K-series Or Zetec?

[1186497]

Hello, i recently posted a topic regarding the fitting of a zetec engine into my 2B, however i have still not made that big step and purchased one! I am now consider a k-series engine as i saw a nice 1.8 one on ebay.

I am on a small budget so advice would be much welcomed

I currently have a 1.6 pinto on a type 9 gerabox.

I have read that the Zetec and k-series both mate up with the type 9 easily?

The choice was a 1.8 k-series or 2lt Zetec, could somebody give me the pros and cons please??

Thanks

[Guest salty_monk]

A few have used the Vauxhall "redtop" 16v engines with good results.

Head gaskets on the K series are a known weakness....

[Guest Stuart Ainslie]

Whatever way you go, it will end up being pricey - You will need to get the adpater plate to marry the engine to the gearbox and all the other mods needed.

 

If you are going to get a K-series, buy an old Rover 200 or 400 as a donor - probably get one for next to nothing.

From what I have been told, try to get a 220/420 GTi /GSi - engine makes about 136 bhp stock.

[Longboarder]

I think you would be hard pressed to get any change from £1000 for any of these engine changes but could get a 140bhp 2L pinto for £500.

 

Nigel

[Guest carl leonard]

You need to keep a sharp lookout at the breakers yards.

 

I picked up a 2Lr 16V ZETEC (2002) Blacktop for £425 two months ago from Intapart in Daventry . The car (Ford Focus) had only done 9000 miles from new until it had a rear end shunt.

 

Keep looking there are plenty around if you look and you would be investing in a modern engine which is still in production !!

 

Carl.

[Guest Takumi]

Hi,

I'm looking for a 1800 Zetec (mk1) for a new project. Ive been watching a few on ebay, the older Zetecs (hydraulic followers 93-97) never go for more than 200£. If you've got the time, I would try and get a stand-alone engine management system, so that the injection/Ignition system can be retained.

 

Ive finished building a MegaSquirt & a MegaJolt - which I plan to use on my zetec project.

Total cost was under £100 for both.

 

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/zbrozek/Index.htm

 

 

 

stef.

[Guest daveg]

Stef

 

Thats a good web site you have there...

 

Dave

[Guest gordon_macnab]

Just go the whole hog and get a cossie lump, after all they are designed to fit in a Sierra and will fit on standard pinto mounts and exhaust will exit on same side.

 

No change of sump/bellhousing/clutch etc just need a 4x4 exhaust manifold and slot it right in and wire up the 4 wires from the engine loom

 

Only slight problem is people want silly money for them although I managed to get a complete smashed car for under £1500 about the cost of other conversions when you add up all the bits

 

Although not for the faint hearted...........

 

Cheers

 

Gordon

[Guest Takumi]

Thanks for the comment about my new webpage.

 

I do think the Zetec is they forward - in the sense that there taking over where the pinto left off.. , the pinto & Cosworth YB have had there day, although I did read an interesting advert for a "All-Alloy" Cosworth N/A YB engine, which I thought was quite intersting, I think they had a special casting made for the block .

 

You will be glad to hear that my MegaJolt & Megasquirt are both working without problems.. the only thing I have to find now is the 1800 Zetec engine to use them on (the 1600 zetec idea has gone out the window..)

 

Goodluck

 

 

SZ

[Guest Russler]

Personally I would go for the zetec (as I did!) as the k-series has that horrible head bolt design where they go through the engine and bolt up into the main caps. Over time they stretch and so the head gasket blows, and to top it all off when you go to take the head off the bearing caps can drop off into the sump meaning the bottom has to be stripped down aswell.

 

If you go for the zetec, it mates directly with the type 9 gearbox with the sierra bellhousing, and if you want to go cheap the ford ecu can be used with either throttle bodies taken from a k-series vvc (same port spacing apparently) or use the standard inlet from a focus or escort (mondeo drops too low). I reckon to fit a zetec on a budget with a bit of ingenuity it can be done for £250 (bit like the book, if you find the right parts at the right price i.e. you get down to the scrap yard)

[Guest chris brown]

and to top it all off when you go to take the head off the bearing caps can drop off into the sump meaning the bottom has to be stripped down aswell.

Not true Rustler there is a frame below the mains which the head bolts go into But I agree with the rest of what you say nice engine when running but head gaskets are a nightmare

Tak also enjoyed your site as I have also been thinking about engine change and also think the zetec route is the way to go

[Guest chris brown]

Just found this link to the North West site another reason not to go for K series

[Guest Charles B]

Stef. Like your website. Bit off topic but several people have tested their megajolts or megasquit n edis out by spinning up a trigger wheel on a drill or lathe. I also read somewhere that there is design for a simulator, shouldn't be that difficult to design. If pushed, I suppose I could make one up using a pic processor.

It would be useful as I'm making up a unit for a friends zetec.

[Guest Russler]

ok apologies Chris, I was just passing on what had been told to me and have never actually seen the bottom end in the flesh as it were. So sorry for misleading anyone

[Guest Battery Bill]

Russell

So sorry for misleading anyone

I don't think you did that A lot of people have similar views of the K series engine

I have one in a Rover in the front garden and am giving the engine away free (Sorry Chaps Its already taken, some bloke down the road wanted to upgrade his lawnmower )