1.7 Double Ka Conversion for FordFest Race
27-05-2015, 08:10 PM
#1
1.7 Ka
Thread Starter
1.7 Double Ka Conversion for FordFest Race
A good while ago (way too long), I started down the route of sticking a Puma engine in a Ka. Sadly, I didn't have the time or motivation to complete it. Until now!
After getting a PM off Will on here I ended up with him round at mine swapping around some gearbox casings over a few beers as doing the same conversion.
Long story short - we've decided to get both the cars ready for Ford Fest this year then race them on the drag strip!!
We each had our own build threads on here but I figured it would be more interesting with all the updates in one place.
So here it is!
Let's see who gets engine in bay first then shall we???
After getting a PM off Will on here I ended up with him round at mine swapping around some gearbox casings over a few beers as doing the same conversion.
Long story short - we've decided to get both the cars ready for Ford Fest this year then race them on the drag strip!!
We each had our own build threads on here but I figured it would be more interesting with all the updates in one place.
So here it is!
Let's see who gets engine in bay first then shall we???
28-05-2015, 08:10 PM
#2
1.7 Ka
Thread Starter
Wanted to get the old engine out today and maybe the new one in but ended up spending most the day tidying out the garage and doing a couple of jobs! :/
Did manage to get the majority of it stripped down though and it's only really the exhaust and the engine mounts holding it in now so an hours work getting it out? Chop chop Will
Did manage to get the majority of it stripped down though and it's only really the exhaust and the engine mounts holding it in now so an hours work getting it out? Chop chop Will
28-05-2015, 08:33 PM
#4
1.7 Ka
Thread Starter
Was gonna get rid of the power steering to simplify the whole thing, clean up the bay some more and maximise on power. Figured it's only a small car and won't be using it every day to go to the shops so might be okay. With running the RST LSD though I don't know if it'll be too heavy. Anybody any experience of driving a similar car without power steering?? I know the older cars did without but a lot of them were probably rear wheel drive??
30-05-2015, 01:18 PM
#7
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
My KaRST has no PAS and it's ok. Take a while to get use to the change of effort required as you slow down but it's manageable. I think if I'm putting PAS back in in the future it'll be EPAS using a corsa column or similar. My wheels are 205 wide, don't know what you're planning on running but I imagine it'll be similar.
Good luck with the project!
Good luck with the project!
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craigk47 (30-05-2015)
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30-05-2015, 02:49 PM
#8
1.7 Ka
Thread Starter
Cheers Jammy! It's only running 195s at the moment so should be fine. Have you got an lsd? Think I'll give it a try and see how it feels. Can always keep the bits and swap it back again later if need be.
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BERTBERT85 (04-01-2020)
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BERTBERT85 (04-01-2020)
01-06-2015, 09:22 PM
#23
1.7 Ka
Thread Starter
Needed a bit of fettling - hence the chunk of metal that's missing out of the front panel. The fiesta belt tensioner that I wanted to use fouled one of the supports for the front subframe too so that'll need addressing!
On the plus side, the hoses for the heater matrix are bang on! Lol
On the plus side, the hoses for the heater matrix are bang on! Lol
01-06-2015, 09:26 PM
#24
1.7 Ka
Thread Starter
So here's where it sits at the moment. Gearbox mounts are bolted up and the engine mount looks like it'll be a piece of piss.
I just have to sort out the auxiliary belt tensioner, the front panel and the bonnet
I just have to sort out the auxiliary belt tensioner, the front panel and the bonnet
01-06-2015, 10:53 PM
#25
Ford KA 1.7 Vct, soon...
Never doubted you for a second Craigy boy!!
Well done mate, slow down a bit to give me a chance. Il be rebuilding the head this week/weekend then il have caught up
Ordering a new mount for drivers side this week as well. We'll see how it does!
Good luck!
Well done mate, slow down a bit to give me a chance. Il be rebuilding the head this week/weekend then il have caught up
Ordering a new mount for drivers side this week as well. We'll see how it does!
Good luck!
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craigk47 (02-06-2015)
02-06-2015, 07:53 AM
#27
1.7 Ka
Thread Starter
Waheeeyyyyy!!! Alreet pal?!
Dropped the engine down an inch or so on the passenger side to try and get a bit of clearance for the bonnet and it's definitely a bit better now but still not right.
Dropped the engine down an inch or so on the passenger side to try and get a bit of clearance for the bonnet and it's definitely a bit better now but still not right.
02-06-2015, 07:56 AM
#28
1.7 Ka
Thread Starter
Don't know if it's just the way the pictures have been taken but this one looks like the engine's further back???
Without changing the rear gearbox mount I don't know how that's possible??? Surely if I did change it, it'd affect the gear linkage and possibly my driveshafts???
Without changing the rear gearbox mount I don't know how that's possible??? Surely if I did change it, it'd affect the gear linkage and possibly my driveshafts???
Last edited by craigk47; 02-06-2015 at 07:58 AM. Reason: Forgot to add pic
02-06-2015, 08:33 AM
#31
1.7 Ka
Thread Starter
Yeah, wouldn't wanna go any lower it's sitting pretty nice at the moment and if I do roll it forward any more the alternator and stuff will come a bit too far forward.
02-06-2015, 12:21 PM
#32
Get on That!
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humm not sure how you managed the mount on the drivers side chassis leg, but mine had a custom mount which was shorter and offset to place the engine further back
also i did away with the Ka gearbox casing and ratio's and fitted a Puma gearbox with a custom made mount off the chassis leg using a Vaux Nova drivers side rubber mount and the old ka craddle mounted on the chassis
i forget no how the rear gearbox is stablised but i believe that was a custom mount as well that was cut and welded i'll have to look in my archives and see what pictures i have
also have you started out with a duratec engine car? if so you will have a wiring knightmare to get the dash to work as its all electronic and will most likely have to keep the original loom in place
the wiring was quite easy to spline in i think 3 wires in total to get round the immobiliser, but you have to use the ignition key ring and fob from the puma in the ka and then wire it to the clock light so you can see when its armed, i also used the rev counter feed to control the heater matrix so that worked correctly also
also i did away with the Ka gearbox casing and ratio's and fitted a Puma gearbox with a custom made mount off the chassis leg using a Vaux Nova drivers side rubber mount and the old ka craddle mounted on the chassis
i forget no how the rear gearbox is stablised but i believe that was a custom mount as well that was cut and welded i'll have to look in my archives and see what pictures i have
also have you started out with a duratec engine car? if so you will have a wiring knightmare to get the dash to work as its all electronic and will most likely have to keep the original loom in place
the wiring was quite easy to spline in i think 3 wires in total to get round the immobiliser, but you have to use the ignition key ring and fob from the puma in the ka and then wire it to the clock light so you can see when its armed, i also used the rev counter feed to control the heater matrix so that worked correctly also
Last edited by silky16v; 02-06-2015 at 12:29 PM.
02-06-2015, 03:30 PM
#34
1.7 Ka
Thread Starter
Got quite a bit done this afternoon!
Marked the bonnet for cutting out the bracing.
Made a temporary bonnet stay
Then cut it out with the angle grinder
Modified the original stay to use one of the existing holes
Marked the bonnet for cutting out the bracing.
Made a temporary bonnet stay
Then cut it out with the angle grinder
Modified the original stay to use one of the existing holes
02-06-2015, 08:31 PM
#38
1.7 Ka
Thread Starter
Cheers for the input lads!
Silky - Drivers side mount isn't done yet. Had a bit of a weigh up today but ran out of time. It's just lifted into position with a jack under the sump and bolted on the other two mounts which are standard Ka ones (with a spacer on the passenger side mount)
Any pics you've got of yours would be great, aye! Post em up if you find em pal!
As far as the wiring goes, I'll se how I get on. The full engine loom came over from the running puma so I'm gonna splice it in to get in running but if you're right about all the digital stuff, I'll have to maybe get rid of the original clocks or something. I had to rewrite the heater switch a while back anyway and just had it on a switch inside - on for cold and off for hot
Warren - Are you the same warren off of project puma that sold me the bits to rebuild my Alcons? If so hi!
Do you know if they did a puma without PS. At the moment I'm thinking of getting a splined column, cutting the end off it and welding it on mine as an extension (inside the car, with a sleeve) as I bought what was sold to me as a non PS Ka rack and a non PS Ka column and they're naff all alike! Lol.
Silky - Drivers side mount isn't done yet. Had a bit of a weigh up today but ran out of time. It's just lifted into position with a jack under the sump and bolted on the other two mounts which are standard Ka ones (with a spacer on the passenger side mount)
Any pics you've got of yours would be great, aye! Post em up if you find em pal!
As far as the wiring goes, I'll se how I get on. The full engine loom came over from the running puma so I'm gonna splice it in to get in running but if you're right about all the digital stuff, I'll have to maybe get rid of the original clocks or something. I had to rewrite the heater switch a while back anyway and just had it on a switch inside - on for cold and off for hot
Warren - Are you the same warren off of project puma that sold me the bits to rebuild my Alcons? If so hi!
Do you know if they did a puma without PS. At the moment I'm thinking of getting a splined column, cutting the end off it and welding it on mine as an extension (inside the car, with a sleeve) as I bought what was sold to me as a non PS Ka rack and a non PS Ka column and they're naff all alike! Lol.
02-06-2015, 08:35 PM
#39
1.7 Ka
Thread Starter
PS, my box is puma bellhousing with fiesta 1.6 gears, RST diff and Ka outer casing. The final drive is a flighty 4.25.
Warren - if you are who I think you are (legend) then you were part of the reason why I decided to rebuild the box myself and stick the RST LSD in although I have taken on board your views about them mostly being fooked and if it is it'll be gettin sent to Bara! You're also the reason it'll be getting the big focus clutch (legend)
Warren - if you are who I think you are (legend) then you were part of the reason why I decided to rebuild the box myself and stick the RST LSD in although I have taken on board your views about them mostly being fooked and if it is it'll be gettin sent to Bara! You're also the reason it'll be getting the big focus clutch (legend)
02-06-2015, 08:37 PM
#40
1.7 Ka
Thread Starter
Wanted to use the original gearbox mounts as its the first transplant I've done (aside from like for like) and I thought it'd give me the best shot of getting the gearbox and driveshafts in the right place.