Bartman

Hi John, As you surmise its a new build coming over more or less complete from the UK, apparently they (Raceline) purchased the last of the remaining UK inventory from Ford of new Zetecs and they build up from there. I had originally planned to work with a US engine builder using the current Zetec as a base but as I understood the costs involved etc it was clear that it was more or less a wash. Having talked to Raceline extensively and given they have been so involved with Zetecs and Caterhams over the years their pedigree was hard to ignore, they are also local to my home town in the UK, the GBP to USD is pretty good and shipping is cheap and easy and of course I dont have any anxiety buying unseen from the UK as its originally my home and my brother lives 5 miles from their office if I need an enforcer I had not given any thought to what to do with the existing Zetec and T9. I will reuse the aluminum belhousing from the current set up for sure though. Other than that I imagine I'd try to find a home for the motor and box. I'm really interested to learn about dampers and options on that front Nitron, Koni, Bilstein etc. I looked at the Nitron ones recently ($$$$'s) but, at least at first glance they fit +2004 and mine is 2000 and I've not really delved into this yet as I wanted to resolve the long lead time items first. Bart.

Small update and thanks to everyone who has contributed to my decision journey so far. The engine is now being worked on from a stock Zetec base, the head is off for CNC and so it begins. Raceline are telling me that 93 will be fine and they will map to that. As mentioned earlier, I will use an Omex 600 ECU. Flat out upshifts is achieved using a barrel sensor on the Sadev linked to a Geartronix ECU that provides the signal to the Omex for the initiation, duration and cessation of the cut, I honestly don't know if this is really a better setup than a simple fixed duration cut for the upshift but the cost of the Geartronix GCU is modest in the overall scheme and if it helps the Sadev last a bit longer between overhauls it's worth it to me. The oil pump is uprated and with steel gears, I had wanted to use a Johnson oil pump but the guys at Raceline are convinced that their setup is good, they use a highly baffled wet sump in almost all their applications and I will start with that and monitor oil pressure and temps etc. as we go. There is a small increase in capacity from 1988cc to 1997cc thanks to the additional 0.1 mm radius of the bore, the stroke remains at 88. The cams are more aggressive and I'll post the details if anyone is interested when I have them. I am waiting for a sample dyno sheet from an earlier build with my spec just curious really. The Sadev is ordered with the ratios 2.69:1 / 1.6:1 / 1.3:1 / 1.0952:1 / 0.95:1 /0.8571:1 Lastly, I ordered a plated LSD from Tracsport https://www.tracsport.com/lsds (page 2 on this link) I also looked at Titan (plated) and Quaife (ATB), in the end I talked to the guy at Tracsport, "Steve" who really knows his stuff it seems, and, since I don't, his advice was very helpful he has a very loyal following in the UK and lots of recommendations. So that's it for now on what's been decided, next things to look at are brakes and suspension set up, another rabbit hole to fall into. When finished it should be comparable to an R500 - we will see - - but one thing is for sure is that the car will be way more capable than I have the skill set to fully utilize, so it will be quite a learning curve - but hey that's what it's all about.

The head is done by ultimate performance Ltd. (Ultimatep.com.) I don’t know if they will sell just the head. For the 250 versus the 200 raceline add forged pistons and Corelli rods plus a few other upgrades but the real gain is in the head.

The head work is done by an ex F1 engineer. That’s the secret sauce I’ll post his site he’s an impressive engineer and it’s what gets them from 200 to 250.

Hi. Thanks I’d love to come see it. I am out of the country this week but I’ll definitely give you a holler when I’m back. The plan is coming together I have Raceline in the UK building a 250hp version based on a Zetec with heavy duty clutch mated to a Sadev 6 speed sequential, a Geartronics GCU will manage flat out shift in tandem with an Omex Ecu, finally a 30/30 LSD from tracsport using the standard 7” Sierra diff. Things still to do include sorting the headers and exhaust, sorting the brakes and the dampers. My plan is to have it all here stateside by the end of the summer and then get it all set up over the winter. I’ll keep you updated as to how all this goes. Bart

Hi. Thanks I’d love to come see it. I am out of the country this week but I’ll definitely give you a holler when I’m back. Bart

Thanks for the information, still working on the final decision

Perhaps you can PM me with the $$$ you are looking for, it may factor into the final decision. Thanks

Quicksilver are quoting +/- 9 - 10K to take the Zetec to +/-200 hp so it seems its pretty consistent with what you got a few years ago. I am hoping to get to a clear decision in the next few weeks and if the path is to install an SVT I'd be very interested to chat to you about it. Apart from the reworked head what's the condition like?

Hi and wow, thanks for the thoughtful replies. Its an interesting question about is "200 enough" medium term, and honestly one I'd not given thought too, I know I'm not skilled enough to manage spin wheels in 4th type horsepower currently but maybe that will come with practice and patience. So future proofing the re-build is a good point. FI for me is out, I cant give you a good reason just have never liked the feel of it. The plan (which will fail immediately in the face of the enemy - more HP at lowest investment) is to take this to Quicksilver and a local guy who works with them to install etc. and have them really look at what it would cost to swap out for a hotter Duratec versus the VCT upgrade. If you're interested I'll keep you posted on what the plan is and costs look like etc. I do know the Sadev is many $$$'s though...

As a newbie to this forum I have noticed the impressive depth of knowledge and experience represented here and I hoping that maybe I can get a little advice on a decision I need to make regarding my new/used Cat that I purchased from a member of the forum (Chris). It’s a lovely car and in really great shape. The car has a ford Zetec VCT which in its original stock state was said to be +/- 130HP if my research is correct. I am planning to use this car as a more or less dedicated track car and am looking to increase the HP to the 200 -210 HP mark, not massively extreme but pretty a decent increase and more than enough to scare myself stupid at the track. My options appear to be as follows:- 1. Take the VCT and have done what’s needed including ITB’s, hotter cams, forged pistons, ported and so on, this might be the easiest option. I’ve spoken to the guys at Quicksilver in MD about this and they are on board for this level of increase. 2. Replace with a SVT, stock at 170HP and modify accordingly. 3. Go all out and replace with a Duratec (hmm Cosworth), this would have been my choice until I realized that the induction and exhaust are on opposite sides compared to an SVT or VCT, so at minimum new holes to exit the exhaust and I have no clue about engine mount position, and all the other ancillary issues I’d need to resolve. So these seem to be my “options” that I can think of, I really would like option 3, as it’s a much more tractable motor and has the advantage (if I can do it) of moving the exhaust to the passenger side away from me and less chance of burning myself on the hot exhaust. But I don’t know if its doable, or just plain dumb. Putting the SVT in seems doable unless I missed something and with a base of 170HP not such a big increase on HP to get where I want to be with a newer design of motor. During the motor work I will also be uprating the front and rear brakes and maybe (just maybe) adding a Sadev sequential. I don’t know what I don’t know, so I am hoping that I can get your words or wisdom or derision about my plans in general and for the motor specifically. Thanks in advance. Bart.

I am in Washington DC....

Having just taken delivery of my used S3 with standard chassis I am looking to replace the stock Caterham seats, the ones in the car are the cloth material seats and are quite "snug" for my backside I was looking at the Tillet B6 Screamer from Beachman Racing and wondered if anyone knows if these are a little wider in the ass area given there is no padding? I know its a racing seat so may be even snugger but I am hoping someone here knows for sure having sat in one.

Hi there, Thanks so much for making contact, I actually did a deal with a member of this site on Friday. I hope you find a good home for yours I am sure its tough to let go. Thanks Bart.

Hi, I am a big Lotus fan and have been for years. I am currently restoring a 1974 Europa TCS this project is at least a year from completion due to Covid delays . I am looking for a 7 that I can use for fun track days and tooling around in while I am working on the Europa. I am not too fussy, prefer a De Dion axle but open to anything really. Thanks for reading and stay safe. Bart.