Replacing a Pinto to Zetec

[Tony Tiger]

I've done Pinto to Zetec also - Admittedly it was in a Rickman, not a se7en, but.....

Flywheel - the standard one can be used - as Matt said with the ...133 release bearing - I have one in the garage - redundant.

I think it's the Mondeo 1800 clutch plate & cover, OR I had my MkVI Escort flywheel (only 0.5kg more than a Burton "lightweight" flywheel) re-drilled to take a common or garden Pinto clutch & cover by Sutton Rebore for about £80. Works perfectly.

I recently bought the GBS steel sump which hasn't been on the road yet, but seems to seal OK - for £300, you can get a standard sump re-worked for about £250 + postage (Scottish Kit Car Centre). I used the standard Ford injection & ECU, but you'd need a non-PATS (Passive Anti Theft System) one & they'e not tunable, so restrict you to about 130bhp.

You also need a "pilot bearing" in the flywheel - the flywheel is already drilled for one - almost as if "the good Ford" forsaw our need - & they're the princely sum of £6 from Burton - but you do need one.

As Matt said, the starter is the DOHC 2.0 or 1.8CVH Sierra one, I had no end of trouble with second-hand & "refurbished" ones before I bought a geared one From a Co. who's name escapes me, but there's sticker on the car somewhere if you want it.

If you'e interested in how it's done & want the feeling of elation when the thing you put together fires & runs, then it's worthwhile. The engine's lighter, more powerful & uses less fuel. If you're doing it only to "improve the car", then selling & re-buying is also a good option.

I've been looking at the GBS steel sump, seems a good price, was slightly concerned about the sump leaking oil, the unit from tiger is not that much more though. thank you for the information on what is required, all looks fairly straight forward.

[Alex.]

If you are going to the trouble of replacing the engine, would a Duratec unit be a better choice?

I know that a new bellhousing is needed, but if I (sorry, you...) was to use the existing Weber 45's, would there be that much of a difference in the install?

Plus the exhaust is on the same side, so less bodywork changes.

Alex.

[b33fy]

Difficult to run Weber’s without a stand alone ignition ecu. Might as well run injection. They are a little more pricy than a Zetec and not a lot more power unless you do a cam change and add a bigger throttle body. Ceiling on standard internals is 200 bhp then they turn to butter. Best standard 2.0 duratec is the Fiesta ST version (150bhp) getting harder and more costly as the hi-port head is fitted and more desirable.

[Hammy]

Ive done a few zetecs and at present would only consider mx5 engine and box, already rear wheel drive (saving 100s if not a thousand pounds) and depended on what you read 40-50kgs lighter

[Tony Tiger]

Interestingly I was researching the duratec engine as well as the zetec, the engines appear to be selling for slightly more than the Zetec, but the exhaust is on the same side as the pinto, so less bodywork modifications.

I have also been looking at the Mazda MX5’s, am I correct in saying that the Mazda engine is a duratec? I thought that Mazda and Ford both developed the engine. Hence why the bolt pattern was different from the pinto and zetec engines for the bell housing.

A Mazda MX5 on Ebay can be purchased quite cheaply, especially one with corrosion or failed a MOT, the vehicle is already rear wheel drive etc.

Not sure if the gearbox from the Mazda will fit into the frame of a Cat without too many modifications? If the engine is a Ford duratec could I not just purchase the same parts as a duratec bell housing and mount the type 9 box.

Also, not sure about the fuel and ignition system, can the Nordiz Pro be used on the Mazda engine? Maybe running bike carbs?

Tony

[b33fy]

The MX-5 engine is a different design to to duratec, don’t know a great deal about them though they are an iron block engine, and have evolved over a long period of time.

The Mazda duratec versions can be found in the Mada 3 and Mazda 6 models and no doubt a few more. The bolt pattern is the same as the ford. An interesting turbo version appeared in the Mazda 3 MPS which is quite tuneable

[Hammy]

Hi mate,
I'm talking about mk1 and mk2/2.5 MX5's very strong internals and will happily take a 200bhp boost on standard internals and clutch. It's a path well trodden so there is loads of help out there. You could fit carb but ITB's are more common, that said there isnt much of a power gain to be had from them (sound epic though!)
I cant comment on the gearbox and your trans tunnel but shouldnt be much difference to the T9. Btw Mk2.5 has VVT too

Hth

[martinq357]

The Mk3 (NC) MX5's use the Duratec. I'd heard it was a Mazda version of the engine but I've had a look at the engine in my Mk3 and it has FoMoCo cast in the front so I assume it's a Ford supplied unit.

Interested to see which way you go with this..... I'm in a similar situation with my Cat, do I go Zetec or am giving some consideration to selling (and after 20 years of ownership that won't be an easy decision!) and building a replacement? I like the look of the GBS Zero Gen 2 and MX5 donor.

[Tony Tiger]

The Mk3 (NC) MX5's use the Duratec. I'd heard it was a Mazda version of the engine but I've had a look at the engine in my Mk3 and it has FoMoCo cast in the front so I assume it's a Ford supplied unit.

Interested to see which way you go with this..... I'm in a similar situation with my Cat, do I go Zetec or am giving some consideration to selling (and after 20 years of ownership that won't be an easy decision!) and building a replacement? I like the look of the GBS Zero Gen 2 and MX5 donor.

Hello Martin,
I have also been looking at the GBS Zero, I had a look at one at the Stoneleigh kit car show, had a good chat with one of the guys also, the article in the recent kit car magazine about GBS was also really interesting.

I also like the Tiger Avon and of course Tiger are offering a good discount at the moment because its their 30th Anniversary.

The only issue with both of these is the cost and time to build another kit car, most of the time the Cat is only used on the road, would maybe like to take the Cat on the track to see what she and I can do, but that’s about it. Went for a blast around the roads this evening after work thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Cat is overall in pretty good condition, the Pinto engine pulls really well, she is a bit juicy, especially when giving the engine some stick. The Pinto is leaking a little bit of oil from the sump gasket, which is proving to be a slight pain to try and sort, I think the flange on the sump pan needs to be straightened or the sump replacing.

I still think the best option is to replace the engine with something a bit more up to date. Hence looking at the Zetec or Duratec options, it would be fun to source and replace the engine, especially trying to find the bargains.

I could source the parts and build the engine before taking the Cat off the road to complete the transplant, that way I can continue to use the Cat as required and of course spread the cost over a 6-month period or so.

Tony

[Matth93]

I could source the parts and build the engine before taking the Cat off the road to complete the transplant, that way I can continue to use the Cat as required and of course spread the cost over a 6-month period or so.

Tony

That’s how I done mine, got all the parts as and when they came up over about 6 months which saved quite a bit (only paid £120 for bike carbs and manifold for example) also picked up a secondhand engine which already had a tiger sump on it and gave the engine a refresh. Then when I had it all and was ready done the swap in just over a weekend