holty9

i no everyone has a busy life and maybe not alot of time to take out i had a read through a few posts about the zetec turbo conversions and just wondered if someone would do a page on it so if new people are wanting to do the conversion its all there on one page all the infomation they need just a thought i will be honest i am struggling to know which parts to use for the zetec turbo and i dont want to keep pestering people about it lol

up to now i have the manifold +adaptor plate,turbo,intercooler and downpipe

parts i need are intercooler pipes and to make some brackets to attach the intercooler and to drill the sump for the oil feed

i have the 1.8 zetec ford focus 1998 model it has the black cam cover so take it this is the black top focus do i need to buy a EFI inlet or the rover turbo inlet for this conversion

i just need as much info as i can get thanks alot everyone if you can help

jonny s2

iTrader: (12)

ok yes you can use the fiesta efi inlet,also the rover one,the easiest inlet i would say to use would be the rs1800 efi jobbie as it can flow 300+you then could get away with using fiesta charge carrier and make your own hoses to suit, what are you doing for internals,if you are running reliable high power you would need a low comp pistons and steel rods,some people have just used a decomp plate,

AstoN_B

iTrader: (1)

Im doing the same engine in my MK4 cab, i only plan for around 180bhp so standard rods shot peened, they're apparently good for 250ish when shot peened.

What pistons you using? Im not using decomp plate purely for safety and reliability. I've only one set of pistons in mind which may or may not work yet, i've to get the full dimensions. Im not spending 600quid on a forged set just for sake of lowering comp ratio.

holty9

ive bin told that i can bolt the turbo on and run it at 5psi max and it will be ok on the engine is this true

jonny s2

iTrader: (12)

tbh i dont see the point,do it once do right otherwise it will cost you more in the long run,what type of turbo are you planning on running

AstoN_B

iTrader: (1)

I was going to get a T25 from a 200sx, cause it'll fit the RS manifold if you rotate the ex housing and fit adjutable actuator. Injectors will work too then.

How difficult is it to get a decomp plate made up, then welded to the head? Effectively making the head taller, but no need for 2 gaskets. Can't see it being perfect without welding round each oil/waterway though, then machining the holes to right size again.

focusrrx87

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/S-S-Decompress...item20adfe41f9

de comp plate

jonny s2

iTrader: (12)

you dont have to weld the decomp plate you bond it to the head,then fit your headgaskets as normal, say if you have a de comp plate at 2mm it would drop the compression ratio to around 8-1 on a 2.0 zetec with a decent turbo you could run about 15 psi and around 240-50hp

AstoN_B

iTrader: (1)

what method would be used to bond it to the head??

sounds less perminent than i'd like lol. I'd be using 1.8 zetec.

How much would standard pistons cope with then? And is it possible to shot peen them like con rods? (i wouldn't have thought so)

I only plan for circa 180bhp. Maybe more at a push but thats enough.

jonny s2

iTrader: (12)

you could also lower the comp by topping the pistons,but tbh they could let go any time,180hp would be ok and probably 10psi of boost, the only safe way is to get forged items

AstoN_B

iTrader: (1)

i wouldnt bother skimming originals. not worth the hassle. there's other safe ways too, just ones that don't cost 600quid. Seems a bit pointless spending 600quid on a 1.8 running 180bhp?!

holty9

the rs 1800 inlet you mentioned well i have found a ford FIESTA RS1800i 1995 model on an N reg RS TURBO XR2 would that be good to use on the conversion

jonny s2

iTrader: (12)

like this one fella?

jonny s2

iTrader: (12)

if you only want to run that power, why not use the cvh?? reliable at that power

pdfbt40

Why do people advise using early Zetec or Rover manifolds on turbo conversions of Blacktops?

The Mk1 Focus RS used the circa '98-02 plastic manifold no problems. Lots of people use them on conversions without the silly metal reinforcement parts.

Martin

JayCC

As i think was previously stated.. Why are you going for a certain target? Why that engine ect? Wouldn't it be easier with a CVH?

jonny s2

iTrader: (12)

whats wrong with it pal?? easy to fit and gives more scope at a later date

jonny s2

iTrader: (12)

the guy who started the thread has a focus blacktop,so i guess would be even more work to fit the cvh than tune the zetec

AstoN_B

iTrader: (1)

Cause i want a newer engine.

I've got xr3i mfi at moment. So to convert that to turbo is about as much work as converting to zetec turbo more or less. One or two extra probs but that's offset by the benefit of newer better engine with more valves.

Not much difference in price at the end of it all either.

pdfbt40

I didn't actually say there was anything wrong with them, I was just asking why.

In other words why drop the standard manifold that came with the Blacktop engine and source something else.

I presumed there must be an obvious advantage for all the trouble they add on a Blacktop conversion which someone could list. Such as what 'more scope at a later date'.

Martin

AstoN_B

iTrader: (1)

Why does EVERYONE suggest a different manifold. It's so confusing!!

crazycage

because 2.bar boost in a plastic one wont last long will it.

pdfbt40

Is that based on experience ? Is it pressure that kills it or fatigue. Pre or Post 2002 manifolds.

I'm also not sure that a RS1800 manifold will fit under a Focus bonnet.

As I said, the plastic manifold is good enough for the FRS and several turbo conversions I know of. I'm only asking because I get the impression that many people offering advice are stuck in a pre-98 time warp with little detailed knowledge of the Blacktop and its components.

wul young

i have done loads 2.1s only done 1 1800 conversion as budget was tight,i rebuilt bottom end,skimmed 30thow of pistons,ported head,it made 187@wheels on 12psi,that was its limt as slight detonation was heard on 13,14psi,the car in question is still as i built it 4 years ago,cost was just under Ł1000 pounds.job done,inc buying lump.

AstoN_B

iTrader: (1)

That's a relative statement. But by different manifolds i meant different to eachother, not different to a plastic one.

Obviously if you chose a plastic one, then you wouldnt run 2bar.

pdfbt40

Why 'Obviously'. Just because its 'Plastic'. It depends on the actual material, design, method of manufacture, etc. Being plastic is not an automatic low limit to a safe working pressure.

The Chemical and Oil & Gas and Fuel Gas industries would be in big trouble it was. Local gas distribution is in big (or small) yellow plastic piping. What sort of pressures do you thing that runs at in the street and district distribution?

Martin

AstoN_B

iTrader: (1)

My comment was directed at crazycage. hence the 'you'?

I personally would go by the theory of if it's good enough on a Focus RS then it obviously works.

Plus, plastic won't heatsoak the same as metal does.

pdfbt40

Sorry, another oft' used, and almost completely specious, red herring.

Given the surface area and wall temp and induction flow rate, even on a N/A engine the heat transfer in inlet tract is not significant.

The only significance of heatsoak is either at idle/slow trickling with the air intake in 'dead space' in the engine bay that becomes/stays a hot spot. Many people don't understand under bonnet air flow and don't allow for the effects of the air intake actually having a major influence more significant than any imagined 'ram' effect from vents/ducts.

Martin

AstoN_B

iTrader: (1)

However, most people understand cooler = better. No matter how great or small, the theory is the same.

pdfbt40

IIRC the correction on RR is about 1% of torque for 5degreeC change in temperature.

On Cruise or Acceleration on a decent (ie standard Focus) induction system or an aluminium long tube (AEM copy) system, ambient to AIT temperature difference is less than 1degree. On a RR, which is not a true test of the induction system, the loss due to filter box & snorkle was about 1.5% (just tb to MAF silicon hose and the MAF).

Martin

AstoN_B

iTrader: (1)

Thanks. Duely noted.