Well then, time to come clean with what I’m really up to !
After A LOT of thought I’m replacing the Zetec.
It was a really hard decision as the Zetec is sooooo good , talks to you all the way to 7500rpm, never misses a beat, totally recommended.
I really must be going mad by changing it...
I was intending to upgrade from current 170 ish hp spec, by fitting some nice cams & pocketing the pistons. Problem is I don’t like doing half a job & £££ was an issue.
To take the benefit of that spec, the engine needs a nicely worked cylinder head to go with it, & overall thats the sharp end of £ 1500 for 200/205 BHP.
So with the help of my partner in crime.... we ripped the heart out of the Stylus last night.
Purely by chance the engine I had always intended to fit in the car, in fact the later 16V version, came along on the SylvaChat list a few weeks back...
OK it’s a bit old these days, but that’s what makes it interesting. And I had an 8v - 15 years back, So its old familiar ground.
Really its the same vintage as a Silvertop Zetec, but being italian, bits can be harder to find.
Fortunately Integrale's are still Scooby beating classics !
Slightly heavier than the Zetec, due to it steel crank, but producing an unstressed 270BHP @ 5500, & 245 ft/lb. All on its original Bosch injection gear, mated to a Ford type-9.
Mainly its cheap power, about the limit for the chassis I think (Tony might argue otherwise !).
Plan is to get it installed and running as is, sort out all the gremlins, then whip it back out for some final tweaks.
- Much, much easier with the front flip !
I’ve sold the Zetec for good £££, & if I add that on to the budget it means I can get my existing box upgraded to HD by BGH,
change the electronics to an Emerald, upgrade the front brakes & pedal box, & if there’s any left swap the half-shafts to Quaife.
Time will tell if it’s a good idea, but a change is as a good as a rest.