J15 engine options?

[Dodger]

I'm considering a J15 build. I see that there are various engine options. I have seen K Series, Zetec SE, Duratec and a couple of bike engines. Are there any others being built?

I am thinking 200bhp would be a nice round number. Looking for around 400bhp per tonne.

I feel that the Type r engine might be a little tall and heavy with the gearbox though would provide the power.

Zetec SE and K series are quite expensive to get to 200bhp.

The Duratec seems like a reasonable option though I'm unsure if the driveshafts angled back is going to be ok?

I also see from the Sylva demo a standard VVC K series would be a no go as the inlet doesn't fit under the rear body.

I'm not sure a bike engine would be favourable for a car that would only do 3-4 track days a year and has to get me around a 3000 mile Alps trip each year.

So what engine's do you all think would be suitable?

[Beardy]

Was hoping that the K series V6 from Mazda might fit

[Ian Kelly]

I'm not sure a bike engine would be favourable for a car that would only do 3-4 track days a year and has to get me around a 3000 mile Alps trip each year.

So what engine's do you all think would be suitable?

5 of us have just done exactly that trip, 3k miles around the Alps, with R1 engines. 2 of us (brave \ foolish) didn't have windscreens. Decent earplus are a must, but once you get to the hilly bits and hairpins bike engines are in their natural territory! Admittedly, it wasn't very relaxing...

Ian

[jimgiblett]

snigger......."Dodger" is Roger who came with us in the Black Libra

- Jim

I'm not sure a bike engine would be favourable for a car that would only do 3-4 track days a year and has to get me around a 3000 mile Alps trip each year.

So what engine's do you all think would be suitable?

5 of us have just done exactly that trip, 3k miles around the Alps, with R1 engines. 2 of us (brave \ foolish) didn't have windscreens. Decent earplus are a must, but once you get to the hilly bits and hairpins bike engines are in their natural territory! Admittedly, it wasn't very relaxing...

Ian

[Dodger]

Have you recovered yet Ian?

[Ian Kelly]

Hello dodger!

Good man on the J15 choice - a car without a windscreen or roof!

I'm just about recovered now, all that camping really took it out of me (limited sleep, crappy airbed, fresh air, etc). Oh, and 3300 miles in 10 days as well!

Keep us posted if you do go for a J15, be great to pop by as you're building and help you get through a pack of biscuits!

Ian

[ChrisSpectre]

Ive just started a J15 build with a 2.0 Duratec from an ST150.

I'm using the standard induction with new (single) throttle body to replace the standard drive by wire one. I reckon with that, a free flowing exhaust and engine management I should get 170-175ish bhp - plenty to start with!

What was important was the available power up to around 200bhp without too much trouble if I need it. The zetec seems to get very expensive above 150ish bhp.

My Duratec was shipped to Jeremy so he could make a jig for the Duratec mounts so its a 'standard' option now.

[Fizzer]

so, just for the uneducated (like me) what's the difference between a zetec and a Zetec SE. My fury has a 2.0 blacktop, is the se smaller?

Andy

[JohnEM]

From Wikipedia.
"The advanced Zetec-SE (sometimes badged as Zetec-S) was developed in collaboration of Yamaha and Mazda[citation needed], under the Sigma codename. It ranges in size from 1.25 L (1249 cc) to 1.7 L (1679 cc). It is very different from the Zeta engine - the intake and exhaust are even on opposite sides. It was the first engine to use a plastic intake manifold.


This engine is sold under the Sigma name in some regions, while Mazda uses the MZI name. It is also sold as a crate engine by Ford Power Products as the ZSG. Rather confusingly, this engine has been renamed "Duratec" for use in the Mk II Ford Focus for Europe, being available in 1.4 L and 1.6 L versions. This incarnation also spawned a 1.6 L derivative with variable valve timing, known by Ford as Ti-VCT (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing).

This engine is now under the name 'Duratec' in the new Focus, Fiesta etc." (The 1.7 being used in the Puma with VCT).

The Biggest differences are that the SE is an all alloy engine and unlike the real Duratec uses a Cam belt not a chain.

[Chet]

I have a potential J15customer here in the USA who wants to use the Mazda v6 2.5 (klze).
I'd like to hear from anyone else who may be interested in this configuration.

Thanks
chet