Will this do?

[Ryan]

welcome to the forum.

Lots of people start off by just using the donor car engine, usualy pinto or cvh if from a sierra. A cvh to zetec swop after iva is not that hard (or so I am lead to believe!)

Ryan.

Further to the above if building with pinto I believe its better to use duratec and if cvh use zetec, as the engines exhaust on the same sides.

[twinturbo]

Start with the sierra donor engine, run it for a few months the upgrade to the zetec.

Have you driven any high power RWD cars?

The power to weight ratio in the Roadster is very good even with a small engine.

TT

[danblack87]

Hi there,
I used to drive a bmw 320 rwd, 170bhp. Lots and lots of fun, especially without the traction control.

Okay, so now it looks like I need a sierra, any ideas on where to find a CHEAP one. Having just looked on ebay they are ALL expensive for what they are.

Any ideas fellas?

Many thanks,

Dan.

[londonsean69]

Originally Posted by danblack87

Hi there,
I used to drive a bmw 320 rwd, 170bhp. Lots and lots of fun, especially without the traction control.

Okay, so now it looks like I need a sierra, any ideas on where to find a CHEAP one. Having just looked on ebay they are ALL expensive for what they are.

Any ideas fellas?

Many thanks,

Dan.

The beemer weighs around a ton, maybe a bit more.

A track roadster with a zetec should be around 550kg. Power to weight is much better.

Yes, a Zetec can be mated to a RWD box, but it involves a fair amount of mechanics.

250bhp from a Zetec is seriously expensive.
A genuine 200bhp is expensive.

An ST170 lump with bike throttle bodies, emerald injection etc. puts out around 190bhp. From there, it's head mods, and that starts to cost ££££

If it was for track only, I would go BEC. No reverse box, mega light, can hammer the power on much earlier.

The install for a track BEC would probably be easier than for a Zetec RWD conversion. A lot less parts to source

[danblack87]

Hi Sean,
thanks for the reply, and thanks to everyone for their replies. I think I will stick to the sierra and then maybe an engine conversion at a later date.

So, for now, anyone know where I can source a cheap Sierra?

Kind regards,

Dan.

[twinturbo]

Sierras are on the up up up price wise.. Partly due to the kit car industry.


A 320 will weigh a lot more than a ton, unless it's an E30 in which case the 320 never made 170BHP, the 325 made just about 173 IIRC in E30 guise..

If we are talling E36 then that would be nearer 1300KG like the sierra I guess. Putting it at twice the weight of an avarage Roadster.

170/1.3 = 130BHP per Ton
80/.65 = 123BHP per ton

So on paper a CVH roadster would be very similar to the BMW, except you have better braking and better handling..


TT

[danblack87]

So, basically, if I stick to the plan and buy a Sierra, its going to cost me an arm and a leg, if I want to use a mondeo, its going to be a mechanical nightmare with lots of other parts to source.

Are there any other cars that would work in a similar aspect to the sierra that would pretty much follow the book?

Kind regards,

Dan.

[les g]

Dan
its really up to you what you want you do have to plan ahead though
a sierra donor is not 100% necessary .
a zetec a good motor
if you are building a trackday only car then its easy enough to source
the necessary bits you need but you wont be able to follow the the book to the letter..
for the rear you,ll need a sierra diff driveshafts hubs carriers and calipers you,ll probably end upputting new brakes on
for the front you,ll need sierra uprights and calipers again you,ll proably renew the the brakes
you,ll need a g,box mt75 or type 9
a bespoke propshaft
you could probably modify lots of different h/brake levers to do the job
and if you,re looking to use different clocks than a sierra dash etc..
also a homemade steering column would not be too much of a drama
especially if you are not going iva
lots of people start with a sierra but you could quite easily source the bits you need else where...
for eg.Rally design do a set of brand new front hubs and uprights for £99
not a bad price if the sierra donor ones need seals , bearings and a good clean etc
hth cheers les g

[HandyAndy]

welcome to the forum Dan,

as others have already given you lots of good advice, as Les has suggested its up to you what/how you build your car,

don,t dismiss the choice of going BEC, especially if its for track use only, lots of power,rear wheel drive , sequential gearbox, & a light car indeed.

As for using a sierra..... that is the most popular route of donor and they do come up now & again quite cheaply, i got my sierra for £150 with tax and test on it, just keep your eyes/ears open for when they pop up.

A zetec install is a very easy way to go, on bike carbs & megajolt an easy 170bhp or more if you use some uprated cams, but don,t forget that 170bhp in a car that weighs between 500 to 550kgs will be alot more agile than a saloon car with the same bhp, The Roadster has fantastic road holding meaning you can get the power down alot quicker than most "hot " saloons.

Enjoy the forum & good luck with your build.

cheers
andy