My block needs reboring before I can build my new engine, and i'm gonna need to fork out for O/S pistons that are goona cost me around the £70 mark each. Now for about £80 I can pick up a fairly low mileage 1800 zetec bottom end.

So my option are:
1. Buy the O/S pistons and stay 1.6 (ish)
2. Buy the Zetec bottom end, skim the pistons and build a ZVH
3. Source an unworn cvh bottom end.
4. Any other suggestions?

I'm building the engine to run around 250 with a stg 3 T3, 500 sized intercooler, greens and L8, its not gonna be a garage ornament and used most days, so driveability is a must.
I've already forked out on headwork (mild porting and a piper cvhbp285t2 cam) and the head itself is good, so i'm not going full ZT (yet)

All suggestions / advise welcomed

 

cvh is the way forward

 

go full zetec mate!!!

 

zvh mate, you wont regret it

 

As bad boy rs said zvh there torque monsters been in an s1 with a 2.1 zvh running only 6psi boost on a t34, i was very impressed. Completely upto you though and how much brass you got!

 

if your after the 250 bhp mark i'd get rid of the piper and put a newman set up in instead and if you go zvh and skim the pistons like you say then you will be limited to the boost these will handle due to inherent weakness of the thinner crown and heat build up. if you go the cvh route then the rods and pistons would be close to there limits and it's anyones guess as to how long they would take the abuse for. if it was me i'd build the cvh for now and over time build a propper cvh with all the goodies in i.e forged pistons and steel rods as a true 250 bhp road car is plenty and will surprise a few people and with the propper bottom end goodies in place there is nothing to stop you upping the boost for a few more ponnies but don't forget the gearbox and clutch while the engine's out.

 

If it was my option I'd do a 1600cc CVH up to around the 300bhp mark or for higher outputs, I'd build a Zetec with a different stroke and rod ratio to make it rev like a CVH.

Huge torque spikes from a ZVH is a gearbox killer.

 

i would do a CVH myself with cossie management it makes for a stonking little engine imho

 

Cheers for the input fellas

rst-g cant afford to go full ZT mate, I'll bet your pistons alone cost more than I paid for my car

 

I LOVE the torque of the ZVH, and its mapped spot on so I can toodle around town, or gun it down dual carriageways.

 

I chose a ZVH over a full Zetec as I prefer the characteristics of the ZVHs torque - its a personal thing and down to what suits your driving style.