Cosworth / Pinto engine help

[Robmarriott]

This will sound odd but bear with me on it.

I want to build an NA Cosworth engine

Using a Pinto block, what is needed to use a YB head?
Can I use any head or is one more suited to NA work?
If I use an early head (with the original style cam cover) can I use a small turbo escort cam cover? If it doesn't bolt straight on, what do I need to do to get it to work?

All I want is a good looking engine which looks modern and tidy, about 180bhp will do.

Final thing, I want to run it on a plenum, I've seen a few 'wrc' inlets about but can't pinpoint the one I want, it looks a bit like the one Jenvey do but obviously is a DTH type one with a single TB. Any ideas?

[DVandrews]

You will need some higher compression pistons and a decent set of cams, the stock YB cams are very short duration, a pair of BD3s would be about right, but may be slightly hot for a plenum. You will probably need a side entry cap for the distributor to miss the plenum. Accralite do a good pistons giving around 11.5:1 compression. If you can get hold of a set of YB rods they are worth having, if not make sure you have wide beam Pinto rods and change the bolts. The basic design of the ehad is good, but it really requires some work to get the best out of it in NA form. The later 4x4 head is a better design.

Dave

Edited by DVandrews on Saturday 12th November 13:54

[anonymous-user]

The trick to "big power" with a single plenum is size! Most of the "turbo" plenums for the wrc engines will be far too small to allow for the "gulp" factor you are going to need to make decent high rpm N/A power!

Is there a reason you want/need a YB? ( A common or garden Duratec HE is a much better head for N/A usage and would be a lot easier to source etc)

[Robmarriott]

Mainly for ease of fitment. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of the Duratec/MZR, it really is a fantastic engine and has a lot going for it, but getting it mounted is more work than it is with a Pinto based engine.

That and the fact that the small turbo Cosworth cam cover will fit in exactly with the colours I'm going for with the car.

[anonymous-user]

Fair enough, but you might struggle with the plenum. Most N/A Yb's are going to be on throttle bodies (well Carbs even!) and none of the turbo plenums are going to be great (too small/too short inlet length etc). So you might have to fabricate a custom plenum etc?

[Robmarriott]

I was thinking of using the 70mm Jenvey plenum, some of their spacers on the inlet (or some custom longer ones) and mounting the injectors underneath the inlet to hide them away.

[DVandrews]

Just to add, it is perfectly possible to convert the hydraulic followers to solid if you are using solid profiles that are not too radical, small shims that fit inside the follower are used. This will reduce costs considerably.

Dave

[RWD cossie wil]

Why N/A out of interest? A small turbo such as a T28 will give almost instant response & still make a healthy 270Bhp if you need it, a T3 a shade more. You could even get away with raising the compression if you wanted to as well.

If you do want to build an N/A engine, you would be better off buying a complete Cosworth engine to start with, as you get a fantastic quality steel crank & rods that are almost indestructible, and a selected block, along with the head etc.

N/A they do make great engines that can rev to 9-10k if you are willing to spend, but the valves will need replacing for high revs ( oe are two peice friction welded, tend to ping the heads off above 8k!) and a huge amount of head work, as the valves are sized for turbo applications.

Small turbo head will bolt onto the STD block, but the cam cover is unique to the head & not interchangeable with the blocky one as found on all other YB's IIRC.

If you need a set of rods give me a shout I have loads knocking about, or any YB related questions I can help you with.

Edited by RWD cossie wil on Thursday 29th December 05:29

[stevieturbo]

Ask over on Passion Ford, there'll be more info there. I think it's a Hart plenum some use which offers quite a large volume.
But there are defo a couple of intakes available. Doubt they are cheap though.

[virgil]

Robmarriott said:

Mainly for ease of fitment. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of the Duratec/MZR......That and the fact that the small turbo Cosworth cam cover will fit in exactly with the colours I'm going for with the car.

Err, now I love a crazy off the wall idea, but wouldn't it be easier (and better) to just paint (or have powder coated) the Duratec in the prefferred colour??? the pinto/cosworth engineis a heavy, heavy, lump...must be a 1000 engines out there half the weight making about 180hp these days...it really is and old design now.