Thinking about a Cabrio engine swap

[ac]

Hello,

I am a previously lapsed owners club member who still owns one of the last Moorhouse Cabrios (chassis 44). Originally built by me with a 2.0 Pinto, I upgraded to a 2.8 Cologne V6 during the late nineties. Although the car was my daily driver at one point, and total mileage is now around 31500, recent years have only seen me add a couple of hundred miles per annum, and guilt at not using it is starting to bite.

However, I'm greener in my thirties than I was in my twenties, and the fuel consumption on the 2.8V6 V6 now feels unacceptable, not to mention the fact that a rarely used carb'd engine never seems to hold tune properly, or that the car has always felt a bit more unwieldy with the V6 up front than it was with the Pinto. I'd be interested in peoples opinions of what is my best route for an engine swap to get me economical, reliable cheap EFI'd motoring. I'm particularly interested in knowing how cheap a Ford I4 DOHC or Zetec upgrade works out at, and how easy / quick these options are, including ancilliary issues like exhausts, engine management etc. I'm thinking on a budget of around £1000 all in, which is probably unrealistic if my previous experience of kitcars is anything to go by

Any advice appreciated,

Andrew

[chris_cussen]

Re: Thinking about a Cabrio engine swap

andrew,
The Ford I4 DOHC engine comes in three flavours, a carbed version and injection version from a Serria, and a injected version used in the FWD Escort RS2000.
If you can get hold of the Serria injection version with all the ancilaries and ECU it should be a relatively straight forward job to put it in. The engine usually comes mated to an MT75 gearbox, not a type 9.
You'll need a high pressure fuel pump, new engine mounting brackets, and a new alternator bracket (the alternator has to be re-located on the other side of the engine). The exhaust manifold will exit under the NS with plenty of clearance.
The carbed version of the I4 gives about 109 bhp and the fuel injected version about 123 bhp.

If you managed to get the engine and gearbox you'll need a different propshaft, and the flange from a Transit van.

You could probably go that route for about £1k if you can source the engine.

As for going Zetec ... no idea but I could guess it would be more expensive as you will probably need a custom exhaust for starters...

[djj_engineer]

Re: Thinking about a Cabrio engine swap

Hi Andrew
Sorry I have nothing to add about your engine swop.
I see that you have T4 044 could you emails me with any other details. I have alist of cars and any extra is always usefull.
I fancy putting a 1.4 turbo diesel Renault engine in a Marlin, my renault does 60mpg in an estate I would love to see what it does in a Roadster. It also has 110bhp
Cheers
Derek

[cabrioman]

Re: Thinking about a Cabrio engine swap

Hi Andrew

I have a complete Ford 14 DOHC setup which is ready to drop in. Includes low miles engine, mt75 box, ECU, wiring, prop, exhaust etc... I may even be interested in your redundant V6 setup so a straight swap could be a possibility.

Contact me on johntootle AT sky DOT com if it may be of interest to you.

Cheers

John