Guys,

 

Had it comfirmed today that the head gasket is knackered on my car, hence, losing coolant (not really surprising TBH, I have done every fooking thing else on my car, its the only weakness left). I can still drive the car for 70 miles, stop, bleed the cooling system, top up, and off I go. So, it'll be alright for the summer/weekends for now unless it goes pop in which case, hairy muff...... :)

 

You'd probably be thinking 'why isnt he pi55ed off?', well that my friends is because I look at a negative situation as an opportunity! An opportunity to build a bullet proof engine! :D :smash:

 

The plan is to get the engine out of the car toward the end of September (if it lasts that long! :) ), and then rebuild with the best components I can afford (For now the skys the limit) that will withstand 500bhp all day long......My tubs arnt to that spec but I want the engine capable ready for when the tubs go bang and they get upgraded? Still with me? OK then.....its gonna be a winter project......that reminds me, I must change my avatar to now say....'Project ZX......Summer 2006!' :p

 

What I want is you guys that have had/done major engine work on your zeds, either by yourself or by a garage, to enlighten me as to a specification to be proud of. As I say, 500bhp is the goal, and I have heard that the block is 'supposed' to be good for 600bhp but I want to build a block that is better than that. Some kinda reverse engineering if u like.....the heads also need to be looked at? Is it worth gas flowing them? Cams? Bigger valves? Whats good for a Zed?

 

My NEW gearbox also crunches in 3rd and 4th heavily, thanks Andy :slap: :nono: , so that'll need refurbing too, and I also belive the standard manual gearbox is only good enough for 380bhp? Is that right? I have seen the inside of zed auto box and theres no way I'd touch that but is a manual within an amateurs capabilities?

 

Anyway, enough waffling, this engine building thing is going to be my first attempt so any specs/ideas you guys can give me would be HUGELY appreciated.....All in all, its to be ready for next spring! (Sh1te, it'll take me that long to afford it all!!!!)

 

Thanks in advance..... ;)

Hi Mark

 

Having just gone? Still going through all the crap improving my engine power and realiseing the money I've spent and the complexity and fragility of any turbo charged engine ie too many vairiables that can result in a sudden tremination.

 

I would not under take it again. I honestly believe that the V8 transplant root is much cheeper, much easier to do yourself (I personally would go for the small block Ford 5.5Ltr V8 which will give reliable big grunt and the worlds best sound track for about £3K) Its more reliable, lighter, smaller and easier to work on.+ There are supercharger kits that come complete with everything you wil need for as little as £1200 that can see you pushing 600bhp if thats what you want. it also leave more room under the bonnet to let the air flow better.