Lightest engine and gearbox options

[Balidey]

As I thought it was about time I 'started' I am trying to get my plans together. One thing I want to do is (as per Mr Chapmans original concept) is to get the overall car as light as possible.
My thoughts were to use a Zetec engine, either 1.8 or 2.0. But which is lighter? Surely the 2.0 as the holes in the engine are bigger
But are there other engines to consider. I only want 'moderate' power so I could perhaps drop an engine size to loose weight, and maybe use foeced induction to make up for the loss of capacity. ie instead of a 2.0 how about a 1.6 s/charged, would that be lighter? Or do I go even smaller? What about the newer Ford engines, are they 1.4 Duratecs? S/charge or turbo one of those? There are hundreds about now.

Gearbox was originally going to be MT75, but again is the type9 lighter?

Rear diff. Something small and light. I have heard the Freelander diff is sometimes used, is that lighter compared to the Ford items?

I don't really want to go the BEC route, but the car is really going to be cut down to the basics. My friend has a Luego with an RV8 and massive alloys. And although its a nice car (which I helped build) its nothing like what a 7 should be. Its huge, heavy, thirsty and a bit too 'bling' for me. My car will be cheap, small, light, nimble, more fuel efficient. I'm thinking of using round tube for the chassis, making alloy skin seats as per the book, or possibly GRP seats. All the bare minimum.

So can you offer suggestions to a suitable power plant and drive train?

[Balidey]

A quick read up on Burton Power website suggests that the 'duratec' I thought was fitted to Fiestas etc is infact a Zetec SE.

Also I considered the Mazda rotary, but I think cost will rule that one out.

[HandyAndy]

don,t know if its worth considering but i used to have a Fiesta with the 1.25 zetec engine & that was one nippy little car, very good on fuel too, tho if fitting to a Roadster then you,d need the cat too, but it was a nice little revvy engine, cheap on fuel & insurance, hmmm , in a very light weight "7" it might be reasonably quick enough

andy

tho its not rear wheel drive but maybe something can be done to facilitate it, was just trying to express what a good engine it is for its size/weight.

[Balidey]

I have always been a fan of small, light cars with small capacity revvy engines. I currently run a Cinquecento Sporting. Old 1108cc engine, small light car, rev the nuts off it and it can emabrase most of the big German cars that think they can cut me up at roundabouts

Which is why I am not too bothered about a huge engine, I know what a small engine is capable of.

So if the smaller Zetec engines are all part of the same family then I can seriously think about using one, if the weight reduction is noticeable. If there is only a kg or two in it then I may as well stick with a larger Zetec.

[AshG]

you want a new duratec 2.0 they are ally block and head where as the zetec is a cast iron block and ali head.

the most import question here is how much do you have/want to spend as it can somewhat limit what you aim to achieve.

[Balidey]

Budget is yet 'undecided' but honestly, it will be as little as possible. I will be making almost everything from scratch, partly as I want to, partly to save as much initial outlay as possible.

And I was kind of hoping a 1.6 (or similar) would weigh less, be less desireable, therefore.... cheaper

[Balidey]

Some research gives me these figures to think about....

Zetec SE 1600, 100bhp, 81kg (aparantly sometimes called the Duratec 1600)
Zetec 1800, 105 to 130bhp, 115kg
Zetec 2000, 135 to 145bhp, 115kg
Duratec 2000, 145bhp, 97kg.

So, the 1600 saves 34kg over the Zetec, but loses anywhwere between 5 and 45bhp in stock trim. But the Duratec seems to hold all the aces, its powerful and light. But I would guess the premium is its price. I'll start looking for whats about.

[Balidey]

Thanks Adrian, I got the above figures for the engines from there, but I didn't know the g/box info was on there too.

[deezee]

I suppose instead of the Ford option, try a 20v 4AGE from a MR2. Its a 1.6 supercharged knocking out around 170bhp. All aluminium engine. Use the aluminium RWD gearbox from Toyota again and it will save a fair bit of weight.

[AshG]

be carefull of the 1600 as i dont think it will easily mate to a type 9 or mt75. i find it hard to believe that an 1800 is the same weight as a 2000. i would reccomend an 1800 out of an escort gti as they come stock with 130bhp