Have been pondering this. From what I can gather the Duratec is usually around twice the price. Is there enough of a difference to make this worthwhile?

Cheers folks!

PS have got SWMBO onboard. Left The Book on the loo floor (sorry chris) and it looks like she's been reading it. Now she wants to help when I start my build.

The question should be Duratec 4 pot or Duratec V6

Did give that some thought. Seems a less well trod route though and more likely to need modifications to the design.

Do you know what new duratec v6s go for btw? New zetec 2.0s are £750 which is enticing...

If you have the money to spend then Duratec (engine + bellhousing cost) but you can get good power from the zetec without spending fortunes, so, how big is is your wallet and how much do you need that extra 50bhp?

Cheers

Alex

Ideally I'd like to start with a stock engine then tune up to 200bhp at some point in the future.

The V6 starts at #200bhp and I have seen low mileage ones change hands for less than £200 on eBay.

quote:

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Originally posted by jlparsons

PS have got SWMBO onboard. Left The Book on the loo floor (sorry chris) and it looks like she's been reading it. Now she wants to help when I start my build.

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means you can pick it up and fill your head with useful stuff when all the rubbish is dropping out of your bottom

If you want to go to 200bhp forget the Zetec. To get a Zetec to that kind of power it will be much more expensive than a Duratec.

Don't look only at the costs of the engine itself; look at cost of tuning to get it to the level you want (200bhp with the Duratec only requires trottle bodies and ideally bigger injectors the Zetec will need flowing, cams, etc. Both will need a programmable ecu). Do you need a lowered sump (Zetec can be easier done than Duratec)? What gearbox will you use? Exhaust; for a LHD car the Duratec is easier, for a RHD car the Zetec i.m.o.; etc.

For me the costs of the engine itself is a small part on the total costs of the installation.

In retrospect I think that I should have gone for a audi 1.8T. The turbo save a lot of money on the exhaust. No manifold needed, just one pipe, only a cheap silencer needed (the turbo takes away a lot of noise). No ecu needed (a 1.8T at 180bhp with that kind o torque is much faster than a Duratec at 200bhp). Only the installation is a bit more complex but that down to your skills as a fabricator.

etc.