X/Flow to Zetec: advice/comments....

[Drumster]

I know several on here have gone down this route and commented that it was the best thing they've done, so......

 

Any advice on what you did?

 

What you would have done differently if you did it again?

 

Any pitfalls/nasty surprises?

 

Carbs or injection?

 

and so on......

 

Chris Alston

C7CAT 1800 Supersprint

R248 ....and then I jumped in

[Dave H]

Hi Chris,

As you said - best upgrade ever

 

I spent a fair bit of time tallking to James Whiting, no big surprises apart from the phone bill 😳

 

I replaced a tired 1700 Xflow with a similar mileage 1800 Zetec. I did change the carbs from 40's to 45's. Well set up 40's will run an 1800 (according to Jim), but the 45's are better, and if you want to go for more power in the future, or change to a 2 litre then 45's are almost essential.

 

I used a second hand engine from a scrappy, but if I did the job again I would probably try and strech the budget to get a new one (Raceline most likely).

 

Get used to having to actually let the old oil out before putting new stuff in as the Zetec lacks the Xflow's automatic oil releasing and chassis rust prevention system.

 

Give me a call if you want to chat.

 

Dave H

[hendrixswhitestrat]

Hi Dave

 

Interesting.....without wanting to ask a rude question....roughly how much was the cost of swap ?

[peterg]

Brand new 'crated' Zetecs are available on eBay for around £7-800 but I know someone who got one for a good price from Raceline last year for his Westfield plus they have all the bits and bobs you might need for the conversion as well

 

 

 

 

[Jaseb]

I did this about 6 years ago and haven't regretted it, I would go new engine, raceline bits as far as poss, the only thing I would change is get the headwork upgrade and cams done from new rather than wait 5 years! Mine runs twin 40's fine btw, probably puts out a couple of bhp less than it could but it's been dyno'd at around 150-155 at the wheels so I wasn't going to worry, cash saving though unless you already have 45's!

 

Maybe invest in an ECU that will take a fuel map to futureproof yourself for throttle bodies if you see yourself going down that route. I thought I might but the car is mighty quick as it is so won't bother for the extre pennies.

[Dave H]

I can't remember the exact cost - I did some other work on the car at the same time...including replacing damaged wings, getting a respray, upgrade the suspension just for starters.

I think the engine replacement along with the additional bits needed to get it to work came to around £3000. That included new carbs and the weber alpha Management unit. Would probably try and get something that could be more easily modified if I was doing the job now, but there wern't many about 10 years ago when I did the change.

 

I have been considering getting a 2l unit and carrying out some head and tuning work before swapping it for the 1800 thats in there, but other projects (or Mrs H) seem to take up the time and/or money before I get started

 

Dave H

[Peter Mears]

Did mine in year 2000 with a 2l on 40s but added the uprated cams (kent 2002)after the first engine went pop on track. A new bottom end was not much money so renovated the head at that time as well. Using the JW kit and the webber alfa ecu. Never missed a beat since then and is fantastic. think It has as big as you can go with carb chokes maybe 36 but dont quote me.

Think JW still has a soft spot for the car every time he get to take it for the MOT as it was fairly near the begining of these conversions being done. Of course you can get more power with injection if needed but I have not bothered as of yet.

 

As Nike says just do it.

 

[hendrixswhitestrat]

Cheers all !

[puremalt]

Interesting, i have fiddled with this idea for too long, but was shamed into fitting a mapped ignition recently by a mate who had just bougkt his seven. This gives me smoother power delivery, no hesitation and an extra 6-7 mpg (!) It is like having a new engine as it feels faster.

If the budget is stretched give this a whirl.

 

Windscreens... They're for poofs

[techbod]

Spotted this advert on ebay here (nothing to do with me):

ford zetec engine brand new 2 litre direct from factory

 

...

 

comes complete with throttle bodies, engine loom, injectors and fuel rail

inlet and exhaust manifolds, leads and plugs,coil pack,water pump, clutch, flywheel,thermostat housing,oil filter

---

 

 

Buy it now price is £690!

I'm sure you will have to get rid of some of the parts for a Caterham fit, but you could sell them to recoup some of the cost of the conversion.

Now I'm getting tempted....

 

[Drumster]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Something to chew over. Don't really know what the damage is to the x/flow until the 7 is repatriated this week, but after 11 years and 50k miles on the RKE x/flow I quite fancy a change 😬.

 

Dave - the automatic oil releasing and chassis rust prevention system seems to have been missing on my x/flow and SWMBO wants a more 'reliable' engine as she doesn't want to get stranded abroad again. Can't believe you've had your 10 years!

 

Techbod - Sshhh, everyone will want one soon (I'd already spotted that)

 

Looks like 45s are the way to go as well as the 'upgraded' ECU.

 

Could be time to raid the piggy bank..........

 

Chris Alston

C7CAT 1800 Supersprint

R248 ....and then I jumped in

[Pezky]

I have been talking to Raceline about changing my xflow for a Zetec.

 

Raceline can supply new Zetecs for about £700

 

A good thing to bear in mind is that your xflow (assuming it is a AX block) will be worth about £1000

 

An 1800cc xflow recently sold on ebay for £2900

 

Jonathan

 

penn7's pesky xflow

[Eugene]

Swapped to a Raceline Zetec about a year back - bloody fantastic!

Also went for a 5 speed box (had the old 4 speed) from BGH, with long first and close ratios.

Used a short bell housing and a remote linkage from an eBay seller - works great!

 

I'm on 45's with the Raceline head work... Purrrrrrrfect.

 

Oh, and an Omex ecu - took a while to get a good map/setup, but it's made a huge difference...

 

Small Boy - with Loud Toy!

Co-founder of the BOG Club

See Eugene here

and see what I do here

 

 

Edited by - Eugene on 1 Aug 2010 07:50:41

[alan c]

I have a spare set of webber 45's that came of a VX engine if they are any good and of interest.

Also in passing just upgraded my VX on carbs to 3D ingnition and I would recomend that upgrade.

Alan

[Paul Formston]

Hi I put a 1,800 Zetec in from new and used it for touring Europe it did 40,000 trouble free miles before I took it out and fitted a 2,000 Zetec there great engines Regards Paul

 

North Wales Sports Cars caring for Caterhams in North Wales.

 

Dodge Viper blue Zetec Caterham