Hi folks, been 'lurking' for a while but thought I would register as there's some nice info around here. I have a bit of a mission going on and not sure which way to turn so thought I would throw it your way and see what you think.

Ok basically I'm going to build another road rally car, I used to use corsa's in the 1400cc class and did pretty well getting class wins, sometimes in a bog standard 88bhp job. What is different this time is that I have had to make a deal with the missus, she's happy for me to do it again but it MUST be in something safer than a corsa (think nutter spectators driving head on, on route, drink drivers using the back lanes etc...), which is fair enough, she does have a point so it's all about compromise.

So, I have a focus 1.8 mp3 sitting here that we used to use as our road car and I'm eyeing it up with a view to using it as my next comp car. The problem is I need something to run in the 1400 class, I simply don't have the money to compete with the '£30k escort boys' if using the 1800 that's in the car so I'm up for slapping in a 1400 and seeing what kind of power I can get from it. Bear in mind a corsa is 88bhp, I'm thinking with the extra weight of the focus I'm going to need about 110bhp to make it competitive. So I'm thinking a zetec-s out of a puma, would you agree? If I was to do this what loom would I use? I take it the only difference between the puma/focus 1400 is the inlet? (75bhp versus 88bhp IIRC) Would a focus loom work with the puma inlet or would I have to get the puma loom? If I got the puma loom what about the clocks etc..?

I know a 1400 focus sounds crap but I believe with the right attention it could be a little screamer, which also brings me to another point, does anyone have any info on 'short-stroking a 1600/1700 motor down to 1400 specs?

Thanks in advance.