TheSamba.com :: View topic - Bostig Zetec Review: Install and after 2000 miles

Sat Apr 04, 2009 1:52 pm

how about some photos?

How much clearance did you gain/lose?

Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:20 pm

Here is a shot of my rig today. No shot of the engine, sorry.

Who is in tomorrow for Lucky Lab?

-Drew

Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:46 pm

Question, where did you source the engine from ? Was it a junkyard in the PNW ?

If so, would you mind me asking, how many miles and how much did it cost you the engine ?

I'm definitely seeing an engine conversion in my future (probable a year from now) for my Syncro Westy, and I'm leaning towards the Bostig solution. Everyone that has installed one seems very happy, and all agree that they've learned a lot in the process.

Cheers!

Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:06 pm

PNW-

I called around to a few yards and found one with 20K on it in Salem. I think I paid $600 delivered. They even threw in the Alternator at no charge.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

dc

Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:53 am

Sounds like you got your own engine, and just got the kit from Bostig. If this is correct, what do they charge for the kit alone? What would you estimate your total cost to be? I'm curious. Thanks.

Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:02 am

I did source my own engine as the majority of Bostig folks have done recently. They do sell the occasional "Turn Key" engine/ kit, but most people join "Install Groups" and the "Install groups" are classes of 10 people or under that usually do the install on the same time frame over the course of approx. 1.5 months. This helps because everybody is working on the same part of the install the same week, i.e. Cooling system will be installed the week of 4-1. Take a look at www.bostig.com. All the info you need is readily available there.

All in all I think I was driving after about $5, 500 in total cost.

Great site and great support. Jim and Brady run the business and they will walk you through the process if you drop them a line. Top notch folks.

dc

Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:09 am

are you still meeting over at the lab tonight? which one? I'm very interested in doing this myself? See you tonight hopefully.

Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:11 am

Yes, Lucky Lab on Hawthorne tonight. I will be there about 6pm. Looking forward to meeting you guys.

-drew

Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:27 am

I rode my bike today but I'll probably stop by on my way home. It might take a couple pints of stout to be able to make it up the hill from there! :)

Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:16 pm

hey Drew, how about pics of the engine and how it fits ? :lol:

I also have a question...what about when you need service on the zentech engine ? some mechanics won't touch a frankenstein car (and I mean that in a good way) you said you don't wrench on you own for the most part. have you found a good mechanic who's up for working on a vehicle that he can't refer to a book for standard job cost/time estimates ?

best of luck with it. sounds really good to me. since my most trusted mechanic is leaving town I may just go for this option when the wbx poops out.

Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:49 am

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32944666@N07/sets/72157614945920364/

Have changed a few things like the PS is now an idler pulley. 2k Plus and all is well. 65 up the Sunset...

PM

Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:40 am

skpiste wrote: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32944666@N07/sets/72157614945920364/

Have changed a few things like the PS is now an idler pulley. 2k Plus and all is well. 65 up the Sunset...

PM
Neat...A turnkey bostig conversion.
Looks NICE!

Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:19 am

Drew, That is a serious sweet ride you have there! Very nice job on the engine!

Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:48 pm

Kyle, Eric, and Pete great to meet all 3 of you last night. It was nice to finally meet a few fellow Sambanistas. Eric's van put about 2 years of ideas/ mods in my head. . . never ending project.

Crankey-
I don't have too many picture of my install, but I will try to take some soon. As far as the maintenence goes, since I did this conversion myself I plan on doing all the maintenence. If I do need a mechanic I plan on taking it to a local ford mechanic as they should be able to work on this sucker and they will be pleasantly suprised with all the room they have to work with compared to a Focus. If the engine is in trouble, I will buy another Zetec completely for $400-600 and put it in myself. The second time will be a lot easier. I don't foresee this for a long time, but ya never know.

RCwesty- Clearance now is 8 inch. I am not sure what stock is on a syncro, but the departure angle is better than stock I believe due to a custom oil pan they provide.

-dc

Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:40 am

Nice work!

A buddy of mine just completed his zetec conversion on a 2wd 85. Very nice product those guys put together, I'm impressed. However, the engine appeared to hang a couple inches lower. I'll get after him to post some photos soon. Overall, he seems to be pretty happy with it.

Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:13 am

RCWesty wrote: Nice work!

A buddy of mine just completed his zetec conversion on a 2wd 85. Very nice product those guys put together, I'm impressed. However, the engine appeared to hang a couple inches lower. I'll get after him to post some photos soon. Overall, he seems to be pretty happy with it. looking forward to the photos

Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:32 am

I'm liking this idea a lot. I had originally thought Subie 2.2 since Subaru's are very plentiful in Vermont but the ease of the install makes the Zetec seem much better.

Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:37 am

Loosenut93-

If you think 2.2L Subies are plentiful, wait until you start calling around for Zetec Engines out of 2001-2004 Ford Focus, you will be pleasantly suprised. They are everywhere and low mileage engines (20K or less) are really easy to find for $600 of less.

Good Luck.

dc

Wed Apr 08, 2009 1:17 pm

Ok, i'm a little confused, and the Bostig website is not particularly helpful.

I thought the Zetec was not a North American engine.

If that's not true, then we can ignore the rest of this.

Are parts going to be hard to find?

Are they going to be hard to matinence?

Wed Apr 08, 2009 1:20 pm

Terran wrote: Ok, i'm a little confused, and the Bostig website is not particularly helpful.

http://www.bostig.com/products/bostig-20/why-bostig

Click on "Benefits"