Zetec SVT Question

[Taber10]

After blowing a head gasket this past summer, I have started learning more about this Ford Zetec 2.0L "SVT" in my 2007 Caterham 7 SV. Apparently the engine was only put in 14,008 North American Ford Focus autos between late '02 and '04, and is somewhat "rare." It is different from the Zetec SVT in the Contour, different from the "regular" Zetec incl. ZX3 and ZX5, ST170 (popular in Europe?) I believe the major differences are the variable cam timing on the intake side, not previously done by Ford, dual length intake manifold, and dual mass flywheel/clutch.

 

I have ended up purchasing a spare SVT motor. I realize that the oil sump, exhaust headers, transmission and accessory drive belt (no air conditioning) are different, but does anyone have an idea of what other "mods" must be done to put it into a Caterham? I believe it has also been used in Birkins in some market, and the modifcations would be similar.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Taber

[1turbofocus]

After blowing a head gasket this past summer, I have started learning more about this Ford Zetec 2.0L "SVT" in my 2007 Caterham 7 SV. Apparently the engine was only put in 14,008 North American Ford Focus autos between late '02 and '04, and is somewhat "rare." It is different from the Zetec SVT in the Contour, different from the "regular" Zetec incl. ZX3 and ZX5, ST170 (popular in Europe?) I believe the major differences are the variable cam timing on the intake side, not previously done by Ford, dual length intake manifold, and dual mass flywheel/clutch.

 

I have ended up purchasing a spare SVT motor. I realize that the oil sump, exhaust headers, transmission and accessory drive belt (no air conditioning) are different, but does anyone have an idea of what other "mods" must be done to put it into a Caterham? I believe it has also been used in Birkins in some market, and the modifcations would be similar.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Taber

You are correct the SVT Focus is all on its own , it isnt really classes as a " Zetec "

The SVT has CVT on the cam , Duel Runner intake manifold , Oil squirters in the block , higher compression , SVT head is totally different as well as cams

 

I have tuned and built a LOT of these engine both in 7`s and SVT Foci , there is very little done to the SVT Focus engine to put it into a Caterham

 

I wouldnt call them rare you just have to know where to look for them , I might be interested in all your old engine parts

 

Let me know if you need any help and I would change the timing belt on your new engine , if it brakes you will bend all the valves

 

Tom

[Taber10]

Tom,

 

Thanks for the reply to my email, the info, and the offer to help! I'm currently unsure of the status of either engine, but my original engine seems to be running fine. I don't know how the mechanic rebuilt it, i.e. proper new pistons, proper head gasket, proper timing, etc.

[1turbofocus]

Not a problem , if you have left over parts you want to sell let me know , you need to get a wide band air fuel gauge , HG dont just blow you need to check things , can you barrow a SCT xcal and I will look over a datalog for you

 

Tom

[Kitcat]

Tom:

Is the timing belt in the SVT Focus engine the same as a regular Zetec engine of the same year?

Thx,

Mike

[1turbofocus]

Yes it is

 

Tom

[dallasdude]

Tom's list of parts that are different is a good one....I might point out as part of the head being different....the variable intake cam pulley and cam followers are different, both of which are from what I know are pretty hard to come by.

 

I think the SVT Focus dual mass clutch and flywheel were never used in a Caterham either.

[Taber10]

Dallasdude,

Thanks for that input!

Taber

[Off Road SHO]

So what is the HP/Torque rating of the SVT Focus engine?

 

Tom

[breezy7]

Found these numbers in a Ford guide to the 2001 Focus SVT:

 

2.0 L SVT Zetec engine

Cubic inches

121

Horsepower

170 @ 7000 rpm

Torque

145 lbft @ 5500 rpm

Recommended fuel

91 octane

Firing order

1-3-4-2

Spark plug gap

1.3 mm (0.051 inch)

Ignition system

Electronic ignition

Compression ratio

10:2:1

[Taber10]

The "variable (intake) cam timing" which includes the hard to find and expensive Variable Cam Timing Solenoid, does not increase overall horsepower, but was designed and added to the Zetec to increase mid-range torque. The combination of different rods, pistons (I think) and head gasket leads to the higher compression, but more importantly to me--it makes the SVT an "interference" motor. Interference motors are apparently rare in the US market, esp. when they come with a "plastic" timing belt and not a timing chain.

[1turbofocus]

So what is the HP/Torque rating of the SVT Focus engine?

 

Tom

 

Correct the Focus SVT / ST170 makes 170 rated and buts down about 145-151 to the wheels on a dyno

 

I have many of the SVT / ST170 engine parts if anyone needs them

 

Tom

[1turbofocus]

The "variable (intake) cam timing" which includes the hard to find and expensive Variable Cam Timing Solenoid, does not increase overall horsepower, but was designed and added to the Zetec to increase mid-range torque. The combination of different rods, pistons (I think) and head gasket leads to the higher compression, but more importantly to me--it makes the SVT an "interference" motor. Interference motors are apparently rare in the US market, esp. when they come with a "plastic" timing belt and not a timing chain.

 

Actually the VCT is there for emissions and does nothing for performance anywhere , if you remove it and go to adjustable cam gears you will see no loss or gain from removing the VCT , there can be some idle issues from the larger cams the SVT has stock

 

There are dozens of interference engine in the US with and with out belts

 

Tom

[Taber10]

1Turbofocus,

 

Thanks for your reply. This forum--and others--are good to get discussion going and to hear varying opinions on subjects. While I agree that the previous variable cam timing ON THE EXHAUST cam for the Contour was an "emissions" driven decision, that was not what Ford SVT put out back in 2000-2001 when everyone was waiting for the SVT Focus. There are dyno run curves posted on the Focus web sites, although you have to search back years to find them, that show the improved mid-range torque. Also, can you "quantify" dozens of engines in the overall scope of the US Auto Market? I'm guessing that's not too many..... Generally, speaking of the 2000 and newer mass produced engines, like the "normal" Zetec, the American market favors non-interference designs, and the "few" interference designs and lots of other newer designs use chains for TBs.

 

Thanks again,

 

Taber

[1turbofocus]

Let me give you a little back ground of my self , I have built more SVT Focus engine that any living person , I have tuned more SVT Focus then any living person , I have turbocharged more SVT Focus then any living person , I have made more aftermarket parts for the SVT Focus then any living person , I have made over 550HP to the wheels with a SVT Focus , I own a SVT Focus that makes 326 HP and 331 TQ to the wheels with the original all stock Ford engine that came in it

 

Saying all that one of the parts that I made was a VCT Eliminator which eliminates the VCT gear and removes the VCT Solenoid , when you do this if what you were saying about the VCT is there for better mid range TQ and HP you would loose that mid range TQ and HP , When going to the VCT Eliminator and regular gears there is no loss of TQ or HP anywhere from 2500 to 7500

 

I have spent untold Hrs playing with the phase part of the VCT in the tuning software on my in house dynojet dyno and could never make any more TQ or HP by changing it

 

The VCT on the SVT is there for emissions , nothing more , this is no opinion this is proven fact !

 

As for the interference Engines , many Toyotas , dozens of the Honda , many many Dodges , Mazda , Mitsu , Nissan , I own an engine machine shop as well and we have had 1000`s of engines come through for bent valves

 

Tom

[James A]

I have been to Tom's shop, worked with him on the tuning of several race cars, seen his SVT and VCT eliminators, helped install them on a number of engines, and regularly talk with him on engine tuning for the race cars and street cars.

I think I would listen to Tom when it comes to Zetec performance and tuning.

[super7guy]

James,

 

I am glad that you spoke up. I think that having Tom's input is very valuable to the group.

 

Wayne