New Duractec engine for sale on eBay

[MartinH]

Hello All,

Firstly, I'm new, not an expeienced engineer and not yet a Caterham owner but keen as heck to learn and build and own one next year :)

 

I have already made a few postings about the Duratec Vs the Sigma engine and have made enquiries to CC about the possibility of sourcing the engine seperately to save costs. Maybe not surprisingly they said I would only get a discount of about £1000 if I did not include the engine and advised me not to do that (mainly because the engine wuold require so many other bits that by the time I had added those I might as well have ordered it from them.)

 

Anyway, to put this to the test, there is a (so they say) new 2.0 Duratec on eBay for £999 or best offer. It has some bits included.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-2-0-Duratec-Engine-Mondeo-Focus-Kit-Car-etc_W0QQitemZ130015562006QQihZ003QQcategoryZ21654QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

Would anyone be able to tell me how much this would really save me, what other bits I would need (engine anciliaries, bell housing etc) and if this would be a good way to go?

 

My goal would be to build a Duratec car around a spec similar to an SV R300 that gives about 160-190BHP to start with but while saving as much as possible from the full kit price from CC. I would imagine I would need some specialist help to dress this engine for the Seven so I would need to factor that in.

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

Cheers,

 

Martin

 

[Kevsta]

Many of us would have looked into doing exactly what you are thinking. Trouble is, in a caterham it is quite hard. You really need to know more about the cars to be able to do it. Plus you usually end up with a Q plate and that affects resale quick drastically in a caterham.

 

Basically, if you want to save money and learn all about the car, buy a second hand one and then go about taking it to pieces, renewing where necessary and rebuild to your own spec.

 

I am essentially doing the same thing but over time (done engine, some of suspension, drivetrain will be left for now, chassis strip and reskin in next couple of years).

 

That way you get maximum enjoyement for minimum cost.

 

All my own opinion and no-doubt in conflict with others and possibly yours.

 

Either way, they are a great car (when they are working well!)

[MartinH]

Cheers Kevsta,

Thats one approach, and I can see the sense in it. I do have my mind set on a new car though and if this engine is *new* then that would not count against the Q plate rule would it? Something about no more than 2 used parts....

 

I envisage sitting down with the kit and the manual (and a login to BlatChat) and doing it bit by bit methodically. I have seen a demo of the first stages of the chasis build at CC and was convinced (by Jez Coates) that the engine-in procedure should be relatively easy. That was for a K series that was prepeared specifically for a Seven and so I realise my proposed approach here would be more complex. Maybe I could have the engine delivered to a specialist, prepared for me and delivered back for me to fit (just the easy bits) but maybe I am dreaming.

[Ben Willis]

In terms of bits, you'll need quite a few.

 

Wet sump (~£450), Bellhousing, inlet manifold, throttle bodies, ECU, loom, engine mounts, flywheel, clutch, oil filter adapter, water rail, exhaust system. And probably plenty more bits. The engine itself is the cheap bit! I am sure you can save money on some things here and perhaps a few might still come with the car (?), but if you go for the proven off the shelf items you are looking at £2-3k easily.

 

Ben

[Dickie Normuss]

Martin

If you buy an old car to convert and have the chassis stripped and powder coated/reskinned at Arch it will be as new

 

Seek forgiveness, not permission.

Rules are for the interpretation of wise men and the obedience of fools.

[MartinH]

Hmmm, yes, well, not sure about that anyhow I er...'need' an SV and they are not that old.

 

I guess I would have to work out the cost of the parts from CC (they have several sub-kits I see) and work out which ones I could do without and what saving I would make.

[Dobuy]

Hi Martin,

Have a look at my spreadsheet in here for the costs of doing my SV. I would strongly suggest a quick chat with Mick Attree here as he has built numerous Sevens, several Duratec's and I cannot recommend him highly enough. I reckon you could do a very decently specced Duratec, which will have heaps of upgradability in the power department, for a lot less than I paid.

 

Duratec SV, built in Dubai

 

Edited by - Dobuy on 11 Aug 2006 21:07:35

[EFA]

Buy the new car and flog the engine they sell you. No Q plate. Easy really.

 

Get your new engine stamped with the same engine number to prevent discovery by the beauros

 

K2RUM - The car of two halveswith a hole in the engine

 

Edited by - EFA on 11 Aug 2006 23:27:16

[rgrigsby]

You should have no problems getting an age based plate with a new car and a Duratec from somewhere else, as to the actual install whilst it is getting easier it's not entirely simple yet and does require some thought. Having said that there are plenty of people who have done it including Timbo who's just built an SV with a 2.0l Duratec in it and sourced most of the bits himself.

 

 

 

Rob G

www.SpeedySeven.com

[simonbell]

Lots of info on my website. I did it with a std chassis, have around 190bhp and although I haven`t added it all up accurately a fairly detailed sum for insurance purposes suggests that it was built for less than £18K and I reckon I could knock a bit more off that by omitting the carbon interior panels, alloy main case on the box, cheaper wheels..........

 

All my parts were new except diff, silencer, seats, weather gear, doors, all of which were sourced on here or ebay

 

It was the first car and engine which I had built although the nise7ens build team did give me a hand. It`s all very straightforward, even building the engine was nowhere near as frightening as I thought it would be.......if you take your time and check everything its not a problem.

 

Simon Bell - Caterham 7 Duratec R

I`ve seen the future.....and it`s powered by duratec Check out the website here

[simonbell]

As for Caterhams £1000 discount that is bollocks............

 

If you buy there full kit minus engine then yes.........the way to do it is to start with a starter kit. There is a point, depending on spec where if you add enough options to the starter kit then you won`t necessarily save but going the starter kit route enables you to source some of the less important parts on the used market or from alternative suppliers.......I sourced my springs and dampers elsewhere as well.

 

If you are serious about it and aren`t in a huge rush I can do a detailed breakdown of what I paid and where I sourced the parts. I`m flat out at work just now so its unlikely that I would have the time to undertake that excercise in detail before mid September..........but the figures above are not far away. My original budget was £17K

 

Simon Bell - Caterham 7 Duratec R

I`ve seen the future.....and it`s powered by duratec Check out the website here

[MartinH]

Many thanks All, especially Dobuy and Simon B. Great information. I am a bit more encouraged to go the starter kit route now. Simon, where you able to avoid the 'Q' plate thing on your car. I am assuming you are in the UK?

[simonbell]

Yes I have a current reg, I`m in Northern Ireland but the same things apply as follows:

 

To get a current reg:

 

All major parts (ie chassis, engine, gearbox, diff,) must be new

 

OR

 

All major parts must be new except one part which must be reconditioned to an as new std.

 

I had a new chassis, engine and new gearbox from BGH

My diff was reconditioned to an as new std

 

With the starter kit you have to fill in a declaration of newness for registration, this involves listing the parts which are new, reconditioned etc etc. This includes suspension and some other parts as well which I can`t remember off the top of my head, but mostly things which would be new with the kit eg brakes etc.

 

You will need reciepts / invoices to back up the declaration. If you recondition a part yourself then keep invoices for parts and document the process by taking some photos etc.

 

 

 

Simon Bell - Caterham 7 Duratec R

I`ve seen the future.....and it`s powered by duratec Check out the website here