Ford Ka 1.7 Conversion

[_Nathan_]

Seeing as how cheap Ka's can be picked up for £6/700 and Puma 1.7 engines can be sourced for £350 - exactly how difficult is it to ditch the Kent engine and 1.7 it !? I know they share the same gearbox.

Google is of no help, apart from informing me the conversion can be done for £4500 inc vat but for that I'd rather a Clio 172!

Simple D.I.Y or is custom fabrication required?

Cheers guys

Edited by _Nathan_ on Tuesday 12th February 15:48

[Dimski]

I assume custom conversion, the reason that Ford did not put the 16v zetec range in the Ka (as far as I know) was packaging.... Which was why the used the Kent.

Also why the Sportka uses a breathed on 1.6 8v, instead of the 1.6 16v from the Zetec S, or 1.7 from the Puma.

Correct me if I am wrong folks!!!

[_Nathan_]

The 1.7 Puma engine is more compact than the 16v 1.6 I believe - I think you can stick the 16v head on top of the 8v block apparently.

The Ka never got the 1.7 for obvious marketing reasons.

Suprising little info on the net it seems.

[Dimski]

Then you seem to know more than me!!! I assumed the 1.7 was simply a 1.6 with different head or stroke increasing capacity... Apparently I am wrong

It would be a very interesting little motor, although I kinda wonder if a tweaked SportKa makes more sense.

Is it the conversion itself that appeals?

[_Nathan_]

Lol

The idea appeals because

• to have it done professionally costs over £4k and I can see it costing less than a monkey in parts - satisfying
• also I prefer the looks of a stock KA
• the Yamaha knowhow that went into making that VCT lump

[trackdemon]

_Nathan_ said:

Lol

The idea appeals because

• to have it done professionally costs over £4k and I can see it costing less than a monkey in parts - satisfying
• also I prefer the looks of a stock KA
• the Yamaha knowhow that went into making that VCT lump

You missed out the best reason:

• 140-150bhp could be coaxed out of the 1.7 Yamaha unit
• In a standard Ka shell that would make for a great sleeper. Hilarious!

(The brakes driveshafts etc would doubtless disintegrate, but fun whilst it lasts )

Edited by trackdemon on Wednesday 13th February 00:37

[_Nathan_]

I thought everyone would assume those as obvious reasons !!

Edited by _Nathan_ on Wednesday 13th February 14:04

[Podie]

Dimski said:

I assume custom conversion, the reason that Ford did not put the 16v zetec range in the Ka (as far as I know) was packaging.... Which was why the used the Kent.

Also why the Sportka uses a breathed on 1.6 8v, instead of the 1.6 16v from the Zetec S, or 1.7 from the Puma.

Correct me if I am wrong folks!!!

I know Ford put a 1.6 into the Ka in some markets, but can't recall if it was the RoCam engine, or a Zetec.

Either way, the Zetec has been dropped into the Ka loads of times. Have even seen a few in the PH classifieds.


ETA - 1.8 Zetec lump - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/356251.htm

Edited by Podie on Wednesday 13th February 12:08

[_Nathan_]

Podie said:

I know Ford put a 1.6 into the Ka in some markets, but can't recall if it was the RoCam engine, or a Zetec.

The 8v Sportka !?

[Podie]

_Nathan_ said:

Podie said:

I know Ford put a 1.6 into the Ka in some markets, but can't recall if it was the RoCam engine, or a Zetec.

The 8v Sportka !?

I've got a strange feeling they put a 1.6 Zetec into the Ka for the SA market...

[tigger1]

I've got a bog-standard 69bhp Ka - a 140bhp one would be a riot!!

Obviously factor in the other upgrades (suspension, brakes, more brakes...) etc. Given the propensity to LO-oversteer, a 1.7 Ka might be a little bit "interesting" in the damp!

[Podie]

Wonder what happened to the mid-mounted Duratec V6 engined "engineer's toys" that used to sit at the back of Dunton..?

[Zad]

I believe there may be an issue with bonnet/engine clearance on 16v units, hence the old Rattlytec engine used on it? My memory is a bit iffy here, so I dunno. I know it would cost a fortune and would be a swine to package, but a Duratec V6 RWD would be a larf

[Rach81]

So, errrmmm what tweaks can be made to a 1.6 streetka?

[lunchbox]

Bit of searching..

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=66&...

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/834408

http://www.fiestaturbo.com/forums/post866418/#p866...

May be of interest

[_Nathan_]

Cheers Mr Lunchbox

Surprised there isn't a build diary out there - anyone fancy doing it for me ?

[dickkark]

there is a cossie engined ka on charfleets in canvey island at the moment having some paintwork done.

the front end is built round a tubular frame mated to a custom firewall,but it all fits under the standard ka sport body,and once the bonnet is shut it looks perfectly standard apart from the intercooler visible through the grilles.and the roll cage.

I dont know who owns it though.