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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Ford Zetec 4 banger

Hey, I was looking at the ford focus powered caterhams and it hit me, has anyone done or thought about this swap before? The caterham company sells a kit in the US to run the sierra 5 speed behind it. They even have the whole thing (tranny, motor, electronics, etc..) available as a kit. Anyone thought about it? I mean, with the motor in there and then the addition of some power mods you get a motor that makes more power than an 8 and gets better fuel mileage. Hmmm.
Jarrod Hills

Jarrod,

The 4 pot is better suited to lighter midget, prob a K rather than Zetec although the Duratec may be intersting.

If you have cash you can mod the 8 as well

http://www.roverv8engine.co.uk/index3.htm

Paul
Paul

The stock motors offer about 160 horse. Easily, it could put out 300. You really think its more suited to a midget? How much would those modified V8's cost anyhow?
Jarrod Hills

Jarrod,

A few sites worth looking at
http://www.chevroletls1.com/ford_cosworth.html

http://www.rpiv8.com/engine-3.htm

The Midget is about 3/4 weight of B and a 220bhp K engine will make it buzz. The B being heavier is well suited to a lazy V8 or perhaps V6 altough the Falla classics cossie is interesting.

Paul
Paul

I reckon I am the resident 4 banger enthusiast here. I am using the 2.3 turbo, but have seen good things from the Duratec that Ford is now putting in the Ranger. I am pretty sure you still need a trans adaptor to go to a T5. If you want more information, go to www.turboford.org and do a search for duratec.

Good Luck and keep us posted!

Galen
G.P. Copes

I think the Z-tec engine would be a great conversion for the MG however I am having problems find information about having a T-5 transmision mate to an engine designed to be front drive only.
Jim

Jim have you tried

http://www.gearboxman.co.uk/

Paul
Paul

Paul I have looked at several of the sites that use the Ztech engine in a rear wheel application. None of the sites offer any information on products (that I could find) for sale to mate the t-5 gearbox to a ztech engine or answer any e-mail that I had sent.
Jim

Jim, try to contact the people at:

http://www.kansasracingproducts.com/

They do both the Duratec and Zetec in rear wheel applications. Gerry posts a lot on www.turboford.org and is a big proponent of the newer designs.

Good Luck and keep us posted!

Galen
G.P. Copes

Greetings Everyone!

Galen directed me to this website and asked to post a little information regarding the use of a Zetec or Duratec engine for your rear-drive application.

There are several methods to solve the delemma of using a front-drive Zetec engine for a rear drive car. Here are several...

2.0 dohc Ford Zetec Engine To a T-5 Transmission http://www.mcsorley.net/locost/powertrain/default.htm

Superformance in Ohio uses a Zetec in a rear-drive application. They have their own line of bellhousings and drivelines.

As for the Duratec, one can use the late-model 2001-03 Ranger or Mazda truck transmission. However, a better choice is to contact John Ehrlich in Colorado at www.quad4rods.com . John makes aluminum bellhousings to fit the Duratec and Zetec engines including an adapter if you want to use a Webster / Hewland transaxle. John also makes a side-draft intake manifold if you want to convert to a carbureted system. He has a similar line of pieces for the GM-Olds Quad4 but is converting to the popular, lighter and more performance potential of the Duratec engine.

There are many more options...driveline and performance enhancements for the Duratec. Please write me an email ( dedonis@kans.com ) and I'll gladly send back an informational brochure. My employer, Kansas Racing Products, does handle Duratec and Zetec engine sales too.

Thanks and best regards,
Gerry Dedonis
Special Projects Coordinator
Kansas Racing Products Inc.
Chapman, Kansas
785-922-6644
G.P. Copes

Sounds like a lot still needs to be worked out.
Jim

So haw are people getting past the cluth issue?
Jim

Jim,

Sorry, I am not sure how they are. I imagine you can get the clutch plate to fit the trans spline count and pressure plate diameter and then the pressure plate to fit the flywheel. If you are really interested, contact Gerry, he is very knowledgable on this subject. I know that if I didn't already have the 2.3T most of the way finished, I would seriously consider the Duratec 2.3.

Galen

P.S. The reason he replied using my name is I linked the site to him and the site thought it was me.
G.P. Copes

Hey G.P., How did the 2.3 L conversion go? Did you have any problems with height or anything like that? Also, what did you do about electronics for the fuel injection and te turbo? Thanks
Jarrod Hills

I think I will wait until someone has a def setup on the ztec to rearwheel trans. Thanks for posting information.
Jim

?
Ken

Jarrod,

The main conversion went straight forward. I had slight height issues...but nothing a little massaging of the crossmember wouldn't solve. I still need to fabricate a trans mount and wire it up...but that is no big deal. I also need to raise the steering rack just a little due to my motor mount placement...but once again no big deal. I hope to get back on it after I finish my Merkur. If you have any more questions...feel free to drop me an e-mail.

Galen
G.P. Copes

This thread was discussed between 27/03/2003 and 28/04/2003

MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical index

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