How much is it safe to skim the 2.0 Zetec head? (for NA power)
I'm doing a rebuild and I might aswell skim the head while it is loose.

Further more. Does anyone know if the Zetec's in the states is the same as the Zetec E, here in europe?
I know there are some difference in injectors and fuelrail, but how about cams?

Zetec in the US runs a lower compression than we do.

There was a 1.8 Zetec brand new head for sale recently on wscc which was £80, this gives an increase in CR on a 2L block, may be a cheaper/better option to consider.

On the cam front, US cams are perfectly suitable for EU engines. Something like http://www.capaldiracing.com/isell3/product.php?id=219 would be great. (ignore the specs on that page though, correct ones are http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=5684 )

[Edited on 22/9/07 by the_fbi]

Does the 1.8 head gives higher CR? I have a 1.8 head lying in the shop

Are the valves, ports etc the same as the 2.0? is it just the combustion chamber that is different?

As far as I know its just the combustion chamber shape/size which is different, hence higher CR.

The cams form the states seems to be for the black top engine (with solid lifters).
Do they fit the silver top with hudraulic lifters?

the_fbi asked me to have a look and add any useful information (I think).

The USA have only had the 2.0l 'Blacktop' Zetec-E engine which was manufactured in Mexico. Basically the same as the European one AFAIK, but has a 9.2 cr, mainly from a larger combustion chamber (48cc US; 43cc Euro). The conrods are also shorter (but not as short as the 'silvertop' and have a slightly bigger piston pin.

The American tuners usually skim their heads around 1mm to raise the CR. Our 1.8 head has the same valve sizes as the 2.0 and has the same CR of 10:1. So if fitted on a 2.0 engine the CR is raised to 11:1.


The 'mechanical' camshafts aren't really suitably for hydraulic lifters. Although more expensive because of the dollar/euro rate, most of the European cam makers do 'silvertop' cams. Kent, Piper, Newman, Cat, etc.

One problem here is with highlift cams. Not sure on the hydraulic lifters, but depending on the profile, I think around 10mm lift there is a need to increase the follower diameter. These are available at 32mm, but obviously the head needs machining.

The 'blacktop' has a similar problem, although it has 30mm followers as standard. Unfortunately the 'biscuit' shims in the top start to tip with the high lift cams, again around 10mm, so a solid follower 30mm diameter is needed, but at least no machining.

Another head issue between silver and black engines is the valves. The black has slightly larger inlet valves (exhaust the same), but the length is different. I've only found larger/uprated valves in Europe for the silver head. When fitted they are 0.5 & 1.5 mm shorter than black ones. A challenge to shim correctly. So American valves are useful there.

Hope that's helpful.

[Edited on 24/9/07 by pdfbt40]

thanks Martin and the_fbi. That was very usefull information.

I will use my 1.8 head on my 2.0 block. I will also do some porting on the head. If i can't find any cams at a good price i will use the 2.0 cams.

This together with my GSX-R TB:s and Megasquirt should give good power. I'm aming for 160 bhp on the flywheel.