Kit Car suggestions please?

[benm3evo]

Hi,

I'm hoping I may be able to get some advice/suggestions on a suitable kit car for an engine & gearbox I already have.

The engine is a 1.8 ZVHT (1.8 Escort Zetec bottom end, 1600 CVH Head & a T3 Turbo). It used to be in an XR2i but I have decided that needs to be put to sleep.

As the engine hasn't done many miles I'd like to use it in something else if it's feasible. I've had enough of the XR2i so was thinking of a kit car.

From the limited research I have done so far I guess turbo charged engines are possibly not most suited but I'd really want to utilise the bits I already have as much as possible. The gearbox is also relatively 'young' & has as quaife LSD so hoping I could use that.

By using my engine & gearbox (or hoping to) I realise it cuts down the options somewhat. A mate of mine suggested I look at a company called MEV &, in particular, the Rocket so not sure if this is worth looking into?

If anyone can offer any advice, or even tell me I've got no hope then it would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ben

[qdos]

Certainly worth looking at several of the MEV kits, Rocket and the Sonic in particular. They are marketed by Road Track Race.

It's also well worth going along to the shows to speak with owners and other manufacturers about their cars but I'd start by getting any of the Kit Car magazines

[ugg10]

MEV is a good shout and as all of the mountings are for a zetec (focus based) you engine should fit fine without too much effort. Here's another couple of suggestions -

Sylva J15/J16/Mojo - these were mainly built on the 1.6 Sigma engine but some were built with zetecs IIRC

Sell the gearbox, connect the engine to a Type9/5/MT and put it in a seven alike (Striker or MK Indy?) or better still a Fury/Phoenix

Sell the gearbox, buy an older xflow/pinto/cvh engine kit car (my favourites would be a Stiker or Fury) and do an engine swap, may need to uprate brakes and fuel system (saved IVA and you cna then incrementally change/add/tinker)

Stick it in a Mk1/2 fiesta ??? quite a few ex hot/stock hatch racers about for reasonable money. 700kg wet through and the 150hp+ I expect you will get out of the ZVH should be entertaining.

Just a few thoughts to think about.

[benm3evo]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I now have something to go on. I will start googling & get hold of some magazines.

Cheers, Ben

[downsman]

Is it possible to swap the LSD into another diff?

[330p4]

Get a Ginetta G32 should flit your engine in fine may need attention to cooling but practical car with good handling
Ian

[benm3evo]

Not sure about the diff going in other gearboxes, it's a thought though as the diff is the 'good' bit.

Never heard of a Ginetta! Will do some googling.

I have sent an email to Road Track Race to see what they think about my engine in a Sonic so will take it from there when I hear back I think.

Thanks for the replies.
Cheers, Ben.

[ugg10]

What age is the Zetec block as this will have a bearing on the type of emissions kit you will need to fit. IIRC if it is pre '95 then you are OK without a CAT, post '95 then is will need a cat fitting. Worth a quick read of the IVA manual to check this out.

[Furyblade_Lee]

That engine would be immense fun in a stock-looking MK1 XR2, oh yes. Or an ever rarer 1300 SuperSport, 80's stripes an all!

[benm3evo]

Ah, hadn't thought about a CAT. I'm not 100% sure about the year of the block, definitely after 1995 though, I think more like 2002 so that could be an issue. I actually bought it brand new so sure I've got receipts somewhere.

An XR2 was an option as I guess it would be more straight forward but I've had the engine in 3 XR2i's now so want to try something completely different....or at least that's the thinking for now 'til I find out it's going to be too complicated/expensive!

Cheers,
Ben

[ugg10]

This might be a good place to start from ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/westfield-sew-kit-car-ca...

(no connection just looked like a good deal, depending on what it goes for).