The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

hi guys, as the topic saies project zetec is underway.. started to strip out all the bits i wont need. like the rad, starter, carb, gearbox etc... so if anyone needs these parts then give me a call (07985130498) and make me a offer.

so far i've got the engine (1.8 zetec with 130bhp cams fitted) and some zzr1100 carbs. bogg brothers are making me a manifold to fit them to motor. i'm picking up a type9 ford gearbox this week. so with a bit of luck motor and box should be resting in dolly by the weekend.

only thing that worries me is the back axle. how much power it can take and the ratio. more than likely will change for a sprint one when i have everything else sorted. will post photo when i take some
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I think you'd be best to change to a Sprint axle - they're reputed to take up to (or around) 300ft.lb before the crownwheel (I think) starts to break up.

Hell, I put ~210ft.lb through mine and had used it for drag racing, burnouts etc - and it's taken it in it's stride without any sign of complaint or nasty noises. Still nice and quiet

So a Zetec is noooo problem.

A 1300/1500/1850 axle can't take much more than ~120ft.lb before you start getting issues, or so I'm led to belive, so as you say, well worth changing it now - means you can pound on it more

Well not sure what the cam and carbs will do to the torque of the stock 1.8. But the stock 1.8 zetec has 118lb/ft so you are v close to the limit anyways. So yes I'd also agree with having a Sprint axle, then you can use it without worrying about the axle itself.

cheers guys i didnt think the axle would handle much power. looks like i'll have to be careful with my right foot. or until i fit a sprint axle.

Topfuel have you checked the dimensions of the zetec, I think it is quite a tall engine is nt it, you may need a bonnet scoop.

Have you thought about what exhaust you will use and what sort of management.

Be warned your extimated costs will treble, I will eat my hat if you prove me wrong.

hi there, i've done my homework on the engine. its 646mm tall measured from the deepest part of sump. 626mm wide this measurment is with all the ford stuff on the engine and 630mm long this is with the coil pack in place. but i'm moving that so should save 140mm

already checked to make sure it will fit, only problem i can see is the gearbox is 730mm long so it very close to the handbrake, so may have to move engine forward by a inch. exhaust should be ok peter lloyd ralling do a manifold for the zetec rwd.

engine management will be done by megajolt and ford edis have found some really good sites for info on setting up.

will keep you all posted
cheers terry

If you'd be willing to, I'd look at relocating the handbrake instead. It's actually not too 'difficult' to uproot it and move it back (from what I've seen), using either an aftermarket one or one from a scrapyard. Mine had been moved back a good few inches and it looked pretty much a bolt-on affair.

No compromise with handling or engine bay space then But I guess it's one more thing on the list that could get finikity.

Get the engine as far back as possible, moving the handbrake is the right thing to do as Lewis says....not tricky

_________________
Previous owner of 42 Dolomite shaped vehicles, 14 Sprints, 12 1850s, 8 1500s, 3 V8s, 3 Toledos and 2 SEs

Just performing one of my bi-annual strolls through the forums, and came across this thread.

By sheer coincidence, I'm just finishing off the installation of a Zetec into my Latham.

Height-wise you probably won't find any problems, I found that the Zetec engine is actually a bit shorter than a Sprint engine. Which is good in a Latham because it translates into much-needed ground clearance.

Width-wise is a different matter, because the engine isn't canted over like the Sprint slant-4 so the carbs stick out to the right a lot. Shouldn't be as bit an issue with bike carbs though.

Overall length of engine and MT75 5-speed box is something like 7 inches shorter than the Dolly units.

I'd say your budget is pretty reasonable and certainly achievable, provided you're handy with the welder.

Which version of the Zetec have you got? I used one of the later blacktop engines, but this did push the cost of conversion up a bit because I had to get a reverse-direction water pump impeller from the states which cost about £100.

Please feel free to contact me if you want any more information or photos etc.

hi there latham, i have the sliver top motor(came a long at the right time and money) the only problem i think i will have is the box... i was hoping to use a type9 box but this will give me a problem with the handbrake ie..both want to live in same place.. but i think by using a mt75 i can get around this if you say that the motor and mt75 is 7inchs shorter then i'm sorted.

what ingition and fuel systems are you running? i'll be using megajolt and edis.

really want to get it looking like triumph made it.. ok maybe not zzr1100 carbs and all the rest of it.......

as for water pump i belive that a 16v escort one does the job..

That 7" is measuring to the back flange of the gearbox, not to the lever which actually hangs over the back of the gearbox on a removable bracket. This makes it easy to move the lever if you need to, and would probably help with your handbrake clearance problem.
MT75 is quite a wide box, but probably only about as wide as an overdrive unit.

I'm using a pair of Weber 45DCOEs. Ignition is by a home-brewed lashup but loosely based on the megajolt lite junior. I also have a MJLJ ready to fit, once I work out how to fit the TPS to the Webers.

The Escort Zetec water pump trick works fine on the silvertop engines, but is no good on the blacktops which have a remote arrangement.

The MT75 clutch operates in a similar manner to the Dolomite 1850 one, using an arm which swivels on a pivot "mushroom". To get it working properly, I machined up an extended mounting for the mushroom.
Westfield do it a different way, gluing a 19mm spacer onto the front of a release bearing (yuk) for which they charge about £60!

Hope this helps

Tony.

Hi Topfuel,

Just wondering how you were getting on?

Tony.

hi there all project zetec is very slowly making porgress. with the wife wanting me to do stuff on the house and with work being so busy i'm not finding much time to work on it.

richard 4040 and adam helped me out by taking lots of bit for the 1300 off my hands. just have to get motor out now. which i hope to do this weekend....

then i'll prep the engine bay ready for the zetec. have got all the big bits now. (engine/box, vwpolo rad, carbs etc.)

just need to make up engine mounts.. i've made them in wood but i just cant get them to weld!!!!

more news and pics when i get a chance

cheers terry

p.s a turbo zetec can put out 200-350bhp
only a thought

So Terry, do you still want that set of Sprint wheels I've been keeping for you?

_________________
Sprintless for the first time in 35+ years. ... Still Sprintless.

Engines, Gearboxes, Overdrives etc. rebuilt. PM me.


1997 TVR Chimaera 450

hi guys just a quick up date on project zetec. i've now got most off the big bits i.e engine, box, carbs. still got a few things to get vw polo rad, exhaust pipe i'll more than likely make my own but could use a 1850 or sprint s/s one.

project is moving a bit slowly though. things like work, house and wife keep getting in the way. but gonna make a big effort to get it done by feb08.

cheers terry