how does zetec works

what is zetec?
and how does it work?
and how is it different from vtech,
I also wanted to know is their a zetech controller like a
vtech selenoid control unit

Zetec is just a marketing scheme to sell there cars...People who know of VTEC think hey, if the word Zetec sounds like VTEC it must be like it! Wrong...there is nothing special, just a good old fashion engine.

:uhoh:
zetec is just an engine name. VTEC has spoiled the world :banghead:

Is zetec DOHC?

i know it is in the ZX3 and the ZTS and the contour, but it may come in SOHC too.

ok, zetec and vetec are two different things. zetec isn't just a name ford slapped on its engines. yeah it sounds like vtec and is almost the same thing but it isnt. they both have to do with camshaft lift, duration and all of that good stuff. but ford's zetec has to do more with throttle position as to when the second set of camshaft lobes are engaged. vtec engages more-so on speed and rpm.

Zetec is just the name of a engine FAMILY. There are 1.8L, 2.0L etc. The next gen. are the Duratec family.

VTEC is how Honda controls their cam lift and duration on some of their engines. VTEC stands for Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control.


Zetec has absolutly nothing to do with cams and does nothing but denote which family of engine is in the car. ALL Zetecs are double overhead cam engines, NO SOHC.
The Zetec name is no different than the Fe engine family or the Winsor engine family, it's just a name.

you guys think what you want. whatever.

you guys think what you want. whatever.

Read the name pal. :rolleyes: :nono:

I hope you don't actually own one. The only Focus with variable cam anything would be the SVT, and that is on the intake only. Care to guess why that is???? It would have more to do with emissions than HP. It allows the SVT to get away from the close coupled cats found on the standard car.

what did you design? the sun visors? no kidding the svt is the one with variable cam timing. who honestly cares about zx3's or zts's, they arent worth much of anything. so go to a ford dealership, ask them for their little info sheet and it will say, "Variable Cam Timing" on it. wow. so quit talking out your ass, I don't really care who you are. take the time and learn something about engines.

Do you even own one???
I have a ZX3. I wouldn't purchase a SVT. Why pay for the same basic car and rip everything out to make a track car??
A ZX3 with simple and logical bolt ons can easily trash a SVT. Been done many, many times. SVT is nice to have some extra power and keep your warrenty.
Suspensions - Much better aftermarket.
Engines - ZX3 isn't encumbered with the VCT(worthless) or the dual intake manifold, making it far easier to tune.

You'll also notice that the RS does not use the VCT system, it uses the standard Zetec motor as it's base.

I've been a chassis designer for 20 years, I also worked for advanced engine on the mod motors. My name is on the Lincoln LS, Jag S-Type, T-Bird, Mustang and Cobra. Just to name a few. And you??????

Ok genius, tell us all why the VCT system is only on one cam. I've personally delt with Ford Engine on this issue, and know why. But please enlighten the rest of us.... What's the real reason and the funtioning behind it.

:rofl: :lol: :rofl:

You also might want to inform everyone what a 1.6L Zetec, 1.8L Zetec and what a Zetec-SE is. Since Zetec doesn't refer to a family of engines and just the engine in the SVT.

Oh, by the way, you ARE aware that the Escort ZX2 also had the 2.0L Zetec WITH VCT. :eek7:

Feel free to look any of these up. :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

As an ex-honda lover, it kinda appals me that most people cant spell V-Tec. V-Tec is simply having adjustable cam timing regulated by a solenoid connected to the ECU that at a certain RPM will adjust your cam timing. Variable Cam timing isnt worthless, and its amazing how I read a post containing the words SVT and think what a ricer. Also whats your name, I would like to look you up as being a chasis designer, what plant did you work for? What plant developed the 4.6L over the 5 first? When you come in claming youev been a professional for 20 years, you better make damn sure you ahev credentials to back it up. And what adult would make such hostile posts over absolutely nothing? Have some class.

whatever, im just a nobody, i dont know anything. hell, i dont even know what a car is. so you think what you want, and i'll think what i want. i have replied too many times already to your "logical" posts. so you go "design" some fords mr. designer. im out of here

...........I've been a chassis designer for 20 years.........


For being an older gent, you sure project your words like a kid.

Does anyone else find it hard to believe that ford designer is a Shelby owner, who has been desgining chassises for 20 years, and is an FERA participant? Lemme guess your part of the FME Tech Team as well get outta hear kid, I dont even have my first car and I see through your bullshit (I am 15)

First, I never said I owned a Shelby. I belong to the club and attend track events. I also work with some of the other members.

If you have access to the Ford system I'm not hard to find or look up. Go for it. I do not work in a plant. The design centers are spread out around the Dearborn area, amongst the buildings. i.e. building 1,2,3,5,PDC, etc. And here's something that will mess with your head, look up the S197 and Terminator. You now have more than enough information. What plant developed the 4.6L?? It wasn't developed at any plant. It was developed at Advanced Engine, in Allen Park Mich. I-94 and Southfield Rd. Anything else?

My opinions on the VCT system as it is used on the SVT not withstanding, this thread was about "Zetec" and what it is. I posted the correct information regarding what it was. A name denoting a family of engines manufactured by the Ford Motor Co. It is not and never had any connotations about a VCT system. Moparkilla was spreading misinformation, possibly confusing those that do not know and the person asking the question. The simple fact that he continued to press with his lack of knowledge and misinformation, I felt posting corrections and showing where he was wrong would help others. Maybe I'm wrong.
Anyone can look up the Focus in Europe and notice that it uses a 1.6L Zetec and a 1.8L Zetec. Also the Puma uses a 1.7L Zetec called the Zetec-SE. Thus you have part of the Zetec family, all without any trace of VCT.

As for the VCT used by the SVT Focus.... It's primary function is emissions related. It is not there to build horsepower itself. As I said, it allows Ford to get away from the close coupled cats found on the base engine. You do not feel the VCT kick in, why? You'll normally notice the intake manifold cross over from long to short runners, but not the VCT.
Think about that for a moment. Do you notice the VCT kick in on a Honda???


Also being the owner of a ZX3 I found this rather insulting :

"who honestly cares about zx3's or zts's, they arent worth much of anything."
My ZX3 is set up to be a track event car. Harsh suspension, race headers, batt. relocated, 5 pt., seats removed, etc. For me to purchase a SVT would make little sense, but they are nice factory cars.

This would be nice too...
"what did you design? the sun visors? " "quit talking out your ass,I don't really care who you are. take the time and learn something about engines."
I guess I shouldn't take offense from comments like these. After all, I'm the one that knows nothing about engines.

First of all the TWO STAGE manifold in the SVT does have short and long runners that it switches between.

Second, everything you posted can be easily found on google, whats your employee email address? Heres a question that you should know the answer to if you were ever employed there, the answer to it too can be found online. What is the main bank for the employees of the ford motor company in dearborn?

Dearborn Federal Credit Union or DFCU. At one time account numbers reflected the number of members and the order in which you joined.
i.e. 0000001=first member.

"First of all the TWO STAGE manifold in the SVT does have short and long runners that it switches between. "
Yes, this is correct. It does not have two separate runners. However, the dual stage intake does switch between long and short runners. It basically shortens the long runners. I'm sure that can be looked up on google how it functions, and where it switches over. I know the basics of how it functions, not the technical. I've seen the SVT's cut aways.

This is on google????
"What plant developed the 4.6L?? It wasn't developed at any plant. It was developed at Advanced Engine, in Allen Park Mich. I-94 and Southfield Rd."

If you can look everything up on google, please tell me this.
In which Building do the clays for the S197 reside?? And what program is the S197(easy)?

"whats your employee email address?" Dream on. I'm going to post my work email so I can recieve stuff like this at work ...
"quit talking out your ass,I don't really care who you are. take the time and learn something about engines."


Plus if you knew who was posting the correct information on the Zetec, why didn't you post trying to help??? Zetec is a name of a family of engines, a few of which have VCT. It is not a type or form of VCT. This would have been over quickly. I'm sure you had access to that information. Why post attacking me and not the source of "ricer" information??

i was under the impression that the zetec engine family did have a variable valve timing system, similar to toyota's VVT system and mitisbishis mivec...the difference was that zetec and vvt systems were not equiped with a lift system as found in dohc vtec's, nissans VVL, and toyota's i-VVTL...so basically the standard zetec was to help emissions and gas mileage, and also to maintain torque throughout the band...

though i dont know what the svt valve timing system really consists of(aside from what ive gathered from the rest of the posts)... i was kind of hoping the ford designer would be able to help out here...heh, or if someone could direct me to a tech manual of some sort...im very eager to find out...but my main concern is with the standard 2.0 zetec and its valve timing info...

-dave

No, the Zetec family does not have any VVT system. They do/did have certain engines with either a VVT on the intake(SVT Focus) or exhaust(ZX2/Contour/ Mystique). But those VVT have only to do with the individual models. It was not across the board. The base ZX3 or ZTS does not come equipped with the VVT.
Straight from Ford Media:
"The SVT Focus powertrain starts with a 2.0-liter Zetec Ford engine. In standard Focus models it produces 130 hp at 5,300 rpm and 135 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. This engine’s cast-iron block already has the strength, rigidity and durability necessary for the increased power SVT engineers were developing.

Component changes in the block include new forged-steel connecting rods with 20mm wrist pins and lightweight, cast-aluminum pistons. The new pistons increase compression from the Zetec’s 9.6:1 ratio to 10.2:1 in the SVT Focus.

A new casting for the aluminum cylinder head has enlarged intake ports for increased flow. The intake valves measure 33.5mm in diameter, 1.5mm larger than those in a standard Zetec.
Intake and exhaust valve springs are stiffer by 27 percent and 19 percent, respectively, compared with the Zetec I-4’s. That allows the engine’s redline to rise from 6,750 to 7,200 rpm.

The intake camshaft is equipped with an electro-mechanical control mechanism, which allows the cam’s maximum opening point, relative to crankshaft degrees, to be varied between 85 and 145 degrees after top-dead-center on the intake stroke. The variability is dependent on engine speed and load, and is accomplished by changing oil pressure on either side of a piston in a helix between the cam and its drive pulley. This is the first application of variable intake cam timing at Ford in North America, and is a significant contributor to the engine’s remarkable low-end torque. "

Although this is correct, the ZX2/Contour/ Mystique does have a VCT on the exhaust cam. This from Bob Mordorski :
"Starting in 1998, Ford began using variable camshaft timing (VCT) on the 2.0L DOHC engine used in the Contour/Mystique and Escort cars. The purpose of varying the exhaust camshaft timing on these engines is to help reduce emissions similar to the way an EGR valve would, and also to help increase fuel economy. By retarding the exhaust cam timing, some of the inert exhaust gas is left in the cylinder for the next intake stroke. This in turn cools the combustion chamber, reducing NOx and HC emissions. With the VCT, there is no need for an EGR valve, since retarding the exhaust camshaft timing creates the same effect.

The total amount the exhaust cam can be retarded is 30 degrees (60 degrees of crankshaft revolution). The exhaust camshaft has a reluctor ring on it to trigger the camshaft position sensor. The reluctor ring consists of four equally spaced teeth, with one additional tooth in the middle to designate where the TDC is. Sometimes the reluctor ring is called a 4+1.

When the PCM compares the camshaft position sensor signal to the crankshaft position sensor signal, it can then determine where the camshaft is and if it is moving properly when it commands the VCT solenoid to actuate. The VCT solenoid is supplied with engine oil pressure and uses that internally to create a mechanical force to adjust the position of the exhaust cam gear on the exhaust cam. "

Bob Mordorski is an IDENTIFIX Ford specialist.

Again the Zetec is in many cars in Europe, the Focus ZX3, ZTS,Escape,Tribute and none of these have any type of VVT or VCT.

Hope this helps. :bigthumb:

definately clears it up, i knew something about the variable cam timing in the zx2, and i just kind of assumed(and read quesitonable info) that this tech went directly into the focus zetec, and in the escape in particular ... oh well, thanks though

Well, I'm glad that was cleared up!

Ford Zetec engines vary intake cam timing thru an electro-mechanical device. They can vary 85 to 45 atdc. They are DOHC 4v and are the first engine Ford used to vary cam timing, before the new 4.6L Triton. Also the intake varies from long runners to short for high end power. So...Zetec is not just a name and its not your average 4v 2.0L.

its already be answered, and only teh SVT cary the intake, zx2 and contour vary the exaust. and its not a 4v its a i4, INLINE-4

I like the fact that the Zetec motor in Canada's Focus (maybe others, i dunno) has a fail safe colling system as of '03. Is this being continued in the Focus line-up for '05 do you know?

I know this is off of what's being talked about here now, but i had to throw my :2cents: at it anyways.

"Ford Zetec engines vary intake cam timing thru an electro-mechanical device. They can vary 85 to 45 atdc. They are DOHC 4v and are the first engine Ford used to vary cam timing, before the new 4.6L Triton. Also the intake varies from long runners to short for high end power. So...Zetec is not just a name and its not your average 4v 2.0L."

I spoke with a few of my friends at an SAE meeting and it turns out that this is pretty true(as far as we know). ZXx/Ghia Zetec's do infact vary the cam timing. This is why the engine has almost 80% of its power available at any rev. lol now im gonna wait for FordDesigner to prove me wrong

prove what wrong? teh zx2 vct isnt ment fro power, beter tq curve is a side effect, teh SVT zetec is ont only one with it ment for power

aren't VVT and VCT different? VVT is called that because its just that, having to do w/ the valves right? and VCT is having to do w/ the computer control of the cam retard/advancement. granted the valves don't open w/o the cams but you can't call a VTEC motor device VCT. just like you can't really call a VCT motor a VVT. maybe im talkin out my ass not i dunno.

"Ford Zetec engines vary intake cam timing thru an electro-mechanical device. They can vary 85 to 45 atdc. They are DOHC 4v and are the first engine Ford used to vary cam timing, before the new 4.6L Triton. Also the intake varies from long runners to short for high end power. So...Zetec is not just a name and its not your average 4v 2.0L."

I spoke with a few of my friends at an SAE meeting and it turns out that this is pretty true(as far as we know). ZXx/Ghia Zetec's do infact vary the cam timing. This is why the engine has almost 80% of its power available at any rev. lol now im gonna wait for FordDesigner to prove me wrong

If I knew what you where talking about I could answer....

What is a ZXx/Ghia??? Ford never made a ZXx/Ghia, that I've ever heard of.

If you meant the ZX2, that was covered already. Please read before posting.
Zetec is a family of engines. They are being replaced by the Duratecs.

And drdaveleister and glxrustang please read the posts up from yours.
I've explained everything. Read and then hit google or whatever search funtion you want. A friend of a friend of someone you heard from.... isn't really fact. Go look up the SVT press release or quote whom is telling you lies. Name names. You can do a search and easily find what I've posted and learn for yourself.

I know post a Ford website or Ford person willing to claim the standard Zetec (this will include the 1.8 and 1.6, as they are BOTH standard Zetecs) has VVT or VCT. Let's see it.....

Ford Zetec engines vary intake cam timing thru an electro-mechanical device. They can vary 85 to 45 atdc. They are DOHC 4v and are the first engine Ford used to vary cam timing, before the new 4.6L Triton. Also the intake varies from long runners to short for high end power. So...Zetec is not just a name and its not your average 4v 2.0L.

Your talking about the SVT Focus. This is NOT the standard Zetec motor or the standard Focus. It the same as saying the V8 in the GT is the same engine as the V8 as the Cobra. The SVT is different. Even the ZX2 with it's VCT didn't have long/short runners, so that alone is way off. Like every $12,000 ZX3 has long and short runners. :rolleyes: And a SVT motor. The Zetec is standard in the ZX3. The non ZX2, SVT zetec is just your standard pentroof 4v 2.0L 4cyl engine. No VCT, no short/long runners, no VVT, no extra anything.
In fact the Duratec motor that replaces it has a much better head design. It has the potential to flow much more.

uh i didnt have any sources, i just said that it sounded pretty true. we were discussing it at an SAE meeting and the question came up again about the zetec and its ability to maintain 80% of its power at any rev(something that has is static throughout the zetec family).

ZXx = ZX2 ZX3...etc
Ghia= Ghia Mondeo..Ghia Puma...etc

sorry im just trying to figure it out.

and just so you know were just a bunch of m.e. students talking and trying to figure out the little things...thats all

duratec is next. heh heh heh

there is no ghia puma....

Zetec is just the name of a engine FAMILY. There are 1.8L, 2.0L etc. The next gen. are the Duratec family.

VTEC is how Honda controls their cam lift and duration on some of their engines. VTEC stands for Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control.


Zetec has absolutly nothing to do with cams and does nothing but denote which family of engine is in the car. ALL Zetecs are double overhead cam engines, NO SOHC.
The Zetec name is no different than the Fe engine family or the Winsor engine family, it's just a name.

Base trim focus zx3's are available in a 1.8 litre SOHC.

only in europe, in america they are all DOHC

i have a 1998 Zx2 with the zetec /w vct and im trying to locate a good parts website for my mini american muscle car any help?

also when i look online alot of sites say that a part will work for a zx2 and zx3 what exactly is the difference between the zetec in the zx2 and the zetec in the zx3? Besides the valve cover color.

fordesigner obviously knows what he is talking about. quit trying to test him, even IF he wasn't woking for ford, he's still educated about what he is saying

anyways, what did they improve with the duratec? i wanna hear more about that.

Ok, here you can go through,

1. Zetec is a trim level offered across numerous Ford models. It fits between the more basic Studio and Style models and the range-topping Titanium line. Zetec is available on all mainstream Fords and costs around £3,000 more than the most basic models.

2. This is more powerful than the larger 1.1-litre engine, the 99bhp EcoBoost is perky and responsive, achieving 0-62mph in a very respectable 10.5 seconds. A 113mph top speed makes it fuss-free when cruising at motorway speeds, too. Passengers will enjoy travelling in the Fiesta Zetec.

3. There is a big difference between the ZETEC and VTEC. The main difference is valve timing and w/ i-VTEC they also control cam timing. Honda has the upper hand when it comes to high performance engines. When you can have a 1.6L engine produce 160hp and 111 ft.

4. There is also a differences between ZETEC and VTEC controller as like as their pattern differences. :smile: