A better zetec?

[Roll a 7]

There is a place in North Carolina called Focus Power that is offering a stroked 2.3L zetec. It uses the Ford WRC zetec strengthened block made by Mountune in the UK. Offers billet rods, custom pistons and CR from 9-14. The drag racers using forced induction are the only buyers to date. Sounds like an interesting way to go for more zetec power. Slightly heavier than stock motor but dimensionally the same.

[Elv15]

zetec - duratec

cool, but that sounds quite expensive!

I'd think that a bored 2.3L duratec would put out quite a bit more power for probably around the same amount of money. They are getting 2.5L out of the duratec - just over 300hp.

[Boxologist]

is the zetec the current 2006 Focus WRC block. i thought that the duratec was being built up.

the built zetec would only help current zetec owners out as it would probably be only a short block swap. otherwise, $11k for a cosworth duratec & caterham 6spd & full electrical setup is a bargain.

[moosetestbestanden]

I suppose if one believes that an existing Zetec could be leveraged forward at less expense than the cost of a new Zetec so built this might be logical but imo if you're going to go spending money on a new / majorly enhanced engine why wouldn't you want to lose the weight via a Duratec while getting the same, or more, HP?

The Duratecs are well sorted now and there are more and more specialists making high HP versions now. Gone are the days of, erm, loose ancillary engineering that early adopters like myself suffered (only a little) through.

[Roll a 7]

From my perspective a built Duratec with headers, dry sump, body mods, etc looks like about $20M, which ain't in the cards right now. The balanced, blueprinted zetec 2.0/2.3 looks to be about $4-7K with a Ford Racing big valve head using my existing ancillaries. I concede that the zetec can NEVER be as good a starting point as the duratec, but, the cost isn't stratospheric either. And I can get more vHP/Torque.

If I had it to do over it would be duratec, but in 2000 that was not an option...

[moosetestbestanden]

From my perspective a built Duratec with headers, dry sump, body mods, etc looks like about $20M

Not if you start w/ mine as a base. It's got everything you need to start w/. Just pop 'er open and insert shiny bits. For a few grand, Bob's yer Uncle!:D

p.s.: Consensus in the uk is (and my experience on-track confirms) that the dry sump is not required, and in fact introduces both unreliability issues (broken belt = broken motor) and weight issues. The Raceline wet sump "works a treat" as the English say.

[JohnCh]

Brad, how much power are you targeting? Your Zetec has about 210hp now, right?

-John

[Roll a 7]

I'd like to get to 225-250 one of these days. This is not imminent because I want to see some others working before I take the leap. I never want to be the guy with the first example of some new HiPo motor. Going the proven route is my style. Worked last time!!

Until recently I have not seen any clear path to upgrade my motor very much. Now, it looks possible. I'll just let some other guys do the testing phase until I am convinced!

[JohnCh]

Chris hasn't paid me to say this (yet? ;) ) but perhaps his engine is a worth considering. Add a bellhousing, engine mounts, header, injectors, cams/springs/verniers, Emerald (easy to use and maps are available), ARP rod bolts, and a tiny amount of head work and you will have ~220hp for under $5k. Add pistons, connecting rods, key the crank, some additional head work, and use more aggressive cams and you can hit ~250hp for another $2500. Bodywork adds more to these figures, but given the spec of your engine, I bet it will more than offset the price of Chris's engine and a nice chunk of the items listed above.

-John

[Elv15]

Upgrading using Mooseisbestandthen's motor...

...plus you could sell the zetec and ancilliaries to someone else - thereby offsetting the cost even more.

<disclaimer> I've also not been paid by Chris to say this! It simply seems like it's something worth considering! :)

[moosetestbestanden]

Chris hasn't paid me to say this (yet? ;) ) but perhaps his engine is a worth considering. Add a bellhousing, engine mounts, header, injectors, cams/springs/verniers, Emerald (easy to use and maps are available), ARP rod bolts, and a tiny amount of head work and you will have ~220hp for under $5k. Add pistons, connecting rods, key the crank, some additional head work, and use more aggressive cams and you can hit ~250hp for another $2500. Bodywork adds more to these figures, but given the spec of your engine, I bet it will more than offset the price of Chris's engine and a nice chunk of the items listed above.

Bellhousing's there, ECU (MBE) w/ loom is there, injectors, sump, headers and exhaust (all from SBD) etc. is all there. I'm selling it turnkey - it's a plug n play switch.

Otherwise, you're right. Crack open the bottom and top, add about $2500 of parts and presto: 250+/- HP w/ an essentially new engine. Indeed, I'm kind of wondering why I didn't just do this myself. Duh?

Bodywork consists of placing a piece of cardboard behind the hole for the headers (that are on the wrong side of the car), tracing the outline, marking the spot on the right (and correct) side of the car, start cutting carefully, file and you're done. Copy the cutout on my bonnet similarly and bodywork's complete.

[JohnCh]

Bodywork consists of placing a piece of cardboard behind the hole for the headers (that are on the wrong side of the car), tracing the outline, marking the spot on the right (and correct) side of the car, start cutting carefully, file and you're done. Copy the cutout on my bonnet similarly and bodywork's complete.

True, but Brad will still need to do something about the holes left from the Zetec installation. That said, I still think he should do it ;)

On a related note, I just received my Kent D-TEC10 cams, valve springs, and verniers from Ammo in the UK. With a tiny amount of head work (smoothing out a sharp edge on the inlet port) he has a dyno plot from a brand new engine that put out 217hp. That car went back on the dyno after the engine was broken in, and power was up to 226hp. Other than ARP rod bolts, the internals were completely stock. Come on Brad, you know you want to do it :)

-John

[soareyes]

Until recently I have not seen any clear path to upgrade my motor very much. Now, it looks possible. I'll just let some other guys do the testing phase until I am convinced!

Brad, what does your current Zetec have in the way of upgrades?

Stan

[moosetestbestanden]

True, but Brad will still need to do something about the holes left from the Zetec installation.

Will supplied me (eventually) w/ a cover that was formerly part of a bonnet, as seen in the attachment.

As I remember, Gert may have some spare bonnet (bits) hanging around somewhere:D

[slomove]

As I remember, Gert may have some spare bonnet (bits) hanging around somewhere:D

Well, for space saving reasons I folded this bonnet to a nice and compact bundle. A large truck helped very much with this work.

But although looking very artistic, I did not keep this reminder of my gross negligence.

Gert