ZETEC

[gjslutz]

Where are people buying ZETEC engines & engine parts? Like everyone else, in quest of more HP. My Zetec is said to be around 160 to 170 HP. Is it a big problem to do an Duretec swap,

or should I stay with the Z and build on it? I do like the wide power band of the present state of tune. I like the Birkin much more than I thought I would. It is my first experience with something this light, and slower than most cars I have had.

 

Gary

[slomove]

I am not aware of anybody who put a Duratec into a live axle Birkin (the new IRS Birkins seem to have that option). But, since it fits a narrow-bodied Caterham I suppose it is possible with a bit of cutting and welding.

 

Come on, somebody has to do it first.....

 

Gert

[gjslutz]

My Birkin S3 is 3 years old and the build on it is outstanding, thanks to the builder, not me! I don't want to cut or weld on it, as it is too nice, so it looks like more HP from the Zetec. It has the Raceline Throttle Bodies, water rail, and not sure what else. It is the close ratio T-9 & Quaiffe LSD. I purchased it from this site a few weeks ago. It is strong, but not blinding fast, yet. I waited a long time to buy one of the 7 cars. I took talking to someone with one to get me to move on one.

 

Gary

[Al N.]

gs-if you don' think a seven with 170 is that quick, I can't imagine what your other cars are....

 

if you alredy have TBs, the main place to do work is the head and cams. you can get your head decked to up the compression, and ported/flowed to help it breath more. Then of course there are the cams. I don't know what cams you have right now, but my Caterham Superlight uses the Kent Focus 12s, which are fairly aggressive.

 

My recent dyno run is somewhere around here, the car put out 147 at the wheels, on a hot muggy day, and in 4 gear on the Caterham 6, not 6th, which should result in better numbers.

 

I wanted to get a baseline because, though the car is plenty quick for my needs, I'm always interested in what's possible. There are some 220 and 240 normally aspirated Zetecs out there, and I wouldn't mind being one of them.

 

Besides working with a dedicated Seven shop like Rocky Mountain or MSi (though I guess Auto Europe is closest to you), there are always the Focus tuners...I found one in central Pennsylvania that I plan on working with...McNew's Automotive

 

The plans include a Ford Racing Head (CNC milled new stock, with large in and out valves) and some hotter cams, and of course flowing the head a bit. Then some dyno tuning to optimize. That route is about $2500 all in. You could also try the Focus Sport Cosworth head...though they use used heads for that application.

 

Quicksilver down in MD is well known for their Zetec work. Not cheap, though. Finally, if you are feeling truly nutty, consider a stroker block from focus power down in NC..their website seems to be down. This is going to be at least a $5k job, but the good news is that I don't think you'll need to modify your frame or sheetmetal (I think) like you would for a DuraTec conversion.

 

[WestTexasS2K]

Gary there are several manufactures that make supercharger kits for the Ztec engine. Most will give 50% boost.

 

 

http://www.supercharger.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=33366

 

https://www.rpmoutlet.com/atimustangf.htm

 

http://www.focussport.com/supercharger.htm

 

http://www.powerworks.net/focusforce.html

[Al N.]

I've thought about that route, Loren, but am concerned that a supercharger might not fit without frame/sheetmetal alterations.

[gjslutz]

I had thought about forced induction, but the TBs look so neat on the engine, I would hate to loose them. I also was thinking of fit problems. I did a Vortec on an 2000 BMW M roadster I had and it helped big time with the power. I'm also trying to deal on an S2K, as you have 240 HP & 6 speed to start with. Loren my wife will likely send you hate mail if I do this, not realy, if I move out it will be ok. We have an agreement, if it has no pulse it is ok. I'll likely sell one of them and keep the one I like best. It could be a hard choice, but I would have no need for two.

 

 

[Al N.]

If you're thinking Ultralite, then why not think LS1...or LS7?

[Titus]

I would love to see a Cosworth Duratec in a LSiS.

[Al N.]

I think Magnus out in CA is doing just this...and of course, anyone who ordered a CSR 260.

[gjslutz]

LS1 or LS7?

 

Gary

[Al N.]

Mazda's Rotus, rightfully considered one of the scariest, quickest cars in the hobby, is powered by a GM LS1 V8 and tranny. The LS7 is the new V8 in the latest Z06 Vette.

[gjslutz]

Mazda's Rotus sounds like it is wild, but I'm trying to stay with a light car. I sold my AC 427 Cobra # CSX 3300 years ago (I didn't say I was smart). I can't imagine trying to keep his Rotus between the guard rails on street tires. I never had a high HP 4 cylinder before, this is a new quest for me, and I'm enjoying it. My goal is to stay under 1300 pounds if I can.

[Al N.]

I say find a good Zetec shop, try the head/cam swap...and see if you can live with the results. Or go the supercharged S2000 route. Skip Cannon or Keith Tanner's turbo miata cars are also quick.

 

I personally like the "all motor" aspect of my car, even if it is down on ultimate power vs. some of the other cars here.

[scannon]

Mazda's Rotus, rightfully considered one of the scariest, quickest cars in the hobby, is powered by a GM LS1 V8 and tranny. The LS7 is the new V8 in the latest Z06 Vette.

Yep, the LS7 is the one you want, too much horsepower is just about right, eh Mazda?:hurray:

 

That said, I really like my 1,800 cc Miata engine with turbo. It dyno'd at 235 RWHP and 204 ft lb. The car (Caterham SV) weighs 1,338 with half tank of fuel. If you want more HP, this motor can easily be brought up to 320 RWHP with a few goodies from Flyin Miata, something I intend to do in a year or two. There is one 2 liter version out there in a drag car making 616 RWHP! Miata motors and transmissions are cheap and easy to find.

[Boxologist]

Mazda's Rotus sounds like it is wild, but I'm trying to stay with a light car... I can't imagine trying to keep his Rotus between the guard rails on street tires. I never had a high HP 4 cylinder before, this is a new quest for me, and I'm enjoying it. My goal is to stay under 1300 pounds if I can.

 

I'm at bit a bit of a loss with u beleiving Mazda's is too heavy. while not the lightest, its weight is its engine and that engine is located nearly perfectly in a se7en. and his use of the GM drivetrain allows him to have easy access to brakes and wheels/tyres that can accomodate those power levels.

 

it would be a good idea to figure out exactly what u want your se7en to be. because they can be made very light, 900 lbs with a bike engine, 1000 lbs with a NA 4 cylinder car motor, sort of 'luxerious' with their weight passing 1300 lbs. there is a whole gamut of options.

 

But as high HP 4 cylinders tend to lose their around town drivability to an extent, thats why i wanted my 7 to be a lesser engine that cound run on piss.

[WestTexasS2K]

Gary forgot you had the ITB. I think that the roots type supercharger should fit but the TB would have to go. That would be a real shame I love the ITB, Just a thought. I really think once you drive an Ultralite it will have all the power you want. Hold off until Run N Gun and then make a decision.

 

Your wife with have to get inline for all the wives that are unhappy with me. I surely couldnt make your wife any madder than I make 7evins wife. Its a good thing 7evin and I live so apart. We would probably both be divorced if lived in closed to each other.

[athens7]

Are there any good zetec specialized shops in the southeast?

[slngsht]

Yep, the LS7 is the one you want, too much horsepower is just about right, eh Mazda?:hurray:

 

That said, I really like my 1,800 cc Miata engine with turbo. It dyno'd at 235 RWHP and 204 ft lb. The car (Caterham SV) weighs 1,338 with half tank of fuel. If you want more HP, this motor can easily be brought up to 320 RWHP with a few goodies from Flyin Miata, something I intend to do in a year or two. There is one 2 liter version out there in a drag car making 616 RWHP! Miata motors and transmissions are cheap and easy to find.

 

If I had the extra $$$ laying around, LS7 would be a no brainer for me. But that's pretty pricey. The best value in the LSx line right now is a stroked LS2.

 

Rotus is pretty heavy anyway, but the LS1 is about 430 lbs, including accessories and manifolds. I'd say that's only 100 lbs heavier than an all aluminum 4 banger. The think I like about it, is the power is SMOOOTH, there is never any surge at any speed. Very predictable, and very reliable. Can sit in traffic all day, or be ragged on all day, without too much strain.

 

And if more power is desired, it can go pretty high with mods.

[gjslutz]

Loren, the ball is in the park for the S2K owner to play or pass. It looked like I could make it work. It needed things cleaned up for me though. I would need to loose some of the FIA cage to make it useable for me, and likely paint it, and do something for seats & windshield. The Birkin has great road maners now, I don't want a motor tuned to a very narrow power band and not streetable. I do want to stay with a lite 4 cyl. car if I can. If I didn't have the ITB, I would S/C it in a second.

I'm not knocking Mazda's Rocket, it just isn't what I want today, tomorrow?? I have had those type of toys and want to try something new that is what brings me here. I would like to see his car sometime. You would not beleive some of the cars I have had, not allowed to chase things with a pulse, so it has been cars & airplanes for me. I had to have a reason to go work, I'm too old for that now though.