a very good fun to drive and can imagine would be fantastic in such a small/light car

 

Peter & Dave - I'm in sunny Sandy, how about you guys?

 

Thanks again.

 

Dan

Edited October 7, 2008 by codo

[Guest docter fox]

I have a TF 135 with a 1800 K-series, bought it with 38k, now done about 54k and no problems... I have a slight problem with coolant loss from one of the pipes that runs under the car so I have to keep an eye on levels until I sort it out properly, I did about 7k in 3 weeks round europe and it did overheat once but it was a very hot day and we had covered about 500 miles through southern spain! knocked it off straight away after noticing the gauge and gave it chance to cool down, topped it up with some water (I now carry a 2 litre bottle of water just in case) and no problems from it... it's a great engine to rev and pulls well from about 3k right up to 7k

 

But if I'm honest and had to go through the process of fitting it, I'd go for the Toyota 4age if you want to keep a small capacity or a zetec/xe if you want a bit more power, maybe consider the more modern duratec?

[Peter Bell]

Peter & Dave - I'm in sunny Sandy, how about you guys?

I'm in Bedford but it is definately not sunny here

Couple of local meetings, you missed last sundays in Baldock, 1st sunday in month, next Sunday near Kimbolton unless Dave says otherwise!

[codo]

Unfortunately not about this weekend as am off on my hols, but hope to make the next one!

 

Cheers,

 

Dan