rsdan123

iTrader: (3)

Really just trying to get some idea how reliable zetec turbos are.
I've had RS turbos and cosworths and they non stop broke.
Now my zete turbo is coming near the end and I'm wondering if I should keep the daily driver just in case (money's tight and selling it would help)

My spec is:
Forge pistons and rods
Cat cams valve springs
All new gaskets - vitor reinz
New ACL Race bearings
T35 turbo probably gonna be running 25-30 psi
Crazy cage custom inlet and exhaust manifold
Omex management - not yet mapped
440cc injectors and updated pump
And the obvious exhaust, air filter, alloy rad & FMIC etc

I've tried not to cut any corners!

Now I know a lot is down to mapping and your right foot....

What spec is your zetec turbo build, do you drive your car hard?, and have you had any break downs?


Cheers
Danny

james kiely

iTrader: (5)

they are all very unreliable and you would be better off selling me your engine for £100 dan

rsdan123

iTrader: (3)

Haha, don't I'm just coming near the end off the build and I've thought about selling it so many times (not for £100 tho... Cheeky)

james kiely

iTrader: (5)

if you dont ask ,you dont get


good question though dan as i want to go down this route [track car 250 bhp mk3]and io have never heard anything before about the rliability of these conversions ,so im looking forward to peoples replies

It's Czech Mate

Any athlete is more prone to picking up little illnesses the fitter they get and they also don't perform if they are poorly prepared

Just like an engine IMO

XRT_si

iTrader: (2)

Used my old Zetec turbo as a daily driver for some time, did over 10,000 miles and countless runs at Santa Pod in it without skipping a beat. The engine is still going strong in a mate's car today!

If it's built properly it should be fine, though mine was only running around 300bhp.

t230

im about to give up and chuck mine in the river im so pissed off...but when its running it s awsome - 230 bhp at 7psi still very quick...

i did a DIY back alley job on mine as i cant afford pistons and rods etc -

milled and lowered comp pistons (standard ones converted lol) £100,

heat treated and pinshotted conrods (please tell me this is not bullshit as my mate reckons he sent em off for this to be done ) £110

ARP conrod bolts£89

kent cam valve springs£120

for less than £500 for a get me by good power engine

rsdan123

iTrader: (3)

Interesting.... Two very different story's there! Thanks guys.
Anybody else????

crazycage

I got 35k out of mine ,used daily loads of pod runs a few track days ect oil pump went in the end but was running 400hp by then and doing more track days. @350hp built right there mega reliable

james kiely

iTrader: (5)

what spec was yours built tp crazycage?

zippyobrien

iTrader: (2)

Not a built zetec turbo but.

I ran my focus rs as a Dailey at 300 bhp. 21 psi peak and 18 hold.
Lots of regular servicing, oil changes etc.

But it was fine. Owner before me done 20,000 in a year in it. Again totally fine.

It will be gear boxs you'll be smashing to shit

rsdan123

iTrader: (3)

hmm thats interesting, for my spec im guessing i'd see between 350-400bhp, and i plan on a pod run or two with the odd track day too!
i did read up somewhere before about zetec oil pumps failing.... what did you do Gary?... just put another standard oil pump back in???

its running a focus RS box so should hold out for a little while hopefully

davidfox280585

My zetec turbo runs lovely no issues seems a strong engine currently at 387hp fly 338@wheels at 23psi

I think for your aimed boost you will need bigger injectors I maxed my 440s out at 276@wheels at 3 bar

xr2wishy

iTrader: (2)

i only had issues with turbos to be fair in a few thousand miles, once i got the gt3071r i had no running issues at all.
i did hammer the thing religiously, didn't go over 7600rpm though on standard oil pump.
forged pistons, steel rods, ported head, area six cams and springs, 630cc injectors and so on, cracking powerhouse, but the build wasn't a cheap job. gaskets alone were nigh on £400. i did get some parts from the states to keep costs down though.

as many have said, reliability is down to parts, how well put together and how well treated once built.
i'd build another if i had need for a small capacity engine wanting a good power output.

studabear

Mines about a 1500 hard miles into its life, based on a st170 bottom end with arp rod bolts.

I taken my time building it all up, good quality parts etc. Your management needs to be in good order as per any engine really. It pulls like a lunatic and is very reasonable on fuel, but it isn't used daily. I can get about 50miles to a tenner on the motorway at various speeds It has been mapped very well.

It does like to destroy gearboxes hence me currently collecting parts for mtx conversion.

Best thing I did after ripping the cossie management out was to convert from the cvh turbo to a zetec turbo.

gingeRS

For a reliable engine you need

Take your time on the build be meticulous with torques and tolerances
Build it somewhere clean and keep it covered during the build
Use plenty of oil as you assemble components
Don't cut corners with gaskets and seals
When you modify the vehicle wiring solder carefully and heat shrink wherever possibles
During the running in period change the oil frequently and make sure all levels are topped up.

And finally make sure your engine is mapped appropriately, the right fuel in the right places

studabear

That reminds me, I should give mine a oil change before Ford fair!

b11lkw

I spent good money on parts for mine, I have had running issues with the car but nothing with the actual engine, more the ancillaries and just lately a crank sensor covered in grease!
When it was first built, about 3 years ago now it was mapped at approx 250bhp, ran perfect,
Now greys have been fitted along with air injectors and a remap by Paul hills to 360bhp!
I used to use it daily and it was great but now I have a company car so now it's a toy.

Cannot fault Jano's handy work with the build