Cortina MKII Zetec Conversion

[dfonseka_]

Hi all,

I've been off this forum for a nearly a couple of years. Since my last time, I've have completed my Zetec conversion and other bits and pieces. It is driven almost everyday, rain or shine and even sees gravel. It is definitely not perfect, but it allows me to drive the car in all conditions without a worry. A joy to drive, has much better torque curve, and has enough pep to satisfy daily driving and occasional track use.

The benefit of such a conversion is that not much had to be modified. I still have the 1600 x-flow that is currently being rebuilt (again) and the drivetrain, gearbox back, has not been tampered with. If I wish to put back the x-flow, it won't be such a task to do so. However, the characteristics of this 2.0L Zetec is winning me over... for now.

Admittedly, the engine bay is full and a bit messy, but there is always things I have yet to do. I was also in the midst of graduation high-school and this was a bit of a budget-build, but more importantly a challenge for my own knowledge.

2.0 Zetec
Kent Cams fast road
37mm Mikuni Bike carburetors
Nodiz Pro Ignition ECU
Ashley 4-2-1 exhaust with 3" exit
Coolex alloy radiator
GM 85 amp alternator

Soon to get a Quaife LSD.

Cheers,

[Brett Wilkie]

I like the idea of the Zetec, I have often thought about one for my 100e. Did you find it expensive to convert the cooling for inline engine use and I am wondering what diff you are using, is it this one? I have been thinking about getting one?
https://www.burtonpower.com/quaife-atb- ... alsd1.html

[Sideways]

Zetec is an excellent choice, light weight and an easy doubling of the power of the original engine without any negative impact on the driveability plus the ability to hang a variety of 5 speed trans on them.

Being a Mk1 "lover" I never took to the Mk2 even though it was a superior car in quite a few ways but since finding a decent MK1 has all but disappeared I may be a Mk2 convert.


Nice car here...yes, change the diff. they do give up after hard driving - and being 50+ years old.

Should never have sold mine...

PS, yes, I am still on the hunt for a Mk1 Cortina.

[dfonseka_]

I like the idea of the Zetec, I have often thought about one for my 100e. Did you find it expensive to convert the cooling for inline engine use and I am wondering what diff you are using, is it this one? I have been thinking about getting one?
https://www.burtonpower.com/quaife-atb- ... alsd1.html

RetroFord and other suppliers had options for a water rail which I though to be very expensive for what is essentially some piping to downsize the thermostat housing. Luckily for me, the MKII has enough space between the bulkhead and the back of the cylinder head to retain the original thermostat housing. I found some misc. radiator hoses and SS piping at the auto parts store that I was working at along with some fittings and it costed me about $40 CAD to do so. It definitely is not the prettiest thing, but it is functional.

However, many older Ford's do require an aftermarket water rail simply because there is not enough space. I will link RetroFord's one and I will also attach pictures of what I did.

Yes, that is the one! I've heard of good reviews about those LSD units for street use. I'm currently running an English axle with a 3.9 final drive ratio and I think an LSD will compliment the drivetrain nicely.

https://www.retroford.co.uk/product/zet ... fold-z008/

[dfonseka_]

Zetec is an excellent choice, light weight and an easy doubling of the power of the original engine without any negative impact on the driveability plus the ability to hang a variety of 5 speed trans on them.

Being a Mk1 "lover" I never took to the Mk2 even though it was a superior car in quite a few ways but since finding a decent MK1 has all but disappeared I may be a Mk2 convert.


Nice car here...yes, change the diff. they do give up after hard driving - and being 50+ years old.

Should never have sold mine...

PS, yes, I am still on the hunt for a Mk1 Cortina.

It's a nice swap to do and every now and then if the engine blows due to pushing it far beyond it's limits, it's very inexpensive to replace and that was another factor for me to do this swap. I do plan on swapping in a T9 gearbox as my 2000e box has had to be stripped down twice since the swap but I dislike the T9's ratios as compared to the 2000e's box. So I am still on the lookout. Maybe an MX5 5 speed gearbox, or even an RX8 6 speed. But for now I am content with the original box.

I very much understand. I do love the shape of the MKI. But my dad has a MKI (Lotus clone) and I think mine sits nicely beside his as a father-son Enfo collection. It is also sentimental to me. My dad's second car was a MKII back in Singapore, and my second car happened to be a MKII as well. I thought it was somewhat neat it turned out that way.

MKI's are getting hard to find and when you do they are ridiculous money! Hopefully you'll find one soon. Good luck on the hunt!

Attached are photos of my father's MKI beside mine, along with the MKII he had.



photo uploading sites

[s2europa]

Nice conversion and nice looking Cortina.

I am getting ready to do a swap in my 1969 Cortina Mk2 Estate. Crate 2.0l Zetec, same Ashley header, but going ITBs. Using Jenvey throttle bodies and Motorsport Electronics ME221 with their pre-made harness. I paid for the RetroFord water rail because I wanted to be able to move the engine back as far as I could. I'll also be using a T-9 5-speed (with a Pinto 4-speed bellhousing), so I can have a nice engine speed on the freeway. I agree the gear ratios are not the best, but the overdrive 5th is nice. I'm doing a similar swap in my Mk1 Capri using an ST170 motor, but using the NC MX5 5-speed. I briefly looked at the RX7 boxes, but the gear ratios were worse than the stock T-9.

I'm curious, why did you need to stretch out the mounting for the brakes/brake booster?

[dfonseka_]

Nice conversion and nice looking Cortina.

I am getting ready to do a swap in my 1969 Cortina Mk2 Estate. Crate 2.0l Zetec, same Ashley header, but going ITBs. Using Jenvey throttle bodies and Motorsport Electronics ME221 with their pre-made harness. I paid for the RetroFord water rail because I wanted to be able to move the engine back as far as I could. I'll also be using a T-9 5-speed (with a Pinto 4-speed bellhousing), so I can have a nice engine speed on the freeway. I agree the gear ratios are not the best, but the overdrive 5th is nice. I'm doing a similar swap in my Mk1 Capri using an ST170 motor, but using the NC MX5 5-speed. I briefly looked at the RX7 boxes, but the gear ratios were worse than the stock T-9.

I'm curious, why did you need to stretch out the mounting for the brakes/brake booster?

Thank you! And that sounds great. Would have loved ITB's but budget did not allow at the time. I think the way you're doing it is that is the best way to do it. And yes, as before I would love for a 5 speed, but for me I'm saving for a rack-and-pinion conversion first. Also really like the ST170 choice. I seem to have troubles finding them. Perhaps because I haven't looked as much as I could have and well, I bought my current Zetec for $50 CAD from my high school Automotive teacher.

I had to move the brake booster and master because it interfered with the 4th primary pipe on the Ashley header (see attached photo). The header also does not like LHD applications as I've learned the hard way. Had to cut and re-weld sections to clear the clutch slave cylinder and the steering box. Regardless, my first thought was to remove the booster entirely, but having more HP with less braking performance didn't make sense to me and so I found some scrap metal and move the whole assembly forward - copied what I've seen on some MKII Escorts with extended servos. Only recently should I have known to use a remove servo setup... oh well. Live and learn. However, brakes work a treat.