Say fer instance I could get hold of a zetec engine at a decent price, what else would I need in the way of adapter plates etc would I need to make it fit my S3?

Being used to 100bhp plus cars, bikes and trikes my little car is a tad on the underpowered side for my liking. My last trike could outstrip the Duttons top end in second gear and run all the way to 145 mph in sixth. Bloody scary on 3 wheels yet strangely exhilerating.

I realise a zetec wont ever make my car that quick but being able to do a ton without killing the engine would be nice. it's not about being able to drive fast all the time but knowing you could if you really wanted to. Occasionally I'll want to, especially if I save up for a track day.

I have a mate who scraps the odd car and he always seems to be breaking Fords with zetec engines.

I know I'd have to fabricate some new engine mounts but would I need a new gear box or will the old mkII jobbie suit.

The more I think about it the more I think it would be best to rebuild the car how I want it once, instead of fannying about every few months and perhaps ruining the paint etc.

Ideas? thoughts? personally I'd rather be off the road a little longer and do it right than be wishing I'd done something the first time round.

Cheers

Gary

1600 xflow should be about 100 bhp, maybe more if its been modded ;)

But, if you and some mates can do it...... fit a zetec :D

If you have a type 9 gearbox, that will be fine.

Have a read Here, it was where i did most of my reading when looking into it.

If you go bike carbs, Bogg brothers could make a inlet manifold for you or GBS are another option (about £110). Or make you own !!

Bike carbs and megjolt, seem to be the buget option really and a 1.8 zetec ( with 2.0 cams ) should be about 150ish bhp

Good luck :)

Another carb option i've seen is what the banger boys do i believe ;)

Some pic's Here

But height might be a problem thou !

Carbs would be easier than injection.

You would still need a get a spark (Zetec has no dizzy, only coil packs)

Thanks for the links Jonno,

I know the Xflow can be made to run very nicely if you do it right.
I'm sort of toying with doing some hillclimbs and sprints. I'm just not sure it's a good idea to thow a lump of cash at a 39 year old engine. Thats why I'm thinkling zetec, especially If I can get the bits cheapish. The only thing I'd need someone to do is weld the engine mounts in as my welding is poor on a good day. I have a Dom to do my heavy lifting. Dom is a big lad who likes helping out on the car.

A few of the NABD members Drag race trikes and I had been looking at joining them with the GSXR. A few other lads race with adapted bikes despite being disabled.

My disability affects my walking and standing a lot, sitting down I'm pretty normal,
Well as normal as an ex marine gets.
Disabled race drivers and riders are massivly under represented in the UK and once I get the car sorted I'd be looking to get a competition licence.

I raced Moto X and circuit racing on 2 strokes as a lad and did some tin top and Karts in my teens.

It's not about the winning or even taking part but about having a car good enough to flatter my fading skill and bottle. I'm a firm believer after several trike builds that if you build it right it'll be reliable and look after you in an emergency.

Sorry to drone on but iv'e been stuck indoors for over a week and have cabin fever. I'm asking loads of questions about different stuff so I can priorotise my spending and what its spent on.

Regards

Gary

Gary,

Welding is not a problem, if you can align it all and do the prep I will weld it FOC.

My MIG is rated at 215 Amps so anything up to 8mm is a piece of p.

Mick.

No worries mate, i spend soo much time looking and reading rather than doing !!!, Job and kids dont leave a huge budget so i spend wisely :)

Here's a Zetec looking good in a melos B)





Nice to hear there's people to help out and a shame about your disability but sounds like your having fun at 145 mph :o

My old S3 have a good old pinto in (about 130ish bhp)which was pretty rapid, so 150ish from a zetec is gonna be fun....well i hope so, been messing about far to long with my install !!

Anyway have some fun reading and researching :)

Nice one Mick,
It's much appreciated. thanks a lot.

My eldest kid Kim is not just a good footy player but she makes a mean brew and bacon butty. Kettles always on round our house, my mate Mick runs on coffee and tramadol.

We have 2 good knees and 3 hands between us but when it comes to doing a bit we make a half decent fitter/mechanic type thing.
Mick helped out on the last two trike builds and is rather taken with the dutton so he's in for the refurb. Dom ( big kid ) is up for doing all the heavy stuff so if you do the welding it may just all work out.

I also need some welding doing to the roll over hoop, ie making stronger and bracing. You'll see some of my welding on the cross brace the harness mounts too.
When you finally stop laughing can you possibly reweld it for me please.

Cheers again for the offer. I'd love to run this car up a hill or in a sprint.

Nowt like growing old disgracefully ;)

If my car turns out half as nice as that I'[ll be as happy as a pig in ............

Thats very nice indeed. The wheels are nice but i do like the blue .
My MG is blue, a lot like the blue on the melos.

Cheers again

Gary

No probs,

bacon but and a gallon of tea and I'm yours! :P

You might want to consider what class & events you want to enter then build the engine to that specification. No point in building it all with a 16v twin cam to find it's got to be 8v single cam. Again going for an injection engine only to find it has to be carbs. I considered doing hill climbs & sprints in the buggy so was going to build it with a 1400 as that was the lower class limit, once you went to 1401 you had to take on people with 3.5 V8's etc.

Alan...

Thanks for the advice,

I'm not too worried about not having enough engine and having to run against much faster cars. I'm more concerned with being able to get through the runs in one piece. Too much engine would only make the thing leery to drive.
A case of not how big the dog in the fight is but how big the fight in that particular dog may be.

I recon the first big hurdle will be proving my competance and getting a licence.

The other bigger issue at the moment is making sure the car will pass scrutineering on a tiny budget.
I'll get on the hill climb site and see what the regs and specs are and then see if I can afford to make changes or just make what I have as good as I can get it.

I have a mate who installs satelite systems and he'll spring for a set of wheels or seats as long as he gets his company logo and number on the car.

I have another mate who supplies stainless steel bolts and fixings and they will be free, same conditions, a couple of stickers on the car.

The wiring loom is being built for the cost of the parts, the labour is free as it's a mate doing that. free labour + couple of stickers.

The National Association for Bikers with a Disability www.nabd.org.uk will get free space on the car.
It's a charity that helps disabled folk into biking or return to biking and supplied my thumb brake on a grant. I'm a member and moderate the forum on their site.

I'm seeing our local paint shop for a deal on the paint , same thing again.

May never happen but I'm going to give it a whirl,

Like I said earlier in the thread, it's about being able to do it more than actually winning anything. I recon I can compete for last place as well as the rest of them but with the right car and backup I may surprise a few folk including myself.

Cheers again.

Off to look at specs etc, and then see if the piggy bank has a few bob left in it, I need to get a few bits.

Gary