I am thinking about building a MK3 Fiesta based kit car. It makes no difference which engine is used in the kit as the complete car is used as a donor with the exception of the bodyshell. Having driven Citroen TD's for the last donkey's and being a true Yorkshireman, I want to use a Turbodiesel engine.
The lumps in the last of Uncle Henry's Mk3 Fiestas were not overly wonderful from what I can gather, and most were not blown. So what is the practicality of fitting a 1.8TD from an Escort and having one of the aftermarket Intercoolers added? The only consideration is that if it will fit under a Fiesta bonnet, then it will fit the kit.
Will it achieve the same surge as my XUDT after the surgery, or be several 100's down the pan? I have seen adverts for such modifications but am sceptical to their effect.
Anyone any comments?
Simon
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Please don't do it - whilst Henry makes a good fist of several petrol engines you will find the Escort TD is rough and nasty. Performance (i.e. poke) isn't everything.
The PSA XUD would be a much better plot, but you would need to pay particular attention to how it is mounted/installed. I dare say David Woollard will have something to say on this one - he's fiddled with more Citroens than most (including BXs).
There you are - thread goes to Citroen diesels in one hole!
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A variation of the Quantum kit car was based around the 1.8 litre Ford turboD and Richard Wishire built up a Westfield with a modified FoMoCo 1.8TD. Called it the 'Weasel'. It's was in the HJ column about a year or so ago and is styill around. So though the Ford diesel isn't ideal, it can be worked on.
HJ
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HJ beat me to the mention of the Weasel! This interesting vehicle utilised a Ford 1.8TD engine abeit heavily modified on the fuelling side.
The Ford 1.8 TD is a DOG of an engine from poor lethargic performance and poor cambelt durability.
Quite good results were obtained by fiddling quite intensively with the internal workings of the fuel injection pump - I work with people involved with the original fuelling set-up on the Weasel. It was apparently quite crude by todays 'electronic' standards but it was a good performer.
Richard is still in existance in Mark, North Somerset - I could get his telephone number for you if required.
Regards
David
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By the sounds of it I ought to steer clear of the Ford TD. The weasel sounds interesting, but seems to be a lot of work and effort to get the same/similar performance, acceleration and economy as I do from my Citroen XUTD.
Being a novice to these things, since the kit is designed to be using the Fiesta steering rack, dash, wiring loom, etc. How easy is it to change the engine and gearbox for something that should not be there?
I'm getting slightly worried I ever thought of a kit.
Simon
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Bit slow off the mark today, it's taken 6 hours to sniff out this Citroen friendly thread.
Actually just started my summer haymaking work with the first 7ac cut. Bet it'll rain now. Most of the day on a noisy tractor and no PC access, very poor.
Well I think you have covered it all. No good driving a Citroen diesel and expecting the same experience from the Ford 1.8TD. I am reluctant to be so critical of an engine that loads drive but the strongest language I've used on this site previously was to refer to the Ford diesel as a dog, so we're in agreement there.
Don't worry about the kit-car thing. A supplier/builder of such devices started up locally some 15 years ago. I spent a month looking at the build instructions, brochure, costings, build timescales and tuning parts every night before bed. In my mind I had it built down to the smallest detail, I was also enjoying driving it in my dreams.
Then I threw all the paperwork away and have never looked at one since, lucky escape methinks.
David
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I am going right off the idea of the kit after seeing your replies.
Shame no-one makes a diesel sports car. Something cabriolet or roadster-esqe. I know that MG Rover have the diesel 25-based hot hatch in the pipeline, but its not quite the same as a MGF or MX5 type vehicle.
I suppose I will have to start writing to those nice people at PSA Group, asking them to put the HDI engine as an option in the 206 cabriolet.....
Simon
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Like David W I went through the shall, I shan't I mode, best decision ever was to file all the paperwork in t'bin.
But why a diesel? OK being from God's own county I understand the inbuilt need to be careful with the brass, but surely a kit car is not going to be used as everyday transport doing starship mileages. If so you are braver then me.
Surely it makes more sense, when you consider the kit car is unlikely to be as good at insulating noise to go for a decent petrol, possibly easier to tune. Plus what about weight distribution? Really people need to think more objectively about the diesel vs petrol equation.
Now how about a kit car with a really demon bike engine? Gearbox would be a challenge which is where the project I considered previously foundered. Anybody know any details about that Caterham 7 or similar with a Hayabusa engine? Oh no its got me thinking again.
So threads gone through diesels, citroens, diesel vs petrol, and possibly onto bikes. Whats next, speed cameras? Bet John S can't get it onto Moggies, this mention does not count. :o)
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