I'm not looking to have any complecations with my install of an engine, however I keep wondering which engine to go for....

Not looking to spend masses of money on the engine, but will be doing some tuning.

Choices are: C20XE, black top Zetec and Pre CAT silver top.

Please help with any pro's and cons you may have come across with any of these

zetec is nice and easy with as many of the shelf bits as you could want, budget depending.

200sx engine. cheap and extremely tuneable.

failing that, then zetec. takes a turbo well

Pre Aug 95 means simpler emissions test so for simplicity and easy sourcing of an engine - i'd say Silver top Zetec. It really depends on your budget and long term aims though. Fuel injected Duratec would be nice - and gains you power to match or exceed a mildly tuned Zetec etc.

you cant beat the nissan set up for simplicity and power. A decent strong gearbox that is meant for the engine and the tuneability of the turbo.

We have got an RX8 set up in our Avon but not that cheap if you dont know rotaries

Criddy,
I am in a similar predicament but definately going Ford route as picked up a Type 9 gearbox for free !
However cannot get a clear answer on silver vs black top.

Locosters help us out here please....

One opinion seems to be silver top because emissions are easier, however lots of people seem to be running black tops or duratecs.

Is it because we are new builds rather than upgrades?

I want to run bike throttle bodies with Megajolt, will I get a black top through emissions?

I fitted a blacktop because it was a newer engine and has solid cam followers and not the problematic (slightly) hydrolic ones which can be a bit noisy when cold.

Cheers

Rich

Personally, buy a cheap silver top zetec and then swap it out after IVA for a blacktop and tune that.

I went C20XE with no problems at all. Type 9 goes on easy with the SBD/QED/YUKSPEED bellhousing, a set of carbs and maybe a Megajolt to give a healthy 180 ish bhp. Problem with XE engine is that its getting a little old but if you can find a good one then there are power/torque advantages over the Zetec units. Ive ran out of tuning it now(230hp) so am swapping it our for the C20LET engine which with a bit of tuning should give me 300 hp. I looked into the 200SX engine/box which is lovely as i had one many years ago but the box is big and would have had to cut the tunnel out to suit it. If i`d had my time again with it maybe i`d ive have gone for the 200sx but for now i`m more than happy with the XE setup.

If it needs to go through IVA, pre aug 95 silvertops are a bit thin on the ground. The only advantage is you can run a "dirty " set of carbs and not need a cat. After that date it makes no odds as you will need injection and a cat to pass.

Silver top You can use the escort water pump and run a very bassic belt set up.

Black top You will need an idler pulley to run the water pump of the back of the pulley. These are easier to pick up and make slightly more power.

Both need work on the sump. These can be of the shelf Black top can be hacked about easier at home than the silver top and some have got away with using the escort sump on the siver top.

To sum up.

Unless its a pre aug 95 lump you after there is nothing to choose between the two.

My choice would be a cheap low milage lump and service history or proof of oil changes would be a huge bonus.

I run a 94, 2.0 silvertop in my mk with
a set of carbs and megajolt.I am soon changing
to a 2.0 blacktop.Only because of the sump
clearance,oil filter position and the lump has been
uprated.
Go for an early silvertop for ease of iva.

Andy