never even had a normal zetec s

anyone got any feedback on them? performance, running costs? what to look out for on the mk5 fiestas anyway?

 

Not sure about the engine conversion although I see a heck of a lot of people doing them...

MK5 Fiestas are prone to getting rust on the rear arches... They're also common for the rear bushes to go (on the rear beam) which causes the back end to become soft.

Check eBay as a lot of people will comment on the work which has been done, and you'll notice common things between auctions.

 

Not bad cars , I have one as a work horse, and it keeps going and going done over 160k still pulls strong ,use the rev range and they do tank along , rear arches ( as said) are the main bad point , and if there been repaired make sure it's a propper Job

 

I own a mk5 zetec-s with the std 1.6 engine... and its not exactly slow.. its not a supercar beater though either, but its still quick-ish...

Check for rust on rear arches as said above.... luckily mine is all clear

Get a phase2 aswell... better all round than the phase1's

Puma conversions give you like an extra 20/22bhp i think..., so the zetec-s goes from about 101bhp to about 123bhp...

Would prefer the 2.0 blacktop engine than the 1.7..but probably cost a fair bit more to drop in and get running than the puma lump.. plus the 2.0 only has about 8bhp more than the puma engine

 

My zetec s won't run right, tickover bounces from 900 to 1000revs, and until you hit 3000 revs plus it is v lumpy, its got a decat exhaust and 4branch manifold, also a performance panel air filter in the air box, also bottom of airbox is riddled with holes?? Is this normal or has someone butchered it? Only bought the car yesterday, do any of you guys have any ideas would be grateful of some hints and ideas cheers fellas

 

if its the one with 2 lamba sensors,1 before cat and 1 after then it will be reading wrong so the car is adjusting air/fuel ratio incorrectly.

that would be your first point of call pal.

apparently you can buy a plug in for second lamba if you remove cat so it will run more normal but not too sure if they actually work or not.

 

I use one a daily driver and apart from rear arch rust the rest is basic maintenance rear bushes are cheap and easy to fit, daily running costs in std form is next to nothing, puma conversion is a little bit more juicy but seeing as the car is light it's not a lot more and plenty of modding option's if you fancy it

 

As above, plus front drop links and anti-roll bar bushes were a common fault on most but are cheap to replace. I had one a few years back and took everything I threw at it including track days, its survived well past 100K without its cambelt change....just luck I suppose!

The air box with the holes in it was a common "bodge" on the standard air box to improve air flow. The revs issue might be a ISCV that needs removed and cleaned as that was a common issue too.

Great cars if you can find one that isn't riddled with rust now, such a shame as the chassis is great. Puma engine is a pretty easy conversion and most say it should have had it from the start for a better all round car.

 

I've got a 1400 zetec fez which is being converted into a van but keeping the rear seats, I've just picked a puma up from eBay to do this conversion wen the weather gets better, I've been looking into how to do it and it seems a simple conversion. I'm going to go the bike carb route and rebuild the 1.7, hoping for around 160-170 bhp

 

My brother loves his Zetec S fiesta's on his 3rd now which has got the Puma lump fitted! I think there a sporty looking car that drive and the handling is sweet but we both agree there mose less gutless! The 1.7 brings a bit of life but really you need a donar car so you could prob tune the standard engine for less and save a lot of time! And after he done it all my MK5 RS2000 was still quite a bit quicker