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zetec and type 9 box into alpine sv

J

jez1964

i am in england and these engines and boxes are common ,so has anybody anywhere tried putting a ford zetec into an alpine ,
still considering a 2.8 v6 but looking at the options first
thanks in advance jez
 

Bill Blue

Platinum Level Sponsor
Have not tried it, but have done some measuring. We have two Zetecs and I think it would make a great Alpine engine, but the US versions of the Zetec are a tad to wide to fit the Alpine. Plan on some custom manifolds.

Bill
 

V6 JOSE

Donation Time
Bill,

Wasn't there a picture posted on this board, that showed an Alpine with the Zetec in it? I thought it had been done already.

Jose:)
 

alpine_64

Donation Time
In the UK a few guys have fitted Ztec motos and 5 speeds into alpines. Here in AU we have a couple of nissan turbo motors and also a toyota Twin cam (the photos posted) I will get a few links up with pics of the conversions.
 

Bill Blue

Platinum Level Sponsor
Bill,

Wasn't there a picture posted on this board, that showed an Alpine with the Zetec in it? I thought it had been done already.

Jose:)

Jose, beats me. I don't remember seeing any, but that means nothing. If there are pictures, I'd like to see them. I'd like to see how they squeezed it in.

Bill
 

Bill Blue

Platinum Level Sponsor
As I suspected, different manifold, at least intake. That's okay. And it looks like one missing cowl brace. Not okay. But that's just my personal criteria.

Thanks Michael
Bill
 

sunbby

Past SAOCA President
Donation Time
I've been planning on trying the same thing. I picked up a Zetec from a '99 ZX2 Escort, it looked like the stock exhaust manifold might work well. The intake will definitely be tricky. I'm also trying to decide whether to use a T5 or find a type 9 tranny. Quad4Rods make bellhousing to mate either tranny, although a bit pricey. Then there's fueling and ignition to take care of...

My progress will undoubtedly be very slow but I'll try to keep the list posted if I do get anywhere.
 

64beam

Donation Time
Hi Guys,

It is good to hear from someone installing a high-tech four (no disrespect for the V6 fraternity ;) ). I do have some photo's of the Alpine with a Toyota twin cam engine and I think I also have some pictures of the Nissan turbo engined Alpine also. I can email them to anyone who is interested (just PM me). From what I have seen, the Toyota engine swap was better in that they are not as wide as the Zetec and similar engines (alot of mods are still necessary either way though). Good luck with your conversions which ever way you go.

Regards, Robin.
 

Bill Blue

Platinum Level Sponsor
I've been planning on trying the same thing. I picked up a Zetec from a '99 ZX2 Escort, it looked like the stock exhaust manifold might work well. The intake will definitely be tricky. I'm also trying to decide whether to use a T5 or find a type 9 tranny. Quad4Rods make bellhousing to mate either tranny, although a bit pricey. Then there's fueling and ignition to take care of...

My progress will undoubtedly be very slow but I'll try to keep the list posted if I do get anywhere.

Todd, I've read the bell pattern is the same as the Pinto 2.0. That means the 2.3 (Lima) transmission will bolt up pretty well. Depth is fine. Four of the bolt holes match perfectly, the top two do not and stepped locating dowels have to be used. I think a person could get a couple of lumps welded in place and drilled (if four bolts aren't enough) for much less than the 500 or so a new bell usually costs. I'll make the dowels for free.

Ford used the Zetec in some two wheel drive Escape's. Don't know which trans they used, probably the M5OD, but they would bolt right up.

MegaSquirt has you covered on ignition and fueling. From your picture, I predict the stock exhaust will interfere with the inner tie rod. But that should be easily taken car of with headers. What are your ideas on intake?

Bill
 

V6 JOSE

Donation Time
Hi Guys,

It is good to hear from someone installing a high-tech four (no disrespect for the V6 fraternity ;) ). I do have some photo's of the Alpine with a Toyota twin cam engine and I think I also have some pictures of the Nissan turbo engined Alpine also. I can email them to anyone who is interested (just PM me). From what I have seen, the Toyota engine swap was better in that they are not as wide as the Zetec and similar engines (alot of mods are still necessary either way though). Good luck with your conversions which ever way you go.

Regards, Robin.
Hi Robin,

I think you will find that V6'ers encourage any kind of conversion, as long as they are done right. I think the Zetec engine would be a great conversion, although it looks like it would be a bit of work. I do want to say, that when doing a Conversion, you shouldn't try to keep the stock exhaust manifold, because they not only do not produce the most power, but they usually force a not so good compromise, which should be avoided at all costs. For the best results, the engine and transmission should be placed in the ideal location, then everything else should be modified to fit the application. This usually requires a custom exhaust header, and sometimes a custom intake system. Since the Zetec angine is fuel injected, having a custom intake manifold made, is pretty easy.

I know that these custom pieces can be expensive, but the car will perform much better and will look professionally done, not a hack job. I know that some will say that it is better to save the money, but when you pop the hood, you want to be proud of what you've done.

Jose:)
 

sunbby

Past SAOCA President
Donation Time
Bill and Jose,

Thanks for the input, your thoughts and advice are always much appreciated. The Zetec has the exhaust on the left side so I thought it would be a little easier than a Duratec (emphasis on "little") and the stock Escort exhaust manifold might clear all of the steering gear, although until a test fit we won't know if Bill's prediction will be true. Jose, I agree the stock exhaust manifold probably isn't the best performance wise, certainly not aesthetically. I'm probably in over my head as it is, so I trying for as many stock pieces as possible as first, without doing a total hack job of course. I certainly agree with Jose and want to try and fit the engine and transmission 1st in as optimal a position as possible, then deal with the ancillaries. Definitely needs a custom intake manifold, either a custom single throttle body type or as many UK guys, individual motorcycle TB's. Dual Webers are an option, but as the posted pics show that loses the brace which I really don't like.
 

husky drvr

Platinum Level Sponsor
Ford used the Zetec in some two wheel drive Escape's. Don't know which trans they used, probably the M5OD, but they would bolt right up.

Bill,

I am pretty sure that 2wd Escapes are FWD only. :(
 

Bill Blue

Platinum Level Sponsor
Todd, something to consider. Get a junk T5 or T54 from a 2.3 for the early stages of your swap. It will bolt onto the Zetec and take up about the same space as a good T5 ($500) with a $500 custom bellhousing. That would let you get in action with little cash outlay and you could spend the big bucks after you work out the other wrinkles.

Don, as my Grandmother used to say, "I should have knowed better."

Bill
 

britbeam

Donation Time
What years were the Ztec engines in the Ford Escort? Ive got a Twin cam 91 escort but I dont see Ztec anywhere on it. It appears to be a year where they used Mazda engines.
Dwain V6 Krazy
 

Bill Blue

Platinum Level Sponsor
Dwain, as far as I know, the Zetec was used only in the ZX2. I think it was used from maybe 96 to the end of the ZX2, about '02. It was also the four banger used in the Contour and some (all?) Focus' until a couple years ago. I think a lot more were used in the Contour and Focus than Escorts.

Bill
 
J

jez1964

Thanks everybody for your input
looks like it would work ok with motorcycle carb conversion {yamaha R1}
zetecs in 2ltr form are in ford mondeo's over here and type 9 boxes in sierra's .
These engines and boxes are put in loads of kit cars and 1960,s -70's modified fords so loads of off the shelf conversion parts are available .
so more to think about .
thanks jez
 

fj55mike

Donation Time
zetec

I also think that the zetec came in a mercury cougar of the same vintage as the Contours.

I am currently in the buying and planning stages of a Toyota 4A-GE swap. Trying to decide whether the 20 valve will fit with the distrubutor on the back of the head.

--Mike
 

alpine_64

Donation Time
I also think that the zetec came in a mercury cougar of the same vintage as the Contours.

I am currently in the buying and planning stages of a Toyota 4A-GE swap. Trying to decide whether the 20 valve will fit with the distrubutor on the back of the head.

--Mike

Mike that conversion has been done here in AU, nice installation, but its tight
 

fj55mike

Donation Time
Mike that conversion has been done here in AU, nice installation, but its tight

Do you have the pictures from that conversion? I think it was in a green alpine, and it was posted on the old board. I want to see how they clearanced the firewall around the distributor, as well as whether the throttle bodies fit without too much modification.

Thanks,
M
 
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