Zvh or Zetec Turbo?!
21-08-2010, 08:28 AM
#1
sport ka.....
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Zvh or Zetec Turbo?!
Hey guys. Doing a 1.8/1.9 conversion but can't decide which engine spec will be better! Zvh or Zetec t. Basically 8v turbo or 16v turbo. Can anyone offer any useful! Advice please. Cheers
Ps. No useless replies please!
Ps. No useless replies please!
21-08-2010, 10:04 AM
#6
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Zetec Turbo all the way, no questions. Always thought the ZVH to be a bit of a half arsed creation people do on the cheap anyway. You can spend the money on it and make it work, and work well, but then you might as well have gone the 16v route anyway
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21-08-2010, 10:15 AM
#8
If i was doing this conversion which i probably will in the future, i would go 16v mate but the problem that is often overlooked is the gearbox as the bc box is shite! everybody goes mad with power but go through a few gearboxes! i had a brand new cts stg 2 gearbox which was sold on to a guy with a decent spec s2, the gearbox went in no time!! so also look at this when carrying out the conversion 
21-08-2010, 10:22 AM
#9
sport ka.....
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Cool cheers guys. 16v it is then. Plus saves messing about buying new head etc. Yea iv looked into the gearbox and LSD. I'm starting off fairly low power. Only about 200-250 then working from here. Got the brakes and susp sorted!
21-08-2010, 10:25 AM
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sport ka.....
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It's the wiring and ecu I'm concerned about as I don't want to spend a fortune but want it to work well. Budget build but with some exceptions lol
21-08-2010, 10:28 AM
#11
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My mate Mike did a Zetec Turbo (second only to Ian Howell), this ran a slightly modified OFAB Fiesta RS Turbo EEC-IV system and made 316bhp. It's now on Autronic SM4
23-08-2010, 11:06 AM
#12
sport ka.....
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Oh right, yea iv looked at the ofab and ofac ecus an was told to only go ofab. But I also know someone with an st150 turbo just running a modified standard st ecu. So I'm abit in two minds what to go for and which extras il need to be able to splice the looms together properly! 
23-08-2010, 12:14 PM
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16 v all the way ive made two before and had a forged zvh, always would go zetec mate, and as Bigry said, gearboxes will be the issue, even if its low spec engine, and you right to be thinking bout the management, its where most people fall, but as long as you know someone that can help you will be fine.
23-08-2010, 12:17 PM
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If i was doing this conversion which i probably will in the future, i would go 16v mate but the problem that is often overlooked is the gearbox as the bc box is shite! everybody goes mad with power but go through a few gearboxes! i had a brand new cts stg 2 gearbox which was sold on to a guy with a decent spec s2, the gearbox went in no time!! so also look at this when carrying out the conversion
23-08-2010, 12:27 PM
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i just got one running on ofab not long ago, just screwed the fuel pressure up until the AFRs were correct, was just a cheap conversion, but ive put megasquirt into four cars previosly and mapped them all myself, its by far the best way for fuel economy, power, drivability and tunability. IMO
23-08-2010, 01:03 PM
#17
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With the mtx75 the diff explodes at around 275bhp, subject to how often you launch it. Put a lsd in and they can take more power. Even if the standard diff could cope, at 275bhp it will torque steer like a bitch without a lsd.
Yes zvh's can make good power and were popular when zetecs were more expensive, now they are ten a penny and the knowledge/ technology is available in abundance nowadays for the wiring. You will regret it at higher revs if you go 8v
Yes zvh's can make good power and were popular when zetecs were more expensive, now they are ten a penny and the knowledge/ technology is available in abundance nowadays for the wiring. You will regret it at higher revs if you go 8v
23-08-2010, 01:05 PM
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worth pointing out Noble m12s use the mtx75, ive fitted two to escorts, one with an lsd one without both were great with no probs
23-08-2010, 01:16 PM
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23-08-2010, 01:20 PM
#21
I've read that you have, good work they are great boxe and it's nice to see more conversions. Mine's currently mounted with equal length shafts etc... just sorting out last few bits.
What clutch did you use? And what power were the cars you've done?
23-08-2010, 01:24 PM
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standard clutch, and focus rs clutch, (both 240mm) the one wiv std clutch was just over 200 bhp, the other i can only guess at around 250, both were everyday cars. Yeah the mtx conversion is the future, why piss about with the ib5/bc crumble box.
23-08-2010, 02:35 PM
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24-08-2010, 07:51 AM
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sport ka.....
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Cool cheers for all the help guys. Iv had a few people saying about equal length drive shafts. I might be being stupid but doesn't where the shafts meet the box sit slightly off center?! Unless I'm missing something here.
An yea I'm definately going LSD. Got it ready to go in a box when I decide which one.
With the management it's the physical wiring up I'm abit worried about being a nightmare. Plus iv got to start playing the lottery to be able to get the forged rods and pistons going to be a looooooooong term project.
An yea I'm definately going LSD. Got it ready to go in a box when I decide which one.
With the management it's the physical wiring up I'm abit worried about being a nightmare. Plus iv got to start playing the lottery to be able to get the forged rods and pistons
going to be a looooooooong term project.
24-08-2010, 07:57 AM
#30
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equal shafts use a bearing on the back of the block and a straight shaft between it and the box, wiring is easy mate, 20 wires tops and they are all straight forward enough. learning the basics like how to measure voltage, current, how resistors and potetiometers work and how to wire relays would help you immensly. best of luck 
24-08-2010, 09:20 AM
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Ah yea that makes sense about the equal lengths cheers. Sounds like hassle to do tho with matching up everything.
Yea I understand about the checking voltages etc. As it's a first time playing with the ecu and wiring just abit nervous is prob the best word. The mechanical stuf I'm not worried about. I just need to find some cheap pistons and rods. Then I can start to crack on.
Yea I understand about the checking voltages etc. As it's a first time playing with the ecu and wiring just abit nervous is prob the best word. The mechanical stuf I'm not worried about. I just need to find some cheap pistons and rods. Then I can start to crack on.
24-08-2010, 09:35 AM
#35
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I'd start with fiesta turbo efi cheap , works well and you can get a wiring diagram off the net! Took me about 15 mins to wire my fiesta with a good zetec turbo build I'll have yourself a cracking starting point using ofab efi!!!
24-08-2010, 10:59 AM
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25-08-2010, 06:33 AM
#39
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I've also had people fighting the silver top vs black top corners. Personally I wanted a blacktop, turned up to get it and it was an efi silvertop! I wasn't going to complain tho as I believe it's the 130hp lump out of the rs1800. And with the alternator already at the front I don't have to mess about with relocating it! Winner. U have heard that one of the down sides is the oil jets inside tho?! Any experiences? I'm replacing and cleaning the whole thing 110% so iv no worries about worn parts or things going wrong like that. It's the engine mount kit I need to order still.
25-08-2010, 06:40 AM
#40
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What i meant to put is id go zetec to be honest as you stand more chance when you get a decent box of it lasting as from what ive seen/looked into zvh's break more boxes than zetecs seem to do