Replacing a Pinto to Zetec

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Tony Tiger
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Replacing a Pinto to Zetec

Postby Tony Tiger » Wed Aug 14, 2019 9:23 am

Hello All,

I am looking for some advice on changing a pinto engine to a Zetec on my Tiger Cat.

If I am being honest, I am not sure it is worth doing on a Tiger Cat when you consider the cost of the conversion and the value of a Cat, it might be worth selling the Cat and buying another kit car with a Zetec engine already fitted.

Considering the work required to change the engine:

1.The bodywork on the Cat will need sorting, the exhaust on the Zetec is on the opposite side to the pinto, then of course the bonnet would also need modifications and repairing.

2.I was thinking of a 2.0 Zetec, looking on line the type 9 gearbox has the same bolt pattern and will bolt to the Zetec, but the clutch and flywheel need changing, also not to sure about which starter motor would be required.

3.Then of course the engine mounts need replacing, there is also the issue with the thermostat which need sorting, along with the sump. Of course, all these items can be purchased on line.

4.The last area is the fuelling and ignition system, fuelling I was considering fitting bike carbs and a Nodiz Pro for the ignition.

Any thoughts or advice is welcomed on this type of conversion.

Tony

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Re: Replacing a Pinto to Zetec

Postby greenwoo » Wed Aug 14, 2019 12:15 pm

unless you're an inherent tinkerer and adept at picking up bargains....i'd suggest just sell and buy a car that already has the right engine.
Umpteen folks have done the conversion, few have done it truly cheaply....

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Matth93
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Re: Replacing a Pinto to Zetec

Postby Matth93 » Wed Aug 14, 2019 8:04 pm

I changed my car from a dohc 8v to zetec which saved me some work as the exhaust was the same side. I have also just helped kegco change his from pinto to st170(zetec with variable valve timing).
You can run the zetec flywheel (1.8 is lighter and fits 2.0). You can either get the flywheel redrilled to take the pinto clutch or use the zetec one, you need the Capri release bearing cct133 (if I remember right) as it's thicker so takes up the space difference in the flywheels.
Starter motor we're running is the dohc Sierra one.
Thermostat we are both running standard housings as we had enough room behind the engine for it, you only need to change it if there's not much clearance cos if they hit they break.
There is various sumps available to convert them to rwd I'm using the tiger one, my brother has a raceline one and gbs also do them (I'm sure there's also more available)
I'm running bike carbs which I've not had much trouble with so far (nearly 3 years and lots of miles) and nodiz which plugged in and was easy to set up and get running, the preloaded map seemed pretty good but I got one from someone else that had been to Chester sports cars and had it set up on rolling road.
The only thing I would say is we are still having teething problems with kegco's st170 engine setting up the vet and getting it right as he can't find anyone happy to map the vvt for him on rolling road so we are doing it ourselves with trial and error.

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Nash
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Re: Replacing a Pinto to Zetec

Postby Nash » Wed Aug 14, 2019 8:28 pm

Having been through the process twice now Tony my advice is go in with your eyes open.

Don't do as a way of adding value. It will not pay for itself.

If you are happy with all other aspects of the car and the build quality then pays your money takes your choice. Buying another car already done will be cheaper but make sure it's a good build
Buckle Up - Adventure Calls

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Tony Tiger
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Re: Replacing a Pinto to Zetec

Postby Tony Tiger » Wed Aug 14, 2019 11:12 pm

Hello Guys,

Thank you for the advice so far, I have been thinking about replacing the engine for awhile now and doing internet research into the parts and costs.

The idea was to source a good second hand engine, then start to purchase the parts required and build the engine/transmission ready to fit into the Cat.

In the meantime the Cat could continue to be used until the end of the summer. I could then complete the work required over winter, hopefully completing the transplant ready for next summer. This way I could spread the cost of the work over a few months.

The other option is to try and sell the Cat, which might not be that easy, especially as we are getting towards the end of summer. I would then need to start looking for another vehicle, at least with the Cat I know what I have to work with.

Looks like I have some more thinking to do.

Many thanks

Tony

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Kegco
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Re: Replacing a Pinto to Zetec

Postby Kegco » Thu Aug 15, 2019 4:15 pm

Tony Tiger wrote:Hello Guys,

Thank you for the advice so far, I have been thinking about replacing the engine for awhile now and doing internet research into the parts and costs.

The idea was to source a good second hand engine, then start to purchase the parts required and build the engine/transmission ready to fit into the Cat.

In the meantime the Cat could continue to be used until the end of the summer. I could then complete the work required over winter, hopefully completing the transplant ready for next summer. This way I could spread the cost of the work over a few months.

The other option is to try and sell the Cat, which might not be that easy, especially as we are getting towards the end of summer. I would then need to start looking for another vehicle, at least with the Cat I know what I have to work with.

Looks like I have some more thinking to do.

Many thanks

Tony

As Matt said
When I / We done the engine swap I done exactly that bought a engine then started buying bits,
St 170 low mileage for £250
But then had it stripped and refreshed and painted.
but not sure I would go ST170 unless you go throttle bodies. (DanST sell throttle body kit as well)
I bought a Dan ST setup manifold, bike R1carbs, ME100 ECU with ME base map
Wiring loom, bike fuel pump and all tested on a rig. all for £1200.
only thing unless I was just unlucky
But soon as we connected carbs they leaked fuel and further inspection they hadn’t been cleaned, so from the start we had problems, but otherwise it looks like a good set up and he did offer to take them back and recheck, but it’s a long wait to receive them. So by then I had engine in and just wanted to get it running.
Engine mounts I got off tiger
Sump from tiger
Alternator and bracket retro ford
Exhaust off SKCC used
Drilled Flywheel off bloke on FB £100
Thrust bearing off eBay new
Starter motor new motor shop near Matt’s
The over thing I sold the pinto for £500 and Twin45’s for £400 which also helps with the bills
ST170 Tiger cat E1
2.1 Tiger cat E1
Mini Rod73 (track toy)

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Kegco
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Re: Replacing a Pinto to Zetec

Postby Kegco » Thu Aug 15, 2019 5:20 pm

it took us, less then a day to take the pinto out and replace with ST170 and then had it running, because I had most of the bits put together.
8EC66E38-C4E6-4148-8B2C-628ADD342865.jpeg

Pinto
F83837E5-4AD3-4A67-985A-0B3A15C72A33.jpeg

Refreshed new rings and shells and some paint
88A702F1-D24B-458B-8CAB-D650B134C5E5.jpeg

First start up
FC8BEF44-2C90-4171-8945-893CE9C3CDA4.jpeg

Then some new hoses
6EC93F7D-DBB6-4454-B454-0534D48173DF.jpeg

Then getting the exhaust to fit was a bit of a task but got there in the end
Hope this helps
Also I’ve got a pinto tiger for sale had it up for at least a month still not sold, but then I’m not giving it away, and there is quite a lot of tigers for sale at the moment
So best of luck for which way you go
Kev
ST170 Tiger cat E1
2.1 Tiger cat E1
Mini Rod73 (track toy)

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DJ.
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Re: Replacing a Pinto to Zetec

Postby DJ. » Thu Aug 15, 2019 6:31 pm

What ever you decide to do, planning to do it over the winter is definitely a good idea :)

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Fury1630
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Re: Replacing a Pinto to Zetec

Postby Fury1630 » Thu Aug 15, 2019 7:57 pm

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.

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Tony Tiger
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Re: Replacing a Pinto to Zetec

Postby Tony Tiger » Thu Aug 15, 2019 9:30 pm

Hello Kev,

Replacing the engine in a day is really good going, the finished engine bay also looks really good.

I think I could have the same problem trying to sell my Cat, don't want to sell it for silly money and overall I am happy with the vehicle, just want a more modern engine that hopefully will drive better.

Thanks for the info.

Tony


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