fiestaturbo.com

[philhoward]

What's the best combo, ZVH wise, for a turbo engine? I've seen a few comments which say use the 1800 for a turbo conversion. Any particular reason? Any special bits needed (funny pistons, etc), or is it a straight head swap?

[Jeff]

I've had both engine sizes...1.8 and 2.1 and there's no difference in price for the parts for the engines. The only difference is the price you pay for the block...2.0's seem to be a bit more expensive than the 1.8. <IMG SRC="http://www.v8fiesta.co.uk/ubb/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>If you can afford the insurance, go for the 2.1...loads of torque, and you don't need to run high boost for good power.<br><br>Jeff

[mec]

feckin 'ell, who are you with, i could do with some of that! <IMG SRC="http://www.v8fiesta.co.uk/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif">

[philhoward]

Cheers Jeff - Given a free choice then the extra 200cc wins...<br>Question is: how much fiddling do you need to do to a stock Zetec block to make it turbo-able - low CR psitons (or by some fluke does the standard pistons and the CVH head make a nice CR "out of the box"? If so, which is better for a budget conversion (least number of extra bits needed)?<br><br>Oh, insurance ain't a problem (the broker went away at quote time when I mentioned the mods so far (i.e. turbo & big brakes), and came back with the best ever response - "no change to the price, sir"!!!

[Jeff]

Not sure, but it's high because I had 2mm taken off the top of the block on my latest re-build to get a cr of 7.5:1...but I did have short H section steel rods and a swirl bowl in the top of the piston! <IMG SRC="http://www.v8fiesta.co.uk/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>Jeff

[philhoward]

For starters, the car isn't an RS - or even a Ford for that matter! It's a Reliant (no laughing) Scimitar SS1 1600 (ATM). Started life with a bog standard XR3 lump from the factory, got Turbo Technics'd back in 1985, got fiddled by me (from 140bhp dyno'd) to touching 200bhp before the carb (yes!) died just after christmas. The S2 KE-Jet kit is about half way through the grafting on process, but a nice (bigger) Zetec bottom end is DAMNED tempting.<br><br>Other advantages? Handles better than any Ford I've ever driven (it's RWD), won't rust and insurance (for me and wifey) is £195 fully comp.<br><br>[Edited by philhoward (17-04-2001 at 08:19 AM).]

[Jeff]

Phil,<br>If you are going to run lowish boost, say no more than 14psi, get a post out for Ian Howell (or call him direct) for some low-comp pistons...I THINK they're about £200 a set. Standard crank and rods are more than up to the job at this boost. <IMG SRC="http://www.v8fiesta.co.uk/ubb/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>Jeff

[philhoward]

What CR does the Zetec bottom and CVH head give as standard? Any ideas?