Hello all,

I am interested in swapping a 2.0l Ford Zetec engine into my 91 Miata. I have run into some questions after reading what other people have done (mainly 7 replicas, catterhams, etc)

1. What is the cheapest transmission that will bolt to the Zetec block? I want to keep bell housing mods to a minimum. I see there is a bellhousing conversion kit that mates a T5 but I can't find one for a Miata trans.

2. Is there any system that is easier/cheaper to set up than a Megasquirt that provides a comparable tuning ability? I see a lot of flash modules for the Ford electronics but nothing as precise as Megasquirt appears to be. I am not scared to learn some new "bits" of information on the Ford EEC as a matter of fact it may be one of my many summer projects.

3. Does it fit? I read a thread here about manifolds and how the center-draw design may have clearance issues with the shock tower. Nothing a large stack of duckets at the local TIG welder can't take care of

The Zetec engine can be had for under $200 and comes stock with 135 ft-lb tq. And for another thousand you can emulate SVT stats quite easily. Now this is a starting point!

 

Nobody here has done it, so nobody here will know.
I doubt there is going to be a ready made adapter plate for the Miata trans, but many people have run T5 transmissions (attached to windsor V8s) so if there is a ready made T5 adapter you could run a T5.

There is nothing cheaper and more effective than Megasquirt, if youre too cheap to pay for a megasquirt then you really need a different hobby.

I would imagine that it would fit, the physical size of the engine is not that big, if you really think the manifold sticks out that far you may need to build a new one like you implied.

 

Unless you simply want to have a miata with a ztech for some reason i would not do this swap. its gonna cost more then you owuld spend turboing the miata motor and not preform nearly as well even with the same power output as an svt a turbo miata would walk all over it for much much less.

 

I did a quick search, and found a UK company, Burton is the name, that seems to have done a lot of development on the Zetec. If you are serious about it, you may want to contact them.

Any reason you do not do an FE3 swap? It has been done by members here, and you will be able to get more support on the project.

 

Yeah I saw that website. They seem to just offer a bellhousing for the T9 trans, which came bolted to zetecs stock in the UK. There is another company Quad For Rods in the US that offers a T5 to Zetec bellhousing. I am scared to cut up the trans tunnel to accommodate the T5 though.

*Edit* The FE3 is an older design and cost a shitton stock. I am curious how much abuse I can run through a Zetec block.

 

Come on man! If a Megasquirt is to much to handle and too much $$ just put down the crack pipe. You want to spend $200 on the motor? WTF Most of us have more than that in one corner of suspension. My wide band was $250! This will just be another car taken apart rotting on the side of your moms house for the next decade.

 

Dont a lot of the Locost type cars run Zetecs in the first place? They must have some readily available trans solution. Last I heard Caterham has gone from the old 2.3 Fords to the new Zetec some time ago.

 

Why don't you go back to swapping in engines that bolt up newb.

 

Fear isn't consider an asset with engine swappers

You know the FE3 can be found in Ford Telstars? I was under the impression that engine was affordable in the UK for that reason.

 

I am not worried about the procedure, just feel bad that a Miata will get molested.

I am in the US land of T5 and 2.0 Zetec engines. As for the Telstar, is that RWD?

 

Oh- I assumed you were in the UK since you mentioned some UK cars and a trans supplier. The telstar is fwd, but it uses the FE3 and there's lots of 'em in the UK.

 

Put your location on here.