I could do with more poke from my 1300xflow. I'm hoping to upgrade to a 1600 at some point but not just yet, but in the meantime I'd like to make some improvements to the performance of the 1300. I'm planning on fitting electronic ignition (see my other thread in the 'Electrics' section) but I also think I need to replace the single downdraft carb with some nifty webers or something. Haven't much of a clue really. Any suggestions?
Cheers
Jon

[Edited on 15/9/06 by jonbeedle]

A set of suitably jetted 40DCOE's and a manifold would give a decent increase in power over the original downdraught carb. You could go for bike carbs, but by the time you buy a suitable manifold (assuming you don't want to make one) it will probably be a more expensive route.

Watch out for clearance problems between the distributor and sidedraught carbs though, the shorter block of the 1300 means this can cause problems. Ditching the dizzy and going for a Megajolt system would solve that problem.

The standard 1300 head doesn't flow especialy well, a well ported head will make a big difference, as will a sportier cam if you are willing to go that far.

Twin 40's or bike carbs would be your best bet mate. A man of your calibre outta be able to make a manifold for bike carbs..

THen you can put them on your 1600 when u get it.

Failing that put your mustang engine in it until the the mustangs done.

Is it worth upgrading to another old engine?

You can get a 1.8 zetec with bike carbs and megajolt in there for well under a grand. Must be worth modernising the engine bay??

Not really what I'm after. The zetec is too modern for me and it's too easy and convenient to just put one in. I want to keep the 'old' car vibe and get the best out of what I've got. The only engine upgrade I would consider is a 1600 xflow. The xflow is a basic engine and it's fun trying to get more out of it. Anyone can bung in a modern lump or a bike engine with mega this and that and go 130mph and that's absolutely fine but that's not what it's about for me. When I started building, the whole idea was to build the next best thing to an old classic car because I couldn't justify an XK120! If I want a super smooth reliable fast car I'll just get in my BMW!
Cheers
Jon

there is loads you can do to the 1300 for more poke, try finding a GT head maybe even a cam kit, there is a lot of power to be gained from a PROPER exhaust, i currently have on my driveway a mk1 escort with a 1300 xflow a p+p head with GT valves, GT cam, bike carbs oh and direct port nitrous with 100bhp jets its not finished but its damn quick

however the best idea would be to drop in a 1600 as that will make the starting point for further modifications much better

Although the 1600 is an easy way of gaining horsepower I am quite a fan of the 1300 as the short stroke makes it rev nice. All the good stuff that fits the 1600 will fit the 1300, and compression can be increased easily by using 1100HC pistons.
The GT cam and head will fit with no modifications, and port matching the manifolds will start for cheap power, along with a GT manifold and a DGV carb.
If you want to spend more money then the choice of cams is vast, though some need the pistons modifying for larger lift, and twin 40 Webers are popular, although as said already, watch the dizzy clearance. Some manifolds are higher than others to get round this problem.


I think what you need to do is decide how much more power you want and then budget accordingly.


A 1300 Crossflow.