OscarV

Hey all,
Im pretty new to working on engines but would like to engine swap my 1.1l mk3 4 door fiesta frego. It’s obviously sluggishly slow but has so much character. I want at least 150bhp, I’m aware I will need to upgrade all the brakes and suspension too

I wanna know the best engine and if I’m stupid to attempt something like this with only a bit of practical experience under my belt, I’m 19 also. I’ll be using my mates shed/workshop to complete this. Need all the info I can get really, also pretty lost on what other components I’ll need, will I need something to connect it to the 4 speed gearbox? here’s a couple pics of the engine + car

Turbo Zetec

iTrader: (1)

best and easiest option would be a 2.0 zetec, they fitted the 1.6 and 1.8 zetec engines into mater mk3 fiestas, so it's really a pretty easy swap as long as you can source the parts. they're 130bhp as standard and can be tuned to make a load more depending on how extreme you want to go. they can be mated to the 4 speed, but you might as well pick up the matching 5 speed from something like a focus, as well as the cable shifter to give you a more modern, positive gearchange.

OscarV

Ah Thankyou so much man, so I’m looking for a 2 litre zetec engine, I’m guessing the blacktop? Also what year would that be? And does it matter
a 5 speed gearbox from a focus and a shifter cable from a focus as well?

thanks for the help 🙏

Fil

easiest swaps gotta be a fiesta rs turbo lump, will cost more but can't see much extra expence in parts to get it to fit.

OscarV

Trouble is that’s a lot more expensive as it’s basically a classic, the blacktop is around £400-600 whereas I can only find one xr2i engine on eBay for like £1500. But out my budget.

haz87

2.0 Zetec Silvertop with a 1.8 (silvertop zetec) sump and pick up pipe. Ensure the 2.0 has the manual CPS holder (not auto!). Mate to a BC 5 speed, or non-cable 5 speed ib5 (Escort mk6/KA etc)

130bhp with zero mods. Throw some cams and a decent manifold/exhaust at it to boot and its plenty in a Mk3 Fiesta to start. I did the above in an SI (mk3.5 essentially) for a mate (was 1.6 zetec) and it was great fun! Took me just over half a day and that included removing all the original gear.

OscarV

Thankyou so much man,

will a silvertop bolt into the stock engine mounts in the fiesta or will I need some adjustment pieces as well? Picking up an engine lift pretty soon. I’m going to attempt to take out the engine on my drive is that wise? Is there anything vital I need that I might not have? Like any specific tools apart from stars wrench set, I don’t have an impact drill but I think I can manage

haz87

Doing it on your drive isn't a problem really. Most can be done from the top anyway then a jack (and stands!) to get under is more than enough.
Because it was 1.6Zetec in there already I reused the engine mount. As yours is a HCS engine currently, you'll need to get hold of a zetec mount for a Fiesta, or hack together something (not sure what the HCS mount looks like and how easy it would be to modify).
A wrench set will get you most of the way. General other tools eg Pliers, Screwdriver will be useful - and a torque wrench if you want to do everything absolutely 100% by the book.

OscarV

Is the silvertop engine hard to come by? And would I be better off putting an st170 in instead?

don’t have much of an idea about wiring and ecu. Will I need to solder all the newer connections to fit the silvertop/st170 to the old wires in the mk3? And am I going to need an ecu for the engine to work? This part seems quite daunting to me.

cheers 👍🏼

OscarV

So far I’m looking at

an st170 engine or 2.0 Zetec blacktop

a different sump to clear the crossmember in the mk3.
a shorter sump pickup that fits the sump (can anyone point me to where I could find this stuff or the correct name?)

an ib5 mk1 escort gearbox that will fit the engine (will this fit the st170?)

a zetec engine mount (how many?)

and probs a bunch of other stuff I’ve missed like upgraded brakes and wiring, fuel pump? but as usual any suggestion/links/ advice is greatly appreciated. Many of the build projects on here are pretty detailed and would love some simplified versions.

Turbo Zetec

iTrader: (1)

you can stick with the blacktop sump, but you'll need to machine the gearbox wings off it to clear the driveshaft and starter. best to stick with it if you can, then the st170 manifold will go under there nicely. ib5 can be found in plenty of other cars, the mk1 KA has one which may even be rear starter iirc.

you'll only need the one mount for the engine if you retain the gearbox mounts you already have. try DA performance engineering for that, i know he does escort ones, so may also do fiestas.

fuel pump, i'd just use a standard focus one in the tank ( you may need a newer tank from a mk4/5)

you're probably best to use a standalone ecu - try a maxx ecu or me221 as i'm fairly sure that both of those can be bought with looms to suit a zetec.

OscarV

Just bought the engine mount and bushing from DA performance, cheers for that 👍🏼

so there’s no chance I can use the original fuel tank then? Didn’t realise I would need to change all that stuff too.

As long as a focus fuel tank and pump fits in the mk3 then I guess it’s not that big of a worry. I would like to keep the standard 4 speed gearbox as I can’t afford a better one right now.

engine will be on a stand and brought inside in a day or two when the correct bolts arrive, atm it’s sitting in my drive under a tarp. Then I can swap all the parts over 👌🏼 So the water pump, zetec mount, sump and lightened flywheel, I’m just hoping the clutch and flywheel fit as until I take that engine out I’m not gonna know