But can a Pinto look like this....!
 

Agreed.

I have had some experience with both engines, personally a dead stock 1.8 ZETEC runnning carbs was almost identical performance to a very worked injected pinto. This was evident during a FOSC run at bathurst in 2009. There was basically nothing in it. #95 (zetec) #172 (pinto)
http://racing.natsoft.com...ct_34402928.94F/View?3
http://racing.natsoft.com...t_34402928.94F/View?21
I since swapped out the 1.8 for a st170 lump again dead stock and using the same carbs 45mm dellortos. And took close to 15 seconds of a lap time at bathurst the following year.
So after spending close to 5k in 2008 building the pinto that went pop up mountian straight, I changed camps to Zetec, the 1.8 was $150 the st170 $1250, both motors copped an absolute flogging and while I can't comment on the 1.8 the st170 is still going strong and produces 146 rwhp while not as big a figure as the pinto at 159 rwhp, it has been ultra reliable and after the initial expense of conversion parts the economies are valid, say a max of 2k for an st170, opposed to 5k for a hot pinto...
I know the St170 has more potential but its tops as is and super reliable.
I doubt there is many pintos running punching at this level. for cost, replacement cost, reliability, and power delivery.
In summary qualitfying times
very hot pinto 3:09.75 DNF event
1.8 zetec 3:01.95 (stock internal) Competed all weekend
ST170 2:54.83  competed all weekend
EXACTLY the same car.
 

The zetec just fills out the engine bay better!

Very interesting the pinto & st170 power vs times. Good post!
Would you put it down to weight? Or perhaps smoother power delivery? Better torque or..?

I had a 2.3 duratec engine which i was previously planning to install into my mk1 (since changed to f20c), but i was surprised how heavy it still was. Probably not quiet as heavy as a full iron pinto but still not as light as a crossflow.  

The context has changed somewhat here. I was aiming this thread at people like myself, hobbyist on a budget. When you start talking epic builds and racing...?

TEX

I have had some experience with both engines, personally a dead stock 1.8 ZETEC runnning carbs was almost identical performance to a very worked injected pinto. 
I have done both, and I can assure you that a std Zetec makes nothing like "identical power".  On a decent Pinto build its around 30-40hp in favour of the Pinto, Fact.  Based on your result the Pinto isn't as healthy as you thought if that was.
This was evident during a FOSC run at bathurst in 2009. There was basically nothing in it. #95 (zetec) #172 (pinto)
http://racing.natsoft.com...ct_34402928.94F/View?3
http://racing.natsoft.com...t_34402928.94F/View?21
I since swapped out the 1.8 for a st170 lump again dead stock and using the same carbs 45mm dellortos. And took close to 15 seconds of a lap time at bathurst the following year.
So after spending close to 5k in 2008 building the pinto that went pop up mountian straight, I changed camps to Zetec, the 1.8 was $150 the st170 $1250, both motors copped an absolute flogging and while I can't comment on the 1.8 the st170 is still going strong and produces 146 rwhp while not as big a figure as the pinto at 159 rwhp, it has been ultra reliable and after the initial expense of conversion parts the economies are valid, say a max of 2k for an st170, opposed to 5k for a hot pinto...
5k doesn't build a good pinto, and 2k doesn't get a zetec in there and running factoring in EVERYTHING, and by your own admission you still don't have the same power.
I know the St170 has more potential but its tops as is and super reliable.
I doubt there is many pintos running punching at this level. for cost, replacement cost, reliability, and power delivery.
Haven't had a Pinto fail for years, and have at least 2 engines that run a number of events a year, both cars are front runners, and have proven reliabilty you build them right they don't fail.  My original road car pinto and cylinder head are still going strong at 180hp (160rwhp) in the car of the guy i sold it to 10 years down the track.
In summary qualitfying times
very hot pinto 3:09.75 DNF event
1.8 zetec 3:01.95 (stock internal) Competed all weekend
ST170 2:54.83  competed all weekend
EXACTLY the same car.
All this refects is the Pinto build was bad and under powered.

 
 
 

whooligan

I think nostalgia is getting in the way of reality, here. I would pay any amount of money to get a pinto powered classic Ford to sit in 40kph traffic for an hour (ie Monash Freeway on any given day) and not lose feeling in my left foot.....there's a challenge for all you engine builders out there.
Until someone achieves that, my plans for my Capri will continue to involve a modern twin cam engine

 
Ok, for a start i daresay if you had the same carbs and clutch set up in the car all the pedal feels should be identical??
 
How much power do you want?  I'm up for a challenge :)
 
Woz

TEX  after the initial expense of conversion parts the economies are valid, say a max of 2k for an st170, opposed to 5k for a hot pinto...

 
hi Tex, what does the $2K buy?

I think the best way in any of these engine comparisons is to compare the following:
 
1: what does each engine initially cost to get (if you already have a 2litre pinto or don't)?
2: what power figure are you trying to achieve?
3: what would it cost each engine to achieve that amount, including all engine work and installation, engineering etc?
4: which would be more reliable in the long run, which would be easier to replace?
5: which engine do you really want as all of the above dont mean anything if you want something bad enough!