Which is the best of the V6 Duratec family for retrofitting?

[Chassis 33]

Just doing some homework, I'm looking to retrofit at V6 Duratec based engine into my Tasmin this winter. The basic idea is get a lift out engine from a breakers, install it in place of the existing Cologne V6 (from here on to be referred to as the anchor), fuel it via Megasquirt or similar.

Which is the best donor and vintage to look for? There's the Mondeo 2.5 and 3l variants, then the Jag AJ-V6 and Mazda equivalents. I believe the latter two have some sort of variable valve timing, will this be a bugger to get right with Megasquirt (i.e. is it actively controlled via the OEM ECU) or it it possible to lift out a whole loom and ECU and get that working or is it to integrated these days?

When it comes to bellhousings, I presume the anchor and Duratec don't share the same bolt pattern so I can't bolt directly onto my Sierra 5 speed box/housing. I believe there is a Getrag box in the Jags that works though. Is this all correct?

Regards
Iain

[Chassis 33]

Thanks for the help. The problem with the Cologne engine in any variant is it's chuffing heavy, plus the three exhausts on each bank (as opposed to the two siamesed ones on the 2.8) make it difficult to fit an exhaust in, as per all the other options, so I may as well look for light weight and try and help the handling.

Regards
Iain

[Chassis 33]

Mike, don't! Next thing you know I'll be running Cliff's twin turbos and everything! I'm fairly certain of going the Duratec route if I stick with a Ford engine, except for the waterpump they seem rock solid motors.

Regards
Iain

[Chassis 33]

leorest said:

Is the 24V Cossy a bit big in the head department to fit under the bonnet of a Wedge?

The bonnet isnt the issue, its the narrow chassis rails of the series 1 FHCs that the problem...at the momentist only paperwork, come October time is when I'll be lookng to buy stuff and cut metal.

Regards
Iain

[Chassis 33]

Thanks for the offer Dern, but Berkshire's is a bit of a way to collect a Mondeo!

Regards
Iain

[Chassis 33]

Andrew, that install looks the mutts nuts and just what i need to see/know. A couple of basic questions about the install, are the exhaust manifolds in the pictures Ford/Jag or customs and is running the VVT via Megasquirt purely a case of a signal to switch going out at a particular rpm/MAP etc of its is an analogue control?

Regards
Iain

[Chassis 33]

In a word...yes.

The early Tasmins chassis were designed to fit the 60deg V6 cologne engine, hence the RV8 is a bit of a squeeze, it is possible, but the only one I know of had a £4k exhaust system that still needed the passanger floor to be ripped up.

Later chassis were wider up front to cater for the RV8...otherise I would of have an RV8 in there years ago.

Regards
Iain