Engines

[Mickaleen]

I would like to replace my 2ltr year 2000 engine with one which is environmentally friendly. Can the forum advise on a suitable replacement.

[A_Hogg]

Re: Engines

What do you have at present, and in what?
I don't believe there's an 'environmentally friendly' engine out there, not even electric. It will depend on your budget/skill level and time. It can get really expensive when you factor in aftermarket ecu's, exhaust system fabrication, fuelling etc.

[wiggiesworld]

Re: Engines

I would like to replace my 2ltr year 2000 engine with one which is environmentally friendly. Can the forum advise on a suitable replacement.

I will definitely be following this thread with interest as I have spent quite a while mulling over the same question. My current engine is a 2L Pinto with EFi, this allows me to immediately ignore engines that others on this forum have used for engine swaps. I'm thinking 2L Zetec here. It's not a case of whether the Zetec is any good or not (I believe its very good indeed) rather its a matter of plumbing. My car is currently set up to have the fuel feed and swirl pot on the near side, perfect for the Pinto as the EFi sits that side. Unfortunately (for me) the Zetec has the exhaust manifold on the nearside. As a) I do not wish to re-plumb all the fuel lines and exhaust, and b) do not fancy having a red hot exhaust so close to the swirl pot then the Zetec gets the old heave ho. As does the Toyota 4AGE and the 2L MX-5. Bummer. A Cossie would have suited nicely, till we get to a discussion on availability and cost......

There is light at the end of this particular narrative....... that still leaves the 2L Duratech (though this may be a touch too big in the height department) and the 1.6L Sigma. Given that the Pinto was hewn from solid granite (OK cast iron) with a corresponding amount of weight being close to the front end then low speed steering can often be a challenge (I've tried manning up but its still a challenge). An advantage in both the Duratech and Sigma (OK and also a Zetec) is the reduction of a not inconsiderable amount of weight from the engine bay and the impact this will have on steering and in turn performance.

At this moment in time I'm veering towards the Sigma. Its compact, light and very tuneable; its very easy to get 150 bhp with very little tweaking, hence you keep the reliability and you also get the benefits stated above. Think of it as a modern day Lotus Twin Cam but reliable. My investigations also take me along the route of making things a little simpler for the fueling and ditching the EFi for carbs. I'm currently at the costing, and sitting squinting at the car wondering what else will be changed/upgraded/personalised, stage. However, a spreadsheet is in the very near future

There you go, that's my cat amongst the pigeons.........

[stevejgreen]

Re: Engines

Why not go the way that Ford Eco Boost went, with smaller capacity turbo direct injection engines, allegedly performing with 30% increase in fuel efficiency for a similar non turbo engine output power.

Probably just as technically challenging as any of the other options.

[wiggiesworld]

Re: Engines

Why not go the way that Ford Eco Boost went, with smaller capacity turbo direct injection engines, allegedly performing with 30% increase in fuel efficiency for a similar non turbo engine output power.

Probably just as technically challenging as any of the other options.

Unfortunately to us in the motor trade they are more commonly known as 'eco-boom' given their propensity to self destruct. Mind you I think they are getting better.

You do have a point mind. I'll add it to my list of investigations.

[Mickaleen]

Re: Engines

I have a Marlin Cabrio 2ltr DOHC engine carburettor model with a Mt75 gearbox which is in good order and performs well. I was looking at reducing the co and increasing the mpg by fitting a smaller engine and keeping the Mt75 gearbox. The Ford Eco doesn't have a good review at present.
Advice from the forum is greatly appreciated.

[A_Hogg]

Re: Engines

I personally have reservations about seeing any significant increases in fuel economy whatever the powerplant due to the lack of aerodynamics. Sure, you might reduce the weight and increase the bhp but ask yourself is the effort worth the expense?
If you're doing it just for the technical challenge, I'm with you.

[chris_cussen]

Re: Engines

Having replaced a DOHC 2.0l on carbs with a Zetec engine I would say that moving a swirl pot and exhaust system are not the major issues.
This thread details everything I did https://www.marlinownersclub.com/for...an-engine-swap and there was an article in a Pitstop magazine too.

You can do it cheaper than I did but even on a budget I doubt you will spend less than £2k

[Mickaleen]

Re: Engines

Thank you all for your suggestions, a lot for me to mull over.

[stevejgreen]

Re: Engines

There is always the possibility if you want to retain Ford and your current gearbox.

https://www.burtonpower.com/aluminium-bellhousing-type-9-to-ford-zetec-se-1-6-ecoboost-bh10.html

[Ye Ol Ripper]

Re: Engines

If you plan to fit a ford engine , I can recommend the 1.7 Zetec as a very torquey engine that won awards because of this. It was only fitted in the Ford Puma and is all aluminium with variable inlet cam timing and designed by Yamaha. These units regularly exceed 180k miles provided the oil is changed regularly, I don't believe that an ecoboost will be as reliable because of the stress it is under to produce a similar output ie 125BHP. I can put you in touch with a specialist Puma breaker who can also supply you with the ecu etc if you P'm me. This engine is economical if driven sensibly and will return 43-45mpg in a Puma at 70mph, which has relatively low gearing of 19mph in 5th gear.

A remap with tubular manifold and freeflow cat will yield 145 BHP . Add a set of piper cams 152BHP. Wilder cams on throttle bodies 180BHP.

However you will be impressed with the performance of the standard 125BHP engine in a Marlin because of the diesel like torque from 1500rpm all the way upto the redline of 6300RPM.
The engine is very similar to the 4AGE as they were both derived within the Yamaha factory

[stevejgreen]

Re: Engines

Quite a lot of talk about the reduced life expectancy of a more ‘stressed’ Ecoboost or similar engine.

Is it relevant to a Marlin?

Manufacturing standards and technology have leapt forward a great deal in the past 30 years, specifically in the fields of longevity and emission controls.

How many miles would you have expected your 1992 Mk2 Sierra to cover in its lifetime as the archetypal repmobile?
Wasn’t the 1.8 Pinto used in an effort to reduce emissions for company car tax reasons?

Considering that most Marlins are summer only cars and not daily drivers, there are of course exceptions, their lifetime mileage use is likely be substantially, less than a commuter car or one constantly doing short, cold engine, school runs, that are way more environmentally damaging.