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Zetec Vs Ecotech
DorsetStrider - 5/5/08 at 06:34 PM

Hiya all.

As you know I've been planning my build around a zetec engine... however today I was semi offered a vectra with an ecotech engine.

I have to be honest I don't know a great deal about vauxhall engines... what are the pros and cons of the ecotech? Would it make a good donor engine?

As always any help and advise is as always gratefully received.

blakep82 - 5/5/08 at 06:55 PM

ecotec is pretty much the same block as the XE redtop, type 9 gearbox will fit, the bellhousing's the same pattern (only you will want a sierra clutch from anything EXCEPT the 2.3l diesel) so fitting's not a problem.
power on the ecotec is down a bit from the XE (-20hp i think) but apparently, i'm told, thats down to the stock intake, and making the 'eco' in ecotec

as for zetec vs ecotec... i don't know

philw - 5/5/08 at 07:17 PM

I run an Ecotec in my Stylus in standard trim they kick out 136bhp, they are not as strong as the XE due to vauxhall making it in just enough kind of way, rods etc (if that makes sense) on the plus side you can use an Opel manta gearbox, flywheel and clutch and the manta flywheel only weighs 5kgs(which for an XE flywheel of that weight you will pay a lot) you can do the obvious ARP bolts etc, mine kicks out about 198bhp with TBs and some head work and a set of cams and verniers,but i think thats about it power wise as the heads arn't known for big power having said all that i did throw a rod last year on a trackday but i'm sure that was somthing i did whilst working on the engine the day before, prior to that i had done about 1500 mile caining the arse off of it with no trouble, on the bright side Ecotecs are cheap and easily replaceable as for Zetec v Ecotec i would go for a redtop/XE but thats my choice.
HTH
Phil

blakep82 - 5/5/08 at 08:05 PM

198? what exactly did you do? i'm having my ecotec rebuilt now to run in bike carbs. 200bhp would be nice, but i'm not really looking at spending big money yet

Dusty - 6/5/08 at 12:14 AM

quote:

........ as for Zetec v Ecotec i would go for a redtop/XE ........
I have to say in the Zetec v Ecotec I would go for Duratec personaly.

philw - 6/5/08 at 02:36 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Dusty
quote:

........ as for Zetec v Ecotec i would go for a redtop/XE ........
I have to say in the Zetec v Ecotec I would go for Duratec personaly.


Yeah you are right, all alloy nice and light but still a touch expensive.

philw - 6/5/08 at 02:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by blakep82
198? what exactly did you do? i'm having my ecotec rebuilt now to run in bike carbs. 200bhp would be nice, but i'm not really looking at spending big money yet


It was one of those rare Ebay bargains ( i mean pennies) nobody wanted it because it was an Ecotec, anyway advert was somthing like VX engine with weber 45s lots of paperwork very fast blah blah, anyway i've gone to collect it and it has Weber Alpha gold TB kit (so i'm quids in straight away) the head was worked by a company called auto craft not sure what they did but the exhaust ports are huge compared to a standard head ( i must have a look at the inlet side) it already had vernier gauges and a RR print out showing 185bhp, so all i have done is put a set of EC2001 cams in which claim + 12-15bhp a manta flywheel which saves about 3-4kgs over a standard one and thats about it the only thing i could do with is a better exhaust manifold, this is probably not much help, i will try and find the paper work and see if that gives anything away.

Phil

blakep82 - 6/5/08 at 03:27 PM

^ ah, no thats spot on for now! ok, so i can't afford weber TBs, but bike carbs, a bit of head work and vernier pulleys should hopefully give some decent gains anywayi'd be happy with 160-170bhp to start.
but if you could find out what work was done to the head, that would be fantastic