I came across this thread today whilst doing a google search... and could not believe what I was reading!
http://www.turbosport.co.uk/showthread.php?176226-Zetec-in-LHD-Escort
 

Hi!
Did the Testdrive.....have massive Problems with the Carbsetup.Made the idle jets a little wider,now it's fine.

Cant fit the Airfilters from the Weber Alpha kit ....no room !Order some filter socks over here.

To the performance:I'm a little disapointed!
It,s NOT better than the old Pinto lump,only better on fuel.

So for me it wasn't worth all the money and work i spend.
But now the Zetec is in and maybe i can do some improvements to the Head,maybe in Winter.

Cheers

Depends on what spec his Pinto was. 
 
I believe the Silvertop is around the 130hp mark and if he hasn't had his Carbs set up properly on a dyno I'm not surprised he is disappointed.
 
Although Burton claim you'll see 165bhp on a 2 litre from the Weber Alpha kit.
 
Cheers,
 
Matt 
 
 
 

I'm not sure but do the weber carb progression holes need to be modified to avoid inconsistent throttle response etc?

ratta tat tat

I came across this thread today whilst doing a google search... and could not believe what I was reading!
http://www.turbosport.co.uk/showthread.php?176226-Zetec-in-LHD-Escort

Hi!
Did the Testdrive.....have massive Problems with the Carbsetup.Made the idle jets a little wider,now it's fine.

Cant fit the Airfilters from the Weber Alpha kit ....no room !Order some filter socks over here.

To the performance:I'm a little disapointed!
It,s NOT better than the old Pinto lump,only better on fuel.

So for me it wasn't worth all the money and work i spend.
But now the Zetec is in and maybe i can do some improvements to the Head,maybe in Winter.

Cheers

 
Why are you not surprised what you're reading?  If anyone already has a half decent Pinto and thinks that sticking a Zetec in with sidedrafts is going to perform any better they are delusional.  It's not until you modify the Zetec that it will perform any better than a healthy Pinto.
 
Woz

I gotta say I am also a bit surprised here.. I mean I have never come across a zetec in an old ford, but if you believe what you read, then 130hp as base on the zetec is pretty much on par with a healthy pinto (let's say 120-130hp).
 
From what I understand, any greater outputs on the pinto require the sort of camshafts I really wouldnt wan to have on a road car! Again, maybe he just needs the thing jetted properly!
 
Looks like a bit of monkeying around to get the thing to fit... at least he got to keep boosted brakes!

The link from the OP is related to performance when comparing it to a decent Pinto to a Std zetec.
 
If you think you're going to stick a std zetec in and have bucket loads more power you're wrong, in fact a Pinto done right makes around 40+ more horsepower than the equivelant Zetec with the same hang ons (carbs, extractors).  I would in fact argue that a Pinto done right with the same power as a std Zetec would be almost as pleasant and just as reliable.
 
There is no doubt that something multivalve is more drivable than something highly strung.  If you had a 200hp Pinto and a 200hp Zetec then the Zetec should be more pleasant to drive done correctly.
 
I am still a firm beleiver of unless you want 190+ horspower and nice "all round" performance you just wouldn;t bother with the conversion.
 
Cheers
Woz
 
 
 
 

Without reiterating anything, I completely agree with Woz on this.
 
Cheers

Some sound advice guys, thanks! As my kent has run out of steam (poor compression), I am tossing up between going zetec or pinto at the moment.
 
I am starting to lean towards pinto as;
 
Im not chasing mega HP - FR32 cam and injection would probably get me where Im aiming for.
 
Being road going and just having lashed out the cash for 13" minilights and tyres, Im not interested in doing big brakes and thus ditching my booster and having to invest in a pedal box etc would simply be too expensive.
 
Or am I wrong, is there a zetec induction solution out there that doesnt foul the booster?
 
Once again, big ups for the wisdom! 

Going from a crossflow to a Pinto has really opened my eyes. OHC and belt drive has made a world of difference. The leap in technology is most apparent!!
I understand a zetec is probably a 'nicer' road engine but really, who would spend all that time, effort and most importantly "money"  to have a 'nice' car with same power output? It's nonsensical to me

You'd be looking at at least $6k and a lot of dicking around to get a Zetec in there plus the engineering certificate.
 
Where as your Pinto will slot in nicely and for $6k you'll certainly achieve your above goals and then some.
 
Matt