Which Zetec engine

[mikealdren]

There are a few offers on the Net for Focus Zetec engines. Spyder talk about the differences between Escort and Mondeo versions, has anyone tried the Focus engine? Any comments on the sump used.
Also, does anyone have any info about diferences in cams etc please?

[tower of strength]

As I understand it Mike, you need the earlier mondeo engine (silver top), with the starter motor at the front, The Mondeo Sump needs a bracket lopping off and the water pump from the Escort.

I did a fair amount of research into doing the Zetec conversion but have decided against it for now (I refuse to replace my unused chassis just to fit the zetec!)

Theres plenty of information on this site if you have a search.

good luck

Mark

[chrishewett]

Sorry to be a bore but what has this to do with a Lotus forum?
Chris

[mikealdren]

Chris, I understand your point but after 26 years with my +2, it needs a full rebuild. The options are to keep it original or upgrade and I've done waterpumps, rear wheel breaings, handbrake adjustments, donuts, trunnions etc enough for one liifetime. Maybe I getting too old for a Lotus but I still love it and I think I'll just use it more after the conversion.
regards
Mike

[Elanintheforest]

Come on, chaps, the Zetec debate has everything to do with an Elan forum, as has the use of Spyder chassis, Type 9 5 speed gearboxes, electronic ignition, Minilite wheels, electric motor headlight lifters and every other non-standard 'mod' to our cars. There are enough Elans to go round, and I for one would much prefer to see a Plus 2 on the road and enjoyed than end up on ebay in bits. Mind you, having said that, some of those bits have come in very handy for my restorations

I am an originality nut, and totally believe that the original Elan can be made to be reliable everyday transport...Brian Buckland has proven this with his 600,000 mile S3! However, it does require a lot of maintenance by today's standards. The Zetec is the grandson of the twincam, and has proven itself to be very reliable and long lived...over 200,000 miles isn't uncommon.

But I wouldn't go the Zetec route...have a look at the Duratec as fitted to the ST170 Focus. It's the next generation Zetec, developes 170 bhp in std form, and just by improving the breathing, exhaust and a chip mod, 190 totally reliable bhp is obtained.

Have a look at the Spyder website, as it's full of info about the Zetec mod on a Spyder chassis, and looks at the different options available. It must be worth having a chat with them as well to explore options. To do it properly isn't cheap. You can obtain a Zetec for a few pounds and a Duratec for ?300, but you'll need electric fuel pump, return to the tank, ECU wiring, bellhousing, exhaust manifold etc. etc. all of which has been custom made to fit the Zetec into the Plus 2. Then if you put in the Spyder chassis and other mods to the suspension, you are heading way over ?5000 if you do it yourself.

But having seen and driven one, I really think that they are worth doing....but explore the Duratec option!
Mark

[tower of strength]

Come on, chaps, the Zetec debate has everything to do with an Elan forum, as has the use of Spyder chassis, Type 9 5 speed gearboxes, electronic ignition, Minilite wheels, electric motor headlight lifters and every other non-standard 'mod' to our cars. There are enough Elans to go round, and I for one would much prefer to see a Plus 2 on the road and enjoyed than end up on ebay in bits. Mind you, having said that, some of those bits have come in very handy for my restorations

I am an originality nut, and totally believe that the original Elan can be made to be reliable everyday transport...Brian Buckland has proven this with his 600,000 mile S3! However, it does require a lot of maintenance by today's standards. The Zetec is the grandson of the twincam, and has proven itself to be very reliable and long lived...over 200,000 miles isn't uncommon.

But I wouldn't go the Zetec route...have a look at the Duratec as fitted to the ST170 Focus. It's the next generation Zetec, developes 170 bhp in std form, and just by improving the breathing, exhaust and a chip mod, 190 totally reliable bhp is obtained.

Have a look at the Spyder website, as it's full of info about the Zetec mod on a Spyder chassis, and looks at the different options available. It must be worth having a chat with them as well to explore options. To do it properly isn't cheap. You can obtain a Zetec for a few pounds and a Duratec for ?300, but you'll need electric fuel pump, return to the tank, ECU wiring, bellhousing, exhaust manifold etc. etc. all of which has been custom made to fit the Zetec into the Plus 2. Then if you put in the Spyder chassis and other mods to the suspension, you are heading way over ?5000 if you do it yourself.

But having seen and driven one, I really think that they are worth doing....but explore the Duratec option!
Mark

I agree, better sympathetically modified and kept on the road rather than broken for parts (unless theres a spare ambient temp guage going cheap!!). I'm going to convert mine to 5 speed but not using one of the proprietry kits (I'm too tight!). And possibly later I will either inject the Twincam or fit a zetec.
As for the duratec, you'll need a special bellhousing to take a modified type 9 gearbox as the bolt pattern on the block is different, but what an engine!!
Mark

[Elanintheforest]

Is the Duratec bolt pattern different to the Zetec? If so, I guess it's curtains for that idea. Still may be worth exploring with Spyder though as I'm sure they must have had enquiries about fitting the Duratec and maybe have had a bellhousing made for it, as they did the Zetec....allways optomistic!
Mark

[types26/36]

Is the Duratec bolt pattern different to the Zetec? If
Mark

A friend of mine fitted a Duratec with a type 9 gearbox in a Seven, I think he got the bellhousing from Caterham so they are available.

[carrierdave]

"Duratec" Isn't that a make of battery?

And whats a Zetec when it's at home?

[tower of strength]

Is the Duratec bolt pattern different to the Zetec? If
Mark

A friend of mine fitted a Duratec with a type 9 gearbox in a Seven, I think he got the bellhousing from Caterham so they are available.

The Duratec has got a different bolt pattern to the other ford Four cylinder engines, Burton, Raceline to name a couple do make a bellhousing to fit the type 9 to the duratec. You'd need to use a modified type 9 AKA the voight conversion, or possibly an MT75 with an adaptor plate?

Regards

Mark

[tower of strength]

"Duratec" Isn't that a make of battery?

And whats a Zetec when it's at home?

Duracell is the battery and a Zetec is a modern 16valve engine that shares common lineage with the Lotus Twincam, for less than a bottom end rebuild, a Zetec can be installed, with throttle body injection, producing upwards of 160BHP, on pump fuel, for intergalactic mileages without spilling its guts all over the floor.
Its not original, but then do you really think ACBC would have developed his own engine if this had been available then, for peanuts?

Just an opinion

sitting on the fence re originality !!

Mark

[carrierdave]

Hi Mark
Thanks for straightening that out. I too "sit on the fence re originality"

I have though about the conversion and can see the huge benefits of changing over old for new. But for me it comes back to the fact that when you purchase a 1960/70's car you purchase it for what it was - a piece of history. If i really wanted a modern day reliable sports car I would buy a MX thingy

Only my opinion and I'm sure the debate will go on for years

Best regards

Dave

[types26/36]

"Duratec" Isn't that a make of battery? And whats a Zetec when it's at home?

Duracell is the battery and a Zetec is a modern 16valve engine that shares common lineage with the Lotus Twincam, Mark

I believe the Duratec has aluminium block, was designed by Mazda and is fitted in some of their cars.

[tower of strength]

Hi Mark
Thanks for straightening that out. I too "sit on the fence re originality"

I have though about the conversion and can see the huge benefits of changing over old for new. But for me it comes back to the fact that when you purchase a 1960/70's car you purchase it for what it was - a piece of history. If i really wanted a modern day reliable sports car I would buy a MX thingy

Only my opinion and I'm sure the debate will go on for years

Best regards

Dave

Hi Dave,

i agree with the 60's/70's car and wouldnt want to change the suspension or major appearance of the car, I had a temperamental +2s130/5 a couple of years back and a couple of "experts" blamed unleaded fuel as the main running problems and told me to put up with very lumpy running, stalling in traffic etc. For this reason I researched the Spyder Zetec and the possibility of just doing the engine . However I have come to my senses for now and I'll give the twink one last chance!! I intend some long haul trips in the finished car and believe a 5 speed would enhance the pleasure of the car (as well as longer engine life and better fuel economy) and make it more suited to todays driving environment, hence I'll be uprating the lights, alternator and doing a couple of other subtle mods to make the car a viable daily runner. I'm keeping the rotoflex rear end, as I found them no problem on my last car, and to me they helped form part of the fundamental character of the car. I Don't fance moving my engine forward to accomodate a gearbox and certainly wouldn't consider changing the steering geometry or suspension. The original brakes (with braided hoses and decent branded pads) gave me no cause for concern (not a track day warrior!!). Iam torn on the wheels and tyres, I want minilites, knock ons of course, but I do like the idea of 14" tyre options. When our cars were new, they used the latest tyre technology available , the fabric radial, with carcass construction and tread compounds to suit the sports cars of the day.Due to the low demand, in a volume market ,155 and 165X13 are predominantly "budget" or commercial tyres (Dunlop sports being the only exception Iam aware of), hence the side walls are to stiff and the tread compound too hard, my 130 was a right handful in the wet and even on very cold dry days grip was poor. Some sticky 185/60 14 yokos really do appeal!!

No doubt I'll get a right dressing down for the above, but again, just my observations/opinions

Mark

P.S. I'll give any mods due consideration prior to carrying them out, and always with the option to return to original.
(any one got a comlete boot floor I can cut from a scrap shell? I feel the urge for an Elite style exhaust set up!!)

[1964 S1]

...the subject was roses?

I put a set of Michelin Rainforce all weather 165/70 13 on my S1 not too long ago. I'm a stickler for originality if one has an original car in running shape. These tires aren't "original" but quality wise it would be hard to beat them. They're close enough to original size to fit under the confines of my front wheel wells and aren't some twenty year old 165/13 item with dry rot safety issues. Tires in the USA have a number stamped on the sidewall that tells when the tire was manufactured, not all new tires are new.
I think wide thirteen inch wheels would work better, and look better, than any fourteen inch wheel with slot car tires on a +2.

Now, about that Zetec...