I very rarely post and have learned through previous experience and reading these threads to read and learn rather then add.
In saying that I feel I am in a perfect position to add some facts, and at the risk of breaking my own rules and dealing with the usual consequences, here is some support for Wozzah.
I have two red RS2000 Escorts in my garage, both have Wozzah's input. (put simply, experienced, reasonable, easy to deal with, and awesome results)
One a nice street car with a zetec, 45mm throttle bodies, custom extractors and exhaust, biggest hydraulic cams, rod bolts and motec.
The other is a track car driven to the track - healthy pinto built by Wozzah. By healthy I mean, 45mm DCOE's, rods, pistons, headwork, valves, cam, etc.
Zetec - 110kw at the wheels, Pinto 123KW at the wheels - same dyno. (the final figure does not matter for those that want to dispute it, it is more for comparison, and for those that do want to dispute it, before you do, be prepared to bring you car to a dyno or a track on the same day to compare)(sorry I am not trying to big note, just tired of the bull**** on forums, hope everyone can understand)
Now - the pinto is more then drivable but it is not as nice to drive on the street as the zetec, much has to do with the Zetec being injected (I believe so anyway) and being masked by nicer suspension, heavier flywheel, no roll cage, being a tighter car, etc.
The pinto also has a 4.11 instead of a 3.77 so there is a difference in the way it "feels" there too.
Now in terms of cost.
Zetec - I completed my conversion all of ten years ago with the help of some great friends - I chose not to go too cheap but some of the things you have to consider is ignition, engine mounts, cooling system, flywheel and clutch, fuel supply, extractors and exhaust, induction, brake cylinder and booster location, etc.
Pinto - from scratch, ie; no engine or parts to start with, you will need the following: block and head including machining, oil pump, rods, pistons, bearings, gaskets, bolt kit, flywheel & clutch, dizzy, leads, extractors, exhaust, valves and valve gear, cam and cam wheel, inlet manifold, webers, ram tubes, filters, sump, etc, all modified- all of $10K easily - adds up quick. then there is the fuel supply, possibly an oil cooler, better radiator, acc cable set up, etc.
I think the cost is negligible between the two depending on what your experience, ability and contacts are, - most things you need for both.
Both are 2 lt engines, both have restrictions of their own, there is cossies of YB and BD series to consider, then off course SR, BP, etc, but - it's what you are looking for or want to achieve and what budget / ability you have that matters most - my opinion, I am quite happy with both. Any of these engines will not suddenly feel like a jet engine or a big block not even a stock cossie or SR. The potential of some is greater then others but usually comes with a cost, compromise and reliability in some cases.
Just my two cents worth, I hope my typed message is received the way it is intended.
PMR
P.S.
A worked Zetec is in the works.
post edited by peterr - 2012/11/27 17:51:48