have been having a heated debate and wanted to open the question up to everyone, I know Christian has done built a 350bhp cvh and wondered what the most cost effective way of achieving the 350whp reliable daily driver.
Anyone near that figure, if you could post your specs if you dont mind.

Thanks and let the posts begin

 

Don't start with a cvh would be my answer!

 

deep pockets..

 

so would it be a full zetec turbo build then garage19? forged pistons, rods are def on the cards

 

With the right bits you can piss 350 bhp from a zetec.

 

the problem i see is getting th rest of the car to handle 350bhp imo mate
just thinking about it your gonna struggle with traction and getting gearbox's to last imo and thats just the start- engine running 300bhp could be done for around 3k imo

 

if you want it cheep then foget 350bhp. get a blacktop zetec the rods and pistons i gave you link to and a rover inlet a t3 off a cossie a escort exhaust manifold and you will see a real 270 bhp.

 

yeah i see, thanks crazy cage, I am probably aiming too high with 350 horse... it will probably be unusable anyway. 270bhp has got to be seriously quick surely?

 

For that sort of power i wouldn't even bother with the rods and pistons.

Just wack a thicker head gasket in and run some decent manifolds with the right turbo and some stand alone management.

 

The best way to gget 270 bhp to feel quick and also save on broken boxes is to spend some time getting the weight of the car down. 7-800 kg should be pretty easy to do with a fiesta/escort.

 

i agree with you there but i wouldnt lower the comp i would just leave it at 10-1. but in his case he is better off with the rods in the long run as he will want more power soon after by the sounds of it

 

Garage19- C'mon, not every can afford race fuel

 

i agree there as well i don't break boxes with a lot more power than 270hp and thats in a fezz and gets hard launched off the line with some really fat 15" r888s .

 

have taken the back seats out the other day and already feels a little quicker, anything else i can do to keep the weight down?

 

how much power are you running and what is your spec crazycage?

 

350+

 

Too true.

I've seen great results with v power and CVL turbo. Back to backed it with just v power and the results were impresive.

I've seen 280 bhp made on a black top with a just a thicker HG and a GT28rs.

 

It must have been magic then as the standard valve springs will do nowhere near that. I'm surprised you pay attention to such bullshit!

 

some bucket seats polly carb windows remove all the sound deaden and a 2" hole saw

 

Sling the spare wheel, junk all inetrior bar seats, poly windows (big saving), glass fibre tail gate, wings and bonnet. Plus both bummpers in GF too.

That should do the trick!

 

the most boost i could get into my engine was 9 psi before it stared to get valve float but still made near 280bhp

 

and what was the spec mate? Dont suppose you got any vids of it in action have you?

 

Sorry, you are right. it wasn't quite standard. The economy valve springs were replaced. I'll see if i can dig out the dyno sheet.

 

so you are accusing him of lying? Mate cmon be a little nicer on here ay?

 

only got a vid of it when it was a cvh with 261bhp and fully trimed up

http://s125.photobucket.com/albums/p...MOV00007-1.flv

 

350bhp and cheap?? Good luck!!

Obviously you'll need to look at alot more than just the engine. Mine at 350bhp is WAY beyond what the car can take and thats only 300lb/ft. It just feels dangerous. Lucky for me, I've grown with the car over almost 10 years, so have really got used to it.

350bhp from a CVH isn't to be taken lightly, it's easier with a Zetec, but I mean easier, not EASY.

 

I hope he isn't. He is right about the velve springs though, especially on the black tops. The spring rates were designed to be very low to reduce valve train loses and squeeze even more economy out of the engine.

Easy fix though.... thats if you know what retainers and collets to use.

 

thanks for your advice! I only post here to learn and get opinions and advice before i endeavour to start the project or start buying things. I really dont want to put peoples backs up or cause any arguments, im just here to learn before i put a build report up myself.
Got told to stop deluding myself in a diff post which made me feel great. Maybe 350horse is a little optimistic but i really want more horses, either zetec or cvh.

 

Easiest way is to buy my engine.

 

if only i had the money mate, if only

 

out of interest, you mentioned growing up with the car for 10 years, well i intend to keep this for a long while and am running 16psi, with air filter, chav valve, pace intercooler. Was wondering where you would go from there? I mean i dont want to peak too early if you get my drift.

 

i thought he said a reliable 350

 

Mate, I have to say, in the reliability stakes, I have NO complaints. I tried a metal head gasket and blew that, but went back to OE and its fine. Other than that, it's been REALLY ace.

 

you don't have to prove its reliability to me ! i was just taking the piss anyway ive had enuf of this thread its starting to bore me .

 

do you drive it daily Christian?

 

No, wouldn't dream of it.

One hell of a Paddle clutch is a must and that in a daily driver is a no-no.

Luckily I don't need to drive it daily. That said, I could. It drives lovely and is surprisingly economical.

 

economical? Thats very surprising but good to know, ill never run your kind of outputs but i can dream lol

 

Zetec is the only way to go! Dead easy (ish) for 350bhp!

As a reliable daily driver?? You need to spend some money boy! Gearbox, brakes, clutch, driveshafts, suspension, fuel system etc etc! Also as much fun as 350 BHP is in a weekend toy, that much in a 20 year old FWD daily driver will become tiresome! I am not saying dont do it just go in with your're eyes wide open. What I said before is obviously before you get into the considerable rust issues most RST;s seem to suffer!

After MANY years playing with with big power escort turbos I have come to the conclusion that unless you are prepared to continue this hobbie as a way of life you are about to waste alot of money and time!

But saying that if you are prepared to sacrifice sanity, family, friends, financial security, sex and any form of social life you're on a winner! LOL!

 

There really is alot to making it driveable and economical, much more than fitting Megasquirt (for example) and doing a road map. My ECU is fantastic for off-boost control and we map it extremely carefully.

In the short amount of time it spent on the road last year before this latest phase of changes, I was seeing 200-250 miles to a tank for mixed driving (mainly sensible, but some 'spirited driving'). My 1.4 Clio only does a little more than that.

 

2.0 litres or more, and 16 valves, would be where I would start if looking for a reliable 350bhp.