fiestaturbo.com

[icecool]

My bad luck continues, after putting the turbo back on, I took the car for a spin only to find the plugs breaking down. Replaced them, took it for another spin, decided to give it some stick and WOW, is all I can say, FAP ME its quick. Then on another attempt it started to go downhill. Now have a knock from the engine when accelerating, had it diagnosed has something in the 3rd or fourth cylinder, possible bearing failure, piston slap etc.

Anyway, the result is that the complete engine is coming out and completely dismantled and checked and then rebuilt. Anything that looks worn or shoddy is going in the bin. While I'm at it I'm going to tune it and thats where you lot come in.

OK lets start at the block, is it worth bothering with the 1600 or would a 1900 make more sense? What can I do with it? Who's best for parts?

Onto the head, what can I do with it? Best places to go etc.

[MadcatCraig]

u need to ask wot u want from ure engine before doing anything to it !

a propper rebuild usually means a small overbore .5mm

new pistons bearings rods bolts sometimes u get new oil pump water pump etc the lot so theres that

u can do thingsl ike lower the compression with different pistons this will be more sluggish off boost but allow you to run more boost safely with less risk of detonation.

1900 cvh is a ver expensive option.

If u fancy a spot of learning like IanFRST and my man PhilM u could probably build yourself a nice basic 2.0 zetec turbo including new pistons for the cost of a 1900 cvh bottom end ! £2k +

doing anything like this is pointless if you dont change other items to suit.

for example no point in low compression on standard boost so u then need to up the boost which will require some form of chipping or modification to the engine management system. Also you need a turbo unit which can handel such boost to suit ! a T2 of any variety is not going to last very long on anything over 13psi i know Snak said he killed his old one in a very short space of time by turning up the boost !

another thing to consider since u just got a nice new T2.

head work is easily done the first main stage is removing all the casting marks on the inlet and exhaust ports makingthem smooth u can the progress to actually making them bigger and fitting bigger valves etc.

theres gonna be nothing worse than u spending loads of money n this and then deciding u want more or wishing u hadnt [ERRR] u dont need it so think about it ! myslef not thinking about things has caused me much hassel

im not sure of many places near u that could do such a job "properly" if u look in one of the ford mags one hasa list of loads of specialist RS tuners etc im sure there should be one near u !

I know andyblack used Matt at ML developments just north of birmingham and he lives in surrey !

or u could take the plunge and attempt it yourself ! being a tight ass thas wot i did ive learnt loads its probably cost me more than it would have to pay someone to do it but i could now do it again. Infact i have and a zetec bottom end i rebuilt has since been sold and is being used in a car featured mag for a ZVH

[icecool]

Thanks for the advice, definitely taking the engine out myself and dismantling it for examination. Probably farm out the block to someone else to rebuild. Looking at some prices it seems that the 1900 route is gonna cost loads and if I do that I might as well do a zetec conversion.
Seeing as I've just done the turbo, I'm probably going to stick with the 1600 and look into lightening and balancing it and lowering the compression. Depend on the extent of the damage as to wether its worth doing this to the current block or just buying a recon one already done, say, from Specialised Engines. Get a 12 month warranty then.

[Project]

Christ Craig, you've been doing some reading up!!

[MadcatCraig]

reading not on this one

ive actually done this

no longer the kid who knew fook all

i like to think

[Quantum John]

Try Dave at Puma Racing for the head. He is highly recommended and hence the waiting list is long. Take a look at his site http://www.pumaracing.co.uk

My mate Jim has done his own ZVH and has described the whole procedure in his site, with pictures. http://www.jimhearne.co.uk

John

[icecool]

That is a brilliant site, thanks very much. Some very interesting information there.
In the same boat as you Madcat, learning as I go. Just a case of getting the trusty Haynes manual out.