Z-tec

[Terry Posma]

Figured if I had posted one topic I may as well post another.

I have been watching this topic together with those relating to pre engaged starters and ignition systems for some time and would like to add a bit of my experience.

I have owned my plus two for about 12 years.

Whilst the car was my principle mode of transport the car was quite reliable but always a bit coarse even thought the motor was rebuilt soon after I bought it. The car was replaced as my principle transport by a few BMWs culminating with a late M3 which because it is such a buzz to drive it means the plus 2 gets very little use and the baby elan I am rebuilding ( for the past 12 years) does not get looked at.

Since I stopped driving the plus 2 daily it had become more cantancerous each year to the point where it would not start and just chewed up batteries. I spoke to the local escort tuner and punter and he suggested a pre engaged starter and the instalation of a Bosch electronic distributor.

I have refrained from saying anything for 3 months to see if it all works Ok. Happy to report that it is really fabulous. The motor starts easily even after a month sitting idle. The big difference is the strong sewing machine feel of the motor all the way throught the rev range. Very much like the M3's 3.2l motor. Gets as hard as nails when it hits 6000rpm. There are no flat spots. The Delortos have not been touched for ten years other than the idle adjusted.

It is also happy to sit and idle for long periods without fouling plugs as it currently has to as I am teaching my son to drive in it.

The electronic distributor caused a few electrical system bugs which have been ironed out by a good auto electrician over a couple hours and the car is starting on a 2 year old battery which I thought was stuffed before the change.

I was also contemplating a change to injection to smooth it out further but this is so good, so far, I will stick with carbs.

The cost was not cheap but far cheaper than a z-tec conversion and the car is still a Lotus and the little motor has a bundle of character that new ones lack.

Hope this helps.

Terry.

[zuckerlowe]

Terry,
what is the pre-engaged start original from?

Steve (1968 +2, 1970 MGB)

[miked]

Terry,

When you say electronic distributor, do you mean everything, as in advance curve etc. Could you tell us more,as in the Bosch model and who sells them if it is not just a Bosch agent.

thanks Mike.

[berni29]

Hi Terry

I am going to put a ford EDIS (distributorless) system on my car (+2) along with throttle bodies (GSXR 600). I will be controling it with a megasquirt unit that I have. The idea is to get me the Zetec feel while I build one. I am interested to hear that you have got yours working well enough to drop the idea of the fuel injection.

Berni

[Terry Posma]

The distributor is from a late model Ford Fiesta/Escort and has a fixed dwell of 48deg to 52deg. I understand that they cost about UK 70 pound.

The starter motor was supplied by The Engine Centre in Melbourne, and cost about $400 Aus. The adapter plate fitted perfectly but it needed another pinion which cost $22 Aus. The ring gear did not need replacement and it is a very smooth start.

I am told injection will make the motor run smoother but then it will probably loose a bit of its character. I was looking at a system which included a Microtech ecu and throttle bodies and fuel rail supplied by EFI Harware in Melbourne. This looks a very slick system and has been installed on two twincams, with good results, in Perth WA by the guy I used to put in the distributor etc.

Both EFI and Microtech have web sites.

They use second hand injectors and change them over to get the right set up. That way there is a saving in cost as new ones, I understand, are quite expensive.

Terry.