General Zetec powered Caterhams/7's discussion

[das76]

@Vovchandr here is some documentation from the sales brochure I have for the SVT Zetec engine and a dyno chart provided by Rocky Mountain Sports Cars to the owner who purchased it and put in the SVT engine. If you are having a lot of issues with yours maybe it's time to consider a new one. The only challenge might be that these are now 20 years old so any donor Ford Focus SVT car is likely to have very high mileage. But a rebuild can solve that. Money can solve anything!

 

in 2006 the pricing was:

used SVT engine: $9400

Cam upgrade: $1000

light flywheel: $300

6spd gearbox: $1900

Total: $12,600

 

I have only had my car for 3 days, but I can safely say it's a rocket and I love it.

 

Edited May 1, 2023 by das76

[Vovchandr]

Thanks for that. 

 

Here is my graph

 

~130hp @ 6200

~122hp @ 5252

 

It's just not building power in top end

 

 

Edited May 9, 2023 by Vovchandr

[das76]

Ouch. Yes time for SVT. Or it might just be worth going newer with a Duratec. 

[Vovchandr]

6 minutes ago, das76 said:

Ouch. Yes time for SVT. Or it might just be worth going newer with a Duratec. 

 

I have a Duratec sitting on hand, just not willing to commit to a major swap if I can get ~200hp out of the Zetec setup. At this time I'm pending going FI on the current engine or maybe swapping it over to another Zetec for the ease of swap (either a fresh regular or SVT)

 

I just fail to understand what can be so wrong with this engine with so few miles and passing all the health checks, even if it had a hard life earlier. 

Edited May 1, 2023 by Vovchandr

[das76]

@Vovchandr Here is the brochure section for the "Roadsport" version of the Zetec stating 147hp. So maybe it depends which Zetec you have?

 

And the Ford link i posted lists it at ~130hp, so i'm a bit confused since your numbers are similar. Were you expecting much higher?

To get 200hp I think you'll need the SVT Zetec but i'm new to it all, so still learning and digesting a bunch of notes I have from the previous owners (for ex the lightened flywheel is 9lbs vs 32lbs for the stock flywheel)
 

 

Edited May 1, 2023 by das76

[Vovchandr]

2 hours ago, das76 said:

@Vovchandr Here is the brochure section for the "Roadsport" version of the Zetec stating 147hp. So maybe it depends which Zetec you have?

 

And the Ford link i posted lists it at ~130hp, so i'm a bit confused since your numbers are similar. Were you expecting much higher?

To get 200hp I think you'll need the SVT Zetec but i'm new to it all, so still learning and digesting a bunch of notes I have from the previous owners (for ex the lightened flywheel is 9lbs vs 32lbs for the stock flywheel)
 

 

 

I'll scan my paperwork and share what I have

 

My understanding is that Superlight R's at the period were sold with a "200whp" package of a Zetec, ITB's, cam work and maybe a tune. I have receipts and paperwork on my end to my build but it has many mixed messages. Different cams get mentioned in different areas while upon doing headwork on my car it appears that I have stock cams that were custom ground. There are certainly lots of receipts with lots of "$" to the original engine build paperwork. From what I got from the builder and the communications is that this engine was actually his race engine that he used in another 7 that was swapped into this build once he completed it by the dealer. 

[das76]

i should also note that yours in a 2001 vs mine a 2005 so there will quite a difference over those 4 years. I don't believe the SVT was even an option in 2001

[MV8]

48 minutes ago, Vovchandr said:

 

I'll scan my paperwork and share what I have

 

Different cams get mentioned in different areas while upon doing headwork on my car it appears that I have stock cams that were custom ground.

Unless the reground cams were stenciled with a part number, you may need to have lift measured and the profile degree'd to determine what is actually installed.

[Vovchandr]

15 minutes ago, MV8 said:

Unless the reground cams were stenciled with a part number, you may need to have lift measured and the profile degree'd to determine what is actually installed.

 

No part number. Is this something that is actually needed to be measured? Tuner did his best work to try to find the optimal output by playing with adjustable cam gears. 

[MV8]

He probably assumed your documentation matches the cam installed. Pulley adjustment just alters timing and overlap of what is installed. Pulling the valve cover and measuring is the only way to know what you have. It could be the compression variation is due in part to unintentional differences in cam specs from cylinder to cylinder from cam wear or machining error. Those differences could be masked by differences in valve and ring seal from cylinder to cylinder.

[Vovchandr]

On 3/13/2023 at 5:13 PM, S1Steve said:

Out in the garage changing the oil, so I took a picture of my water pump. 2002 Zetec, and I’ll throw in an old dyno pull.

 

Is this stock or with modifications?

[Vovchandr]

On 5/2/2023 at 7:11 AM, MV8 said:

He probably assumed your documentation matches the cam installed. Pulley adjustment just alters timing and overlap of what is installed. Pulling the valve cover and measuring is the only way to know what you have. It could be the compression variation is due in part to unintentional differences in cam specs from cylinder to cylinder from cam wear or machining error. Those differences could be masked by differences in valve and ring seal from cylinder to cylinder.

 

Pretty sure we settled on the fact that mine are stock. He opened up the valve train by getting the cover off at some point during the tuning. 

 

I think at some point I'm better off just ordering new cams and getting another tune.

 

For those wondering, quick google search just found Tom saying that SVT cams aren't interchangeable with non SVT and vice versa. 

[S1Steve]

22 minutes ago, Vovchandr said:

 

Is this stock or with modifications?

Stock Zetec, not a SVT, fuel injection by WEBCON. I have a newer chip, supposedly better chip in the ECU, but no dyno sheet to make an honest comparison.  Steve…

Edited May 4, 2023 by S1Steve

[Vovchandr]

delete

 

Edited May 6, 2023 by Vovchandr
Made it work

[das76]

@Vovchandr

[das76]

does the Zetec use the stock Ford fuel filter? if not, which fuel filter? I'm going to change all my filters this spring so I know when they've all been done. And where is the fuel filter on the 7 ?

[Vovchandr]

33 minutes ago, das76 said:

does the Zetec use the stock Ford fuel filter? if not, which fuel filter? I'm going to change all my filters this spring so I know when they've all been done. And where is the fuel filter on the 7 ?

 

Don't believe it's stock, ordered it from Caterham just to be sure

 

It's behind passenger seat but above the axle. Kind of a PITA spot to get to and the wrenching is from behind the seat with limited and blind room

 

  

On 5/27/2021 at 10:32 PM, Vovchandr said:

More maintained done today. 

 

20 year old fuel filter replaced. Was probably fine but makes me feel better

 

Was a bigger PITA than expected. Mostly due to the bolt heads being behind the carpet in cockpit while screw gun is in wheel well. Really required 2 people ideally. 

 

 

 

 

Don't have the part # offhand

[Tempesto]

How does Caterham manage the crankcase ventilation? I have a Birkin with a Zetec and the system I have isn’t optimal.

Thanks

[Vovchandr]

19 minutes ago, Tempesto said:

How does Caterham manage the crankcase ventilation? I have a Birkin with a Zetec and the system I have isn’t optimal.

Thanks

 

I just have a overflow catch can

[Tempesto]

Overflow? catch can. I’m running a catch can are you venting the side vent on the crankcase as well as the cam cover? If you are venting the crankcase what are you using to attach to the engine I just have a plate with a fitting no baffles or anything to reduce the amount of oil making it to my catch can. These aren’t available anymore.