Is it worth upgrading from an 1.8 Zetec to a 2.0 Vauxhall?
Discussion
I ran an Westfield 1.8 Zetec in the Westfield championship last year. The car was relatively cheap but got me going. I now need to spend money on an engine rebuild which will cost about £2k. With the introduction of new C1 & C2 (bike engine and 2.0 litre) classes I can't decide if it's worth spending the money on a rebuild or swapping the engine for a 2.0L Vauxhall red top??
What do the rules allow you to do to the said "Red Top"???
That engine can produce some serious power to make your Westfield a veritable ICBM.
One would guess that your Zetec is bog basic, and the 2.0 Vauxhall runs in the old "Formula Vauxhall-Lotus" spec - with twin carbertooters and a good handful of about 180bhp. Or does it allow more mods - ie: you could see up to 300bhp from a screamer. In a Westie 7...... let me think about this.....
Rob.
That engine can produce some serious power to make your Westfield a veritable ICBM.
One would guess that your Zetec is bog basic, and the 2.0 Vauxhall runs in the old "Formula Vauxhall-Lotus" spec - with twin carbertooters and a good handful of about 180bhp. Or does it allow more mods - ie: you could see up to 300bhp from a screamer. In a Westie 7...... let me think about this.....
Rob.
The new regs say:
Class C 1: Westfield SE, SEi, SEi Wide vehicles with any other engine / transmission configuration (Maximum 4 cylinders and 2000cc) but which otherwise comply with Class B regulations except where specifically indicated in the following regulations.
The ignition system is free.
Any ECU management system may be used. Ignition Timing and performance programming is free. Drive pulleys on camshafts, crankshaft and waterpump are free.
Seems like open season to me!?
Class C 1: Westfield SE, SEi, SEi Wide vehicles with any other engine / transmission configuration (Maximum 4 cylinders and 2000cc) but which otherwise comply with Class B regulations except where specifically indicated in the following regulations.
The ignition system is free.
Any ECU management system may be used. Ignition Timing and performance programming is free. Drive pulleys on camshafts, crankshaft and waterpump are free.
Seems like open season to me!?
The new classes are really invitation classes, should the series resume championship status they wont count towards the championship. So if you're interested in that then get your zetec rebuilt. 2k seems a bit on the heavy side for a rebuild, there's plenty of good people who will strip and rebuild it for a quarter of that price. Then get it down to a RR for a set up and even an average engine should see 155bhp. What ecu are you running?
However, if you fancy a crack at the other classes then it's a case of how deep is your wallet as the regs are pretty much free (no LSD). I'd be looking at the Duratec 2.0l over the Vauxhall, it just seems that bit stronger if you're tuning it and has more torque but to build a decent one of either from scratch including all the fitments will see you the wrong side of 5k and more likely 7k+. I had one quote of 10K for a blueprinted but otherwise pretty standard 2.0l Duratec on TB's that would've seen 200bhp but for 250BHP plus then just hand over a blank cheque - oh and don't forget, you'll need a beefy gearbox to handle anything over 200bhp, the standard type 9 from quaife or tranx wont hold up.
However, if you fancy a crack at the other classes then it's a case of how deep is your wallet as the regs are pretty much free (no LSD). I'd be looking at the Duratec 2.0l over the Vauxhall, it just seems that bit stronger if you're tuning it and has more torque but to build a decent one of either from scratch including all the fitments will see you the wrong side of 5k and more likely 7k+. I had one quote of 10K for a blueprinted but otherwise pretty standard 2.0l Duratec on TB's that would've seen 200bhp but for 250BHP plus then just hand over a blank cheque - oh and don't forget, you'll need a beefy gearbox to handle anything over 200bhp, the standard type 9 from quaife or tranx wont hold up.
yes the 2.0 zetec will be pushing 130bhp with absolutely no mods and will slot in where the 1.8 is with nothing required. is forced induction allowed as they are easily turbo`d. lots of companies (try jamsport) would be able to fit a 2.0 zetec-turbo for around £2.5-£3k and you would get a lot more power than just a rebuild.
Edited by rsstman on Tuesday 10th February 12:12
I had a Westy a few years back and decided the Pinto fitted wasn't worth upgrading any further. I was toying with XE / Zetec. Without exception, every tuner and engine builder I spoke to - without prompting, said the XE was 20hp ahead of the Zetec no matter what you do to it. I installed an otherwise standard XE on 45's which was very quick. When I eventually went from dizzy based ignition to an ECU, it was ballistic. A good pair of cams will see 200hp fairly easily.
I race a Formula Vauxhall Lotus nowadays, with the same set up. As correctly stated earlier, it is a good 180hp on std cams and timing.
For info, SB Developments produce a kit with an ECU and throttle bodies. They claim 208hp on an out of the box standard engine. That will wipe the floor with a significantly tuned Zetec.
On a different note, have you considered a Duratec, huge amounts of easy power for now reasonable ££££.
I race a Formula Vauxhall Lotus nowadays, with the same set up. As correctly stated earlier, it is a good 180hp on std cams and timing.
For info, SB Developments produce a kit with an ECU and throttle bodies. They claim 208hp on an out of the box standard engine. That will wipe the floor with a significantly tuned Zetec.
On a different note, have you considered a Duratec, huge amounts of easy power for now reasonable ££££.
custardtart said:
The new classes are really invitation classes, should the series resume championship status they wont count towards the championship. So if you're interested in that then get your zetec rebuilt. 2k seems a bit on the heavy side for a rebuild, there's plenty of good people who will strip and rebuild it for a quarter of that price. Then get it down to a RR for a set up and even an average engine should see 155bhp. What ecu are you running?
However, if you fancy a crack at the other classes then it's a case of how deep is your wallet as the regs are pretty much free (no LSD). I'd be looking at the Duratec 2.0l over the Vauxhall, it just seems that bit stronger if you're tuning it and has more torque but to build a decent one of either from scratch including all the fitments will see you the wrong side of 5k and more likely 7k+. I had one quote of 10K for a blueprinted but otherwise pretty standard 2.0l Duratec on TB's that would've seen 200bhp but for 250BHP plus then just hand over a blank cheque - oh and don't forget, you'll need a beefy gearbox to handle anything over 200bhp, the standard type 9 from quaife or tranx wont hold up.
Duratec also about 30kg lighter than an XE.However, if you fancy a crack at the other classes then it's a case of how deep is your wallet as the regs are pretty much free (no LSD). I'd be looking at the Duratec 2.0l over the Vauxhall, it just seems that bit stronger if you're tuning it and has more torque but to build a decent one of either from scratch including all the fitments will see you the wrong side of 5k and more likely 7k+. I had one quote of 10K for a blueprinted but otherwise pretty standard 2.0l Duratec on TB's that would've seen 200bhp but for 250BHP plus then just hand over a blank cheque - oh and don't forget, you'll need a beefy gearbox to handle anything over 200bhp, the standard type 9 from quaife or tranx wont hold up.
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