Zetec for the RS

Well after much looking I've bought a Zetec for the RS. The plan is to keep the standard cams and look for about 155-165 hp.

The engine I have is from a 1996 Mondeo that had done 150,000 kms before being smashed. The guy I bought it off checked it out and ran it before removing and he said it seemed healthy. He was selling it as the class he wants to race in won't allow it in his Anglia. I went to the Pickles auctions a few times but this one came up and ended up working out cheaper (and was easier) than buying a wreck

I have also bought a cam belt kit as they break apparantly.. Cost a lot more than a pinto cam belt [B)]

So anyway I'm gathering parts at the moment.. I'm going to buy Ashley extractors and RetroFord engine mounts. I'm going to modify a CVH sump and make a water rail/thermostat housing. Going to use a pinto clutch (will have flywheel redrilled) and an 8V DOHC starter. ECU will be megasquirt. Also have to sort out the water pump belt, not sure whether I'll fit an idler or a 1.8L water pump.

I'm undecided on induction. I want to keep the brake booster and so I'm not sure throttle bodies will fit. I may use a single throttle body and plenum (similar to std), apparantly these will give 160hp on standard cams with extractors and no cat, but beyond 160hp you need ITBs. I'll have to see how much room there is..

heres a pic of the engine


So thats it! Engine won't be going in for ages but at least the project has begun!

Andrew

Sweet, nice plan. It will be interesting to see how it all comes together.

Looking good Gotta be a much cheaper conversion than a cossie[:x)]

Not sure if NZ got them, but crisis over.. I found a guy wrecking a 1.8L CVH sierra in the uk and got the sump and pickup for 15 pounds plus post (to the Uk not to Aus, should be 10 pounds max).. Still expensive but not in the 45 pound league.

I also discovered that a Camira fuel rail is very close to the same spacing as the Zetec.. I'll have to measure up but that may make life easier.. The Zetec one is no good as I don't want to use those strange injectors..

andrew

Well I've been on holiday, last stop was London which meant I could pick up some parts.. Got an Ashley exhaust manifold from Burton power for 133 pounds which wasn't too bad (better than their list price)


and a 1.8L sierra sump off eBay uk..



So I'm getting closer.. Have to make a water rail, starter motor spacer, inlet manifold, modify the sump and fix up the alternator bracket/pully system.. Quite a bit really [B)]

Bit of progress made.. put the extractors on for a trial fit, engine mounts are on. Flywheel is ready to be sent off to be redrilled


Still go lots to sort out.. I'm thinking I might put the alternator on the exhaust side.. There seems to be more room there, remembering I'm keeping the brake booster in place. That will also make it easier to keep the std water pump and not have to fit a reverse one.

I'm weighing up when to pull the pinto out as its much easier to fit everything with the engine in.. I also have to decide whether I sell the pinto and what to sell with it..

andrew

looking good andrew, you going to run it with a ms? if so there is lots of guys on the forum with zetecs so tables will be easy to find setups etc to save you some time.

Why don't you run a remote booster?? a get rid of the giant booster bracket. Can get a vh44 for 200-300.

as for the pinto, buy another ms and copy they are cheap, a not running motor is only worth so much. try to sell it while in the car will help too.

good luck with it all should be good

Have made some progress.. Water rail is done. I went with one that uses the pinto thermostat housing. Only thing left to do is to add a spot for the coolant temp sensor, will do that later. I'm also going to add a bleeder/filler to the thermostat housing to get the air out and coolant in, depending where it ends up height wise.



Also have decided to use a pinto altenator bracket. Either the pinto or mondeo altenator will fit (with spacers) depending on room, I'm going to fit the engine and see which one fits best.



And the sump is well on its way. Have cut and moved the bowl, now am making the covering pieces. Back one is done, front one is half way there. I might add some wings to increace the capacity. Haven't decided.



I'm hoping for a trial fit soon to measure up stuff like the inlet manifold. Pinto is half out, should be removing it this weekend.

andrew