AMMO Posted March 7, 2003 Author Share Posted March 7, 2003 Mike It is not possible to have too much fun. 😬 Steve Get some sleep. The engine part of your project is under control. This is what I'm going to do. One engine will be built with a target output of around 220 bhp. This will be the first step up from the get an engine, stick throttle bodies on it, 190 bhp spec. The other one will have steel and forged bits in it and will be in a higher state of tune. Conservative calculations indicate 256 bhp. Lets see what happens. I have decided to specialise in these engines. I've been sitting around for about a year wondering what to do next. This is it. This is what I've been waiting for. It sort of came to me yesterday as I was buying the second engine. RACECO is now officially in the Duratec business. My ambition is to have several engines in various specs, used recon and brand new units, dynoed and ready for retail by next winter. I have spoken to Raceline who are happy to supply me with components. I'm also in discussions with Mark Hicks from Anglia Sevens who will be able to offer an installation service. Anyone who is interested is welcome to contact me direct. I think to work well with an engine you have to be enthusiastic about it. I like Zetecs but I love Duratecs. 😬 😬 😬 AMMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caterhamnut Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Good for you - go for it 😬 😬33,000 miles in 15 months! angus@tinyworld.co.uk Caterham pics here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Out of interest, Racelines own Duratec powered demo' car is now ready in its latest form and is shortly to be lent out to the performance mags for testing. I understand Jez Coates has driven it and was impressed so, who knows, maybe a future 'official' option or at the very least I suppose it will become available in the USA. I have seen the car on a few occasions recently and I know I keep banging on about it but the quality of Pete McEwens work is just amazing and the attention to detail is quite stunning. If only I hadn't just spent a fortune in modifying the Zetec still further ☹️ Brent 7 not now in so many bits 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Peterson Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Brent: Your car is beautiful, and it's performance stunning. I have the brown trousers to prove it 😳 How go the mods?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Would it be completely wild to get a Cylinder heads made "The right way round". IE get a mirror mold/casting and make a mirror? I know this would probably be expensive - but realistic (bit like the BDR head for an xflow) or is there some other internal block thing that prevents this. Ammo, Good on you - they do look like a nice peice of kit, shame they exit on the wrong side. I think that they will become very popular and hence a good business idea! Greg, Q 86 NTM (Green 185BHP XF) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 I see a lot of comments regarding the exhaust being on the 'wrong side', but is it really that important? It really wouldn't stop me from going that route if I were changing to Duratec. Ok so you would need a re-skin or a big sticker over the redundant hole but if you have the money to retrofit a Duratec, I would have thought that was the least of the problems. Getting a mirror image head cast, though, would be prohibitively expensive IMHO. On a new build, however, the problem wouldn't arise. If I was speccing a new build, the Duratec would just have to be VERY high on my wish list 😬 Ammo, Good luck with this project, it has to be the way forward ❗ Brent 7 not now in so many bits 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aclucas Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Is anyone is soooo worried about the exhaust just fit the engine the other way round and bring the seven up to date with front wheel drive Alan N7CTR 1.8VVC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taran Las Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Nice one AMMO, I'd like to know what you think of the engine(s) once you've had time to examine them. See you at the April meeting hopefully. Philip. D. Owen Membership No. 3976 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Jones Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 The exhaust the wrong side? is it. How many times has a passenger got out and fell over trying to avoid the can or stepped on it I remember some one asking how to remove a burnt on trainer from an exhaust can. It is louder from the drivers side but ear plugs are 50p and you can warm your hands on it or is it something along the lines that Caterham have not made a car with the exhaust out that side so must be wrong. Thinking about another build with a duratec engine. [but not till the share save at work pulls up a lot] edited cos carn't spell or type. Paul. See My Car Here Edited by - paul.d.jones on 7 Mar 2003 15:53:24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonbell Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Ammo Excellent news.....I`ll be talking to you later in the year Simon S2 8ELL Birkin S3 2.0 Zetec 170bhp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMMO Posted March 7, 2003 Author Share Posted March 7, 2003 Thanks for the good wishes. After more than twenty years of trading I'm due to make a correct business decision at some point! This must be it. I will take a Duratec head over to the Suffolk meeting next month. Then you will see why my eyes light up every time I talk about Duratecs. 35 mm inlet valve and 30 mm exhaust valves as standard. I will have flowbench tested the head by then and might even have built the first 220 bhp engine. The bigger output engine will take more time (and money). Roll on next week. 😬 😬 😬 AMMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Corb Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Ammo Good luck with the venture. If there's any way I can help you out with any performance simulation and optimisation I'd be glad to fire a few runs through my computer "at work" it may save you a load of dyno time/money. Drop me a mail if you'd like to discuss the possibilities. No I'm not after anything in return, I just like Duratecs too. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMMO Posted March 8, 2003 Author Share Posted March 8, 2003 Bob Thanks very much for the offer. I will be in touch. I have been looking through the cam catalogues and can't find any profiles that I like. I will probably specify my own. I'm also thinking of having bigger valves made. Oh! and not forgetting about changing the bore and stoke for the steel engine. Decent computer simulation would come in very handy. I've looked at software at around the £500.00 mark and decided it was a waste of money. Bet the software "at work" cost a bit more than that. Was the Duratec originally a Cosworth design? AMMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Corb Posted March 8, 2003 Share Posted March 8, 2003 Ammo The software we use is mostly off the shelf, most performance simulation is done in GT-Power (see here - http://www.gtisoft.com/). Its about the price of a small house (per annum)! Cam profile and timing optimisation are one of the most useful features of the software although you can optimise pretty much anything (turbo matching is a good one but a bit tricky). Anyway, the stuff you mention is all do-able, just let me know what you want out of the engine (peak power and speed / notional torque curve /whatever) and I'll see what can be done. The I4 engine as its known internally is predominantly Mazda designed and developed which is why they have a 2.3 version with VVT (you can buy this version thru ford power products its about £2300exc) they even have a turbo version in concept form. I think the 2.3 could be the way to go in the long term... Speak to you soon Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheds Moderator Posted March 9, 2003 Share Posted March 9, 2003 Exhaust on the wrong side? Easy solution - get a job in France, then convert the thing to LHD! Bash the edges of the hole flat, make a nice shiny aluminium cover panel and rivet some sense into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 Another point of interest, I was down at Raceline again this morning picking up my latest 'go-faster' bit and Pete was telling me that CCC has just carried out a back to back test against the Minister 2.3 Duratec powered 7 at Rockingham. I won't spoil the story by telling you the outcome but, it should appear in the May issue and ought to make interesting reading. Brent 7 not now in so many bits 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 Brent, hows the brake pipe flaring going? Power Freak member! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 Peter, Just one more bit to do. Sorry I have taken so long with your flaring tool, can I keep it for one more week please as I am waiting for the last connections which, coincidentally, I ordered only today. Brent 7 not now in so many bits 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiF Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 Why not think of the exhaust as Raceline do in the following way: 1) Additional side impact protection for the driver. 2) The exhaust is quieter than the induction from the throtle bodies!!! Only problem for me is that my car will be LHD, anyway the wife will be safe and won't need the ear plugs 😬 Richard who was in France but is now in UK to sell his 7 and build his new Duratec 7 😬 😬 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normalbloke.29 Posted March 11, 2003 Share Posted March 11, 2003 Mt Caterham has the exhaust on the driver's side.It's powered by the YB Cosworth engine and it's still turbo charged.The exhaust comes straight off the back of the turbo, out through the air filter holes in the bonnet. So the answer is to turbo charge the Duratec.........lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMMO Posted March 12, 2003 Author Share Posted March 12, 2003 Guess what? Neither of the two second hand engines I bought have turned up. Both breakers have taken my money and have come up with lame excuses for not delivering. One is going to refund my money. We'll see. The other is looking for another engine because "it had a hairline crack when hot tested". Sounds like bollicks to me. I have a feeling these engines never really existed. This is what happens when you deal with the lowest bidder. Luckily I paid with a credit card. At my age I should have know that it was too good to be true. Interesting experience which reinforces what I think of breakers. Bit of an anti-climax really, as I was looking forward to taking an engine to bits. Anybody interested in 2 litre and 2.3 litre engines at around £1,100.00 + VAT. Delivery 3 to 4 months? These are new crated engines with alternator, starter motor and stock induction systems, shipped via sea from Detroit. In the mean time I need to get one stright away so I can get on with some work. Anybody know of one of these engines going second hand, I would appreciate a call. 01394 383499. Thanks. AMMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Jones Posted March 12, 2003 Share Posted March 12, 2003 Ammo You have mail. Paul. See My Car Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMMO Posted March 12, 2003 Author Share Posted March 12, 2003 Thanks Paul AMMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan Wulfsberg Posted March 12, 2003 Share Posted March 12, 2003 Found this technical article on Mazda Duratec-HE engines, look here Red/Ali - Live Axle - X-flow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonbell Posted March 12, 2003 Share Posted March 12, 2003 Ammo I may be interested........although not right now, maybe in a couple of months time. Simon S2 8ELL Birkin S3 2.0 Zetec 170bhp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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