Advice on new engine
Discussion
First of all, thanks to anyone who have tried to help in any way on this forum.
Still, in the end, after the rebuild the piston decided to bash its way out of the engine block on the rolling road, yesterday evening.
I'm stuck in the quest of ordering a new k-series (probably around the 200 bhp mark) including a drysump to be safe (as I have to make some costs anyway) and a Duratec 2.0, again (around the 200 bhp mark).
I guess the Duratec will be much more expensive? But will it be more reliable to justify the costs? Does anyone know if I, for instance, can reuse my Radtec radiator if I go Duratec?
I've seen a kit on Minister. Anyone used their kit? Was it complete or would I still need to buy all sorts of bits and bobs to get the Duratec running?
If anyone can give me a rough indication of just a 1800 k-series around the 200 bhp mark, I might as well keep that in consideration. Could be send as pm if preferred.
Still, in the end, after the rebuild the piston decided to bash its way out of the engine block on the rolling road, yesterday evening.
I'm stuck in the quest of ordering a new k-series (probably around the 200 bhp mark) including a drysump to be safe (as I have to make some costs anyway) and a Duratec 2.0, again (around the 200 bhp mark).
I guess the Duratec will be much more expensive? But will it be more reliable to justify the costs? Does anyone know if I, for instance, can reuse my Radtec radiator if I go Duratec?
I've seen a kit on Minister. Anyone used their kit? Was it complete or would I still need to buy all sorts of bits and bobs to get the Duratec running?
If anyone can give me a rough indication of just a 1800 k-series around the 200 bhp mark, I might as well keep that in consideration. Could be send as pm if preferred.
At that power level, I'm pretty sure the Duratec will be more reliable, as they give 175bhp without any tuning.
One snag with the Duratec is cutting a hole in the other side of your car for the exhaust.
There are some pretty powerful Zetec engines around that have the exhaust the same side as the K series, and from what I've heard they are a bit cheaper too.
Sorry to hear about your old engine
One snag with the Duratec is cutting a hole in the other side of your car for the exhaust.
There are some pretty powerful Zetec engines around that have the exhaust the same side as the K series, and from what I've heard they are a bit cheaper too.
Sorry to hear about your old engine
The question with other options is if everything is available out of the box. I don't have a garage I can work in myself.
Efa, if VX route, which engine exactly, and are things like engine mounts etc. readily available? Exhaust side? Haven't heard of companies putting vx engines in sevens.
Efa, if VX route, which engine exactly, and are things like engine mounts etc. readily available? Exhaust side? Haven't heard of companies putting vx engines in sevens.
allen l said:
The question with other options is if everything is available out of the box. I don't have a garage I can work in myself.
Efa, if VX route, which engine exactly, and are things like engine mounts etc. readily available? Exhaust side? Haven't heard of companies putting vx engines in sevens.
I think the chap is thinking about you putting a 2.0 vx redtop in there ala the caterham HPC. Should be able to buy eng mounts from caterham as they used the 8v engine in the late 80's early 90's 7's. You'll also need a vx to ford gearbox bell housing, not so easy to come by but possible. Red tops give good power, well proven engine in terms of reliability and tuning, lots of tuning potential but quite heavy.Efa, if VX route, which engine exactly, and are things like engine mounts etc. readily available? Exhaust side? Haven't heard of companies putting vx engines in sevens.
Personally I'd be putting a duratec in if you have the cash
Depends on your budget and aspirations.
plenty of Vauxhall VXs about. Plenty in Caterhams.
plenty of Zetecs around. Plenty in Caterhams but never a standard fitment in UK spec cars (only in the US), so a bit less popular in the s/h market (my perception)
In both cases you will have parts off the shelf, lots of Caterham specialists will have done something similar before and the most you will need to do with the skin is to enlarge the hole for the exhaust.
If you really want to stick to a K, look through the obvious places (Blatchat, the Grads forum and on here) for an engine which hits the spot and has come out of a Caterham. Check whether it is EU2 or EU3 to match whatever you are removing. This will probably be the cheapest option. If you import an engine from a transverse installation there will be plenty of work to be done.
Swapping to Duratec will, without question, be more expensive than any of the above. They are more expensive to begin with and you are swapping sides for induction and exhaust which is messy.
If you were starting from new and wanted 200BHP (or close to it) my advice would be different (and would be to go on the Duratec route)
plenty of Vauxhall VXs about. Plenty in Caterhams.
plenty of Zetecs around. Plenty in Caterhams but never a standard fitment in UK spec cars (only in the US), so a bit less popular in the s/h market (my perception)
In both cases you will have parts off the shelf, lots of Caterham specialists will have done something similar before and the most you will need to do with the skin is to enlarge the hole for the exhaust.
If you really want to stick to a K, look through the obvious places (Blatchat, the Grads forum and on here) for an engine which hits the spot and has come out of a Caterham. Check whether it is EU2 or EU3 to match whatever you are removing. This will probably be the cheapest option. If you import an engine from a transverse installation there will be plenty of work to be done.
Swapping to Duratec will, without question, be more expensive than any of the above. They are more expensive to begin with and you are swapping sides for induction and exhaust which is messy.
If you were starting from new and wanted 200BHP (or close to it) my advice would be different (and would be to go on the Duratec route)
Edited by Golf Juliet Tang on Friday 10th June 16:51
Thanks lads!
Ok, I'm this far that I'm off the Duratec idea. I'm not feeling like spending all the cash ending up with a great engine and the car that will look like a rat racer because of the holes.
I think I'll have to consider a well build k-series or maybe Zetec, as the exhaust sits at the same side. And maybe the vx engine could be an option. I'm not too worried about the s/h market as I don't intend to sell the car ever again.
Ok, I'm this far that I'm off the Duratec idea. I'm not feeling like spending all the cash ending up with a great engine and the car that will look like a rat racer because of the holes.
I think I'll have to consider a well build k-series or maybe Zetec, as the exhaust sits at the same side. And maybe the vx engine could be an option. I'm not too worried about the s/h market as I don't intend to sell the car ever again.
Edited by allen l on Friday 10th June 20:11
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff