engine conversion help

[Addy]

Hi all, iam looking to put a 2ltr pinto engine in my viva, would have put a v6 or v8 in but cant afford the insurance.
my question is does anyone know if the more modern ford escort rs2000 engine which is a 2ltr dohc with electronic injection would fit into a viva and is this engine different form an older pinto?
Reason iam asking is my viva is off the road while mot work is being done and thought i mite aswell buy a car with a pinto engine so iam still on the road while the work is being done on the viva.

Any thoughts???

[Firenzaboy]

Totally different engine to the Pinto -Zetec engine as fitted to Mondeos etc
I had one in a MK3 escort cabriolet - went like split S**T!
People have fitted these into a number of kit cars,and i beleive it will bolt up to a 5 speed type 9 (sierra) gearbox,so no reason really why it wouldn't go into a viva - sounds an interesting one and much much cheaper than a redtop motor
Dave

[Addy]

Thanks for the reply dave.
Ahh ok i understand now, but when i looked on ebay for a rs2000 it appears that the engine is mounted side on in the newer model rather than striaght as in the older pinto model, would this make a difference to way i would fit it into the viva? also do you know how difficult it would be to join the electronics of the zetec to a viva i.e ecu?

thanks dave or anyone else that can input

[Firenzaboy]

Yep thats right,the newer (MK5 escort RS2000) is front wheel drive,just a case of turning the engine round is all!
Your best donor would be a Mondeo 2 litre 16v,as these go for peanuts (you only need it to run ok,dont matter if its rotten and an MOT failure).
You've then got everything you need but the gearbox - should be able to pick a ford type 9 up from a scrapyard/breakers (or ebay!)
Obviously you'd need to mod the propshaft (or have that done;quite a few places will do this for you and balance it).
As regards the wiring - again you could get someone to separate out the bits you need and the bits you don't need from the donor car,or get a loom made up,or do it yourself (ie get rid of headlamp,heater control,lights,gimmicks wiring etc,just to leave you with whats required to make the thing run (coil pack,lamda sensor,charging system,ecu,wires to ignition etc).Obviously you can use the existing viva loom for headlamps,brakes,rear lights.heater,indicators etc).
This is how i'd go about it.Know a chap who bought an engine (cossie 24v),and didn't get all the necessary wiring,sensors,ecu and so on with it - it's still sat in his garage 4 years on
Gotta be the best bet to buy a donor,andeffectively "reshell" that engine and running gear into your car (no matter what car it is).
Got a "transplant" to start on myself soon - should be interesting - a 270BHP Subaru WRX Turbo engine,into a 1965 Beetle
HOpe this is of some interest/help.Dave

[Addy]

Yeah that was alot of help thanks dave, ive been postin on here for a while trying to get advice on engines and fittment and you'v helped me alot just in 2 replies. Well i have a friend whos an electrition so l'll see how he gets to grips with car electrics.
sorry to ask but what about tuning is the zetec tunable? also things like sump to subframe fitting i dont suppose you have any idea about that or will i hav to try it for myself.

p.s is your friend willing to part with the cossie block?

[Firenzaboy]

Hi Again!
As regards the cossie block,he's a greedy little F****r so i wouldn't even go there
THe Zetec 16v engine is very tunable - standard power output is in the region of 130 bhp i think,but i've heard said/read somewhere that they're quite easy to develop more power out of - read a thread on some forum somewhere when i had my escort that they can be turbo'ed easily and the bottom end will safely take around 230BHP (think they were running a cosworth T3 turbo
I'll have a look round the net and see if i can find that again,but yes,definitely a tunable engine.
Dave

[Addy]

well that all sounds amazing iam excited to find a mondeo now. should probably wait till i've got an mot fot the viva though. Thanks again dave you've been really helpfull.

one more thing though in your opinion pinto or zetec ??

[Firenzaboy]

One site for turboing the zetec 16v

http://www.zetec-turbo.co.uk/

[Firenzaboy]

And another - there's loads of em


http://zvh-zetecturbo.co.uk/id18.htm

[Firenzaboy]

Hmm- pinto or Zetec?
That all depends what route you wanna go (old skool with Big Carbs or modern reliable power )
Only YOU can decide!
Me personally,probably the Pinto cos i like the sound of a pair of Webers when driving in anger ,but thats not to say the Zetec is not the way to go!
All the best,Dave