2.0l 16v Ford Zetec engine tuning options?

[Iaing01]

Hi folks, i'm currently looking at buying a westfield with a seemingly standard 2.0l black top zetec engine in it. Does anyone know what sort of performance I should expect and also further down the line what tuning options are there available for this engine?

Thanks in advance

Iain

[NeilE]

-standard Ford injection, 130bhp ish
-twin weber carbs, 160bhp ish
-throttle bodies, 160-170bhp

Then you can go for a cam upgrade for maybe another 20bhp. They are the obvious, easiest options. There are 210bhp+ zetecs out there... at a cost!

As for performance, my 1.8 zetec on throttle bodies (so 160ish bhp) in a 550kg kit car does 0 - 60 in 4.6.

HTH

[The Black Flash]

It's not just bolting on TBs though, you'll need custom ECU and mapping to take advantage of them.

[rb5230]

supercharger and turbocharger conversions are readily available if you want serious power.

[Iaing01]

What sort of cost would I be looking at to put throttle bodies on and change the ecu?

Cheers

Iain

[CorseChris]

If we assume it has OEM management and plenum setup at present, and you need to replace the ECU as well as fit TBs, then for a full off-the-shelf plug and play kit budget something like £1600. Depending on what the car actually has, and how much DIY effort you might consdier doing, it may come in a lot cheaper. I did a GSXR 600 TB conversion on mine for about about £200 plus the price of an inlet manifold. Already had an ECU kicking about so that was taken care of. Apart from the TBs and Westy exhaust system, box-stock Siler Top makes 169bhp.

HTH

[rb5230]

CorseChris said:

if you need to replace the ECU as well as fit TBs, then for a full off-the-shelf plug and play kit budget something like £1600.
HTH

or for about another £1000 on top of that you could have a supercharger conversion giving about 250bhp and much more scope for more power in the future.

[singlecoil]

rb5230 said:

CorseChris said:

if you need to replace the ECU as well as fit TBs, then for a full off-the-shelf plug and play kit budget something like £1600.
HTH

or for about another £1000 on top of that you could have a supercharger conversion giving about 250bhp and much more scope for more power in the future.

Though by then you will need to lower the compression ratio, ideally by fitting forged pistons and rods (c £900)

[rb5230]

singlecoil said:

Though by then you will need to lower the compression ratio, ideally by fitting forged pistons and rods (c £900)

forged pistons and rods are not required for 250bhp though, if you really wanted to push way beyond that then yes you would have to go that route, but then at least it would be possible, not really so with tb`s.

[Iaing01]

Ideally I would be aiming for 160 -200 bhp and would prefer to go down the N/A route. I think the car in question already has a programmable ecu so I'm guessing would be a case of getting tb's and fuel rail sorted out? Where can you go to buy this stuff?

Thanks again

Iain

[rb5230]

Iaing01 said:

Ideally I would be aiming for 160 -200 bhp and would prefer to go down the N/A route. I think the car in question already has a programmable ecu so I'm guessing would be a case of getting tb's and fuel rail sorted out? Where can you go to buy this stuff?

Thanks again

Iain

any well know ford tuner will be able to get any kit you need.

jamsport, pumaspeed etc

[singlecoil]

rb5230 said:

singlecoil said:

Though by then you will need to lower the compression ratio, ideally by fitting forged pistons and rods (c £900)

forged pistons and rods are not required for 250bhp though, if you really wanted to push way beyond that then yes you would have to go that route, but then at least it would be possible, not really so with tb`s.

That may be true, but reduced compression would be needed if detonation is to be avoided.

[The Black Flash]

singlecoil said:

rb5230 said:

singlecoil said:

Though by then you will need to lower the compression ratio, ideally by fitting forged pistons and rods (c £900)

forged pistons and rods are not required for 250bhp though, if you really wanted to push way beyond that then yes you would have to go that route, but then at least it would be possible, not really so with tb`s.

That may be true, but reduced compression would be needed if detonation is to be avoided.

Depends how much boost you put through it. From my readings, most engines will be happy with 6-7 PSI before you have to worry, particularly if an intercooler is used.

[singlecoil]

The Black Flash said:

singlecoil said:

rb5230 said:

singlecoil said:

Though by then you will need to lower the compression ratio, ideally by fitting forged pistons and rods (c £900)

forged pistons and rods are not required for 250bhp though, if you really wanted to push way beyond that then yes you would have to go that route, but then at least it would be possible, not really so with tb`s.

That may be true, but reduced compression would be needed if detonation is to be avoided.

Depends how much boost you put through it. From my readings, most engines will be happy with 6-7 PSI before you have to worry, particularly if an intercooler is used.

I don't actually know how much boost a 2.0 Zetec would need to make 250bhp, but the impression I have gained from much recent reading on the subject is that compression reduction is necessary at that power level with the Zetec.

[Chris71]

Slightly o/t, but is the zetec still thought to be the best all round kit car powerplant in the secondhand market?

[singlecoil]

Chris71 said:

Slightly o/t, but is the zetec still thought to be the best all round kit car powerplant in the secondhand market?

I can't think of a better one, as an all rounder, although for a build that requires an IVA test it will, unless you can prove it's a really old one, need injection and a catalyst.

[CorseChris]

Cetainly very happy with the Zetec in ours. £150 for the engine, a fair few quid more for the right bits to put it in the Westy (water rail, sump, inlet manifold, exhaust). But IIRC, it cost about £1k all-in to convert from a worn-out Xflow that originally made about 130bhp to a Zetec that makes just shy of 170bhp. It starts and runs brilliantly, does over 30mpg on the daily pootle to work, revs like a good un, doesn't leak oil all over the drive. Can't really think of a single negative TBH. All in all, a really nice piece of Japanese engineering.

[singlecoil]

CorseChris said:

Cetainly very happy with the Zetec in ours. £150 for the engine, a fair few quid more for the right bits to put it in the Westy (water rail, sump, inlet manifold, exhaust). But IIRC, it cost about £1k all-in to convert from a worn-out Xflow that originally made about 130bhp to a Zetec that makes just shy of 170bhp. It starts and runs brilliantly, does over 30mpg on the daily pootle to work, revs like a good un, doesn't leak oil all over the drive. Can't really think of a single negative TBH. All in all, a really nice piece of Japanese engineering.

Are you running it on fuel injection? If so which ECU etc?

[Chris71]

singlecoil said:

Chris71 said:

Slightly o/t, but is the zetec still thought to be the best all round kit car powerplant in the secondhand market?

I can't think of a better one, as an all rounder, although for a build that requires an IVA test it will, unless you can prove it's a really old one, need injection and a catalyst.

Do the aftermarket ECUs usually come with the option of a cat-friendly map? Have to say I'd consider injection to be a big plus. My first proper job was calibration ECUs and the idea of specifying the injection quantity and timing down to the last decimal point always struck me as far more straightforward than arsing around with float chambers, needles and jets. The whole carb thing is black magic to me, but fuel injection and electronic ignition makes perfect sense.

[ColinM50]

Doing this right now with my Royale sabre. Bought a Focus with 2.0L Zetec and the chappie who's going to do it should be starting it next week. Taking out a 1.8 CVH so expecting quite a lot from this work. I'm budgeting on £1500 to get the cahnge done.

Sourced a new but secondhand manifold and twin Webers, got a choice of 40's or 45's that need overhauling and jetting and then will buy all the other bits, water rail etc from Burtons. Unless anyone recommends another company? Only chose Burtons 'cos I happen to have their brochure but open to advice too.

Not sure what teh car weighs abd will have it dyno'd when done but I'm hoping for 150bhp and 0-60 in under 7 secs. From what you all say, that seems reasonable expectation?