fiestaturbo.com

[Mattxr3i]

Hi Guys

I'll get straight to the point. WHats the difference between the two models. I know the engines different, but i want to know the real world differences. Main questions are

1) Is the Zetec quicker than the cvh

2) Does the zetec give the 2i a lot more refinement over the cvh and is it fun to drive and rev well?

3) Are running costs that much more

4) Are the zetec models as prone to rust as the cvh version. i know about the revised fuel cap area but did they make any other improvements?

5) Did all zetecs come with power steering?

6) If you had the choice which one would you choose (Poll)

[XRoriginal]

Have owned a zetec xr ;

1) it's down on bhp compared to the cvh - but can reach 60 in second as opposed to cvh which needs 3rd gear- this keeps the zetec in a similar 0-60 time (around 9 secs.) Power is higher up the revs (being a 16v) so if driven incorrectly can seem (as alot of cvh fans comment) slower.

2) Relatively, the zetec is alot smoother than the cvh. Though a properly maintained cvh isn't anything like a tappety 1.1/.3

3) nope. I think the zetec is better on fuel if driven sensibly.

4) Zetec xr2i's (destined for the uk market) are also mk3. NOT mk3.5- thus will have the same weaknesses as the cvh. The only advantage is that zetecs are newer and thus have lived through a few less harsh winters - trivial though at this age.

5) no xr2i's (UK cars) had powersteering.

6) Depends. I would choose a zetec and get it to rs 1800 (130bhp) spec.

hth.

[Jay]

Having owned both a 1.6 cvh xr2i and a 1.8 zetec xr2i I can honestly say I MUCH prefer the zetec. The ride is quieter and more refined and it is a bit cheaper to run. Power steering can be fitting fairly easily and the mk3 zetecs tend to be less prone to rust due to the fact that they're newer and ford had started to try and iron out the problems from the early mk3's with more rust protection

[Oranoco]

Having hammered an RS1800 at the Revs track day a fewyears back in a CVH XR2i with nothing more than a Magnex exhaust and an induction kit I personally wouldn't bother with the Zetec. It's not as powerfull and doesn't produce as much torque despite having a 200cc capacity benefit.

Have also put a Mk2 Onion 1.6i Ghia (K-Jetronic) against an Onion 1.8 Ghia Si and that was shown how good a properly looked after CVH is.

The only benefit to getting the Zetec car is the fact it is a bit smoother and they are that bit newer.

Both are superb cars though if you get a good one. Choice is largely down to preference

[Mattxr3i]

Hi Guys

Spot on info there. The point of the post was that my gf has a cvh xr2i but i thought the zetecs has pas. We were thinking of changing it for a zetec model as the steering is fairly heavy. But as they dont have pas then we probably wont bother, as it would appear that the only way that ford were able to keep the 0 -60 time the same was making 2nd gear longer. With this in mind it would seem that the zetec wouldnt be as quick as the cvh as the cvh is just as quick with a gear change adn teh zetec would probably feel slower else where!

Again cheers guys some quality advice there

[Stoned]

6) Depends. I would choose a zetec and get it to rs 1800 (130bhp) spec.

I'd stick in a 2.0L personally

[XRoriginal]

hammered an RS1800 at the Revs track day a fewyears back in a CVH XR2i with nothing more than a Magnex exhaust and an induction kit

. I think the RS wasn't driven correctly or was in poor shape.

[Oranoco]

Sorry mate but it was minty and in great health. RS1800's just aren't that quick in the grand scheme of things. I know our 8 valver was exceptionally good as it knocked 112bhp out on the rollers before I even lifted a finger.

[wildheart]

Ive never driven a Zetex XR2i,
But i have an RS1800 and my ex had a CVH 2i.

I prefered the low down power on the CVH but they dont rev as well as the Zetec so they run out of steam at speed.

And as for an XR being faster around a track than the RS1800,That depends on suspension and more important the driver

[Project_XR2i_Trackcar]

And as for an XR being faster around a track than the RS1800,That depends on suspension and more important the driver

Remember donnington dude

My trackcar was CVH until it went pop. It was rather nippy as standard and suprised a few faces but it did lack the grunt on the straights. With the zetec in it (2.0ltr admitedly) now it pulls a lot harder and has a lot more top end torque.

In answer to your original question; personally i would opt for the zetec XR2i if given the choice.
As mentioned they'll be newer for a start and should you wish to go down the route of changing the engine for a bigger displacement, ie 2.0 ltr, it will save you a hell of a lot of hassle.
Also AFAIK the interior is a lot better than on the CVH models, the seats for starters.

Hope this helps
Chris

[wildheart]

And as for an XR being faster around a track than the RS1800,That depends on suspension and more important the driver

Remember donnington dude

Chris

I do indeed
I now have better suspension,tyres,brakes and stripped and caged interior and its rather faster around a track now

Infact im booked on at Donington with the fez OCTOBER 15th,I reckon you should book on and together we can upset a few people

[Smo]

May be someone who has driven both the XR2i 16v and the RS1800 can clarify this, but I've heard in the past that the RS1800 lacks some of the mid range torque that the XR2i 16v has? This might explain a bit if it's true...

[filtra]

May be someone who has driven both the XR2i 16v and the RS1800 can clarify this, but I've heard in the past that the RS1800 lacks some of the mid range torque that the XR2i 16v has? This might explain a bit if it's true...

8v tend to have a bit more lower/mid torque.

[knuckles]

I have driven the xr2i 16v and i own the cvh xr2i now. I would choose cvh any day , due to the simple fact that it is so much easier to work on.

The 16v has a catalytic converter which im not a fan of. There is alot more to go wrong on the zetec compared to the cvh.

I have also driven a mk5 zetec s and to be honest im just not a fan of zetec engines. he opens his bonnet and there is just plastic everywhere.

[Excursion]

1) Is the Zetec quicker than the cvh

There's not a lot in it, the Zetec offers a little better in gear acceleration though.

2) Does the zetec give the 2i a lot more refinement over the cvh and is it fun to drive and rev well?

Yes, much smoother and quieter.

3) Are running costs that much more

High for any Mk3 Fiesta, everythings worn!

4) Are the zetec models as prone to rust as the cvh version. i know about the revised fuel cap area but did they make any other improvements?

Early cars (orange indicator) were undersealed a little better, but they all rot. The fuel cap cars are the Mk3.5, and that's nothing to do with the engine.

5) Did all zetecs come with power steering?

Only the RS1800 Mk3.5

6) If you had the choice which one would you choose (Poll)

Zetec

[RS1800pec]

I have driven the xr2i 16v and i own the cvh xr2i now. I would choose cvh any day , due to the simple fact that it is so much easier to work on.

The 16v has a catalytic converter which im not a fan of. There is alot more to go wrong on the zetec compared to the cvh.

I have also driven a mk5 zetec s and to be honest im just not a fan of zetec engines. he opens his bonnet and there is just plastic everywhere.

First off, i agree to some extent to what people are saying about the cvh being better.

Fair enough cvh's are easier to work and have more torque lower down the revs but saying a zetec (xr2i 16v/RS1800) is more likely to go wrong is absolute nut sack. Sorry buy you'd have to give it a damm good thrashing before a zetec packs in. Cvhs are prone to f.ucking up. Ok its all how you look after them but over all the zetec engine in general is so much better then the cvh.

Zetec are smoother, better and faster on top end
Cvh's maybe more fun and better off the lights

Reliability has to be the zetec

[ianFRST]

And as for an XR being faster around a track than the RS1800,That depends on suspension and more important the driver

Remember donnington dude

Chris

I do indeed
I now have better suspension,tyres,brakes and stripped and caged interior and its rather faster around a track now

Infact im booked on at Donington with the fez OCTOBER 15th,I reckon you should book on and together we can upset a few people

make that october 15th 2008 and i reckon he will do it

[knuckles]

The zetec engines may have slightly better build quality but my in my opinion i would rather do without a catalytic converter , PAS, mass air flow sensor, oxygen sensors, canister purge solenoid valve, charcoal canisters etc ....

When i go to the garage to get something fixed in my cvh it would be pennys compared to the zetec if it decides to turn sour.

[knuckles]

Also AFAIK the interior is a lot better than on the CVH models, the seats for starters.

As for the seats - my cvh came with the Recaros

[Oranoco]

Also AFAIK the interior is a lot better than on the CVH models, the seats for starters.

As for the seats - my cvh came with the Recaros

The XR2i Recaro's are pretty damn rare though mate. I was just lucky as mine came up through a guy who didn't know what he had £100 later and a swap of seats and I had a set of mint XR Recaro's

[Zek]

Having hammered an RS1800 at the Revs track day a fewyears back in a CVH XR2i with nothing more than a Magnex exhaust and an induction kit I personally wouldn't bother with the Zetec. It's not as powerfull and doesn't produce as much torque despite having a 200cc capacity benefit.

Have also put a Mk2 Onion 1.6i Ghia (K-Jetronic) against an Onion 1.8 Ghia Si and that was shown how good a properly looked after CVH is.

The only benefit to getting the Zetec car is the fact it is a bit smoother and they are that bit newer.

Both are superb cars though if you get a good one. Choice is largely down to preference

sorry have to disagree had two orion ghia si's 130ps and put the engine out of one in to my xr2i which made 147 bhp and 138 tork with an airfilter and boost valve before i put in a 2.0l lump as the cvh was crap in my eyes, plus to of my mates had good running xr2i and orion i.6i ghia and they got left in the dust lots of times over and i mean with ease.
you just get bad ones and good ones

[Zek]

First off, i agree to some extent to what people are saying about the cvh being better.

Fair enough cvh's are easier to work and have more torque lower down the revs but saying a zetec (xr2i 16v/RS1800) is more likely to go wrong is absolute nut sack. Sorry buy you'd have to give it a damm good thrashing before a zetec packs in. Cvhs are prone to f.ucking up. Ok its all how you look after them but over all the zetec engine in general is so much better then the cvh.

Zetec are smoother, better and faster on top end
Cvh's maybe more fun and better off the lights

Reliability has to be the zetec


i agree, i used to redline all my zetecs dayin dayout and the only prob i had once was a head gasket.

[Oranoco]

sorry have to disagree had two orion ghia si's 130ps and put the engine out of one in to my xr2i which made 147 bhp and 138 tork with an airfilter and boost valve before i put in a 2.0l lump as the cvh was crap in my eyes, plus to of my mates had good running xr2i and orion i.6i ghia and they got left in the dust lots of times over and i mean with ease.
you just get bad ones and good ones

I find the figure of 147bhp off the two mods quoted hard nigh on impossible to beleive as the only mod that will actually do anything is the air filter. You don't get 17bhp of an air filter. I've seen RS1800's with far more mods not get that sort of figure.

[Zek]

sorry have to disagree had two orion ghia si's 130ps and put the engine out of one in to my xr2i which made 147 bhp and 138 tork with an airfilter and boost valve before i put in a 2.0l lump as the cvh was crap in my eyes, plus to of my mates had good running xr2i and orion i.6i ghia and they got left in the dust lots of times over and i mean with ease.
you just get bad ones and good ones

I find the figure of 147bhp off the two mods quoted hard nigh on impossible to beleive as the only mod that will actually do anything is the air filter. You don't get 17bhp of an air filter. I've seen RS1800's with far more mods not get that sort of figure.

i think the head had bin skimed and the rollers prob abit overzealous but i do have a print out for it and that is the only things i did to it and it wasnt chiped oh and it had a back box but that dont do sh*t. they couldnt beleave it when they did it.

[Jay]

At the end of the day... its not the engine.. its the driver.

The zetec is more refined and revier
The CVH is generally more powerful

Driving a cvh is much more involved than a zetec IMO having owned both.

The zetec you can just cruise around and not really use the gears that much but you have to use the gears with the cvh as it doesnt rev as high.


Its all down to personal preference really and which engine is better is always going to be arguable as they both have good points and bad points.

[hb69]

i had a zetec in my old escort, and have a cvh in my xr2i. i would go for the cvh everytime, it may be older but feels more exiting to drive, the zetec just seems to accelerate without you knowing whereas the cvh is a lot more fun. and about the seats, i changed mine to the 16v ones.