Hi all,
I'd like to spark a new discussion about the 4-cylinder Ford engines used in the current trad-models. Having almost pinned the Aero-Sports brochure to my bedroom-wall, I can't help thinking of engine modification although I haven't even driven my new Morgan yet.
There is such a vast variety of stuff available to make them go faster from the UK, almost causing a feeling of dizziness.
First of all: what kind of eninges are (precisely) installed to the 4/4 and the +4?
Ford doesn't help to clarify on the matter, as all engines now being called "Duratec". Some of them appear to be of Mazda origin - (From previous experience I'd appreciate this).
From what I learned from Wikipedia, the 2 Liter seems to be rather dated already. For how long you think this powerplant will remain in production?
Just looking at the figures, the 1.6 is almost as quick - is this due to the reduced weight of the 4/4 Sports, or is the engine just so much more "free-revving"?
To bring the +4 somewhat near 200HP, what kind of modification is needed?
- Cams
- Exhaust / Headers / Cat
- Induction / Throttle body
- Chip
Will that do or does the engine have to come apart?
Thanks for clarifying my confusion.
Cheers,
Marian
Marian,
Very briefly:
First Zetec engine began life as the Zeta but after Lancia threatened litigation for infringement it became the Zetec ( no letter)
This then became the Zetec E ( also known as the silvertop)
The last generation of the Zetec was the Zetec R ( also known as the Blacktop) Unlike the E this engine has solid lifters whereas the E had hydraulic.
Again, in very general terms, the R was the Focus Engine- but you can't be absolutely definite about which engine a 4/4 will have just by when it left the factory. I have a December 2000 4/4 which all the dates say should have a blacktop engine- in fact I have a silvertop.
It also gets confusing because some of the later Zetecs were badged as Duratecs.
The current 4/4- the Sport- uses the Sigma engine. This is the one which people often talk about as having had input from Yamaha and /or Mazda
The current +4 uses the Duratec
We've had quite a bit about this issue on various threads but reasonably good sources of information about what can be done to the various Ford engines can be found at:
http://www.raceline.co.uk/http://www.burtonpower.com/technical_1/duratec_he.aspx http://www.minister-power.com/minister_power_pages/new_eng_sigma_160.html This isn't a comprehensive list- If you Google under the various engine types you will find a lot of stuff
Since the Caterham uses the same engine basis for some models any site concerning those will also give information but remember, there may well be 'packaging' issues when it comes to doing some of the same mods in a Morgan
You can get some info which will relate specifically to Morgans on sites such as MogSport ( Chas Windridge) or Techniques
Last but not least, you might want to take a look at:
http://www.guy-croft.com/http://www.pumaracing.co.uk/ In terms of power upgrade, my own approach would be first to make sure that anything you do add can be put down on the road:
So first question is, do you want to upgrade brakes ( probably no need given the current set up but a must on older cars with the two-pot front calipers)
Next, what about shockers- is it worth thnking about adjustables such as AVOs or similar
You may get a slight brake performance upgrade by fitting braided hoses and upgraded pads such as EBC Greens are worth considering
As to power increase, obviously, it depends how far you want to go but obvious starting issues are:
better exhaust; better induction, smaller, less dense cat ( certainly an issue on a 4/4)
At a certain point, this then moves on to going down the throttle body route but again there are issues involved here such as what to do about the ECU which may well need remapping or more
Certain tuners ( eg Specialised Engines) offer reworked heads, fast road cams and a bigger E 30 throttle body
Again depending on the power you are looking for, at some stage the issue of strengthening the bottom end of the engine is going to arise eg forged / dowelled crank, better pistons and rods, better ( lightened, balanced) flywheel etc.
Hope this helps as a start and sorry it is a bit long. I'm sure you'll get far more specialist and knowledgeable comments from some of the other guys on here
regards,
G
PS When comparing the 4/4 and the +4, my own feeling is that it is also very necessary to look at the torque figures as well as BHP. I'm very happy with the power output I now have on my 4/4 but I would dearly love more mid- range torque
