I really love my 1600 Xflow but increasingly I’m thinking about changing to something more modern.
It fits nicely in the engine compartment of a Stuart Taylor bonnet height Locost (without the need for a bonnet bulge) and it’s great that there is a
wealth of knowledge about this engine on this and other sites but Increasingly I find myself thinking that there might be a more modern 4 pot unit
with similar power and similar dimensions, that I could (preferably) mate to my T9 gearbox.
Any suggestions would be appreciated?
Cheers
Gary
The one I always fancied was the Toyota 4-AGE as it was a fairly compact unit, and quite powerful, but even that's long in the tooth these
days.
Modern engines, and all their ancillaries, take a lot of space. Also, you'll have to make sure that the exhaust comes out the same side as the
X-flow, otherwise you'll have a lot of bodywork to sort out.
[Edited on 10/5/22 by David Jenkins]
I always thought the Zetec SE(Sigma) looks like a good choice for a lower cc engine. Caterham used them for a period after they phased out the x-flow.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Sigma_engine
Possibly not so easy to find now although spares/upgrade parts are still very easy to get. Like the x-flow lots of knowledge about getting the most
out of them. Should also be lighter than the x-flow and as we all know 'Adding power makes you faster on the straights; subtracting weight makes
you faster everywhere' 
You can still get Zetecs pretty cheap, though 1.8s tend to be more available and cheaper. Cracking engine and bolts up to the type 9. You can sort induction / ignition fairly cheaply and exhaust manifolds aren't too expensive.
Get a bell-housing adapter and whap a G16E-GTS in there.
Hi
I have a Zetec SE 1.6 it is very light when it was in the way i would just pick it up complete with the pallet it came on and move it to the opposite
end of the garage.
A few years ago now bought brand new from Powertorque it was just short of 4 figs and came with a clutch.
Had it rolling roaded and tuned up last friday and it made 148bhp with Jenvey throttle bodies and phase 2 road cams. My Sylva J15 weighs 514kg and i
attribute a lot of that lightness to the engine. Exhaust would exit to the right/driver side.
The only problem i have with it is the 1.7 Zetec SE is probably even better with VVT !
Nick M
quote:
Originally posted by nickm
The only problem i have with it is the 1.7 Zetec SE is probably even better with VVT !
Nick M
Hi Monkeyarms
Might well be but i have a phobia about cams now after changing them this winter ! doesnt help when you find out that your zetec se isnt quite the
same as the Fiesta Mk 4 so buy a Focus manual to find out its similar but from a galaxy in between the 2 manuals but its been rroaded and the cambelts
still on !!i
You going to Newark in July ?
Nick M
Hi Nick
Unfortunately my kit car days are behind me now, my car hasn't run for 3 years, in fact I am trying to get it sorted for an MOT at the moment.
Then it will be up for sale. So far it only needs new fuel hoses and after a new battery it started fine and runs ok.
quote:
Originally posted by nickm
A few years ago now bought brand new from Powertorque it was just short of 4 figs and came with a clutch.
Had it rolling roaded and tuned up last friday and it made 148bhp with Jenvey throttle bodies and phase 2 road cams.