I'm currently investigating a possible change from a 2012 Duratech powered plus4 to one with the new engine.
I stumbled over this article
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/05/ask-an-engineer-gdi-problems-in-a-nutshell/Given posts flagging up possible issues with the siting of catalytic convertor giving rise to excess heat generation I'm starting to think it may better to sit on my hands for the time being and see how this new engine pans out.
Any views?
I'm not exactly sure why you would want to let go of your plus 4 duratec which is a much more flexible engine in that there are lots of modifications possible to add power whereas the GDI has no modification possibilities at all ! Whats wrong with your duratec ? No overheating on duratecs either !
I am totally in agreement with your posting. I have had 3 +4's two of them with Duratecs and they are the best, easiest to live with and totally superb engines. Just my opinion but I would not go for a GDI, no disrespect to those that have one but one look at that intake trunking passing right over the catalyser (put right next to the engine to heat up quickly and meet the tighter emission requirements where HC measuremt is taken sooner after start up so not MMC fault) it's obvious that the incoming air is going to be heated. I am sure a cool air induction kit will be available PDQ but the layout at the moment is not good. The Duratec pootles around all day at excellent MPG or can be made to go like stink and all the development is out there as almost off the shelf bolt on goodies. As you can imagine I am a Duratec fan and had 2 road cars (still have one of them) with Duratec engines.
