Hi everyone,

Sorry in advance, I'm obviously very new to this forum so if format or anything else is off I apologise profusely!

Anyways, recently bought a 9-year dry stored Ford Orion with the intention of keeping it dead stock... other than the drivetrain.
Did some digging and found that the CVH doesn't really give 200+hp numbers very easily. I am aiming for about the 270 mark as a challenge to myself and my abilities, make a laughing stock out of my Dad's BMW 535d and overall have a lot of fun!
Did some more digging and found ZVHs and ZETEC swaps. liked the idea of some janky engine swap and so I had a look around and found a Zetec silver top 1.8 for £200 with 20k miles.
What I am essential asking is what I will need to do and to get in order to proceed with the swap in the fullest. I can imagine it would be the usual loom, ECU and flywheel to mate to the gearbox, just want some guidance as I have heard all sorts about different sumps, orientations of pulleys in mondeos and countless other things that I can't seem to form a cohesive picture.
If any of you could help piece this puzzle together, I would be over the moon and will document the process fully!

Regards and thanks from yours newbie truly!

 

Hi im not sure how far you plan to go but a old zetec now weather its claimed its 20k or 120k it will be tired so in order for it to get anywere near 200bhp you will need to buy some expencive parts like carbs or throttle bodies. camshafts. ported head etc... it will be alot easyer to fit with after market ecu running carbs

 

270 what? bhp? N/A???

 

Hi sorry I should have said. I am planning on adding a turbo to the mix down the line but not imminently. I work at a company which is pretty synonymous with engineers doing mad things to their cars in their spare time and many of my colleagues seem eager to help me plumb the turbo and increase room so-to-speak. 270hp was just a figure I wanted as I believe the BMW 535d I’m trying to whoop has about that much weighing a lot more! I’ve seen some make zetecs make 300+ with a turbo. For now, I’m just trying to throw a simple old silver top into the car, the power comes later! Hope this helps!

 

sorry, 20k miles and I have a lot of equipment at my disposal thanks to my job and colleagues (borer, cnc, advanced welding n the likes) as well as the fact i am willing to go a little nuts with build (turbo, custom manifolds/plenums, boring and porting). Fact in the matter is, I just want the silver top in the car for now, the power can come later as I recruit more help and get deeper pockets 😂 hope this helps!

 

the silver top zetec will make that power easily with a turbo, but the rods and pistons are likely to be your weak area. VW 1.8t 20v pistons can be used in the zetec, along with some american spec (20mm small end) zetec steel rods. they should handle 300+bhp with ease. For the simple bit of sticking it in the orion, you'll need the following 1.6/1.8 escort/fiesta zetec parts - oil pump, water pump and pulley, sump, pickup pipe and windage tray, dipstick, tube and flywheel.