Hello everyone,

First time on this forum, hope I haven't posted in the wrong area or a regularly asked question. I've tried some googling on the subject but as ever the answers differ, so I thought best to ask.

I've recently bought a 1.7 Puma which has opened my eyes to the all alloy engines. Previously I never knew they existed and thought Duratecs and Zetecs alike were the usual fairly heavy affair (for what I want anyway).

My application is as a RWD conversion into a Vauxhall Viva. I want to keep it agile and light over the front end so had been looking at Rover K-series conversions but I soon found out this wasn't the cheapest of conversions all in all. I'm not expecting anything to be cheap, but when certain parts to put it into RWD add up to several thousands it's a bit too much when you add on everything else needed.

So I naively started to look at Duratec HE engines with the thought that as a Ford engine, a type 9 will bolt on no problem and everything will be fairly simple (this is the view classic Vaux owners have of Ford stuff). Seems it's not so. What I think I've learned from reading the internet is that a type 9 will fit with a conversion plate and a few other parts, or a Mazda MX5 box will fit (I'm guessing the Mk2), or an RX7 box (I'm guessing ££££). Obviously it will need a few other items, but in noob terms what is the best bet, what is needed mechanically to convert to RWD and roughly how much is it likely to cost?

The biggest problem I've read about is trying to get the engine management to work. Basically it's not worth trying with the Ford ECU? Which I suppose means Megasquirt/Emerald etc, but I really don't know what's involved in stuff like this. Or as another option, carbs (DCOEs I guess) and megasquirt. Again, don't know much about this stuff on modern engines, and the pros and cons.

I know it may be really frustrating to try to explain this to someone who's not clued up on conversions and fiddling with modern electronic management systems, but any help or links to helpful reading material would be very appreciated. As said I'm not expecting this to be cheap or particularly easy to do, I just want to explore the possibilities.

 

Mk3 mx5 is a Duratec use the engine and box from that.. or buy a crashed damage one and use as much you can...

Other than that I'm all out of help

 

Wouldnt it be easier and cheaper for you to use C20LET or C20XE bud

 

C20XE would definitely be easier but they're 1.5x the weight of the things I'm looking at, almost at Slant 4 weight which makes the car quite nose heavy which is what I'm trying to avoid. And to be honest everything seems to have a C20XE slapped in it these days, would like to do something a bit different, with what I consider to be a more suited and better engine.

Dan - thanks, will keep on the look out and try to get hold of Mk3 MX gearbox for cheap so I can see how easily it will fit. Alternatively I found out today it's only £200 for a Duratec -> Type 9 bell housing, and people have fitted a shorted Type 9 in a Viva tunnel without cutting it up, so that seems a good option.

 

Type 9 is a shit box though.

Would defrost be looking for a mx5 engine and box. There a better block. Forged crank and rods. 6 speed box. Worth the additional outlay IMO.

 

you can get a bellhousing for a t5 to duratec engine

 

Can't say I've driven a car with one. A mk3 MX5 engine is a nice idea but from a quick look on ebay they go for over £1k, compared to a complete mk3 Mondeo that I can pick up for £250. Only the 5 speed MX boxes on ebay from the 1.8. Are they compatible?

Don't know much about the T5 box, looks quite big though. As stupid as it sounds, not cutting the cars floorpan or gearbox tunnel is more of a priority than getting the best box available