i'm wantin to do a conversion in a tiger cat in the winter time and was wondering wot the pros and cons are for each engine.zetec seem to be a lot more popular.i'm wonderin why,apart from bell housing.which has more power vs ease of install.want al least 160hp.have 113hp at moment from 1.8 pinto so conversion needs to be worth while.

I'll have a complete set up for sale winter time, 190hp maybe more by the end of the year, Ecotec on weber TB's , gearbox, engine mounts, just bolt it in and off you go.

Redtops, or C20 XE engines,or redtops as they were commonly referred to, rung about 148bhp as standard. There's plenty of tuning capabilities for them to push them up to circa 200bhp as a n/a lump. They do have a tendancy to mix oil and water in the head due to the waterways corroding, but there are a few solutions to this. If you can find a block with a Coscast head (Cosworth designed) you're onto a winner. Only other thing is tappets to watch for, they can be a bit rattly sometimes.

Zetecs seem to be a popular choice, straight forward to mount and Megajolt/Megasquirt systems were designed to work with them as standard. 1.8 can be made to have same power output as the 2.0l with a set of GTi cams (circa 130bhp as standard), and chances are they're not as old as some of the VX engines.

Only real difference is the weight of the blocks - the VX is cast, whilst the Ford is alloy, making it lighter. Question is, did you want the heavier engine with slightly more power, or the lighter engine with slightly less?

My option would be the Zetec personally, as it's more of a straight forward conversion, but if you've got the time and effort to put in, then the VX might be the bigger powerhouse with slightly more potential. Both engines, when put into kit cars on bike tb's, carbs or similar will easily produce 160bhp+, which is I think is plenty!

biggest pro for me with the zetec is you can get them newer - I bought a brand new one for £700.

Other than that I'd think the two engines (assuming both 2 litre) aren't a million miles apart.

Charlie - the Mondeo zetecs are quoted at 145ps rather than the earlier 130hp. Unless I'm being spun a line about my engine?

[Edited on 25/6/09 by 200mph]

I think the newer blacktop zetecs were 143ps, the older ones were 130.

Still, the redtop was tuned to a very high capability when used in turing cars and for rallying by Swindon, but the power band was a lot higher up the rev range, as it was a flagship engine in it's time.

However, as mentioned, they've been out of production for a while now, and soon enough (dare I say it, like the Sierra) parts will become harder to get hold of. Zetecs are available for peanuts 2nd hand, and even new units aren't too pricey, and you'll be able to get bits for them for a while longer yet.

But still, ask any hardcore tuner which engine they'd prefer, and they'll tell you the Redtop. Unfortunately for me, the zetec is the more practical for regular day to day use.

philw,wot kinda figure you talkin for your package,bearin in mind i have a budget to work to.

phil's already kinda mentioned it, don't rule out the ecotec. same block as the redtop, but the head and injection system were designed to use less fuel and hence less power. but tuning capabilities are still the same!

aye.never tought of that one.as long as there is no hassle with injection systems.like the thought of webers and managment system on a zetec but was told they are a soft engine.zetec will be easier to get parts for.are duratecs still a very costly project?are throttle bodies as easy to work at as webers?

webers will be no problem on the ecotec. have a look at somewhere like SBD & QED. QED do a good few bits for the ecotec, including manifolds for webers.

i'm getting mine on bike carbs, i've made a manifold, i just need to get it remade properly, but you can get the flange from shortrack123 on here if you decide to go that way

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Only real difference is the weight of the blocks - the VX is cast, whilst the Ford is alloy, making it lighter.

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Originally posted by tomgregory2000

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Only real difference is the weight of the blocks - the VX is cast, whilst the Ford is alloy, making it lighter.

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I thought the zetec was cast NOT alloy

Tommy

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Originally posted by tomgregory2000
I thought the zetec was cast NOT alloy

Tommy

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wots the best zetec to look out for.is the codes or years i shud check bearin in mind i couldnt be bothered with a cat.

I'm looking at converting a 1.8 silvertop to rs1800 spec:

http://www.zsoc.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1910241&postcount=10

some interesting info here