To Zetec people, why can't I do this?

[berni29]

Hi

I am a longstanding +2 owner having had several over the years. I am in the process of rebuilding one at the moment.

As one does, I have just bought another for restoration, but without gearbox and engine.

My current car is an ex race car and not exactly standard. I have an early Spyder spaceframe chassis that I was planning to use with the car.

I am thinking the following. Use the Twincam and 5 sp (type 9 with a repositioned gear lever) in my soon to arrive restoration project and adapt the early Spyder chassis to take a Zetec with the MT75 gearbox for my current car.

I already have a modified ally sump from the last time I considered doing a Zetec, along with some correctly spaced GXR individual throttle bodies.

My actual question, is why does no-one seem to adapt the standard fuel injection and management system that comes with the engine to work in the +2? Surely you could fit the MAF to the end of the airbox and any other gubbins like the electronic ignition and away you go. Why the expense and complexity of custom systems?

Please excuse my ignorance.

All the best

Berni

[john.p.clegg]

If you're thinking of using the standard manifold , I don't think it will fit the space..

John

[berni29]

If you're thinking of using the standard manifold , I don't think it will fit the space..

John

Hi John

When I say “airbox” I am actually thinking of something like the standard twincam one, if not an actual modified twincam one. With a bit of tube of the correct diameter (so that the air velocity is as expected) if necessary.

Many thanks

Berni

[gav]

Hi Berni
I bought a new blacktop, had it worked and adapted to fit into my sprint and used an Emerald ECU on Jenveys and a bespoke exhaust manifold.
I have since sold the original blacktop inlet system but from memory it had one throttle body on a combined intake plenum. It wouldn’t fit and all had to go and I understood that remapping the standard ecu that came with the engine was a bit of a job. I found it easier to use a standalone open protocol system. I know that the Emerald system isn’t the best on the market but I’m very happy with it and Emerald as a company have been great to deal with.
I suspect that this only answers part of your question but it is a start.
Happy tinkering
Gavin

[berni29]

Hi

The inlet manifold I am not worried about. The exhaust can be tapped for an o2 sensor. The ECU should adapt enough by itself so that a remap should not be necessary (I would have thought). It just seems so much simpler to use the original kit designed for the engine.

By the way, the Zetec that I would need to use, which range of Ford cars does it originate from? Do they even use a MAF? Edit: The 2.0 is a Mondeo/Focus engine........and the blacktop the later variant so that will be the one I guess!

Another edit: I have found the answer. There are other systems that need to be present for the standard ECU to work. So Emerald or similar it is!

I need an idiots guide.

Berni

[gav]

Berni
When you do find the guide, please can I have a copy too. It wasn’t straightforward for me either.
I found some really useful conversion items at Spyder’s - their exhaust manifold fitted well and I had a local exhaust company make up the link back to the TTR box.
The hardest part for me was having the sump modified to clear the front ARB.
Gavin

[berni29]

Hi Gavin

It’s a learning curve for sure. I do not like the sound of the wasted spark setup because the injectors fire unnecessarily. That cannot be good. More reading to do!

How much do you like your Zetec? Runs well in cold weather?

All the best

Berni

[gav]

Berni

It is very easy to get carried away, My zetec produces 225BHP and 89 ft/lb and my recent mission has been working on the brakes to match the extra power. Now sorted but it has been a journey.
I am using a long diff for motorway cruising and the extra power is great- it certainly keeps up with modern traffic.
The fuel injection system has been great - it starts on the button every time whatever the weather so I use it more these days.
With hindsight, I don’t think I need that level of power and as it happens, I am rebuilding the original twincam which produced 150 BHP 129 ft/lb and is probably fine for what I do. I’ll decide whether I refit it when the works done
Never a dull moment......

[berni29]

Hi

That does sound like a beast of an engine. More than I need!

I have been doing some more research on this and it seems it is possible to use the original ECU and sensors in the manner I first thought. The VSS can be left off, or on a T9/MT75 box can actually be connected, the PATS security system can be used. It is them just a matter of connecting up the MAF.

I'm sure it's a bit more challenging than that but it has been done in the Locost/Escort community multiple times.

So I will do a post on it once I start.

All the best

Berni